How to Remove Built-in Apps on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: Safe Techniques for 2026

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro with firmware MIUI It comes with dozens of pre-installed apps that can’t be removed by standard methods, including Mi Browser, Mi Music, Mi Video, Xiaomi games and services like GetApps or Mi Pay. These programs take up space in memory, consume battery power in the background, and can send analytics data — even if you don’t use them.

In this article, we will discuss 3 working ways to remove embedded applications on the Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia model): from simply disabling through settings to completely uninstalling through ADB without obtaining root rights. All methods are tested on current versions of MIUI 12-14 (Android 9-11) and do not violate the warranty. Importantly, some system applications are critical to the operation of the phone – removing them can lead to crashes. We will indicate which programs can be removed without risk.

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

In MIUI, most system applications are privileged, meaning that:

• 🔒 They are protected from removal through the standard interface – the “Delete” button in the app menu is simply missing.
• 📦 Even after the “deletion” (in fact, uninstallation of updates), the program remains in the system and can recover after the update. MIUI.
• 🔄 Some apps (such as Security or Mi Account) are automatically reinstalled through Xiaomi services.

In addition, the Redmi Note 8 Pro runs on the MediaTek Helio G90T, not the Qualcomm Snapdragon, which imposes additional limitations. For example, unlocking the bootloader on this chipset is more difficult than on devices with Snapdragon, and some tools like Magisk can work unstable, so the methods suitable for the Poco X3 or Mi 11 here require adaptation.

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications like com.android.phone or com.miui.home will render your phone inoperable, and you can only restore them through a complete flashing.

Method 1: Disabling and Hiding Applications Without Deleting

If you just need to free up RAM and remove unnecessary programs from the menu, you just need to turn them off. This method does not require a connection to a PC and is safe for the system.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all apps.
3. Find an unnecessary app (such as Mi Browser) and open the page.
4. Click Disable (if the button is inactive – the application is critical to the system).
5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Application disabled:

• ✅ It will not appear in the menu and search.
• ✅ You will not receive updates through the Play Market or MIUI.
• ❌ It will remain in the memory of the phone (the seat will not be vacant).
• ❌ May be activated again after resetting settings or updating the firmware.

To completely hide disabled applications from MIUI search, use a third-party launcher, such as Nova Launcher or Lawnchair, which allows you to filter the programs displayed.

💡

If the app reappears after disabling, check the auto-update settings in the Play Market (turn off the updates manually for it).

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root rights)

To completely remove system applications, you will need ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool for debugging Android through a computer. This method works on the Redmi Note 8 Pro without unlocking the bootloader and does not deprive you of warranty, but requires accuracy.

What you'll need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the archive from ADB to any folder on your PC (e.g., C:\adb).
2. Connect the phone to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
3. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices On the phone allow debugging (a request will appear).
5. Get a list of all applications: adb shell pm list packages -f You can find the right one by keyword (for example, browser for Mi Browser).
6. Remove the application by command (replace package.name with the real name of the package): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 package.name Example for Mi Browser: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

On the Redmi Note. 8 Pro cannot be removed from applications with a system flag, but you can uninstall them for the current user (flag) --user 0). This will free up space and stop background activity, but the application files will remain in the system partition.

⚠️ Attention: After removal through ADB function MIUI For example, deleting com.xiaomi.mipicks (GetApps) will cause bugs in the update center!

Method 3: Use MIUI Hidden Settings (for power users)

MIUI firmware has hidden settings that allow you to manage system applications without ADB. To access them, you will need to activate Developer Mode and use special codes.

Instructions:

1. Activate the developer mode (as in the ADB method).
2. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##4636## Select Phone Information.
3. Return to the home screen and open Settings → Additional settings → Special features → MIUI Hidden Settings (if no item – use the search by settings).
4. In the App Manager section, find the unneeded app and select Uninstall for all users.

This method does not work on all versions of MIUI and may not be available on the Redmi Note 8 Pro with firmware newer than MIUI 12.5. If the MIUI Hidden Settings partition does not appear, try an alternative method:

The advantage of this method is that it doesn't have to connect the phone to a PC, but it's less reliable than ADB, and it may not work on some firmware.

How to return a remote application if something goes wrong

If after removing the system application, the phone began to work unstable (for example, access to settings disappeared or the camera stopped working), you can restore it in two ways:

1. Through ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing package.name Example for Mi Browser: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.browser
2. Through Settings Reset: Go to Settings → About Phone → Reset and select Reset all settings (user data will be saved, but system applications will recover).

If neither method works, you’ll have to refashion your phone via Fastboot or Recovery. For the Redmi Note 8 Pro, you can download the official firmware on Xiaomi’s website (choose the version for the begonia model).

⚠️ Note: On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with a locked bootloader, flashing through the Fastboot can result in a hard brick (complete device failure). MIUI Updater.

How to prevent re-installation of remote applications

Even after successful removal, some applications (such as GetApps or Mi Browser) may return after the MIUI update.

• 🔄 Turn off auto updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Settings and disable Automatic Boot.
• 📵 Block the Internet for system applications: C Settings → Find an unnecessary app (even if it is removed) and deny it access to mobile data and Wi-Fi.
• 🛡️ Use a firewall: Install an app like NetGuard or AFWall+ (requires root) and block network access for com.xiaomi.mipicks, com.miui.bugreport and others.

If you removed the application through ADB but it returned after the update, repeat the uninstall command. To avoid this in the future, back up the list of installed packages before updating MIUI:

adb shell pm list packages > before_update.txt

And after updating, compare it with the new list and remove the extra programs.

💡

The only reliable way to permanently get rid of embedded apps is to reflash the phone to custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), however, this requires unlocking the bootloader and can be unwarranted.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When removing system applications, users often face the following problems:

To minimize risks, always check the name of the packet before deleting. For example, com.android.settings is Settings, and deleting it will make the phone unusable.

adb shell dumpsys package package.name

It will provide detailed information about the application, including its role in the system.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions