How to completely remove system applications on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: 4 proven ways

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but its MIUI firmware is known for its abundance of pre-installed applications. Many of them not only take up precious space in memory, but also work in the background, using battery power. Unlike conventional programs, system applications can not be removed by standard means — this requires special tools or deep settings.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove system applications on the Redmi Note 8 (including the Redmi Note 8 Pro and Redmi Note 8T models), their pros and cons, and also tell you how to return everything back if something goes wrong.

Why you can’t just remove system apps from the menu

Unlike custom software, system applications in MIUI are integrated into firmware and protected from accidental removal.

• 🔄 OS Stability – some applications are responsible for basic functions (e.g. com.android.phone manages calls).
• 🛡️ Security – Removing critical components can open vulnerabilities.
• 📱 Compatibility – the manufacturer guarantees the operation of all Xiaomi services (for example, miui.analytics for collecting statistics).

If you attempt to remove such an application through Settings → Applications, system or:

• ❌ Hide the "Delete" button (leaves only "Disable" or "Remove Updates").
• ⚠️ It will give you a warning about possible failures.
• 🔄 Automatically restore the application after restarting.

⚠️ Note: Even if you managed to remove the system application through ADB or root, some phone features may stop working, such as deleting com.miui.securitycenter will turn off virus protection, and deleting com.xiaomi.midrop will turn off Mi Drop's fast file transfer feature.

Method 1: Disable system applications without root (the most secure)

If you don’t need to completely remove apps, but stop them and hide them from the menu, use the built-in MIUI tools:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the app you want (such as Mi Music or Mi Video).
3. Click "Disable" (if the button is active) or "Remove Updates" (will return the application to the factory version).
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

This method does not require root rights and does not violate the warranty, but has limitations:

• ✅ It only works for a few applications (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Pay).
• ❌ Does not free up space in memory – the application remains in the system.
• ⚠️ Some applications (such as Security or Cleaner) cannot be disabled.

To clean it deeper, you’ll need tools like ADB or root access.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root, but with risk)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is an Android debugging tool that allows you to remove system applications without obtaining root rights.The method works on the Redmi Note 8 with any version of MIUI (including MIUI 14), but requires accuracy.

Enable Developer Mode (7 times press "Version" MIUI" on the telephone")

Activate "Debugging by USB" in "Developer Settings"

Install ADB drivers on PC (download from Google website)

Download the ADB platform tools (or use the Minimal ADB utility)

Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable

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When everything is ready, follow the instructions:

1. Open the command prompt (or PowerShell in Windows) and type:
2. Get a list of all the apps:
3. Find the name of the unwanted app (e.g. com.miui.browser for Mi Browser) and delete it:

Once you restart, the app will disappear from the menu, but its data will remain in memory. To return the application, use the command:

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

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. com.android.cts.ctsshim or com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice) are critical to the phone's performance.

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Before mass deletion, back up the application list with the adb shell pm list packages > apps.txt command. This will help restore deleted programs if something goes wrong.

Method 3: Complete removal with root rights (for experienced)

If you're willing to sacrifice the warranty and take full control of the system, root access will open up all the possibilities. On the Redmi Note 8, you'll need to:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (can take up to 7 days).
• 📱 Install custom Recovery (TWRP) for your model.
• 🛠️ Switch Magisk to Manage Root Rights.

Once you get root, use a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer):

1. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app.
2. Find a folder with the name of the unwanted app (e.g. MiBrowser).
3. Delete the folder or rename it (add at the end of.bak).
4. Clear the cache in /data/data (optional).
5. Reboot the phone.

Removal of systemic APK-root-right files are irreversible without flashing. If the phone stopped loading after deleting, you will need to restore the firmware through Fastboot.

Method 4: Use of custom firmware (radical solution)

If you are annoyed not only by the presence of system applications, but also by the MIUI shell itself, consider installing custom firmware, for example:

• 📱 LineageOS – “clean” Android without unnecessary services.
• 🔄 Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel interface.
• ⚡ Havoc-OS - customizable firmware with many settings.

Advantages:

• ✅ No pre-installed Xiaomi apps.
• ✅ Quick security updates.
• ✅ Ability to fine-tune the interface.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Loss of guarantee.
• ❌ Risk of "brike" with incorrect firmware.
• ❌ Possible bugs with camera or sensors (depending on firmware).

For installation:

1. Unlock bootloader (as in the root method).
2. Install TWRP for Redmi Note 8 (the version should match the model!).
3. Download firmware from the XDA Developers or 4PDA website.
4. Make a complete wipe (clean the data, cache, system partitions).
5. Sweep through firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 8 Pro with Mediatek Helio processor G90T Some custom firmware may not support Game Turbo or IR-Before installing, check user reviews.

How to return remote system applications

If you have problems after deleting (for example, Google Services stopped working or the notification bar disappeared), you can restore applications in several ways:

To fully restore the system:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi Note 8 from Xiaomi’s website (select the correct version!).
2. Unpack the archive and move the folder to the root of the C: disk.
3. Run the script. flash_all.bat (For Windows, use the Mi Flash Tool.

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If applications reappear after recovery, check the MIUI Optimization settings in Magisk (if installed).

What not to do when removing system applications

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that lead to serious problems, and this is something you can't do on the Redmi Note 8.

• 🚫 Remove applications called com.android., com.qualcomm. or com.mediatek. – they are responsible for the operation of the hardware.
• 🚫 Change the access rights (chmod) for files in /system without understanding the consequences.
• 🚫 Delete com.google.android.gsf – this will disable all Google services (Play Market, Gmail, etc.).
• 🚫 Use scripts "debloater" from unknown sources - they may contain malicious code.

Also avoid:

• ❌ Simultaneous removal of more than 3-5 applications (it is better to do this gradually, checking the stability of the system).
• ❌ Removal of applications related to OEM-Unlock (e.g. com.xiaomi.unlock) if you plan to update.
• ❌ Changes to build.prop files without backup – this can lead to inability to download.

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Before experimenting with system files, check if your antivirus is blocking access to ADB or Fastboot. Some programs (such as Avast) can interrupt the connection to your phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing system applications