How to completely remove the game Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: all ways

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, with its powerful Mediatek Helio G90T processor and 6GB of RAM, remains a popular device among gamers even years after its release. However, over time, dozens of installed games accumulate that take up precious space, slow down the system and drain the battery. Unlike standard applications, games often leave behind tails โ€” cache, save data and system files that are not deleted with a conventional uninstaller.

In this article, we will discuss all possible methods of removing games on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, from basic (via the app menu) to advanced (using ADB and root rights). Particular attention will be paid to cleaning the residual files that can โ€œweighโ€ gigabytes, and understand why some games are not deleted by standard MIUI tools due to built-in system dependencies. If you encounter an error โ€œDeletion impossibleโ€ or a game that recovers after a reboot, here you will find a solution.

1. Standard removal through the application menu

The easiest way is to use built-in tools. MIUI. It is suitable for most custom games (e.g. from Google Play or Google Play). APK-files, but will not work for pre-installed system applications.

Instructions:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Open the Settings. โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Application management.
  • ๐Ÿ” In the search box, enter the name of the game (for example, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty).
  • ๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ Press the game. โ†’ Delete (or Deinstall).
  • โš ๏ธ Confirm the action if there is a request for deletion of data.

If the Remove button is inactive or absent, the game is a system game (for example, Mi Game Center) โ€“ to remove it, you will need superuser rights or ADB.

โ˜‘๏ธ Preparing for the removal of the game

Done: 0 / 4

โš ๏ธ Note: Some games (such as Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings) leave cache folders in the game after deleting. /Android/obb/ or /Android/data/. You need to manually remove them through the file manager!

2. Remove via MIUI Cleaner (built-in utility)

MIUI has its own system cleaner tool, Security (or Cleaner in older versions), which allows you not only to delete applications, but also to clean their residual files.

How to use:

  1. Launch the Security app (shield icon).
  2. Go to the Cleanup or Acceleration tab.
  3. Click App Management โ†’ Find the game.
  4. Choose Delete and confirm.
  5. Return to the main menu and run Deep Cleanup to remove the cache.

The advantage of this method is that it automatically cleans temporary files that a regular uninstaller misses, but Cleaner does not always see games installed outside of Google Play (for example, via APKMirror).

๐Ÿ“Š How you usually remove games from your smartphone?
Through the app menu
Using MIUI Cleaner
I manually remove it through the file manager
I use ADB or root.
Another way.
Deleting methodSuitable forRemoves the cache?Needs root?
Standard menuCustomized gamesโŒ No.โŒ No.
MIUI CleanerGames from Play Marketโœ… Yes (partially)โŒ No.
File managerAny games.โœ… Yes (by hand)โŒ No.
ADBSystem and user gamesโŒ No.โŒ No.
Root rightsAll games, including protected onesโœ… Yes (fully)โœ… Yes.

3. Manual deletion of residual game files

Even after the game is uninstalled, the games often remain:

  • ๐Ÿ“ Cache folders in /Android/obb/[title games (may weigh) 1โ€“5 GB).
  • ๐Ÿ“ Conservation data in /Android/data/[game-pack].
  • ๐Ÿ“„ Configuration files in /data/data/[game pack (requires root).

To clean them up:

  1. Open any file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
  2. Go to Internal Memory โ†’ Android โ†’ Obb and delete the folder with the name of the game.
  3. Repeat for Android โ†’ data (here may be hidden folders โ€“ turn on the display of hidden files in the manager settings).

โš ๏ธ Attention: Removal of folders in /data/data/ root-free can cause failures! Use this method only if you are confident in your actions.

How to find a package name (game package)?
Open Google Play, find the game. โ†’ In the address bar of the browser will be a line of the type id=com.tencent.ig (for PUBG). That's the package. APK-Files Use App Inspector App Application.

4. Remove system games via ADB (no root)

Some games (such as Mi Game Center or Xiaomi Game Turbo) are system games and are not removed by standard methods. ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Instructions:

  1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings โ†’ About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
  2. Return to Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ For developers and enable USB debugging.
  3. Connect your phone to your PC, install it. ADB-Drivers and open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools.
  4. Enter the command: Adb devices to make sure the device is connected.
  5. Learn the game package (see spoiler above) and execute: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.gamecenter (replace com.xiaomi.gamecenter with your game package).

This method does not require root rights, but removes the game only for the current user. After resetting the settings or updating the MIUI, the game can return.

๐Ÿ’ก

If ADB not seeing the device, try reinstalling drivers or using another USB-Often the problem is with the unoriginal cables with the damaged data contacts.

5. Complete removal through root rights

If you have an unlocked bootloader and you have Magisk or another root manager installed, you can uninstall any game without restrictions, including secure system applications.

The most reliable tools:

  • ๐Ÿ”ง Root Explorer โ€“ allows you to delete files from the /system/app/.
  • ๐Ÿงน Titanium Backup โ€“ Creates backups before deleting.
  • ๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ System App Remover โ€“ Specialized for System Applications.

Example of removal through Root Explorer:

  1. Open the application and provide root access.
  2. Go to /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/.
  3. Find a folder with the game (such as GameCenter) and delete it.
  4. Reboot the phone.

โš ๏ธ Note: Deleting system files can result in bootloop ( looped boot) or failure of individual functions MIUI! Before experimenting, make a backup copy through TWRP.

๐Ÿ’ก

Root rights give you maximum freedom, but also maximum risk, and use them only if you understand the consequences and are ready to restore the system.

Alternative methods: shutdown and freezing

If you cannot delete the game (for example, it is critical to the Game Turbo), you can turn it off or freeze it:

Disconnection through settings:

  • ๐Ÿ”ง Go to Settings. โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Application management.
  • ๐Ÿ” Find the game and click Disable (the button will become active if the deletion is blocked).
  • โš ๏ธ The disabled application will not be updated and take up resources, but will remain in memory.

Freeze through ADB:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.gamecenter

To defrost, replace disable-user with enable.

For freezing without ADB, applications like App Quarantine or Ice Box (require root or special permissions) are suitable.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you delete games on Redmi Note 8 Pro, users face typical problems:

Mistake.Reason.Decision
"Removal is impossible"System or MIUI protected gameUse ADB or root
The game is recovering after the rebootMIUI automatically restores system applicationsTurn off autorecovery in Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ Resetting app settings
Lack of space for removalCache folders take up too much spaceClean /Android/obb/ manually
ADB does not see the deviceNot installed drivers or debugging not includedReinstall the drivers and check USB-cable

If after removing the game, the phone began to slow down, try:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Reset the device.
  • ๐Ÿงน Clear the cache through Settings โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ Clear the cache.
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Reset application settings in Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Menus (โ‹ฎ) โ†’ Resetting application settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I remove the Game Turbo on the Redmi Note 8 Pro?
Game Turbo is a system application, you can't remove it without root. You can only disable it via ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.gameturbo However, this can degrade performance in games.
Why does PUBG Mobile have a 3GB folder after it is removed?
This is the game's cache in /Android/obb/com.tencent.ig. Delete it manually through the file manager. If the folder doesn't get deleted, check if the game is running in the background.
How to remove a game if it doesnโ€™t appear in the list of apps?
Itโ€™s probably a hidden-pack system game. Use App Inspector (from Google Play) to search for the package, then uninstall it through ADB.
Can you restore a remote game with its saves?
If you haven't cleaned the /Android/data/ folder, saves can stay. Reinstall the game, it'll pick up old data. If the folder is deleted, saves are lost.
Is it safe to remove system games through root?
No, it's always a risk! Removing system components (like the Mi Game Center) can cause Game Turbo to crash or even make it impossible to boot your phone. TWRP before experimentation.