How to Disable Google Apps on Xiaomi with MIUI 11: 5 Proven Ways

The MIUI 11 shell on Xiaomi smartphones is known for its functionality, but many users are faced with the problem of redundant Google applications that take up memory, consume battery power and collect data. Even after manual removal through settings, some services (such as Google Play Services or Google Play Store) are automatically restored after rebooting, due to the fact that MIUI 11 is integrated with Google services at the firmware level, and some applications are system-based and protected from removal by standard methods.

In this article, we will look at all possible ways to disable or completely remove Google services, from simple methods through the settings menu to advanced solutions using ADB and firmware modifications. We will focus on the nuances for different Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro, Mi 9T or POCO F1), where the process may be different, and you will learn which applications can be safely deactivated and which are better left to avoid disrupting the system.

Why Google Apps Can't Just Be Uninstalled Through Settings

In MIUI 11, most Google services are system applications, which means they:

• 🔒 Protected from removal without superuser rights (root).
• 🔄 Automatically update via Google Play Store, even if you have disabled auto-update.
• 📱 Built into firmware and can affect the operation of other functions (for example, Google Play Services is needed for the correct operation of Google Maps or Gmail).
• 🔋 Consume resources in the background, even if you don’t use them.

Xiaomi also often partnered with Google to pre-install a set of services, so even after resetting to factory settings, these apps will return, and there is a technical nuance: some services (like Google Services Framework) are responsible for synchronizing your account, push notifications, and other applications, and deleting them can lead to loss of functionality.

⚠️ Note: Disabling Google Play Services may disrupt banking apps, instant messengers, and games that use Google authorization. Before deactivating, check if these services are linked to important features.

If you do decide to get rid of unnecessary services, start with the safest methods - disabling through settings or limiting background activity. More radical methods (such as deleting through ADB) leave it as a last resort.

Method 1: Disconnect via MIUI 11 settings

The easiest and safest method is to deactivate unnecessary apps in the settings menu.This won't remove them completely, but will stop background activity and save battery life.The instruction is suitable for all Xiaomi models on MIUI 11, including the Redmi Note 7, Mi A3 and POCO X3.

To disable the application:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Show All Apps.
3. In the search bar, type the name of the app (e.g. Google Play Music or Google Duo).
4. On the application page, click Disable (if the button is inactive, then the application is critical to the system).
5. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

Once you disable the app icon, it will disappear from the home screen and its processes will stop working in the background, but the application files will remain in the device's memory. To return it back, repeat the same steps and press Enable.

Back up your important data | Check if you are using a Google account for sync | Disable auto-update in Google Play | Remember account passwords if you are using two-factor authentication-->

Method 2: Limitation of background activity and rights

If you don’t want to completely disable Google apps, but want to reduce their impact on performance, you can limit their rights and background activity, which is especially useful for Google Play Services, which cannot be disabled by standard methods.

How to limit the application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → App Management and select the right one (e.g. Google Play Services).
2. Press permissions and disable all unnecessary permissions (e.g. Camera, Microphone, Location).
3. Go back and select the battery. → Battery consumption management.
4. Set a limit to limit background activity.
5. In the Mobile Data section, disable background traffic.

These actions will not remove the app, but will significantly reduce its impact on autonomy and privacy, such as Google Play Services, which will stop constantly sharing data with Google servers, extending battery life by 10-15% after the restriction.

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If the application stopped working correctly after the rights restriction (for example, no notifications from Gmail come), return the permission for Background activity in the battery settings.

Method 3: Removal via ADB (without root rights)

For users willing to take more drastic measures, there is a method of removing system applications via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require root rights, but requires connecting the smartphone to the computer, the advantage of which is that it allows you to remove even those applications that cannot be disabled through settings.

What you'll need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (You can download from the official website of Android Developers).
• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with enabled debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission on the phone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd in Windows) and type:

adb devices

Make sure your device appears in the list. Then execute a command to remove the desired application. For example, to delete Google Chrome:

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

Below is a list of commands to remove popular Google apps:

• com.google.android.gms – Google Play Services (not recommended!)
• com.android.vending — Google Play Store.
• com.google.android.gm — Gmail.
• com.google.android.youtube — YouTube.
• com.google.android.apps.maps — Google Maps.

⚠️ Note: Delete Google Play Services via ADB It can cause banking applications (such as Sberbank Online or Tinkoff) to fail, as they use Google services to check security.

Method 4: Using Magisk and Universal GMS Doze

If your Xiaomi smartphone is unlocked and you have Magisk installed, you can use the Universal GMS Doze module, which does not remove Google Play Services, but optimizes its performance, reducing background activity and battery consumption.

How to install the module:

1. Download the Universal GMS Doze module (file with.zip extension).
2. Open the Magisk Manager app and go to the Modules section.
3. Click Install from Storage and select the downloaded file.
4. Reset the device.

Once installed, the module will automatically limit Google Play Services activity when the screen is off, saving up to 20% battery life without completely removing the services.The module is compatible with MIUI 11 and newer versions, but make sure you have an up-to-date version of Magisk (23.0 or higher) before installing.

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Universal GMS Doze is the best option for those who want to keep Google services functional but reduce their impact on the battery.

Method 5: Switching to custom firmware without Google (GApps)

The most radical, but also the most effective way to get rid of Google services is to install custom firmware without GApps (Google Apps), a method suitable for advanced users, since it requires unlocking the bootloader, installing TWRP and firmware alternative OS, such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience without Google.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ The complete absence of Google services and surveillance.
• ✅ Ability to select only the necessary applications.
• ✅ Increased autonomy (without Google’s background processes).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• ⚠️ Risk of "bricking" with incorrect firmware.
• ⚠️ Some features (such as Google Pay or Widevine) L1 for Netflix HD) They may stop working.

If you do, follow the instructions for your model on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forum. For example, for the Redmi Note 8 Pro, Havoc-OS without GApps will work, and for POCO F1, ArrowOS. Make sure to back up your firmware with TWRP before you run it!

What to do if other functions stop working after Google applications are disabled

If you have problems after deactivating or deleting Google services (for example, push notifications do not work, banking applications do not open or contacts do not sync), try the following solutions:

Problem 1: Notifications are not received in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).

• 🔄 Reinstall the messenger.
• 📵 Check the notification settings in the app itself.
• 🔋 Enable background activity for the messenger in the battery settings.

Problem 2: Banking applications fail to open or issue an error.

• 🏦 Install Google Play Services back through ADB (see spoiler above).
• 🔒 Check for Google SafetyNet Certificates with SafetyNet Test.
• 📱 If you use custom firmware, try hiding root with Magisk Hide.

Problem 3: Contacts or calendars are not synchronized.

• 🔄 Add your Google account back to Settings → Accounts.
• 📱 Install an alternative synchronization application (e.g, DAVx5 for CardDAV/CalDAV).
• 🔋 Check if Google Contacts Sync is disabled in your account settings.

⚠️ Note: If you have deleted Google Play Services and encountered the error "Google Play Services is missing" in games or apps, try installing a micro version of GApps (such as Nano GApps) via Google Play Services. TWRP. This will restore the minimum necessary services without unnecessary applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling Google apps on MIUI 11