Why YouTube is Updated and How to Stop It on Xiaomi
Have you noticed that the YouTube app on your Xiaomi smartphone is updating on its own, despite limited traffic or a desire to stay on the old version? This problem is familiar to many MIUI users - the firmware often ignores the standard settings of Google Play and forcibly updates system applications, as a result, lost familiar features, increased battery consumption, and sometimes new versions are worse than the old ones.
The reasons for this behavior lie in two mechanisms: auto-update through the Play Store (which can be turned off) and system updates MIUI (which require deep customizations). For example, on the Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro, even after disabling auto-update in the application settings, it can update through Settings → Apps → Update system applications. We will analyze all the ways, from simple to advanced, including ADB.
Method 1: Disabling Auto Update in Google Play
The most obvious method is to block updates directly in the Google Play Store, but this method does not always work on Xiaomi because of the integration with MIUI.
- Open the Google Play Store and find the YouTube app.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Remove Updates (if the button is active).
- Slip three points again and uncheck Auto Update.
- Select the option to not update automatically.
⚠️ Note: On some devices (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50) When you restart, you reset your settings. If that's your case, go to the following ways.
Remove current YouTube | updates
Select "Do not update automatically" |
Restart your phone and check your status|
Make sure there is no YouTube in the queue for an update in My Apps-->
Method 2: Blocking through MIUI settings
MIUI has its own system app update mechanism, which often ignores Google Play settings to disable it:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select System App Update.
- Turn off the auto update slider over Wi-Fi.
- Go back and find YouTube in the app list. tap on it, then click Disable (if the button is active).
Some firmware (MIUI 14+) may not have System Application Update, so try an alternative route:
- 🔍 Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times to turn on the developer mode).
- 🔧 Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
- 🛠️ Find Disable Automatic System Application Update and Activate It.
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If your version of MIUI doesn’t have System App Update, try resetting Play Store: Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → Storage → Clear Data. This will reset all auto-updates, but won’t remove the installed apps.
Method 3: Using ADB to Deep Shut Down
If standard methods fail, you’ll need to connect to your phone via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for power users and requires a computer. On devices with MIUI 13+, you may need to unlock the bootloader after using ADB, which will result in a reset of all data.
Instructions:
- Install ADB Tools on your PC.
- Turn on USB debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 taps → For developers → USB debugging).
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.youtube
adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist -com.google.android.youtubeTo get it back, use:
adb shell pm enable com.google.android.youtubeWhat if the ADB can’t see the device?
Method 4: Remove Updates via Safe Mode
If YouTube is already updated and you want to go back to the factory version, try Safe Mode, which disables all third-party apps, and you can remove the updates:
- Press the power button before the turn off menu appears.
- Press and hold the “Off” option (or “Reboot” on some models).
- Confirm the transition to Safe Mode.
- Go to Settings → Apps → YouTube → Remove updates.
- Restart your phone in normal mode.
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14 and later in Safe Mode, the ability to delete updates to system applications can be blocked. ADB ork.
Method 5: Turning off YouTube background activity
If you can't completely disable auto-update, you can limit YouTube's background activity so that it doesn't download the updates secretly.
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → YouTube.
- 🔄 Choose the Battery. → Limit background activity.
- 📶 Turn off Mobile Data and Wi-Fi in the background.
- 🚫 In the Permissions section, disable Changes to System Settings (if any).
This method does not block updates completely, but significantly reduces the chances of their automatic installation. On the POCO F4 and Xiaomi 13 Lite, after such actions, YouTube stops updating over the mobile network, but can do so over Wi-Fi.
Through Google Play|
Through the MIUI settings|
With ADB|
Removal in Safe Mode|
Nothing helped.-->
Comparison of methods: which to choose
Not all methods are equally effective across Xiaomi devices, and below is a table comparing methods depending on the model and version of MIUI:
| Method | MIUI 12-13 | MIUI 14+ | Demands a PC. | Risk of data reset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Play | ✅ It's working. | ❌ Frequently dropped | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
| MIUI settings | ✅ It's working. | ⚠️ Partially. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
| ADB | ✅ It's working. | ✅ It's working. | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Possible when unlocking the loader |
| Safe Mode | ✅ It's working. | ❌ Limited. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
| Background restriction | ⚠️ Partially. | ⚠️ Partially. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
For most users, the best solution would be a combination of a blackout in the Play Store + a restriction of background activity. If you have MIUI 14 or later, you will most likely need ADB.
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On devices with an unlocked bootloader (for example, after firmware custom recavator), YouTube auto-update can be permanently disabled through Magisk-modules like DisableFlagSecure or App Systemizer.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many users experience typical problems when trying to disable auto-update, and here are the most common errors and solutions:
- 🔄 "Settings are reset after rebooting" → It's a feature. MIUI 14+. Solution: Use ADB Or turn off battery optimization for Google Play Store.
- 🔌 "YouTube Updates via Wi-Fi Despite Mobile Data Block" → Turn off Auto Update over Wi-Fi in Settings MIUI (see method 2).
- 🛠️ "ADB can't see the device" → Install Xiaomi drivers and enable debugging by USB (security).
- 📱 "No item 'Updating system applications'" → Try to turn on the developer mode or use it. ADB.
⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi) K60 Pro) after disabling updates through ADB Youtube push notifications may stop working. To return them, follow them:
adb shell cmd appops set com.google.android.youtube RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND allow