How to completely disable Google on Xiaomi smartphones: 5 proven ways

Google services are deeply integrated into Xiaomi’s firmware, even if you’re using a device without Google Mobile Services (GMS), collecting location data, app activity, and even search history — all of which can slow down your smartphone and consume traffic. In this article, we’ll look at how to turn off Google on Xiaomi partially or completely, depending on your goals, from simply removing unnecessary apps to deep-de-Googling your system.

It’s important to understand that removing Google services completely can disrupt some features, such as Google Play, YouTube or Gmail. However, if you use alternatives (such as the Aurora Store or NewPipe), you can do without them. We’ll look at methods for different firmware versions, from MIUI 12/13 to the new HyperOS, and methods for devices with global and Chinese versions of the software.

Before you start, check which firmware is installed on your Xiaomi: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. If you have a Chinese version (China ROM), some methods may not work - in this case, you will need to unlock the bootloader and install custom firmware (we will talk about this in the last section).

1. Disable unnecessary Google apps through settings

The easiest way to reduce Google’s impact is to disable or remove standard apps you don’t use, which won’t remove services completely, but will reduce their activity and free up space in memory.

For this:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, type the name of the app (e.g. Google Play Music, Duo, Google Tips).
• 🚫 Click on the app. → Disable (if the Remove button is active, you can delete it completely).
• 🔄 For some applications (such as Google Play Store) disabling is not possible – they can only be stopped and cleared cache.

List of Google apps that can be safely disabled or removed:

⚠️ Note: Do not disable Google Play Services and Google Services Framework through standard settings, this will cause system failures. ADB.

2.Limiting Google Background Activity Through ADB

If you want to block background activity from Google services without completely removing it, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require root rights, but you will need a computer.

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to become a developer) → Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging on USB.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a folder.
4. Open the command prompt (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with ADB:

cd C:\platform-tools

Then execute commands to turn off background activity:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.gms/.update.SystemUpdateActivity


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.gms/.update.SystemUpdateService




adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.gms/.chimera.GmsIntentOperationService

These commands will disable the automatic update of Google Play Services and background processes. To get it back, replace disable-user with enable.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC

Enable debugging over USB on your phone

Download platform-tools from the official website

Connect your phone to the original cable

Check that ADB recognizes the device (the command) `adb devices`)-->

3. Complete removal of Google with root rights

If you're willing to take drastic measures, you can remove Google services completely by getting root access, a method that is suitable for power users, as it requires unlocking the bootloader and can lead to a loss of warranty.

For this:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 7-14 days).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Please use Magisk to obtain root rights.
4. Install Root Explorer or Titanium Backup.
5. Remove the following packages (at your own risk!):

• 📦 com.google.android.gms — Google Play Services
• 📦 com.android.vending - Google Play Store
• 📦 com.google.android.gsf — Google Services Framework
• 📦 com.google.android.tts – Google Text to Speech

⚠️ Warning: Removing these packages may disrupt the work MIUI, Especially if you're using global firmware. Before you delete, back up through TWRP!

After Google Play Services is removed, some apps (such as banking or instant messengers) may stop working, in which case you will need to install an alternative app store, such as the Aurora Store or F-Droid.

4. alternative firmware without Google (LineageOS, /e/OS)

If you want to get rid of Google completely, but are not ready to put up with bugs after removing services, the best option is to install custom firmware without GMS.

• 🌍 LineageOS for microG – open source firmware with minimal Google services (replaced with microG).
• 🔒 /e/OS — Firmware with a focus on privacy, pre-removed all trackers Google.
• 📱 CalyxOS – firmware with microG and built-in tools for blocking trackers.

Installation of custom firmware requires:

1. Unlocked bootloader.
2. Installed TWRP or other custom recovery.
3. Backup data (installation erases everything from the device!)

For installation instructions for a specific Xiaomi model, look for XDA Developers forums or Telegram channels dedicated to your device.

5. Block Google Trackers without Deleting Services

If you want to use Google Play Store or YouTube, but you want to minimize data collection, you can block trackers at the system or network level.

Method 1: Use Blokada or AdGuard

These apps block connections to Google's servers responsible for collecting statistics. Install Blokada from the official website and activate the block:

• 🛡️ Select the block list: Energy or Ultimate (block Google trackers).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.

Method 2: Changing the DNS

Replace. DNS-servers to alternatives that filter requests to Google:

1. Go to Settings → Connections → Private DNS.
2. Enter the address: dns.adguard.com or 1.1.1.3 (Cloudflare with tracker lock).

Method 3: Disabling synchronization

Go to Settings → Accounts → Google and turn off sync for:

• 📍 Locations
• 📝 Contacts
• 📅 calendar
• 🖼️ Photo: Google Photo)

💡

If you use Google Chrome, replace it with Bromite or Firefox with uBlock Origin – these browsers block Google trackers by default.

6. Features for Xiaomi on HyperOS

The new firmware HyperOS (replacement of MIUI) has its nuances when Google shuts down.

1. New restrictions on disabling applications

In HyperOS, some Google system applications (such as Google Play Services) cannot be disabled through the standard menu.

• 🔧 Use it. ADB (as in section 2).
• 📵 Or install App Quarantine (requires Magisk) to “freeze” unwanted apps.

2. The path to account settings has changed

To manage Google sync in HyperOS:

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Permissions Management → Special Access → Battery Optimization.
2. Find Google Play Services and select Limit.

3. New system applications

HyperOS has its own Xiaomi services, which can duplicate Google’s features:

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In HyperOS, some features (like Google Assistant) have been replaced by XiaoAI, Xiaomi’s voice assistant, which can also be disabled in the app settings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)