Removing system applications on Xiaomi Redmi 8T: 4 working methods (2026)

Why Xiaomi’s built-in apps interfere with the smartphone

Xiaomi Redmi 8T (codename willow) comes with dozens of pre-installed apps, from useful Google services to underutilized MIUI utilities. Many of them can’t be removed by standard means, but they take up memory, consume battery power in the background and can send data to the manufacturer. For example, the Mi Video app weighs ~50 MB, and Mi Music – another 30 MB, with most users preferring YouTube and Spotify.

The problem is compounded by the fact that MIUI is actively integrating its services into the system: Mi Browser can open instead of Chrome, and Mi Pay can offer payment even when NFC is disabled, as a result, users are faced with:

• 📱 Clogging menus – extra icons on the desktop and in the list of applications.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption – background processes of system applications.
• 🚫 Manufacturer’s limitations – the inability to disable updates to unnecessary services.
• 🛡️ Security risks – some applications (such as Cleaner) have broad access rights.

However, removing system applications is risky. Mistakes can lead to a “bootloop” or loss of functionality (such as camera or mobile network failure). In this article, we will look at 4 proven ways to remove embedded applications on Redmi 8T, taking into account the MIUI version (12-14) and without the need for root permissions.

I'm turning it off through the settings.

Delete with ADB

Using root access.

I'm not doing anything, I'm afraid to break my phone.

Other-->

Method 1: Disabling system applications without removing

The safest method is to deactivate unnecessary services through settings, which won't free up memory, but will stop background processes and hide icons from the menu, suitable for applications like Mi Community, Mi Pay or Games.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all apps.
3. Find the app you want (e.g. com.miui.videoplayer for Mi Video).
4. Click Disable → Disable the application (confirm the action).

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable system services called com.android. or com.qualcomm. – this can disrupt the phone:

• 📞 com.android.phone (phone calls)
• 📶 com.android.providers.telephony (mobile network)
• 🔒 com.miui.securitycenter (security) MIUI)

✅ Mi Video (com.miui.videoplayer)

✅ Mi Music (com.miui.player)

✅ Mi Browser (com.android.browser)

✅ Mi Community (com.miui.bbs)

✅ Games (com.xiaomi.glgm)-->

Once disabled, the app will disappear from the menu, but will remain in memory. To return it, go to Settings → Applications → Disabled and click Enable.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root)

More radical method – removing apps using Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This requires connecting the phone to a PC, but does not violate warranty and does not require unlocking the bootloader. 8T on MIUI 12–14.

Before we start:

• 🔌 Turn on Debugging. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers).
• 💻 Install. ADB-PC drivers (Windows/Linux/macOS).
• 📋 Backup your data (remote system applications can affect stability).

Steps to remove:

1. Connect Redmi 8T to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices must appear serial number of the device.
4. Get a list of all packages: adb shell pm list packages | grep 'miui' (for Xiaomi apps) or grep 'google' (for Google services).
5. Remove the unnecessary application by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.pack For example, for Mi Video: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer

⚠️ Warning: Deleting some packages (e.g. com.miui.home) will cause the interface to crash, requiring factory resets or flashing.

adb shell pm list packages > packages.txt

This will help restore deleted packets if something goes wrong.-->

Method 3: Using Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools

To simplify the process, you can use the Xiaomi utility ADB/Fastboot Tools (Szaki developer) provides a graphical interface to remove system applications and runs on Windows, Linux and macOS.

Advantages of the method:

• 🎯 Visual selection of applications (no need to remember packet names).
• 🔄 Ability to create a backup before removal.
• 🛠️ Recovering Remote Packets in 1 Click.

Instructions:

1. Download and install Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools.
2. Connect Redmi 8T to a PC with USB Debugging enabled.
3. Start the utility and select ADB Mode.
4. In the Uninstall System Apps section, check the boxes for unnecessary applications (green – safe, red – dangerous).
5. Press Uninstall Selected and confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: The utility may offer to remove critical components (e.g. com.miui.home). 8T removal of the launcher (com.miui.home) will lead to a black screen after rebooting - you can restore the operability only through flashing.

💡

Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools automatically filters dangerous packets, but always check them manually before confirming.

Method 4: Complete removal with Magisk (for advanced)

If you're willing to take the risk of root access, you can permanently remove system applications with the Magisk System App Remover module, which is suitable for power users, as it requires:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (bootloader unlock).
• 📱 Custom recaveri installations (TWRP).
• 🛡️ Magisk Installations for Root Rights Management.

Warnings:

⚠️ Attention: Unlock the bootloader on Redmi 8T It will dump all data (full wipe) and may cancel the warranty, and some banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online) will stop working due to the presence of root.

Steps:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install TWRP for Redmi 8T (the version should match your firmware).
3. Sweep Magisk through the Recovery.
4. Install the System App Remover module from the Magisk repository.
5. Launch the module, select removal applications and confirm the action.

The advantage of this method is complete deletion (as opposed to ADB, where applications remain in the system but are hidden to the user).

• 🚨 Possibility of "brick" (brick) in case of firmware error.
• 🔄 Loss of loss OTA-Updates (you will need to update manually).
• 🔒 SafetyNet problems (some applications will not work).

How to Restore Remote System Applications

If you have problems after deleting (for example, calls or mobile Internet stopped working), you can restore applications in several ways:

1. via ADB (if removed by pm uninstall):

adb shell cmd package install-existing name.packet

Example for Mi Video:

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

2. via Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools:

• Connect the phone to the PC.
• Select Reinstall System Apps.
• Tag the desired applications and press Reinstall.

Reset to factory settings:

If the system is unstable, do Hard Reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Confirm the action (the phone will restart and restore all system applications).

⚠️ Warning: Resetting will delete all user data, including photos, contacts and messages. pre-backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Removal Alternatives: How to Hide and Replace System Applications

If removal risks seem too high, consider alternative ways to:

1. Hiding icons:

• 📂 Use launchers like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair, which let you hide apps.
• 🔍 In the standard launcher. MIUI You can remove the icons in the folder "Hidden applications" (long press). → Hide).

Replacement by default:

• 🌐 For the browser: Settings → Annexes → By default. → browser → Choose Chrome.
• 🎵 For music: install Spotify or VLC And assign them to the application by default.
• 📷 For camera: use Google Camera (manual installation required).

Restriction of activity:

• 🔋 B Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization Select All Apps and Limit Background Activity for Unnecessary Services.
• 📵 B Settings → Annexes → Permissions to disable access to contacts, location and SMS suspect-apply.

4.Using the "Lite" versions of MIUI:

Some firmware (such as MIUI Lite or custom builds like Pixel Experience) are initially devoid of most of Xiaomi’s built-in apps, but installing them requires unlocking the bootloader and may be unwarranted.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing system applications