How to completely disable or delete Google Play on Xiaomi: all working ways

Google services are so deeply integrated into MIUI firmware that even after manually removing apps, they continue to work in the background, especially Google Play Services, which is responsible for syncing accounts, push notifications and most apps, and if you want to turn off Google Play on Xiaomi for privacy reasons, battery savings, or simply because you don’t use Google services, this guide will help you do it as cleanly as possible.

It’s important to understand that you can’t completely uninstall Google Play Services without root rights — it’s a firmware-protected system application, but it can be deactivated, restricted to background activity, or even replaced with alternative services (such as MicroG). In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways, from simple (via MIUI settings) to advanced (using ADB and custom firmware).

We warn you in advance: some methods can lead to unstable smartphone operation if you use applications that depend on Google (for example, YouTube, Gmail or games with authorization through Google Play Games).

1. disable Google Play through standard MIUI settings

The safest and most reversible way is to suspend unnecessary Google services through the app menu, which will not remove them completely, but will reduce the load on the system and battery.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, type Google Play – find Google Play Store, Google Play Services and Google Services Framework.
• ⚙️ For each of them, click Disable (if the button is inactive, first click Stop).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone to make changes take effect.

⚠️ Note: Google Play Services will stop working after shutdown:

• 📧 Synchronize contacts and calendar with Google Account.
• 🎮 Authorization in games through Google Play Games.
• 🔔 Push notifications from some applications (e.g. Telegram or Telegram) VK Google Firebase may be required for notifications).

If you notice a problem with your smartphone after you shut it down, you can bring it back the same way, you just need to turn the apps back on in the settings, and this method doesn't require superuser rights and is completely reversible.

2.Removal of Google Play Services Updates

Google Play Services is regularly updated through the Google Play Store, and these updates can “return” disabled features, and to avoid this, you can roll the application back to the factory version and block its updates.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Google Play Services.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Remove Updates.
3. Confirm action. The version of the app will reset to the one installed with the firmware.
4. Return to the Google Play Store, search for Google Play Services and click Delete (not Open, but Delete – this will block automatic updates).

🔹 What will it do? The application will stay on the system, but it will not be updated, which will reduce its activity. However, some functions (such as geolocation in maps) may not work correctly.

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If the Remove Updates button is inactive, try disabling the app first and then try again.

3. Disconnect via MIUI Optimizing (no root)

MIUI firmware has a hidden MIUI Optimizing feature that allows you to jam Google's background processes, which does not remove services, but significantly reduces their impact on the system.

Instructions:

• 📲 Open the Security app (shield icon).
• 🔧 Move to Acceleration. → Settings (cogs at the top) → MIUI Optimizing.
• 🔘 Turn off the slider. MIUI Optimizing (if enabled).
• 🔄 Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Disconnection MIUI Optimization can lead to:

• 🐢 Slowing down animations and transitions in the system.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption (because background optimization is completely disabled).
• 📱 Possible lags in games and heavy applications.

This is a good way for users who want to reduce the impact of Google, but are not willing to sacrifice the stability of the smartphone. If after the shutdown there are problems, return the setting to its original state.

4.Use ADB for deep shutdown (no root)

If standard methods didn't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to disable system applications without superuser permissions, which is more radical, but still reversible.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (download).
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (or PowerShell) in the ADB folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must display the serial number of your device.
4. Run the command to disable Google Play Services: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.gms
5. To disable Google Play Store: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.vending
6. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: After completing these commands:

• 🚫 Google Play Store will disappear from the app menu.
• 🔄 Some apps (such as Chrome or Gmail) will stop working.
• 🔙 To get it back, use the command: adb shell pm enable com.google.android.gms

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ADB-commands disable applications only for the current user without affecting system files.

5. Install custom firmware without Google (for advanced)

If you're willing to take drastic measures, you can completely remove Google from the system by installing custom firmware without GApps (Google Apps), which requires unlocking the bootloader and installing TWRP, but gives you maximum freedom.

Popular firmware without Google for Xiaomi:

🔧 What needs to be done:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires Xiaomi account binding and waiting 7-168 hours).
2. Install the custom TWRP recavator.
3. Download firmware without GApps (for example, from the LineageOS site).
4. Switch the device through TWRP.

⚠️ Attention: Installation of custom firmware:

• 🚨 Cancellation of the warranty (unless the official firmware is returned).
• 🔐 May cause a device to break down in case of an error.
• 📱 Requires backup of all data (all files will be erased).

6. Alternative App Stores

If you turn off the Google Play Store, you'll need an alternative to install apps. Here are the most reliable options:

• 🛒 F-Droid – an open source store (only free applications, without advertising and tracking).

🔹 How to install APK-file:

1. Download APK from a trusted source (such as APKMirror).

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK from unreliable sources may lead to:

• 🦠 Infection with viruses or spyware.
• 🔓 Personal data leakage (if the application is fake).
• 📵 Unstable program operation (if the version is not compatible with your firmware).

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Before installing an APK, check the hash file (for example, via Hash Droid) and compare it to the official one on the developer’s website.

7 Problems after Google Play shutdown and their solutions

Even after successfully disabling Google Play Services, you may encounter errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If none of the methods helped, return the settings to the original state:

• For ADB: Follow the back-up commands (see Section 4).
• For custom firmware: Sweeve the official MIUI through the Mi Flash Tool.

FAQ: Frequent questions