How to completely uninstall the application with Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: from standard to system

Removing unwanted apps from the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is a seemingly simple task, but in practice users face a lot of nuances: some programs are removed in two clicks, others require superuser rights or even a connection to a computer. What if the application is not deleted at all? In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios: from basic removal through the menu to deep cleaning of system components.

The Redmi Note 8 (codenamed ginkgo) features MIUI firmware, which actively integrates Xiaomi’s own services. Many of them can’t be removed by standard methods, but there are workarounds. We tested all of them on current versions of MIUI 12/13/14 and prepared checklists for each situation. Importantly, some methods require caution – incorrect removal of system APKs can lead to a device boot failure.

Preparation: What to Know Before Removal

Before you start cleaning, determine the type of application:

• 📱 User-installed – downloaded from Google Play or third-party sources, removed without restriction.
• 🔧 System (built-in) - pre-installed MIUI (Mi Browser, Mi Video, partially deactivated.
• 🚫 Critical system components of Android (eg, Google Play Services) Removal is fraught with the inoperability of the smartphone.

Check out MIUI in Settings → About Phone. Redmi Note 8 is up to date with MIUI 12.5 and later, where some of the system applications can be disabled via the menu.

• 🔌 USB-cable (original or data-supported).
• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔐 Unlocked bootloader (to remove system) APK).

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications through ADB On Redmi Note 8 with a locked bootloader, these methods do not work.

Method 1: Standard removal through settings

The safest method for applications installed by the user is suitable for 90% of cases:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application from the list (use a search by title).
3. Click Remove (or Deinstall)
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

If the Remove button is inactive:

• 🔄 The app is system-based – try Disabling (this hides it from the menu and stops background processes).
• 🔒 App protected MIUI — need ADB (see method 3).
• 📂 The application is a system update – first remove the update in Settings → Annexes → ☰ → Show system-based.

Close the application in multitasking|Check for backups of data|Turn off auto-update in Google Play|Check the vacant space (minimum 500 MB)-->

Method 2: Remove via Google Play (for custom applications)

If the app is installed from Google Play, it can be removed directly through the store:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Click on the profile avatar → App and device management.
3. Go to the Installed tab.
4. Find the right application and click Delete.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔍 Automatic cleaning of cache and data.
• 📊 The history of installed applications is visible.
• 🔄 You can remove applications on multiple devices at the same time.

⚠️ Note: If the app is left on the menu after being deleted via Google Play, check for clones (for example, Mi App Store can duplicate installations). → Annexes → Show everything for a search.

💡

Before mass removal of applications, back up through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will save account and settings data.

Method 3: Remove System Applications via ADB

Removing embedded MIUI applications (e.g. Mi Browser, Cleaner, Mi Video) will require ADB (Android Debug Bridge) which works without root rights but requires an unlocked bootloader on the Redmi Note 8.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
5. Get a list of all packages: adb shell pm list packages Find the name of the package of the desired application (for example, com.miui.browser for Mi Browser).
6. Remove the application by command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.browser

List of popular MIUI packs for removal:

• 🌐 com.miui.browser — Mi Browser
• 🎵 com.miui.player — Mi Music
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer — Mi Video
• 🧹 com.miui.cleanmaster — Security/Cleaner
• 📊 com.miui.analytics - Statistics collection MIUI

⚠️ Note: Deleting com.google. or com.android. packets may result in loss of functionality (e.g., Google Play disappears or calls stop working.

Method 4: Complete removal with root rights (for experienced)

If you have a bootloader unlocked and Magisk installed, you can uninstall any application, including system components. Use a root-enabled file manager, such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer:

1. Open the manager and provide root access.
2. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app.
3. Find a folder with the name of the app (for example, Browser for Mi Browser).
4. Delete the folder or rename it (add.bak at the end).
5. Reboot the phone.

Advantages of the method:

• 🧹 Complete removal without traces (including cache and data).
• 🔧 Ability to restore the application by renaming the folder back.
• 🚀 It works even for blocked people. MIUI packet.

Risks:

• 💥 Improper removal can lead to bootloop (cyclic reboot).
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Remote applications can return.
• 🔒 Some banking apps refuse to work on rooted devices.

💡

root rights give you complete control of the system, but they are insecure and can disrupt key functions, and use this method only if you are confident in your actions.

How to return a remote system application

If you have problems after deleting (for example, Google Play is missing or notifications are no longer working), restore the application:

For ADB-method:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.browser

For the root method:

1. Download the original firmware for Redmi Note 8 from Xiaomi website.
2. Remove the system.img file from the archive and mount it (for example, through 7-Zip or DiskInternals Linux Reader).
3. Copy the folder from /system/app back to your phone.
4. Set the right permissions (e.g. 644 for files, 755 for folders).

If recovery doesn’t work, reset to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset) This will return all system applications, but delete user data.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you uninstall applications on Redmi Note 8, users face typical problems:

If Google services stopped working after deleting the application, check for packages:

• com.google.android.gms — Google Play Services
• com.google.android.gsf — Google Services Framework
• com.android.vending - Google Play Store

To recover them, download the latest version of Open GApps (a pico variant) and run through TWRP.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions