What apps can be removed on Xiaomi Redmi 8: a full list of safe and dangerous programs

The Xiaomi Redmi 8, released in 2019, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its balanced specs and update support. However, many users face the problem of clogged memory due to the abundance of pre-installed applications (bloatver), some of which can be safely removed, but some programs are critical to the stable operation of MIUI.

In this article, we will look at which apps on Redmi 8 can be removed without risk and which should not be touched, how to distinguish system services from unnecessary software, what tools to use for uninstallation (including methods without root), and how to avoid errors that lead to failures, and we will analyze the consequences of removing certain programs and give recommendations for optimizing the performance of the smartphone after cleaning.

Why are there so many unnecessary apps on Redmi 8?

Xiaomi has traditionally packed its smartphones with a large number of branded and third-party services. On Redmi 8, this is due to several factors:

• 📱 MIUI and its ecosystem: The branded shell includes duplicate functions (for example, two browsers, two file manager, two app stores).
• 💰 Partner Agreements: Xiaomi Preinstalling Apps from Facebook, Netflix, LinkedIn and Other Companies for Financial Compensation.
• 🌍 Regional features: Firmware for different countries can have unique services (for example, Mi Pay for India or Mi Video with local content).
• 🔄 Updates to the software: After the upgrade MIUI Some older versions of apps remain in the system as "junk".

According to an analysis of Redmi 8 firmware (codenamed olive), up to 30-40 apps can be removed from preinstalled apps without compromising functionality, but removing system services like com.miui.home or com.android.phone will lead to a device-brick.

What applications can be removed without consequences

We have divided programs into three categories: secure to remove, conditionally secure (can affect individual functions) and critical (cannot be removed). Below is a list of applications that can be uninstalled on Redmi 8 without root rights using ADB or embedded tools.

🟢 Completely safe to remove

• 🎵 com.miui.player - Mi Music (branded player, can be replaced by Spotify or VLC).
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer - Mi Video (player with ads, alternatives are better).
• 📖 com.xiaomi.joyose – Mi Drop (file transfer service, rarely used).
• 🛒 com.xiaomi.midrop is another take of Mi Drop (remnant from older versions) MIUI).
• 📊 com.miui.analytics – statistics collector (sends data to Xiaomi, does not affect the work of the company).
• 📡 com.miui.hybrid – Mi HybridAccess (service to save traffic, running crookedly).
• 🔍 com.miui.bugreport – an error reporting tool (only beta testers are needed).

🟡 Conditionally safe (may be missing part of the functions)

• 📷 com.miui.gallery – Gallery (you can delete if you use Google Photos, but the image editor from Xiaomi will disappear).
• 📞 com.android.contacts – Standard Contacts (remove only if you have installed an alternative like Truecaller).
• 📅 com.android.calendar – Calendar (synchronizes with Google, but you will lose the widget) MIUI).
• 📧 com.android.email – email client (if you do not use it) MI Mail, boldly delete).
• 🎮 com.xiaomi.gamecenter.sdk.service – Game Turbo (only gamers need to optimize) FPS).

🔴 Critical (deleting will lead to failures)

These programs are not allowed to be deleted, even if they seem unnecessary:

• ⚠️ com.miui.home - launcher (MIUI stop loading).
• ⚠️ com.android.phone – phone calls (smartphone will lose network).
• ⚠️ com.miui.securitycenter – Security (responsible for permissions and updates).
• ⚠️ com.android.settings – Settings (deleting the device will make it unmanageable).
• ⚠️ com.qualcomm.qti.uce – Qualcomm drivers (responsible for communication and performance).

How to remove applications: 3 working methods

There are several ways to uninstall pre-installed programs on Redmi 8, and we'll look at them from the simplest to the most complex, with pros and cons of each.

1. Remove via Settings (without ADB and root)

Some Xiaomi apps allow you to delete or disable directly from the menu:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a program from the list (e.g. Mi Video).
3. Click "Delete" (if the button is active) or "Disable" (if deletion is blocked).

✅ Pros: No PC required, safe.

❌ Cons: only works for a part of the apps (e.g. Facebook or Netflix cannot be removed this way).

2. Removal via ADB (no root)

A more powerful method that allows you to uninstall system applications without obtaining superuser rights would require:

• Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• Installed drivers ADB and Fastboot.
• Included debugging on USB on your smartphone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Additional → For developers → Debugging on USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi 8 to your PC and confirm debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (cmd) and enter:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed).

1. To remove the application, use the command:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 title.packet

Example for Mi Music:

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

💡

If the command doesn't work, try stopping the application first: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 title.packet.This will disable it without completely removing it.

3. Removal with root rights (for experienced)

If you get root (for example, through Magisk), you can use Root Explorer or Titanium Backup to completely remove system appliances.

• Breaks the warranty.
• Maybe break it. OTA-update.
• It requires knowledge of the MIUI structure.

🔹 Recommendation: use ADB Instead of rooting if you are not sure about your skills.

Table: Consequences of removing popular apps

What to do after removing applications

After cleaning the system, it is recommended to perform several steps to ensure that the Redmi 8 works stably:

1. Restart your smartphone: Some changes only take effect after the reboot.
2. Clear the cache: go to Settings → Memory → Clear the cache.
3. Check autoboot: disable unnecessary programs in Settings → Battery → Autostart.
4. Update MIUI: After removing system app, updates are sometimes required to be reinstalled.

💡

If after removing the applications, the smartphone began to slow down or overheat, return them through the command adb shell cmd package install-existing name.packet.

⚠️ Note: If you have removed com.miui.securitycenter or other critical services, Redmi 8 may:

• Stop updating by air (OTA).
• Errors when connecting to Mi Account.
• Lose communication with Xiaomi servers (themes, cloud will not work).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make common mistakes when uninstalling apps on Redmi 8, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

⚠️ Warning: Never remove applications called com.qualcomm. or com.mediatek. — these are processor drivers! Uninstallation will result in the loss of network, camera or complete device failure.

🔥 Error 1: Delete without backup

Before any manipulations with system files, be sure to make a backup:

• Copy photos and documents on your PC or in the cloud.
• Keep the list of installed applications (App Backup & Restore).
• Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup.

🔥 Mistake 2: Using unverified commands ADB

Some "guides" on the Internet advise using the command pm uninstall without a flag --user 0. This results in the complete removal of the app for all users, which can break down the app. MIUI.

✅ Right option:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 title.packet

❌ Dangerous option:

adb shell pm uninstall name.packet

🔥 Error 3: Removing applications for regional services

Redmi 8 can have unique applications for different markets (India, China, global version) such as:

• com.xiaomi.payment – Mi Pay (necessary for contactless payments in India)
• com.miui.weather2 is weather with local data.
• com.xiaomi.mirecycle is a recycling service (for China only).

Removing these appliances won’t break your phone, but it can deprive you of important features.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions