How to completely disable Google Play on Xiaomi smartphones: from simple to complex

Google Play services on Xiaomi smartphones are often a source of annoyance: they take up space in memory, consume traffic in the background and can conflict with alternative app stores, especially for Redmi and POCO users who prefer APK workarounds or use devices in regions with limited access to Google services. But simply removing Google Play Services or Play Market will not work — MIUI protects them as critical components.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, from temporary shutdown to complete removal (including rootless methods), you will learn how to circumvent the limitations of MIUI 12/13/14, what risks certain actions carry, and what to do if other functions stop working after manipulation (for example, Google Pay or contact synchronization).

Why you can’t just delete Google Play through your settings

Unlike regular apps, Google Play Services and Play Market are integrated at the firmware level in Xiaomi.

• 🔒 Delete Protection: The Remove button in the app menu is not available (only "Disable" or "Remove Updates").
• 🔄 Auto-Repair: Even if you delete APK through ADB, The system can restore it after restarting.
• ⚠️ Addictions: Many features (from Google Maps to YouTube) will stop working without Play Services.

Moreover, on devices with MIUI Global or EEA, Google services are part of mandatory certification, and their removal may result in:

• 📵 Loss of access to Widevine L1 (no HD Netflix or Disney+).
• 🔐 Blocking certain banking applications (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff).
• 🚫 Unable to use Google Pay for contactless payments.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi devices with firmware MIUI China (without Google) does not require removing Play Market — it is not there at first. But if you install it manually, it will behave like a regular app (it can be removed in a standard way).

Method 1: Disconnect via settings (without root)

The safest method is deactivation, not deletion, and is suitable for users who want to save battery power or limit background Play Services activity.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type in Google Play and select Google Play Services.
3. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, click Stop first).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

For the Play Market, the same thing happens, but once you're disabled, you can't install or update apps through it. To get back to the service, you just need to turn the service back on in the settings.

No notifications from Google Play|

Opportunity of alternative stores (APKMirror, Aurora Store)|

Synchronize contacts and calendar (if you use a Google account) |

Access to geolocation in maps (2GIS, Yandex.Maps)

-->

This method doesn't delete the application files, it just stops them from working. If you need to make room, move on to the next method.

Method 2: Remove updates and reset to factory version

Google Play Services and Play Market are often updated automatically, taking up hundreds of megabytes, and can be rolled back to the factory version, reducing space and system load.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Google Play Services.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Remove Updates.
3. Confirm the action. The system will return the app to the version that was used when you bought the device.
4. Repeat the steps for the Google Play Market.

To prevent automatic updates in the future:

• 🛡️ Open Play Market → Settings → Auto Update Apps and Choose Never.
• 📴 Turn off background data transfer for Play Services in traffic settings.

⚠️ Note: After a reset, some features (such as Google Pay or Find My Device) may not work properly. If you use these services, it is better to leave updates or look for alternatives (such as Mi Pay for payments).

Battery savings |

Freeing up memory |

Use of alternative stores (APK, Aurora)|

Privacy (I don’t want to be tracked by Google)|

Other region (no access to services)-->

Method 3: Remove via ADB (without root, but with PC)

If the standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — A debugging tool that allows you to manage system applications, which doesn't require root rights, but you need a computer and a computer. USB-cable.

Step-by-step:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive in any folder on your PC.
2. On your smartphone, activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Press 7 times on the MIUI Version until the notification “You’ve become a developer” appears.

Settings → Additional → For Developers

USB debugging

ADB

adb devices

(Your device should appear. If not, install Xiaomi drivers.)

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.vending


adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.gms

The first command removes Play Market, the second one removes Google Play Services. The --user 0 flag means that apps are only removed for the current user (without affecting the system completely).

To get it back, use:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.vending


adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.gms

adb shell settings put global package_verifier_user_consent 0

This will disable system integrity checks. APK loading.-->

Method 4: Complete removal with root rights

If you are willing to take drastic measures and have root access (for example, through Magisk), you can delete Google Play forever, a method suitable for experienced users, as improper actions can lead to a “brick” of the device (inoperability).

What you'll need:

• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with unlocked bootloader and installed Magisk.
• 💻 PC with installation ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔧 Backup of data (for example, through TWRP).

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/.
3. Find and delete folders: PrebuiltGmsCore (or GmsCore) is Play Services. Phonesky is Play Market. GoogleServicesFramework is a framework for running services.

Reset the device.

After the complete removal of Google Play Services, all applications that depend on Google will cease to work: maps, Gmail, YouTube (without the web version), as well as some games with authorization through Google Play Games. If you are not ready for such consequences, it is better to use methods without root.

Method 5: Alternative firmware (for advanced)

If you want Xiaomi completely without Google services, consider installing custom firmware.This is a cardinal solution that requires unlocking the bootloader and potentially takes away warranties.

Popular options:

• 🌍 LineageOS — “clean” Android without preinstalled apps. Supports MicroG for compatibility with some Google services.
• 🔥 Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel interface, but allows you to remove unnecessary components.
• 📱 MIUI without GApps - modified versions MIUI, where Google services are removed at the build level (e.g, MIUI EU Play Services).

Installation process:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a wait of 7-14 days for new Xiaomi accounts).
2. Install the custom TWRP recavator.
3. Make a full backup of the current system.
4. Sweep the selected firmware through TWRP.

⚠️ Note: Install custom firmware on Xiaomi devices with MediaTek processors (for example, Redmi Note 11 or Xiaomi devices). POCO M4 Pro is fraught with modem issues (mobile network may go missing). Check the forums' compatibility reviews before you run the firmware. 4PDA or XDA Developers.

What to do if other functions stop working after Google Play is disabled

Removing or disabling Google Play Services can have a chain reaction, and these are the most common problems and solutions.

• 📍 Geolocation does not work: Install MicroG (requires F-Droid settings and UnifiedNlp enabled). Alternatively, use Yandex.Maps or 2GIS Googleless.
• 🔑 Contacts are not synced: Move them to your Mi Account or export them to a.vcf file.
• 🎮 No games: Many games (for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact requires Google Play Games. APK manually or use an emulator on a PC.
• 💳 Google Pay does not work: Go to Mi Pay (if supported by your bank) or use a physical card.

If you’re experiencing a cyclical reboot after manipulating Play Services, try:

1. Download in Safe Mode (press the power button → “Reboot in Safe Mode”).
2. Return remote applications via ADB (see Method 3).
3. Make a reset to factory settings (if other methods did not help).

💡

Before experimenting with any system applications, back up your device via TWRP or adb backup, which will allow you to restore the device if something goes wrong.

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off Google Play on Xiaomi