The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is one of the most popular mid-range smartphones, but its MIUI firmware is known for its abundance of pre-installed apps. Many of them take up precious memory, consume battery life and even collect user data. However, not all applications can be removed without risk — some are critical to the stable operation of Android and MIUI.
In this article, we will discuss in detail: which applications can be removed on the Redmi Note 8 Pro without consequences, how to distinguish system services from unnecessary "junk", and what tools will help clean the phone as safely as possible. MIUI 11/12/13, All recommendations are tested on current versions of the firmware for this model.
Why Redmi Note 8 Pro has so many unnecessary apps
Xiaomi’s MIUI firmware initially contains two types of pre-installed software: system services (necessary for Android and MIUI) and bloatware – advertising, analytics or partner applications. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the number of these depends on the regional version of the firmware:
- 🌍 Global version (Global) ROM) — It contains a minimum set of bloatware (mainly Google and Xiaomi services).
- 🇨🇳 Chinese version (China) ROM) — Overloaded with local services (Weibo, Mi Pay, themed applications for China).
- 🇷🇺 Russian/European (EEA ROM) — Adds Yandex, Mail.ru and other regional services.
Xiaomi is also actively integrating its cloud services (Mi Cloud), advertising SDKs (MSA) and analytics (Miui Analytics) into firmware, which not only take up space, but can slow down the phone, especially if there are too many of them.
It’s important to understand that even if an application seems unnecessary, it may be linked to other system processes, such as removing Miui Daemon will cause the themes to crash, and deactivating Security will disable the virus scanner and phishing protection.
What applications can be removed without risk to the system
Below is a list of secure apps on the Redmi Note 8 Pro that won’t affect the phone’s core features, all of which are bloatware or duplicate services.
- 📱 Mi Browser is a browser from Xiaomi with integrated advertising. You can replace it with Chrome or Firefox.
- 🎵 Mi Music is a music player with limited features. Alternatives: Spotify, VLC.
- 📺 Mi Video is a video player with unnecessary recommendations. MX Player or VLC.
- 📖 Mi Reader is a book-reading app. Analogues: Moon+ Reader, FBReader.
- 💰 Mi Pay – payment service (only available in China and India).
- 🎮 Game Turbo is a utility for gamers, only useful if you're actively playing.
- 📊 Miui Analytics – collects data about your phone usage (you can turn it off).
- 📢 MSA (Miui System Ads – the module responsible for displaying ads in the MIUI.
You can also remove regional apps if you do not use them: Yandex, Mail.ru, Facebook App Installer, Netflix (if you do not watch), LinkedIn.
☑️ Preparation for removal of applications
⚠️ Note: Do not remove applications with names that contain com.android., com.miui. (except as mentioned above), com.qualcomm. or com.google.android.gsf are critical system components!
How to remove applications correctly: step-by-step instructions
There are three ways to remove unnecessary apps on the Redmi Note 8 Pro: through settings, with ADB and through custom recapvery (for power users).
Method 1: Remove via settings (without root)
The simplest method, but only works for custom applications (not system ones):
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Browser).
- Click Remove (if the button is active).
- Confirm the action.
If the Remove button is inactive, the application is system, in which case you can only disable it or delete it via ADB.
Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)
To remove system applications, you will need a computer and an ADB debugging bridge.
- Enable Developer Mode (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version, press 7 times).
- Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Connect your phone to your PC and install Xiaomi drivers.
- Download ADB Tools and unpack.
- Open the command line in the ADB folder and type:
adb devices(device to appear)
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 title.packetExamples of uninstall packages are com.miui.browser (Mi Browser), com.miui.video (Mi Video), com.miui.miservice (MSA).
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Before deleting via ADB, check the full name of the package with the command adb shell pm list packages | grep "miui" - this will help to avoid errors.
Method 3: Removal through custom recapaveri (for advanced)
If you have TWRP or other custom recavator installed, you can remove applications directly from the file system, but this method requires an unlocked bootloader and can lead to a device blink if you do not care.
⚠️ Attention: Removal of system APK-Manually file files (through root-righted conductor) can violate firmware integrity. Always back up partition /system change!
Table: What happens if you remove system applications
Some apps seem unnecessary, but removing them can have unexpected consequences. The table below shows the consequences of removing popular system packages on the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
| Package name | What's he doing? | Effects of removal | Can I turn it off? |
|---|---|---|---|
| com.miui.securitycenter | MIUI Security Center (antivirus, cleanup) | Scanning for viruses will be disabled, the "Security" section in the settings will disappear | No. |
| com.android.vending | Google Play Store | It is not possible to install/update apps through the Play Market | No. |
| com.miui.gallery | MIUI Standard Gallery | Photos and videos will not be displayed in the standard app. | Yes (if there is an alternative) |
| com.miui.weather2 | Weather and clock on the lock screen | The weather widget will disappear, there may be failures in the lock screen | Yes. |
| com.xiaomi.midrop | Mi Drop (File Transfer over Wi-Fi) | Fast file transfer between Xiaomi devices will not work | Yes. |
If you are not sure of the consequences, it is better to disable the application instead of uninstall. To do this, in the application settings, select Disable - it will stop working, but will not be removed from the system.
How to Restore Remote System Applications
If the phone is unstable after deleting the app (e.g., the settings are gone, the camera is not working, or the notification panel is gone), don't panic. There are a few ways to get it back:
- Reinstallation through ADB: Download the original APK-application file (can be extracted from firmware) and set the command: adb install name packet.apk
- Reset to factory settings: Returns all system applications but deletes user data. Path: Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset.
- Fastboot Flash: Complete reinstall MIUI via Mi Flash Tool (requires an unlocked bootloader).
If you have removed a critical application (e.g., com.android.phone), resetting to factory settings is the only reliable way to restore performance.
Where to download the original APK system applications?
How to prevent unnecessary applications from reappearing
Even after removal, some apps (such as Mi Browser or Mi Video) may return after the MIUI update.
- 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system and disable automatic download of updates.
- 📦 Freeze system applications: Use utilities like App Quarantine or Package Disabler (require root).
- 🛡️ Install custom firmware: Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience are devoid of Blaatware, but require unlocking the bootloader.
- 🔧 Use Magisk modules: Modules like Universal Debloater or Xiaomi Debloater allow you to manage system applications flexibly.
If you don't want to take risks, you can just hide the apps you don't need from the menu.
- Hold your finger on the app icon on the home screen.
- Drag it up to the inscription Delete (not to be confused with uninstallation!).
- Select Hide (the app will remain in the system, but will disappear from the menu).
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The best way to avoid returning to the Bloatware is to disable automatic MIUI updates and use Magisk to block unnecessary packets.
Frequent errors when removing applications and how to avoid them
Many Redmi Note 8 Pro users experience problems after incorrectly removing system applications, and here are the most common errors and ways to prevent them:
- Delete com.google.android.gsf (Google Services Framework): This will result in loss of connection to Google services (Play Market, Gmail, YouTube, etc. will not work). ⚠️ Note: If you have removed this package, the only way to restore the working capacity is to reflash the phone via Fastboot.
- Remove com.miui.home (Launcher MIUI): Desktop and application menus will disappear. The phone will load into the black screen without interoperability. Solution: Connect via ADB and install an alternative launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher).
- Delete com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice: Responsible for modem operation. Once deleted, mobile and SMS will disappear. Solution: Flashing only.
- Remove com.miui.securityadd: Will result in loss of face unlock/fingerprint functionality. Solution: Restore the package via ADB or reset settings.
To avoid these errors, always check the purpose of the packet before deleting: XDA Developers (forum with discussion) MIUI) and MIUI Wiki.