How to completely remove Yandex and put Google on Xiaomi: all ways 2026

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI Traditionally, they come with pre-installed search from Yandex, which applies to the browser, system search, and even some widgets. For many users, this choice is inconvenient: Some people are used to the Google ecosystem, some people are interested in synchronization with other devices, and some just do not trust the Russian search engine. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to replace Yandex with Google, from simple browser settings to deep flashing the system.

It is important to understand that MIUI (Especially in the global and Russian versions, Yandex actively promotes services at the firmware level, which means that simply uninstall applications or change the search engine in the settings is often not enough – the system will try to return everything back after updates. We will show you how to turn off these mechanisms forever, including hidden developer settings and modifications to system files.

The instructions in the article are relevant to MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 (including HyperOS) and cover most Xiaomi, Redmi and other models POCO If your device is running on an older version, some of the points may be different, but the general logic remains the same.

Why Xiaomi is installing Yandex instead of Google?

The reasons for pre-installing Yandex on Xiaomi smartphones are both technical and commercial in nature:

• 📦 Localization for the Russian market: In Russia, Google cannot be pre-installed by law (requirements for pre-installation of Russian software). Xiaomi fulfills this requirement by replacing Google Mobile Services (GMS) Alternatives from Yandex.
• 💰 Partnerships: Yandex pays manufacturers to integrate their services into firmware, not just for search, but also for maps, mail, browser, and even for voice assistant Alice.
• 🔄 Bypassing sanctions: Google Play Services may not work in a stable way on some models (e.g. the EAEU market) due to restrictions.
• 📱 Simplifying for users: Many features (phone search, voice input) are tied to Yandex by default, making it easier for inexperienced users to set up.

Important: even if you buy Xiaomi in Europe or Asia, Russian firmware can be installed automatically when you first connect to the mobile network of a Russian operator. SIM-map.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ 5G Yandex is integrated at the core level of the system, in which case the complete removal will require unlocking the bootloader and installing custom firmware.

Method 1: Replace search in the browser (Mi Browser, Chrome, Firefox)

The easiest way is to change the default search engine in the browser. This will not remove Yandex from the system completely, but will eliminate it in everyday use.

In the standard browser Mi Browser

By default, Xiaomi installs its browser with Yandex binding. To change this:

1. Open Mi Browser.
2. Slap the icon. ⋮ (three points) in lower right corner → Settings.
3. Select Search Engine.
4. In the list of available options, select Google (if not, add manually through Add a search engine).
5. Save the changes and restart the browser.

If Google is not listed, add it manually:

https://www.google.com/search?q=%s

Google Chrome.

If you use Chrome, the algorithm is similar, but with nuances:

1. Open Chrome and go to the ⋮ → Settings → Search engine.
2. Select Google (usually already on the list).
3. If the search is still redirected to Yandex, clear the browser cache (Settings) → Confidentiality → Clear the data).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI Forced resets browser settings after the update. To avoid this, disable automatic update Mi Browser in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Browser → Auto-update.

Is the browser open (Mi) Browser/Chrome/Firefox)?

Is Google Search Engine Selected in Settings?

Is the browser cache cleared after the changes?

Checked behavior after rebooting the phone?-->

In Mozilla Firefox

Firefox is not tied to you. MIUI, So there's usually no problem here:

1. Open Firefox. → ⋮ → Settings → Search.
2. Select Google as the default search engine.
3. Make sure that all options related to Yandex are disabled in the Search Optimization section.

Method 2: Disabling Yandex services in system settings

MIUI And it integrates Yandex not only into the browser, but also into the system functions, like phone search, voice input, weather, even some widgets, to turn it off:

Step 1: Removal of Yandex applications

Some components can be removed by standard means:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, enter Yandex.
3. For each application you find (Yandex Browser, Yandex Search, Yandex Maps, etc.) click Delete or Disable (if deletion is not available).

If the Remove button is inactive, the application is system.

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.yandex.name packet

(You can find out the exact name of the package via App Inspector or adb shell pm list packages. | grep yandex.)

Step 2: Disabling Yandex System Search

System search (phone search) is often tied to Yandex. To change this:

1. Press the free area on the main screen. → Home screen settings.
2. Select the Search String → Search engine by default.
3. If Google is not listed, install the Google App from the Play Market and repeat the steps.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 14 for Russia), system search is strictly tied to Yandex, in which case only installing a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher) will help).

Google|Yandex|DuckDuckGo|Bing|Other-->

Step 3: Disabling Yandex Services in the background

Even after the application is removed, some Yandex services can run in the background to stop them:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → ⋮ → Show system-based.
2. Find all applications called Yandex or Yandex.
3. For each of them: Click Stop (if the button is active); Turn off Auto Run; Disable Internet and Locations.

💡

If some features (such as weather on the lock screen) stop working after Yandex services are turned off, install alternative widgets from the Play Market (such as Google At a Glance or Overdrop).

Method 3: Installing Google as a default search through ADB

If standard methods do not help, you can resort to ADB-This will allow you to change the system settings that are not available through the interface.

Preparation for working with ADB

This method will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version number → Go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Teams to Replace Search

Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the command line:

1. Check the connection: Adb devices (Serial number of your device should be displayed).
2. Install Google as the default search engine: adb shell settings put global assistant com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
3. Turn off Yandex as a system search: adb shell settings put global search_assist_provider null
4. Reset the cache settings: adb shell pm clear com.miui.search

Once you have completed the commands, restart your phone. If the search bar on the home screen has disappeared, install the Google Search widget manually.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 15 (HyperOS) some ADB-The teams may not work because of the system's changed architecture, so try using shizuku to run commands without root.

Method 4: Install custom launcher (Nova, Microsoft Launcher)

If Yandex search is hardwired into MIUI Launcher, the most reliable solution would be to install a third-party launcher, which would completely replace the phone's interface, including the search bar.

How to install and configure Nova Launcher

1. Download Nova Launcher from Play Market.
2. After installation, press Home. → Select Nova Launcher as the default launcher.
3. In the Nova settings (Long tap on the main screen) → Settings: Go to Search Bar. Select Google or No (if you want to hide the line completely). Under Widgets, add the Google Search widget to the home screen.

Advantages of Third-Party Launchers

• 🔍 Full control of the search engine (you can even delete the search bar).
• 🎨 Flexible interface setting (icons, animations, gestures).
• 🚀 Lack of advertising and unnecessary widgets MIUI.
• 🔄 Ability to back up launcher settings.

Recommended launchers for Xiaomi:

💡

Third-party launchers are the most reliable solution for completely removing Yandex from the main screen. MIUI They allow you to flexibly adjust the interface.

Method 5: Reflashing to the global version MIUI (skilled)

If all previous methods did not work, there is a radical solution – reflashing the phone to the global version. MIUI. This will remove all pre-installed Russian services, including Yandex, but will require unlocking the bootloader and may result in a loss of warranty.

What do you need?

• 📱 Phone with unlocked Bootloader (instructions on the official website of Xiaomi).
• 🖥️ Computer with Mi Flash Tool and drivers installed.
• 📁 Global firmware ROM For your model (download from the official website).
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 60%.

Step-by-step instruction

1. Unlock the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool (can take up to 72 hours to wait).
2. Download Global. ROM for your model (for example, miui_UMI_GLOBAL_14.0.5.0.TLBMIXM_...).
3. Turn your phone into Fastboot (Switch off → Power + Vol−) mode.
4. Connect to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. Select the downloaded firmware and click Flash (select Clean All for full cleanup).
6. After re-flashing, reset settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Resetting settings).

⚠️ Note: Reflashing to a global version may lead to:

• Data loss (get backup!)
• Problems with NFC Mobile phone service (if the firmware is not for your region).
• Denial of warranty service.

💡

Before firmware check model compatibility on the forum XDA Developers or 4PDA. Some phones (like the Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G) have separate firmware for Russia and the global market.

Method 6: Rooting and removing Yandex system components

If you’re willing to go to extremes, getting root permissions will allow you to delete Yandex at the system file level, a method that’s only suitable for advanced users!

How to get root on Xiaomi?

1. Unlock the bootloader (as in method 5).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Squeeze Magisk through recovery.
4. Install Magisk Manager and check root status.

Removing Yandex Components through Root

with the help of Root Explorer or ADB With superuser rights, delete the following packages:

com.yandex.browser


com.yandex.searchplugin




com.yandex.maps




com.yandex.music




com.yandex.launcher




com.yandex.app




com.yandex.search

Also check the folders:

/system/priv-app/


/system/app/




/data/app/

⚠️ Note: Removal of system packages may result in:

• Shutdown of certain functions (MIUI may stop updating).
• Loss of stability (accidental reboots).
• Security issues (root strips some of the protection) MIUI).

Solving problems after replacing Yandex with Google

Even after a successful search engine replacement, there may be problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them.

Problem 1: Search resets to Yandex after update

This is because of the fact that MIUI It's forced to reset the default settings:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates to Mi Browser and MIUI Launcher.
• 📵 Install Nova Launcher and disable the system launcher via ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.home
• 🔧 Use App Ops (requires root) to block access MIUI change in search settings.

Problem 2: Google Voice Search is not working

If the voice input has stopped working after the replacement:

1. Install or update Google App and Google Play Services.
2. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Google → Permits and enable access to the microphone.
3. In voice settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Select Google as the primary engine.

Problem 3: Google widgets are not updated

If Google widgets (weather, search) are not updated:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📶 Check your internet connection (Google widgets require a stable connection).
• 🗑️ Clear the cache and data of Google App (Settings) → Annexes → Google → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 🔄 Remove and add the widget again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing Yandex with Google in Xiaomi