Many users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones face the need to limit the functionality of Google’s built-in services. The reasons can be different from the desire to save battery power and traffic to corporate security requirements or switch to alternative app stores. The standard procedure for deactivating the system component of Google Play Services requires a careful approach, as it affects the deep settings of the Android operating system.
Before you start, it’s important to understand that the Google Play Store is tightly integrated into the MIUI and HyperOS shell. Simply removing the icon from your desktop won’t solve the background problem. You’ll need access to an advanced settings menu or use special debugging tools. In this article, we’ll look at secure ways to disable services that don’t require superuser rights.
The following manipulations may affect other applications that depend on Google libraries.Disabling Google system services completely can cause banking applications, maps and push notifications to malfunction, and it is recommended to back up important data in advance and follow the instructions clearly to avoid software conflicts in the operation of the device.
The consequences of disabling Google services on MIUI
Turning off Google Play isn’t just removing a shortcut; it’s stopping background processes that synchronize contacts, geolocate third-party apps, and validate licenses. On Xiaomi devices with MIUI shells, this can cause increased power consumption when the system tries to restart services that have stopped.
Users often do not realize that many installed games and programs use Google Play Games to keep progress; if you block the main store and its services, you may lose the ability to log in to new applications through your Google account; and notifications from applications using FCM (Firebase Cloud Messaging) will stop coming.
It’s worth considering that some features of the system, such as Find a Device, may not work properly or may not function at all. If you use a smartphone as your primary tool for work and communication, weigh the pros and cons. For older devices that are used as media players or offline navigators, turning off these services can be a great way to extend battery life.
Basic deactivation through smartphone settings
The easiest and safest way to limit store activity is to use a standard app menu, which does not require a computer connection and is suitable for most users who just want to stop background sync, but does not remove the application completely, but only puts it into sleep mode.
To start, open your Xiaomi settings and go to Apps, where you need to find All Apps to see the full list of installed software, and search for Google Play Store or Google Play Store. Click on the name to open the app card.
In the menu that opens, find the "Disable" button. If it is active, the system will prompt you to confirm the action. Once confirmed, the application icon will disappear from the desktop and its processes will stop. If the button is inactive (gray), then the manufacturer's restrictions are applied on your device or in your version of MIUI, and more advanced methods are required.
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If the Disable button is inactive, try first clicking “Delete Updates” in the same menu and then trying again to disable.
It is also important to disable auto-updates so that the system does not try to reactivate services when you next connect to Wi-Fi, for this, in the settings of the Play Store itself (if there is access), you need to uncheck the "Auto-App Update" item, which will reduce network activity and prevent components from reloading.
Using a Hidden Menu for System Applications
Xiaomi smartphones have a hidden settings section that allows you to manage system components in more detail than the standard menu, accessed through a special code in the Phone app, which is effective when a normal shutdown is blocked.
Open the Phone app and enter the code ##4636##. If the code is supported by your firmware version, the Test menu will open. Select Phone Information or similar. You can see the status of the various services here, although there may not be a direct delete button here, this interface shows the activity of the processes.
A more efficient way is to access the developer menu. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly tap 7-10 times on MIUI until the message “You’re a developer” appears. Then go back to the main settings menu, select “More” → “Developers”.
The dangers of hidden settings
In the developer menu, find the Statistics or Working Services section, where you can force the process to stop com.android.vending (the technical name of Google Play), and stop the process temporarily deaktivates it until the next reboot or system trigger, and for permanent effect, this method must be combined with a ban on background activity.
Complete removal via ADB (no Root rights)
The most radical and effective method is the use of Android Debug Bridge (ADB) debugging, which allows you to remove or disable system applications for the current user without compromising the integrity of the system partition.
You have to get your computer ready first. Download Platform Tools from Google's official website and unpack the archive. On your smartphone, turn on Debugging by Debugging. USB» In the Developer menu, connect your phone to your PC with a cable and confirm the debugging permission request on your device screen.
Open the command prompt or terminal on your computer in the folder with ADB. Enter the command to check the connection:
adb devicesIf the device is identified (serial number displayed), you can proceed to shut down. To turn off the Google Play Store, type the following command:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.vendingTo disable Google Play services (which are often more important than the store itself), the command is used:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.gms☑️ Check before removal through ADB
Once you execute the commands, the apps will disappear from the menu and stop consuming resources. If you want to return everything as it was, use the adb shell pm enable command with the corresponding batch name. This is the best way for those who want a clean system without unnecessary garbage from Google.
Alternative shops and security
When Google Play is turned off, the question arises: where to get apps? Xiaomi’s ecosystem preinstalled GetApps (formerly the Mi Store), which contains a basic set of programs, but may not have all the apps you need due to regional restrictions.
A popular alternative is the free and open source F-Droid store, which is also used by many users to install APKPure or Aurora Store, which is an anonymous Google Play client that allows you to download apps from the Google directory without using Google Play Services, which is ideal for our task.
However, installing applications from unknown sources carries risks. Xiaomi’s security settings (Security → Device Protection) recommends enabling scanning of installed files. Always check the permissions the application requests when installing.
| App store | Availability of Google Services | Security | Region of work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Play | Required. | Tall. | Global |
| GetApps (Mi Store) | Not required | Tall. | Depends on the region. |
| Aurora Store | Not required | Tall. | Global |
| F-Droid | Not required | High (Open Source) | Global |
| APKPure | Not required | Medium | Global |
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Aurora Store is the best alternative for users who need apps from Google Play, but without installing Google services themselves.
Addressing problems and restoring work
Errors can occur when system components are turned off, such as the Settings app crashing or the internet shutting down, most often because some MIUI system modules depend on Google libraries.
If your phone is unstable after Google Play Services is turned off, try restarting your device to Safe Mode first. To do this, press the Turn Off button, and when the Turn Off icon appears, press and hold it on the screen. In Safe Mode, only system applications run.
⚠️ Note: If you have disabled Google Play Services through ADB and the phone stopped loading (cyclic reboot), you will need to reset data via Recovery Mode. Make sure you have access to the computer to re-enable if the device is at least partially responsive.
To recover an application that is deleted via ADB, you just need to reconnect your phone to your PC and type in a command to replace disable-user with enable, such as adb shell pm enable com.android.vending, which will instantly return the store to its place without losing personal data.
If problems persist, a full reset to factory settings (Wipe Data) may be required. Before any experimentation with system packages, always make a full backup through the Advanced Settings menu → Backup and Restore.
What to do if the push notification does not work?
Optimizing the battery after shutdown
One of the main goals of turning off heavy services is to save energy. Once you've removed Google Play, it's worth checking the battery statistics. Go to Settings → Battery → Consumption. You should notice a decrease in background activity.
You can also set up autostart for the remaining applications. MIUI has an aggressive energy saving system. Go to the Security app → Permissions → Autostart. Leave only what you really need in the background (e.g. messengers).
It’s also helpful to disable ads on a system that often uses network connections. In your password and security settings, look for the Privacy section and turn off Receiving References and User Experience, which will make Xiaomi’s work more responsive and invisible in terms of network activity.