Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphones come with a pre-installed package of Google services, from Google Play Services to Google Play Market. For many users, these applications become a source of unnecessary battery consumption, traffic and even potential data leaks. However, completely remove them without superuser rights (root) is impossible – MIUI blocks such actions. In this guide, we will discuss legal ways to disconnect, which will not disrupt the smartphone, but will minimize Google activity.
It’s important to understand that even after some services are disabled, some features (such as push notifications or geolocation in third-party applications) may not work correctly. We tested all methods on Redmi 9 with MIUI 12.5-14, the results are shown in the comparison table below. If your goal is maximum privacy, consider alternative firmware like LineageOS (requires unlocking the bootloader).
Why not just delete Google services on Redmi 9?
Google Mobile Services (GMS) applications on Xiaomi are integrated into the system partition /system/priv-app.
- 🔒 You can’t delete root without root rights – the system will return them after restarting.
- ⚙️ Disconnecting via Settings Temporarily: Some services (e.g. Google Play Services) automatically restart.
- 📦 Resetting to factory settings will bring all applications back.
- 🔄 Updates MIUI Can restore the disconnected components.
MIUI also uses some of Google’s services to run its own functions (e.g., synchronize contacts or geolocate in Mi Cloud), and completely unprepared will result in:
- 🚫 Mi Account errors (you can’t log into your Xiaomi account).
- 📱 Camera Failures (Some Modes Depend on Google Camera) API).
- 🔋 Increased battery consumption due to the system’s constant attempts to restore services.
⚠️ Note: If you use banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.), their work may be disrupted after disabling Google Play Services.
Method 1: Disconnecting through Google Account Settings
The safest method is to deactivate synchronization and background activity without removing the applications themselves, which will reduce battery load and traffic, but retain basic functionality.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
- Choose your account (or create an empty account if you want to keep a backup).
- Turn off all sync switches (contacts, calendar, Gmail, etc.).
- Return to the main account menu and click Delete your account (don’t worry – this won’t delete data from your device, but will only break the connection with Google).
- Confirm the action.
After that:
- 📵 Google’s push notifications (Gmail, YouTube) will stop coming.
- 🔋 Background activity of services will decrease by 40-60% (based on tests on Redmi 9).
- 📱 Google Play Market will remain functional, but will require re-entry when installing apps.
Save backups of contacts and photos to Mi Cloud or PC|
Remember passwords from apps linked to Google (e.g. YouTube Premium)|
Check the banking applications after disconnection |
Install an alternative app store (e.g. Aurora Store)|
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Method 2: Block background activity via MIUI Optimized
MIUI has a built-in tool to limit application activity, MIUI Optimized, which allows you to prevent auto-start and background work of Google services without removing them.
How to do this:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Special Accesses → AutoRun.
- In the list, find all of Google’s apps (Google Play Services, Google Play Market, Google Services Framework, etc.) and turn off autoplay for everyone.
- Go back and select Battery Limitation (or Energy Saving in newer MIUI versions).
- For the same applications, set Restricted or Strictly Restricted mode.
Effect:
| Service | Battery consumption up to (%) | Battery consumption after (%) | Loss of function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Play Services | 8–12% | 2–4% | No push notifications, possible errors in Google Maps API applications |
| Google Play Market | 3–5% | 0.5–1% | Auto-update of applications disabled |
| Google Services Framework | 5–7% | 1–2% | Some system functions (such as checking application licenses) may not work properly. |
⚠️ Note: After this action, Google Pay and other apps that depend on Google Play Services will stop working.
Through account settings |
Background activity blocking |
Removal of updates|
Use of ADB|
Installation of custom firmware |
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Method 3: Removing System Application Updates
Many Google services are updated through the Play Market, which increases their weight and activity, and a rollback to the factory version will help reduce their impact.
Steps:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Search for Google Play Services (or another Google app) and open its page.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Remove Updates.
- Confirm action. The system will return the application to the version preinstalled in MIUI.
- Repeat for all other Google apps.
What does it mean?
- 📉 Reduced battery consumption by 15-25% (by removing unnecessary modules in updated versions).
- 🛡️ Reduced data collection – older versions of services have fewer trackers.
- 🔄 Automatic update will be blocked if you also disabled the Play Market auto-run.
Limitations:
- ❌ Some apps (such as YouTube) may require a new version of Google Play Services and refuse to work.
- ⚠️ After resetting settings or updating MIUI You have to repeat the procedure.
💡
If Mi Fit or other Xiaomi apps stop working after Google Play Services rollback, try installing an alternative version of the services through the Aurora Store (select a version without Google Mobile Services Core).
Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (without root)
For power users, there is a method using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to completely freeze unnecessary services without deleting their files, the advantage is that after a reboot, they will not recover.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
- 📱 Included Debugging by USB Redmi 9 (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
Disable commands (enter in the command line or Terminal):
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.gms
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.gsf
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.vending
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchboxTranscript of commands:
| Team team. | Which app is disabling? | Effects of consequences |
|---|---|---|
| com.google.android.gms | Google Play Services | No push notifications, no applications that depend on Google APIs (maps, payments) |
| com.google.android.gsf | Google Services Framework | System applications are not updated, errors may occur when checking licenses |
| com.android.vending | Google Play Market | It is impossible to install/update applications through the official store |
⚠️ Warning: If after completing the commands, the smartphone stopped booting or a bootloop appeared, connect it to the PC and type: adb shell pm enable com.google.android.gms This will return Google Play Services to working condition. MIUI 13+ After disabling com.google.android.gsf, the mobile network may disappear – in this case, restore the service and use alternative methods.
How do you get it back?
Method 5: Alternative firmware (for advanced)
If you need to get rid of Google completely, the only reliable way is to install custom firmware without GMS. Redmi 9 (codenamed lancelot) is available:
- 📱 LineageOS without GApps – pure Android without Google services.
- 🛡️ GrapheneOS – firmware with a focus on privacy (requires unlocking the bootloader).
- 🔧 MIUI EU — European MIUI without Chinese or Google services (but with the ability to manually install them).
Advantages:
- 🚀 Full System Control – No Google Background Processes.
- 🔋 Increased work time by 20-30% (based on tests on Redmi 9).
- 🛡️ Without tracking – no built-in data collection services.
Disadvantages:
- ⚠️ Loss of warranty (unlocking the bootloader resets the Mi Account).
- 🔧 Installation complexity – requires knowledge of Fastboot and TWRP.
- 📱 Not all functions. MIUI This will work (e.g. Mi Cloud or Quick Apps).
If you decide to do this, follow the official instructions for Redmi 9 on the forums. XDA Developers or MIUI SU. We recommend starting with a backup copy through TWRP!
💡
Installing custom firmware is the only way to completely remove Google services, but it is only suitable for advanced users. For most tasks, a combination of 1–3 methods (disabling your account + blocking background activity) is enough.
What if Google’s apps stopped working after they were disabled?
Some programs (especially banking or social networks) require Google Play Services to authenticate your device.
- Install micro-G, a lightweight version of Google services without tracking: Download microG (Android 10/11 version, as Redmi 9 runs on it). Install it via ADB or TWRP (requires unlocking the bootloader). In the microG settings, turn on Google Device Registration and Google Cloud Messaging.
- Use Magisk modules for disguise: Install Magisk and Universal SafetyNet Fix. Activate MagiskHide for banking applications.
Get some of the services back
ADB
adb shell pm enable com.google.android.gms(Only for Google Play Services, leave the rest off.)
If the problem is in a particular application (for example, Sberbank Online), check its requirements on the official website.
- 🔄 Reinstall the application through the Aurora Store (alternative store).
- 📋 Cleaning cache and data in Settings → Annexes.
- 🔒 Miui Optimization (through the use of the ADB): adb shell cmd package disable-user com.miui.zeus (may help with compatibility but disable some features) MIUI).