Modern smartphones, including the popular Xiaomi Redmi 6A, offer users a Google ecosystem that is centered on image storage and processing. For many low-end device owners with limited internal memory, the application’s background processes are becoming a real problem consuming precious battery and Internet traffic. Often, users are faced with a situation where the gallery is full of duplicates, and notifications of space shortages appear with alarming regularity.
Disabling this service is not just a whim, but often a necessary measure of optimizing the Android operating system. Owners of Redmi 6A are especially sensitive to performance issues, since the Helio A22 processor and modest amount of RAM require careful attitude to running processes. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to limit the functionality of the application, from simple synchronization stops to completely removing system components.
You will get a complete understanding of how to manage your media files without being tied to Google’s cloud storage, we will look at the technical details of how MIUI works in conjunction with Google services, explain the difference between deleting and disabling, and offer alternative solutions for viewing photos. It is important to understand that every action has its consequences, so before you start manipulation, you should weigh the pros and cons.
Why you need to shut down the service on Redmi 6A
The main reason users are looking for ways to limit the app is because of aggressive synchronization policies. Google Photos algorithms tend to upload every image they take to the cloud, which can lead to unexpected costs and quick battery drain when using mobile Internet. On entry-level devices like Redmi 6A, background loading often causes noticeable interface slowdowns.
Another factor is the limited amount of internal memory, which in the basic versions is only 16 or 32 GB. The system and preinstalled applications occupy a significant part of this space, leaving the user with a minimum of free space. Caching sketches and temporary files for cloud synchronization quickly “eats” the remaining megabytes, making the phone run slower.
⚠️ Warning: Deleting Google system components completely may disrupt other operating system services, such as contact backups or data recovery after resetting settings.
In addition, many users are annoyed by the constant intrusive functionality, such as automatically creating collages, animations and “memories” that are not always necessary.Switching off the service allows you to regain full control of the gallery and use only those features that are really important for a particular smartphone use scenario, this is especially true for older people or those who prefer minimalism in the interface.
Stopping Automatic Image Synchronization
The safest and most recommended way to limit the impact of the service on the device is to disable the backup function, which does not require superuser rights and does not violate the integrity of the MIUI system files. After these actions, the application will continue to work in the local gallery mode, but will stop transferring data to Google servers.
To start, you need to open the Google Photos app itself on your Redmi 6A. In the upper right corner of the screen is a round avatar of your account or profile icon that you need to click on. The settings menu will open where you should select Photo Settings, and then go to the Autoboot and Sync section.
In the window that opens, you'll see the switch that's activated by default. Put it in an inactive position. The system can warn you that new photos and videos will no longer be stored in the cloud. Confirm the action to make the changes effective. Now your pictures are exclusively on the device.
☑️ Checking for synchronization disconnection
Importantly, even after you turn off the main sync, some folders can continue to copy if you have been given exceptions. Go to the Device Folders section of the autoload settings and check the status of the messenger switches (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber), which often occupy the most space in the cloud.
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Use Wi-Fi to manually upload important photos if cloud space is still needed, but background work should be banned to save battery life.
Forced Stop and Cleanup of Application Data
If a simple shutdown of sync fails to produce the desired result and the process continues to consume resources, you can resort to more radical measures within the Android settings. Forced stop allows you to completely complete all processes associated with the application before the next manual start of the user.
To perform this operation, go to the Settings menu of your Redmi 6A smartphone. Find the App section, which can sometimes be called “All Apps” or “App Management” depending on the version of the MIUI shell. In the list that opens, find Photos or Photos and click on it to log into the control menu.
Here you are interested in the Stop button (or Force Stop button). Once pressed, the system will warn that the application may not work correctly until the next opening. Agree to the action. Immediately after that, you are recommended to click the Memory or Storage button, and then select Clean and Clear everything. This will delete the cache and temporary files, freeing up space.
| Action. | Impact on the system | Need for a reset |
|---|---|---|
| Shutting down synchronization | Stops data transmission | Not required |
| Forced stopping | Completes the process in memory | Not required |
| Clearing the cache | Frees up space, deletes temporary files | Not required |
| Removal of updates | Returns the factory version | Preferably. |
Once the data is cleaned, the app will return to the “as after installation” state, all your personal settings inside the app will be reset, but the photos stored on the memory card or in the internal storage will remain intact, an important point that is often confused with deleting files.
Removing updates and rolling back to the factory version
On Xiaomi smartphones, as on most pure Android devices, the Google Photos app is system-based and not routinely removed via the app management menu. However, there is an effective rollback method that allows the app to return to its original, often less resource-intensive, version that existed at the time of the phone’s release.
To perform this procedure, reopen the application settings through the App menu. The top right corner of the screen usually has a three-dot menu or vertical ellipsis. Click on it and select Remove Updates. The system will request confirmation of operation, as this action will affect the system component.
Once confirmed, the process of removing new versions of the software will begin, which can take a few seconds, and you will get a basic version of the application that does not require modern permissions and does not have many functions that burden the processor, which is a great way to combat the “bloatware” on older devices.
⚠️ Note: After the rollback version, the app can automatically update again through the Google Play Store, unless you disable auto-updates for a particular app in the store settings.
To prevent a new version from returning automatically, open the Play Market app, search for Google Photos, click three dots in the corner, and uncheck Auto Update. Now you can be sure that your Redmi 6A has the version you want.
Can I completely remove the system application without root rights?
Using ADB for Deep Deactivation
For advanced users who want to get the most out of sight of the app, there is a method of using the Android debugging bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the smartphone to the computer, but allows you to deactivate even those components that are hidden from the average user in the MIUI settings.
The first step is to activate the developer mode on your Redmi 6A. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI Version. After the message “You became a developer” appears, go back to the main settings menu, find the Additional → For Developers section and turn on the USB Debugging Toggle.
Connect your phone to your computer through USB-There's a platform on the computer. ADB. Open the command line or terminal in the folder with ADB and enter a command to check the connection:
adb devicesA request for debugging permission will appear on the phone screen. Accept it. Next, to delete (deactivate) Google Photos for the current user, use the following command:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.photosThis command doesn't physically delete files from the system partition, which is safe to guarantee, but it completely hides the application from the system, deletes it, and prevents it from starting. For the average user, the phone will look like the application has never been there. This frees up RAM and removes all associated processes.
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Using ADB is the most effective way to remove system software, but requires caution and a computer running Windows, macOS or Linux.
Alternative solutions for viewing photos
After disabling or removing a standard app, users often wonder, "What do you want to see now?" luckily, the Android ecosystem offers a host of alternatives that can work faster and easier than Google's heavyweight solutions. 6A It's particularly relevant.
The MIUI shell has its own Gallery app installed by default, optimized specifically for Xiaomi devices, can hide albums, has a built-in editor, and does not require an Internet connection for basic functionality. Many users do not even realize that the standard Xiaomi gallery is more functional than they think.
- 📸 Simple Gallery is a lightweight, open-source application without ads and unnecessary permissions, perfect for old phones.
- 🖼️ QuickPic is a classic gallery known for its incredible speed and minimalist interface.
- 🎨 AGallery is a modern solution with support for cloud storage (except Google), which can be customized for yourself.
Installing a third-party gallery also allows you to assign it to the default app. When you try to open an image from a messenger or browser, the system will ask which program to use. By selecting a new gallery and marking the "Always" item, you completely isolate yourself from Google's services in terms of watching media.