How to turn off Play Store on Xiaomi Redmi 9

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphones often face the need to limit the functionality of the device, especially if the gadget is used by a child or elderly relatives. the standard procedure for removing the Google Play Store is impossible, as it is a system application deeply integrated into the shell of MIUI. However, there are proven methods to completely block its operation, hide the icon or prevent automatic updates without obtaining root rights.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the various ways to solve the problem, from simple parental control settings to using the ADB command line. You will learn how to turn Xiaomi Redmi 9 into a secure device where the user can not download games or make changes to the system. It is important to understand that completely disabling the app store can affect the operation of other Google services, so the process must be approached consciously.

Before you start taking action, you need to evaluate the feasibility of these measures. If your goal is simply to remove an extra icon from your desktop, it will be solved in a few seconds, but if you need a deep lock, for example, to prevent paid purchases by children, you need a comprehensive approach using several tools to configure the system.

Basic Disconnection through Android Settings

The easiest and safest way to restrict access to the store is to use the built-in app disablement feature, which does not require you to connect to your computer and save all the data on your device, and in this operation, the system forcibly stops the Google Play Store process and deletes all its temporary files.

To start, you need to open the settings menu of your Xiaomi Redmi 9. Find the Apps section, which displays the full list of installed software. In the list, you need to find the Google Play Store and go to its properties. Here you are interested in the Disable button, which will become active after confirmation of the action.

⚠️ Note: After the system store is disabled, other applications that depend on Google services will cease to be updated, which can lead to incorrect operation of the navigator, YouTube and banking programs.

If the “Disable” button is inactive (dark), it means that your device has administrator rights for this application or it is critical for the current version of the MIUI firmware. In this case, the system blocks direct shutdown to prevent unstable operation of the interface.

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Before disabling system applications, it is recommended to create a full backup of data through Mi Cloud or local storage in case of unforeseen system errors.

Use of Guest Access and Profiles

The alternative to completely removing or disabling the service is to create a limited user space. The MIUI shell installed on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 implements the “Second Space” or “Guest Mode” function, which allows you to create an isolated environment.

In this profile, you can choose not to set the app store shortcut to your desktop or not log in at all to your Google account, but it is an effective way to give your child a phone while still maintaining full functionality for the main owner, switching between profiles through a notification curtain or a special widget.

The advantage of this method is that the basic system processes are not disrupted, and the background services continue to work normally. You can return to the main profile at any time, where Google Play will be available without restrictions.

• 📱 Open “Settings” and find the “Advanced Settings” section».
• 👤 Select “Second Space” and click “Create».
• 🔒 Set a separate pattern lock or password to enter guest mode.
• 🚫 In the profile you create, simply don’t add a Google account or hide the store icon.

Hiding icons and restricting access through parental control

If your goal is not to technically shut down the service, but to prevent accidental launch or purchases, the most effective solution is to use the Family Link app or built-in restrictions, which allows you to leave the system intact, but make using the store useless for an outsider.

Google Family Link allows you to remotely manage your child’s account. You can set up a rule that requires you to confirm any application, even free apps, via a push notification on your device. Without your permission, Xiaomi Redmi 9 will not be able to download anything.

You can also hide the app icon from the menu using third-party launchers or built-in themes. In MIUI, you can click on the desktop icon for a long time and select Hide by placing the app in a secure folder, which creates the illusion of no store for the inexperienced user.

⚠️ Attention: Parental controls require a constant internet connection on both devices, and if a child turns off Wi-Fi, the restrictions may cease to apply until the next connection.

Removal through ADB: Advanced Method

For users who want to completely cut Google’s packet manager from the system without superuser rights, there is a USB debugging method.This method requires a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) and a cable to connect Xiaomi Redmi 9.

The first step is to activate the developer mode on your smartphone. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI build number seven times. After the message “You became a developer”, go back to the main settings menu and select “Additional” → “For developers”.

In the developer menu, activate the USB Debugging switch. When you connect your phone to your computer, you'll see a request for debugging permission on your smartphone screen -- be sure to tick Always Allow and confirm the action. Now the device is ready to transmit commands.

Once connected, open the command line on your computer in the ADB tool folder. Enter the adb device command to make sure the computer sees the phone. If a device with a serial number appears on the list, you can proceed to delete the packets.

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

This command removes the app store for the current user only (user 0) without affecting the system partition.This means that if necessary, you can always return everything back by resetting the settings to factory settings. However, be careful: removing critical system components can lead to a cyclic restart (bootloop).

Restoring the Google Play Store

If, after experimentation with the settings or ADB-When you've been told that you need the store, or you've had some errors in the system, the functionality is easy to return, and if you've just disabled the app in the settings, just click the "Enable" button in the same menu.

For users who have used the ADB method, the recovery procedure is also simple: you will need a computer and a connected phone again. The command for reinstalls of the standard package is as follows:

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

Once you have completed the command, it is recommended to restart the device so that the changes take effect. If the disconnection has caused serious MIUI failures, the only way out is to completely reset the device via Recovery Mode.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Disabling the Google Play Store is a reversible procedure that allows you to flexibly manage access to the installation of software, but requires caution when using the software. ADB-Teams to avoid system errors.