How to uninstall system applications on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: 5 proven methods

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but even it is not without a typical MIUI problem: dozens of pre-installed system applications that take up memory, consume battery power and interfere with comfortable work. From Mi Browser to GetApps, many of them can not be removed by standard means. However, there are legal and not very ways to get rid of unnecessary software.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, from secure shutdown to complete deletion with ADB and root rights. It is important to understand that some actions can lead to a loss of warranty or unstable system operation, so before you start, back up the data. If you are a beginner, start with the simplest ways and only then move on to radical measures.

Why can’t you just remove system applications in standard ways?

In MIUI (even in the latest versions for the Redmi Note 8 Pro), most embedded applications are protected from removal.

🔒 Xiaomi blocks removal of key components to prevent system failures.
📱 Integration with MIUI — Some applications (such as Security or Themes) are deeply related to the shell.
📦 License agreements – some software (like Facebook or Netflix) is set up under a contract with partners.
🔄 Reset recovery – even if you manually remove the application, it can come back after an update or hard reset.

However, there are workarounds. For example, disabling (not uninstall!) is available for most applications through settings. And for complete removal you will need tools like ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or root rights. But before you start, check if the application is critical — removing it can lead to a download cycle or other problems.

📊 How do you usually handle unnecessary system applications?

I'm turning it off through the settings.

Delete with ADB

Getting root and removing completely

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

I'm using the launcher to hide it.

Method 1: Disabling system applications without root rights (the safest way)

If you don't have to completely remove the app, but just hide it from the menu and stop background activity, use the built-in shutdown function. It won't free up memory, but it will reduce battery consumption and remove the icon from the desktop.

How to turn it off:

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
From the top menu, select All Apps (not "Installed").
Find the app you want (such as Mi Music or Mi Video) and tap it.
Click Disable (if the button is inactive – the application is critical to the system).
Confirm the action in the dialog window.

⚠️ Caution: Disabling some applications (such as Security or Mi Account) may cause malfunctions MIUI. Also, after the system update, the disabled applications can be activated again.

Method 2: Removing system applications via ADB (no root rights)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is an Android debugging tool that allows you to execute commands on your smartphone from your computer, and can remove many system applications without getting root rights, but this method requires you to enable USB debugging and install drivers.

Step-by-step:

Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers. Activate USB Debugging.

Install ADB on your computer:

Download the Google Platform Tools.
Unpack the archive in any folder (for example, C:\adb).
Connect Redmi Note 8 Pro to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
Check the connection: Adb devices should show up on your device list. If not, install Xiaomi drivers or use Mi PC Suite.
Remove the unnecessary app: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer Replace com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer with the desired application package (list below).

📌 List of packages of popular system applications Redmi Note 8 Pro:

Annex	Packet name	Can I remove it?
Mi Browser	com.android.browser	✅ Yes.
Mi Music	com.miui.player	✅ Yes.
Mi Video	com.miui.videoplayer	✅ Yes.
GetApps (Mi App Store)	com.xiaomi.mipicks	✅ Yes.
Security (Security)	com.miui.securitycenter	❌ No (critical)

⚠️ Attention: Removal through ADB does not free up space in the section /system, It only hides the app for the current user, after resetting or updating. MIUI Some commands (e.g., for com.miui.securitycenter) will cause the phone to fail.

adb shell pm list packages -f > apps_backup.txt

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

Method 3: Complete removal of root-right system applications (for experienced)

If you're willing to take the risk of root access, you can delete system applications forever, freeing up space in memory. Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia model) is suitable method with unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk.

🔧 What's the matter:

📱 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
🖥️ Installed Magisk Manager or other Root Manager.
🛠️ Application for system app removal (e.g. System App Remover or Titanium Backup).

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account binding and wait 7-14 days).
Install a custom recap (TWRP) for the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
Swipe Magisk through the Recovery for root rights.
Download the Google Play System App Remover app.
In the list of applications, tick unnecessary and click Uninstall.
Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Removing critical components (e.g. com.android.phone or com.miui.home) will result in a phone "brick." Before deleting, check the destination of the package on the forums. 4PDA or XDA Developers.

What if after removing the system application, the phone does not turn on?

If the Redmi Note 8 Pro is stuck on the logo or went into a bootloop (cyclical reboot), try: 1. log into TWRP (press Power + Vol Up). 2. Backup through Backup. 3. Restore the remote package via ADB Sideload or reflash MIUI through Fastboot. If it doesn't work, run the full firmware through Mi Flash Tool (the data will be erased).

Method 4: Hiding System Applications with a Launcher

If you don't want to risk system stability, but you need to remove icons of unnecessary applications from your desktop, use an alternative launcher, which doesn't physically remove applications, but makes them invisible.

🎯 The Best Launchers for Hiding System Apps:

🌐 Nova Launcher – allows you to hide apps in the menu and on the desktop.
🔍 Apex Launcher – Supports Category Icon Hiding.
📂 POCO Launcher – lightweight launcher from Xiaomi with the function of hiding appas.
🖼️ Microsoft Launcher – convenient for integration with Windows.

How to hide apps in Nova Launcher:

Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
Hold your finger on the desktop → Settings.
Go to App Settings → Hide Apps.
Check the boxes for unnecessary system apps (for example, Mi Browser or GetApps).
Save the changes.

✅ Advantage: it does not require root rights, is system-safe and reversible. Disadvantage: applications remain in memory and can be updated in the background.

💡

Using an alternative launcher is the only way to hide system applications without risking MIUI stability.

Method 5: Flashing to custom firmware (for advanced users)

If you are annoyed not only by the presence of system applications, but also by the MIUI shell itself, consider installing custom firmware. Redmi Note 8 Pro is available:

📱 LineageOS – pure Android without extra software.
🔄 Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel interface.
⚡ Havoc-OS – customizable firmware with many functions.
🛡️ CrDroid – Optimized for Performance.

🔧 What you need to install:

Unlocked bootloader.
Installed custom Recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
Downloaded firmware (for example, with XDA Developers).
Backup data (installation erased everything from the phone).

⚠️ Warning: Flashing on custom OS voids warranty and may result in loss of functionality (for example, Widevine will not work). L1 for Netflix HD Also, some firmware does not support VoLTE for calls on 4G.

Table of comparison of methods of removing system applications

To choose the best method, compare the pros and cons of each method:

Method	Root rights required	Frees up memory.	Risk to the system	Reversibility
Disconnection through settings	❌ No.	❌ No.	✅ Minimum	✅ Yes.
Removal via ADB	❌ No.	⚠️ Partially.	⚠️ Medium.	✅ Yes, until update)
Removal with root rights	✅ Yes.	✅ Completely.	❌ High-pitched	⚠️ Partially.
Hiding through the launcher	❌ No.	❌ No.	✅ No.	✅ Yes.
Custom firmware	✅ Yes.	✅ Completely.	❌ Very tall.	⚠️ Hardly.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing system applications on the Redmi Note 8 Pro

❓ Can I remove Mi Browser without any consequences?

Yes, com.android.browser (Mi Browser) can be safely deleted via ADB or root-rights. The system uses Google's WebView, so the browser is not critical. However, after the MIUI update, it can return.

❓ What happens if you delete Security (com.miui.securitycenter)?

Deleting com.miui.securitycenter will render many functions from virus scanner to permission management inoperable, and the phone may go into a bootloom or lose access to security settings. Don't delete this package!

❓ How to return a remote system application?

If the application was removed through ADB (pm uninstall command), you can restore it like this: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.player Replace com.miui.player with the desired package. If the deletion was root-rights - you will have to reflash MIUI or restore the backup via TWRP.

❓ Why After Removing Applications Through ADB They're coming back?

Applications come back because pm uninstall -k --user 0 only removes them for the current user, not the system. Once the MIUI update or reset is updated, they are restored. Root rights are needed to completely remove them.

❓ Can I remove Google Play Services?

❌ Deleting com.google.android.gms will result in the loss of functionality of all Google services: Play Market, Gmail, YouTube, push notifications, etc. The phone will become almost unusable for use.