What apps can be removed on Xiaomi Redmi 8 without system consequences

The Xiaomi Redmi 8 is a popular budget smartphone that, like many Xiaomi devices, comes with a lot of pre-installed apps, many of which duplicate the features of standard Android services or simply don’t need the user, but not all programs can be removed without risking system stability.

In this article, we will discuss which applications on Redmi 8 can be safely uninstalled and which should be abandoned, how to distinguish system components from unnecessary software, what tools to use for removal, and what to do if problems arise after cleaning. We will also provide step-by-step instructions taking into account the features of the firmware. MIUI for this model.

It is important to understand that even “safe” removal of some applications can affect the operation of individual functions (for example, dark theme or navigation gestures).

Why Xiaomi Redmi 8 has so many pre-installed apps

MIUI — Xiaomi's branded shell, which is known for its abundance of built-in services. Redmi 8 (released in 2019) out of the box installed:

• 📱 Duplicate applications (for example, the Mi browser with Chrome)
• 🎵 Music and video services (Mi Music, Mi Video)
• 🛒 Marketplaces and promotional software (GetApps, Mi Pay)
• 🔧 Service Utilities (Security, Cleaner)
• 🌍 Localized applications (for example, for India or China)

The main reasons for this approach are:

1. Monetization – Xiaomi earns on affiliate programs and advertising in branded applications.
2. Localization – different regions have different software sets (for example, in India, there can be Mi Credit or Mi Community).
3. Ecosystem MIUI — Some applications are integrated into the system (for example, Security is responsible for permissions and optimization).

On the Redmi. 8 firmware MIUI 11/12 (relevant to this model) some of the software can be removed by standard means, and for the rest you will need root or ADB.

What applications can be removed without consequences

Below is a list of applications that do not affect system stability and can be removed by most users, and we have divided them into categories by security:

Critical: Redmi 8 cannot remove telephony apps (com.android.phone), SIM-maps (com.android.stk) or system updates (com.android.updater) that will result in the loss of network or inability to update firmware.

Complete list of safe applications to remove

• 🎵 com.miui.player - Mi Music (music player)
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer - Mi Video (videoplayer)
• 🌐 com.android.browser – Mi browser (can be replaced with Chrome)
• 📦 com.xiaomi.mipicks - GetApps (branded app store)
• 💳 com.xiaomi.payment – Mi Pay (payment service, not operating in Russia)
• 📊 com.miui.analytics – Miui Analytics (Gathering Statistics)
• 📡 com.miui.hybrid – Miui Hybrid (responsible for some widgets)
• 📖 com.xiaomi.midrop - Mi Drop (file transfer, analogue of ShareIt)

Backup of important data |

Check the version of MIUI (Settings → About phone)|

Make sure the battery is over 50 times charged%|

Connect to stable Wi-Fi (if you use it) ADB)|

Disable rollback protection (if removed via root)-->

How to remove applications: step-by-step instructions

There are several ways to remove pre-installed software on Redmi 8. The choice of method depends on your skills and goals:

1. Standard removal (without root)

Some applications can be uninstalled through the Settings menu:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the right app (such as Mi Music).
3. Click Remove (if the button is active).

⚠️ Note: if there is no Delete button, then the application is system and requires ADB or root rights.

2. Removal via ADB (without root but with PC)

This method will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi 8 to your PC and confirm debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed).

1. To remove the application (such as Mi Video) enter:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer

Where com.miui.videoplayer is the application package.

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

This will restore the program without flashing.-->

3. Removal with root rights (for experienced)

If you have a Magisk or other root manager installed, you can use:

• 📱 Root Explorer – to manually delete.apk files from the /system/app.
• 🔧 Titanium Backup – Freeze or Remove.
• 🧹 SD Maid – to clean up the residues after uninstallation.

⚠️ Attention: removing system applications from root can lead to bootloop.Always check if the package is critical before you erase it.For example, removing com.android.server.telecom will make it impossible for you to call.

What apps should not be removed (and why)

Some system components MIUI They seem unnecessary, but removing them could disrupt your smartphone. Here's a list of apps that are not allowed to be uninstalled on Redmi 8:

• 📞 com.android.phone (responsible for calls and phone calls) SMS).
• 📶 com.android.providers.telephony - Telephony Database.
• ⚙️ com.android.settings - Settings.
• 🔄 com.android.updater - System Update.
• 🔒 com.lbe.security.miui – Security (manages permissions).
• 📱 com.miui.home – Launcher (if removed, the phone won’t load the desktop).
• 🔋 com.miui.powerkeeper - Food management.

It is also not recommended to touch:

• 📡 com.qualcomm.qti... – Qualcomm drivers (responsible for modem and communication).
• 🎨 com.miui.gallery - Gallery (may disrupt the camera).
• 📊 com.miui.systemAdSolution – responsible for optimizing advertising in the Internet MIUI.

Consequences of removing prohibited applications:

• 🔄 Cycling boot (bootloop).
• 📵 Loss of network (mobile internet and calls will not work).
• ⚡ Fast battery discharge (if optimisation services are removed).
• 🖥️ Black screen after unlocking.

What to do if there are problems after removal

Even if you delete a "safe" application, there may be some failures, and consider the typical problems and solutions:

If after removing the application you are faced with a slowdown, try:

1. Clear the cache in Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.
2. Reboot the phone.
3. roll back change through ADB (if the method was used).

⚠️ Note: if after deleting com.miui.securitycenter, your fingerprint or face unlock stop working, restore the application through the ADB Or install an alternative scanner (e.g., AppLock).

Removal Alternatives: How to Disable Unnecessary Apps

If you're not sure about the safety of the removal, you can simply disable or freeze unnecessary programs, which will free up RAM and reduce background activity.

1. Disconnection through settings

For this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Pay).
3. Click Disable (if the button is active).

Application disabled:

• ✅ It won't be on the menu.
• ✅ No use of resources.
• ❌ But it will remain in the memory of the device (does not free up space).

2. Freeze through ADB

If there is no button to disable, you can freeze the application with the command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks

To defrost:

adb shell pm enable com.xiaomi.mipicks

3. Use of third-party utilities

For users without root, suitable:

• 🛠️ Package Disabler (requires) ADB).
• ❄️ Ice Box (creates a sandbox for unnecessary applications).
• 🔍 Debloater (allows you to massively disable system software).

For users with root:

• ❄️ Titanium Backup (freeze and backup).
• 🗑️ SD Maid (residue removal and system cleaning).

💡

Disabling applications is a safer way than deleting them, and it doesn't free up memory, but it reduces the load on the processor and the battery.

How to Free Up Your Seat on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Without Deleting Applications

If your goal is to free up memory, not to get rid of unnecessary software, consider alternative methods:

1.Cache and garbage cleanup

MIUI has a built-in cleaning tool:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Choose Deep Cleanup.
3. Delete unnecessary files (cache, temporary data, duplicates).

2. Transfer of applications to SD-map

Redmi 8 supports memory cards up to 512 GB to port applications:

1. Put it in. SD-card (formatted as internal memory).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Select the application and click Transfer to SD-map.

3. Use of cloud storage

To save space on the device:

• 📁 Move photos and videos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
• 🎵 Upload music to Yandex Music or Spotify (offline cache takes up less space).
• 📄 Save documents to Google Drive or Dropbox.

4. Optimization MIUI

V MIUI There are hidden functions to free up memory:

• 🔧 Enable Light Mode (Settings) → Special facilities → Light mode).
• 📉 Turn off animation (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Scale of animation → lay out 0.5x).
• 🔄 Limit background activity (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).

If you're actively using social media, install lightweight versions of it (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite). 5-10 Less space and consume less resources.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing apps on Xiaomi Redmi 8