Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T owners often face the problem of pre-installed system applications that take up memory, consume battery power and display annoying advertising. Unlike conventional programs, these applications can not be removed in the standard way – the “Delete” button is simply not on the menu, but there are legal methods of uninstallation or at least disabling them that do not require the rights of a superuser (root).
It’s important to understand that removing system applications is a firmware interference that can cause a smartphone to malfunction. For example, removing Google Play or com.miui.securitycenter services can disrupt security updates or fingerprint performance. In this article, we’ll look at three proven removal methods (via ADB, disabling and manual removal with the root), and how to restore the system if something goes wrong. All instructions are tailored specifically for the Redmi Note 8T based on MIUI 12-14.
Why you can’t just remove system apps from the menu
Xiaomi Android smartphones use a modified MIUI shell, where some applications are integrated into the system at the firmware level.
- 🔹 Critical services are those responsible for the operation of the shell (for example, com.miui.home for launcher), their removal will lead to the "bricking" of the device.
- 🔹 Google services – GmsCore, Google Play Services, without them many functions will not work (Push notifications, geolocation).
- 🔹 Advertising and duplicative apps — Mi Browser, Mi Music, GetApps — can be removed without serious consequences.
The manufacturer blocks the removal of such applications for two reasons:
- Maintain system stability – the user should not accidentally break the smartphone.
- Monetization through advertising – Xiaomi receives revenue from pre-installed services (for example, Mi Video with banners).
⚠️ Attention: Removing applications through Settings → Applications are only available for those programs that have been installed by the user. System applications in this menu are displayed with a gray button "Delete" - which means that they are protected from uninstallation.
Method 1: Disabling system applications without deleting (the safest)
If you don't need radical measures, you can just turn off unnecessary apps, stop them from working, hide them from the menu, and prevent background activity, a method that doesn't require a PC connection, and works on any Redmi Note 8T.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all apps.
- Find the app you want (such as Mi Browser) and open the page.
- Click Disable (if the button is inactive, the application is critical to the system).
- Confirm the action in the pop-up window.
Once disabled, the application will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the device memory. You can turn it back on in the same Application Management section by selecting Enable.
Make a backup copy of important data
Check if the app is critical (see the web)
Disable one app, not all at once
Reboot your phone after disconnecting-->
| Annex | Can I turn it off? | Effects of disconnection |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Browser | Yes. | It will not open by default for links |
| Mi Music | Yes. | It will not play music through the system player. |
| GetApps | Yes. | Notifications of new applications will disappear |
| Google Play Music | No. | Google services will be disrupted |
⚠️ Warning: Disabling com.miui.securitycenter or com.android.phone applications may result in loss of mobile network or inability to unlock the screen!
Method 2: Removal via ADB (no root rights)
A more radical method is removing apps via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), an official tool from Google that allows you to control a smartphone from a PC, the advantage of which is that it does not require root rights, but completely removes the application from the device.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
- 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 🔧 Installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.
Step-by-step:
- Turn on the phone Developer Mode: go to Settings → About phone and 7 times tap on the item MIUI version.
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
- Connect your phone to your PC and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
- Open the command line (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type: Adb devices If the device appears in the list, go further.
- To see a list of all applications, do: adb shell pm list packages Find the name of the package of the desired application (for example, com.miui.browser for Mi Browser).
- Delete the application by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser Flag --user 0 means deletion only for the current user (does not affect system files).
💡
Before deleting, back up the application list with the adb shell pm list packages > apps.txt command. This will help restore the packet names if something goes wrong.
If the application reappears after the reboot after the deletion, it is protected by MIUI policies. In this case, only complete removal with root rights will help (see the next section).
Method 3: Complete removal with root rights (for power users)
The most effective, but also the most risky, way is to remove system applications after obtaining root rights, which gives you complete control over the file system, but it deprives you of warranties and can lead to the inability to update the firmware through OTA.
For Redmi Note 8T suitable method of unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk:
- 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires a binding Mi Account and wait 7 days).
- 📱 Install custom Recovery TWRP For the Redmi Note 8T (willow).
- 🛠️ Fly Magisk through TWRP root-right.
- 🗑️ Use a root-enabled file manager (like Root Explorer) and manually remove application folders from your application /system/app or /system/priv-app.
⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system without backup can lead to bootloop ( looped download).Always save original firmware files before changes!
Example of safe disposal:
- Download the original firmware for the Redmi Note 8T from en.miui.com.
- Unpack the payload.bin file using the Payload Dumper tool.
- Find the system/app/MiBrowser folder in the unpacked files and save it as a backup.
- Delete the MiBrowser folder via Root Explorer and restart the phone.
What if the phone doesn’t turn on after removal?
How to Restore Remote System Applications
If you encounter errors after deleting (for example, notifications or mobile Internet stopped working), the application can be restored.
| Deleting method | Recovery method |
|---|---|
| Disconnection through the menu | Return to Settings → Applications and click Enable. |
| Removal via ADB | Follow the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.browser |
| Removal with root rights | Restore files from backup or flash the original firmware. |
If you have removed an app through ADB but don’t remember its package, use the command to list all packages ever installed:
adb shell pm list packages -dThe -d flag will only show disabled applications.
💡
Restore via ADB only works if you have removed the app with the --user 0 flag. If you used pm uninstall without a flag, you will need to flash it.
What system applications can be removed without risk
On the Redmi Note 8T, it is safe to remove the following apps (the list is relevant for MIUI 12-14):
- 🌐 com.miui.browser – Mi Browser (can be replaced with Chrome or Firefox).
- 🎵 com.miui.player – Mi Music (duplicates the features of Google Play Music or Spotify).
- 📦 com.xiaomi.mipicks – GetApps (Xiaomi app store with ads).
- 📺 com.miui.videoplayer - Mi Video (player with banners).
- 📖 com.miui.notes – Notes (if you use Google Keep).
- 🎮 com.xiaomi.gamecenter.sdk.service - Game Turbo (unless you play mobile games).
It is not recommended to remove:
- 🚫 com.miui.securitycenter – Security Center (responsible for unlocking and updating).
- 🚫 com.android.phone – phone calls.
- 🚫 com.google.android.gsf – Google services (will disrupt the Play Market).
Before removing, check the dependency of the application through the command:
adb shell dumpsys package com.miui.browserIn conclusion, pay attention to the dependencies section – if there are critical services, deleting them may violate them.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When working with system applications, Redmi Note 8T users often face the following problems:
- Mistake. INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_URI through ADB: Reason: wrong syntax of the team. Use the full path to APK-File: adb install -r /sdcard/Download/com.miui.browser.apk
- Phone does not turn on after com.miui.home is deleted: Solution: Fastboot firmware with clean all option. MIUI launcher is critical for shell operation.
- Notifications Disappeared After Deleting com.google.android.gms: Solution: Restore Google Play Services via adb install or reflash GApps.
To minimize the risks:
- 🔄 Make a backup through adb backup or TWRP.
- 📝 Keep a list of deleted packages (for example, in Google Docs).
- 🔧 Check your phone after each remote application.
💡
If after manipulating the system files Redmi Note 8T stopped updating by air (OTA), download the firmware manually from the official website and stitch through Recovery.