Owners of the popular Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro often face a situation where the device’s internal memory is filled with unnecessary programs immediately after purchase.The Android-based MIUI operating system contains many built-in services that a particular user does not always need, some of which consume RAM in the background, reducing the overall performance of the gadget.
Cleaning a smartphone of digital debris is not just a way to free up a few gigabytes, but also the ability to extend battery life. Standard system tools can remove only a small part of the software, since system applications are often hidden from the average user. Deep cleaning will require the use of special tools and knowledge of the nuances of the shell.
In this guide, we will discuss in detail how to remove excess software from the device, how to turn off ads, remove Chinese services and optimize the work of the Redmi Note 8 Pro without the risk of turning the device into a brick.
Analysis of embedded software: what can be removed
Before taking decisive action, you need to understand the difference between user data, system services and advertising modules: Global and EEA (European version) have less garbage pre-installed than Chinese builds, but there is still garbage.
It is safe to remove various app stores, browsers from the manufacturer, duplicate Google services and themed widgets. This category includes games that often come bundled with the device. However, touching components related to telephony, Bluetooth or power management is strongly discouraged.
⚠️ Note: Removal of the Security component or MIUI Security can disrupt antivirus and memory cleaner, which is the basic function of protecting the device.
For clarity, we will consider the main categories of applications in the table below so that you can navigate the list of installed software.
| Package name | Type | Recommendation |
|---|
| com.miui.analytics | Systems service | Delete (data collection) |
| com.android.chrome | browser | Leave or remove |
| com.miui.yellowpage | Service | Delete (advertising) |
| com.xiaomi.joyose | Systems service | Delete (notifications) |
Understanding the purpose of each packet is key to secure optimization, and if you’re not sure about the function of a particular file, it’s best to leave it or temporarily disable it through settings before taking drastic measures.
Preparing the smartphone for modification
Effective system files require pre-configuration of the smartphone itself. Standard mode limits access to critical memory parts. The first step is to activate a hidden menu for developers that allows you to manage debugging over USB.
You need to go to the Settings menu, then select About Phone. Find the MIUI version and quickly click on it 7-10 times in a row. The system will notify you that the developer mode is activated. Then a new Additional or Advanced Settings section will appear in the main settings menu.
Inside the developer menu, find Debugging on USB and switch the slider to active position. When you connect to your computer, you'll see a request for debugging permission on the screen — be sure to tick "Always Allow from this computer," which opens the gateway for external control tools.
It’s also worth making sure that the device has a password or pattern lock lock screen enabled, as some security tools require the device to be protected to work with ADB.
Delete via computer with ADB
The most professional and safe way to clean the Redmi Note 8 Pro is to use the Android debugging bridge (ADB).This method does not require superuser rights (Root), which retains the warranty on the device.
Download platform-tools from the official Android developer site. Unpack the archive into the root folder of the disk for convenience, for example, in C:\adb. Connect the phone with a cable to the PC in file transfer mode. Open the command line in the tool folder and enter a command to check the connection:
adb devices
If the list shows the serial number of your device with device status, then the connection is established. If the status is unauthorized, look at the phone screen and confirm debugging. Then you can start deleting the packets. The command to uninstall is as follows:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packet
Replace the name of the package with the real name of the application you found earlier. For example, to remove Xiaomi analytics, the command will be: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analytics. The -k flag saves cache and data, which allows you to restore the application if necessary, although this is rarely required for system software.
What to do if your computer can’t see your phone?
If the device is not displayed in the list ADB, try to replace USB-cable to original or other quality wire. Also often helps installing Xiaomi drivers USB Driver manually through Windows Device Manager, selecting your smartphone model from the list MTP or ADB Interface.> Using the command line gives you complete control over the process, and you can remove applications selectively without risking the integrity of the entire operating system, as you would with flashing. Use of graphics utilities for cleaning For those who do not want to work with the command line, there are convenient graphic shells that work on the basis of the ADB. One of the most popular and proven programs is Universal Android Debloater or Xiaomi. ADB/Fastboot Tools.These utilities automatically detect the connected device and offer a list of packets to remove. Once you run the program and connect the smartphone, you'll see a list of all the apps you've installed, and programs often label the components that are dangerous to remove in red and the ones that are safe in green, which greatly reduces the risk of accidental system failure. You just tick the box against the unused software and click on the Uninstall button, and the advantage of these tools is that you have a database that describes the purpose of each packet, and if you hover over com.miui.misys, for example, it will tell you that it is a system service and delete it. However, it is worth remembering that databases may not be updated immediately after the release of new versions. MIUI. Use the Recommended List feature in these programs to quickly select a typical garbage collection to remove, saving time and eliminating the need to review the technical documentation for each package. If you doubt the need for any component, you can simply turn it off. This action hides the app icon from the menu and prevents it from running, taking up RAM or using up battery power. Functionally, the effect is almost identical to deleting, but the process is completely reversible. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Find the desired service, for example, Mail or Music from Xiaomi. Click on it and select the Disable button. If the button is inactive (gray), then the application is critical for operation, and the system prohibits its deactivation. Disconnection can also be performed through ADB Adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 You can restore a disabled application by the same command, replacing the disable-user with enable, or simply turning it on in your smartphone settings. This is the perfect test case: turn off the service and use the phone for a couple of days. If there are no problems, delete safely. ⚠️ Note: Do not disable system input components such as Android Keyboard or MIUI Keyboard, unless you have an alternative input option installed, otherwise you won't be able to type text.Advertising and system debris fight One of the top reasons users want to clean the Redmi Note 8 Pro, which is intrusive advertising, appears in standard apps like Guide, Music, Themes, and even the lock menu. Removing ad modules greatly improves the user experience. The key element of the advertising system MIUI is a service MSA (MIUI System Ads. Its removal or disabling blocks most pop-up banners. It is also worth paying attention to the Daemon package, which is responsible for notifications from marketing partners. In addition to removing packages, it is recommended to disable personalization of advertising in settings. Go to Settings → Passwords and security → Access to personal data (or Privacy) Find Receive recommendations or Receive ads and turn off the switchboard, which will not remove modules, but will prevent them from showing targeted content. Cleaning from ads not only saves traffic, but also reduces the load on the processor, since the device does not need to constantly download and render banner ads in the background. Recovery of remote components Accidental removal of an important system application is a unpleasant situation, but often fixable. If you used the method ADB flag-headed --user 0, The application is not physically erased from the system partition, but only deleted for the current user, which means that it can be returned without flashing. To restore, use the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing name packet or a simpler option for older versions. Android/ADB: adb shell pm install-existing packet name If the application has been removed completely (which requires Root rights) or you have removed the critical component that caused the bootloop (cyclic reboot), the only way out is to reset to factory settings (Hard Reset) or flash the device through the recovery. ⚠️ Before any manipulation of system files, be sure to back up important data (photos, contacts) to a cloud service or computer. Regularly checking the list of installed apps helps keep your smartphone clean. Remove what you don't use, and your Redmi Note 8 Pro will run faster even after years of use. Is it safe to remove Google Play Services? No, it's absolutely not. Google Play Services is a fundamental application that provides push notifications, geolocation, account synchronization and most third-party applications (cards, banks, instant messengers) for its removal will lead to complete inoperability of the smartphone. Do you need Root rights to remove system applications? Most garbage disposal tasks don't require Root rights. Method ADB It allows you to remove or disable 95% of the unwanted software, obtaining superuser rights (Root) cancels the warranty, reduces data security and can cause problems with the operation of banking applications (NFC pay). What if you delete the audio or network? You probably deleted the system driver or service that handles these functions. Try to restore remote packets via ADB with install-existing. If that doesn't work, reset the settings to the factory via the Recovery menu (power button + volume up when the phone is off).