How to completely disable Google services on Xiaomi Redmi: safe methods

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are based on MIUI — It is a proprietary shell that is closely integrated with Google services, but many users prefer to turn off some of these services for battery saving, freeing up RAM or for privacy reasons. Unlike “pure” Android, where disabling Google services can lead to critical failures, Xiaomi does it more flexibly – but with nuances.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disable Google services – from standard settings to manual removal through the Internet. ADB. You will learn which services can be safely deactivated and which should not be touched so as not to lose the functionality of the Play Market, Gmail or Google Maps.

Important: The procedure differs depending on the version MIUI (for example, MIUI 12/13/14) And the Redmi models (Note, K, Number series) are the most common ones, but for some older devices (e.g. Redmi). 4X or Redmi Note 5) Additional steps may be required.

Why users are turning off Google services on Xiaomi

The main reasons are resource savings and privacy, and Google’s services are constantly running in the background, consuming:

• 🔋 Battery charge - up to 10-15% on a day only for background activity (according to the tests) XDA Developers).
• 📱 RAM – the process of com.google.android.gms can take up to 300-500 MB.
• 🌐 Internet traffic – synchronization, analytics and advertising services transmit data even in standby mode.
• 🔍 Personal data – geolocation, search history, activity in apps are collected by default.

In addition, Xiaomi often duplicates features: for example, its own Mi Cloud and Google Drive services perform the same task, but work in parallel.

• ⚡ Increase the Autonomous Work Time by 20-30% (user-review 4PDA).
• 🚀 Speed up the system by releasing RAM.
• 🛡️ Reduce the risk of data breaches (relevant for users using alternative services like ProtonMail or Signal).

⚠️ Note: Deleting Google services completely (de-Googling) may disrupt Play Market, YouTube, Chrome and other apps that depend on Google Play Services. If you are not ready to manually install alternatives (such as MicroG), limit yourself to turning off background activity.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

The safest method is to use built-in tools MIUI. It does not require root rights and is suitable for all Redmi models. 9A Up to Redmi Note 12 Pro+).

Steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the top menu, select Three Dots. → Showing System Processes.
3. Find an app called Google (e.g. Google Play Services, Google Account Manager, Google Contacts Sync).
4. For each of them, click Disable (if the button is inactive, then the application is critical to the system).
5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

What services can be turned off without risk:

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (Disabling Google Play Services may result in persistent error notifications, in which case it is better to limit background activity (see next section).

Make a backup copy of the data|Check the list of critical applications|Turn off Google syncs|Remember your account passwords (in case of a crash)-->

Method 2: Limiting background activity

If it seems risky to shut down Google services altogether, you can simply stop them from running in the background, which will reduce battery consumption and traffic, but retain basic functionality.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the right service (e.g. Google Play Services).
3. Choose the Battery. → Background restriction.
4. Set a limit on Background Activity and Auto Start.
5. For additional savings, turn off Mobile Data and Wi-Fi in the background.

The effect of restriction:

• 🔋 Battery discharges more slowly (savings before the battery is used) 5-8% day-to-day).
• 📶 Mobile traffic consumption is decreasing.
• ⚠️ Some features (such as notifications from Gmail) may be delayed.

For maximum effect, it is also recommended:

• 🛠️ Disable Auto-Update Apps in Play Market (Settings) → Auto-update of applications → Never).
• 📍 Turn off location history (Google settings) → Managing a Google Account → Data and personalization → Location history).
• 🔍 Deactivate personalized advertising in the same section.

💡

If push notifications (such as from Gmail or YouTube) have stopped coming after the background activity has been restricted, check the notification settings in the apps themselves. Often the problem is solved by turning on the "Show Notifications" option manually.

Method 3: Removal via ADB (without root)

For experienced users, there is a method to remove unnecessary Google services through the Internet. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. It doesn't require root rights, but it gives you more control than standard settings. Importantly, this way can disrupt some features if you delete critical packets.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Developer settings → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (cmd) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices must appear serial number of the device.
4. Get a list of all Google packages: adb shell pm list packages | grep 'google'
5. Remove unnecessary packets by command (example for Google Play Movies): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.videos

List of safe packet removal:

⚠️ Note: Do not delete com.google.android.gms (Google Play Services) and com.google.android.gsf (Google Services Framework) – this will lead to critical errors in the work of the Play Market and other applications.

Method 4: DeGoogling with MicroG (for advanced)

If you’re willing to abandon Google’s services entirely, you can replace them with an open-source alternative, MicroG. It’s an open-source project that emulates the core features of Google Play Services, but without collecting data.

The advantages of MicroG:

• 🔒 No collection of personal data.
• ⚡ Less battery consumption.
• 📱 Compatible with most apps (including YouTube Vanced, Maps via alternative clients).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Not all features are stable (e.g. Google Pay is not supported).
• 🛠️ Requires technical skills (unlock bootloader, firmware) TWRP).
• 🔄 Notification bugs are possible (for example, in Telegram or WhatsApp).

Instructions for installing MicroG:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (waiting required) 7-15 Days for new Xiaomi accounts).
2. Install a custom TWRP recavator for your Redmi model.
3. Firmware with MicroG support (e.g. LineageOS for MicroG).
4. Install F-Droid to download apps without Play Market.

💡

MicroG is the only way to get rid of Google’s services completely without losing the core functionality of Android, but it’s only suitable for power users who are ready for possible bugs and manual setups.

What happens if you turn off all Google services?

Disabling or removing all Google services will result in the following:

It won't work:

• 📱 Play Market (no apps can be installed/updated).
• 📍 Google Maps, Waze and other navigation services.
• 📧 Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive (without alternative synchronization).
• 🎮 Games with Google Play Games (such as Clash of Clans, PUBG Mobile).
• 🔑 Authorization through Google in third-party applications.

It'll stay operational.

• 🌐 Browsers (Chrome will work, but without synchronization).
• 📞 Telephony, SMS, mobile.
• 📷 Camera, gallery, standard applications MIUI.
• 🎵 Music and video (local files).

Alternatives for replacement:

How to Get Google Services Back If Something Goes Wrong

If you have problems after you disable or delete Google services, you can restore them in several ways:

1. Through MIUI settings:

• Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
• Find the service disabled and click Enable.

2. ADB (if the packet was removed):

• Connect the device to your PC and execute the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing name packet For example, for Google Play Services: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.gms

Resetting:

• If nothing helps, reset to factory settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Resetting settings).
• ⚠️ Preliminarily make a backup copy of the data!

Flashing:

• In extreme cases, you can reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool (requires an unlocked bootloader).
• Download the official firmware for your model on the Xiaomi website.

💡

If applications (such as Play Market) don’t update after you restore Google services, check the date and time on your device. Incorrect settings can block access to Google servers.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling Google services on Xiaomi