How to completely uninstall the application on Xiaomi Redmi 8: from system to user programs

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but even it eventually begins to “slow down” due to the accumulated unnecessary applications. MIUI system utilities, pre-installed Google services and randomly downloaded programs take up memory and consume battery power. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to remove applications from standard to hidden, including those that are not deleted through the menu.

It is important to understand the difference between deleting (completely erasing program files) and disabling (the application stays in memory, but does not work). On Redmi 8 with MIUI 12/13/14 firmware, some system applications can only be disabled, and additional tools will be required to completely delete them. We will consider both options, and also tell you which programs can not be deleted categorically, this will lead to a system failure.

1. Standard removal through MIUI settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for custom applications (downloaded from Google Play or third-party sources) and some pre-installed programs that are not critical to the system.

To remove the app:

1. Open the Settings menu → Applications → Application management.
2. In the list, find the desired application (you can use the search at the top of the screen).
3. Slip on it and select Remove (or Disable if the delete button is inactive).
4. Confirm the action by pressing OK.

• 📱 Works for: User Applications (VK, Telegram, games), some system (for example, Mi Browser, Mi Music).
• ⚠️ Not working for: Google Play Services, MIUI System Launcher, Security and other critical services.
• ⏳ Execution time: 10–30 seconds.

⚠️ Note: If the Remove button is inactive and only Disable, it means that the application is system-based. its complete removal may require the rights of a superuser (root) or use of the app. ADB.

2. Delete via the application menu (alternative method)

Not everyone knows, but many programs can be removed directly from the home screen or from the app menu without going into the settings, which is faster, but it doesn't work for all types of software.

Instructions:

1. Find on the home screen or in the application menu the program icon you want to remove.
2. Hold your finger for 1-2 seconds until the context menu appears.
3. Select Remove (basket icon) or drag the icon to the top of the screen where the Remove icon will appear.
4. Confirm the action.

If you try to delete a message that you can't delete or the Application is protected, it means that the program has administrator rights.

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Device Administrator Rights.
2. Uncheck the box from the application you want to remove.
3. Repeat the removal attempt.

3. Complete removal of system applications via ADB

Removing embedded applications that are not removed by standard methods will require USB debugging (ADB), a method that does not require root rights, but requires connecting the smartphone to the computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 📱 Smartphone Redmi 8 with enabled debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer and allow debugging over USB on your phone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Find out the exact name of the application package you want to remove. Enter: adb shell pm list packages | grep "application name" For example, for Mi Browser: adb shell pm list packages | grep "browser"
5. Delete the application by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name package Example for Mi Browser: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications through ADB It can lead to unstable work. MIUI Before you do this, back up your important data. Some apps (like Google Play Services) are critical to your smartphone, and if you delete them, you'll crash.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC

Enable USB debugging on Redmi 8

Download and unpack ADB Tools

Connect your phone to the original cable

Check the connection of the adb device team-->

4. Deletion with root rights (for experienced users)

If you're willing to take risks and get root rights, it will give you access to the complete removal of any application, including system applications, but it has serious drawbacks:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the phone is under warranty).
• 🔒 Security risk – root gives you full access to the system, which is dangerous when installing malware.
• 🔄 Problems with OTA-Updates – after receiving root updates MIUI may not be installed.

To remove applications from root, use file managers like Root Explorer or Solid Explorer:

1. Open a file manager with root support.
2. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app (there are stored system applications).
3. Find a folder with the name of the application being removed (for example, MiBrowser).
4. Delete the folder or rename it (add at the end of.bak).
5. Reboot your smartphone.

An alternative way to do this is to use applications like Titanium Backup (requires root):

• 📋 Create a backup of the application before deleting.
• 🗑️ Select the program in the list and click Delete.
• 🔄 Reset the device.

5. disabling unnecessary applications (if you can not delete)

If an application cannot be removed even through ADB, it can be disabled, which will stop it from working, hide it from the menu, and free up some resources (but not completely free up memory).

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the appropriate application.
3. Click Disable (if the button is active).
4. Confirm the action.

Applications disabled:

• ✅ They won't be on the menu.
• ✅ They will not consume battery power in the background.
• ❌ There will be no space in the memory (files will remain).
• ❌ Can be activated again after the update MIUI.

List of apps that can be safely disabled on Redmi 8:

• 🌐 Mi Browser – if you use Chrome or another browser.
• 🎵 Mi Music – if you listen to music on Spotify or YouTube Music.
• 📺 Mi Video – if you watch videos in other players.
• 📱 Mi Drop – if you do not use Wi-Fi transfer between Xiaomi devices.
• 💬 Mi Community – if you don’t visit the Xiaomi forum.

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Before disabling the system application, check if another program is dependent on it, for example, disabling Google Play Services can disrupt Google Maps, Gmail and other services.

6. Deletion of residual files after uninstallation

Even after you delete an application on Redmi 8, you often have cache, settings, and temporary files that take up space. To completely clean up your system, follow these steps:

1. Cache cleanup:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the remote application (it can be displayed in gray).
3. Click Clear Cache and Clear Data (if the buttons are active).

Manual cleaning of folders:

• Open a file manager (e.g. Files by Google or built-in MIUI File Manager).
• Go to /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ – this is where application data is stored. /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/ – game cache files.
• Find the folder with the name of the remote application and delete it.

3. Use of utilities for cleaning:

Applications like CCleaner or SD Maid can help you find and delete residual files, but beware that some cleaners can delete important data.

⚠️ Note: Do not manually delete files from folders /system or /data This can lead to data loss or a cyclical smartphone reboot.

7 Recovery of Remote System Applications

If after removing the system application through ADB or with root rights, Redmi 8 began to work unstable (errors fly out, Wi-Fi does not turn on, sound disappears), it can be restored.

Recovery methods:

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings: Go to Settings → The phone. → Setting reset. Select Erase all data. ⚠️ Warning: This will delete all your files, photos and apps!
• 📥 Installation through ADB: If you have a backup of the application (such as a.apk file), it can be installed back through ADB: adb install name file.apk
• 🛠️ Fastboot flashing: If the smartphone stops turning on, you will need a full flashing through the Mi Flash Tool.

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Before you delete your system applications, always check to see if other features are affected, such as deleting Google Play Services will disrupt YouTube, Gmail and other services.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Redmi 8