How to completely disable YouTube on Xiaomi Redmi: Delete, block and hide

The YouTube app on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is often installed as a default system, which prevents many users from taking up space in memory, spending traffic in the background and distracting with notifications — especially if you are not using it. Unlike regular programs, simply clicking “Delete” here will not work: MIUI blocks the removal of preinstalled Google services.

In this article, 5 proven ways to turn off YouTube on Xiaomi Redmi, including hiding icons, blocking through parental control settings, and even completely removing for advanced users (with risks!). The methods work on all current models: from Redmi Note 10 to Redmi 12 and flagship Redmi K60, as well as on versions of MIUI 12-14. Choose the appropriate option depending on your goals - temporarily hide the application or get rid of it forever.

Why YouTube can’t be removed in the standard way

When you try to remove YouTube from the app menu (Settings → Apps → App Management → YouTube), you will see a gray “Delete” button or a message “App cannot be removed” because:

• 📱 System integration: YouTube is part of Google Mobile Services (GMS), Xiaomi is required to install on all devices for the European and global markets, and the removal of the device could disrupt other services, such as Google Play or Gmail.
• 🔒 Politics MIUI: Firmware MIUI It blocks the removal of key applications even if they are not in use.This is done for "system stability" (according to Xiaomi).
• 📦 Updates via Play Market: Even if you disable YouTube, it may reappear after the Google Play Services update.

But there are workarounds, from simple (hiding icons) to radical (deleting ADBs), and then we'll look at each method with its pros and cons.

Method 1: Disabling notifications and background activity

If you are only annoyed by notifications and traffic consumption, limit YouTube to the background without removing the app itself.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find YouTube on the list and tap it.
3. Go to Notifications and turn off all switches (including Allow Notifications).
4. Go back and select Battery → Background Limit → Limit.
5. In the Mobile Data section, disable background traffic and auto-start.

After this action, YouTube will stop:

• 🔔 Show notifications about new videos or broadcasts.
• 📡 Spending mobile traffic in the background (for example, to preload videos).
• 🔄 Automatically update via Play Market (if you disable auto-update in its settings).

💡

To block YouTube from accessing the Internet completely, use the built-in MIUI Firewall: Settings → Network and Internet → Firewall. Add YouTube to the blacklist for Wi-Fi and mobile data.

Method 2: Hiding the YouTube icon from the home screen

If the app doesn't interfere with the work, but spoils the desktop view, you can just hide it. This won't remove YouTube from the device, but it will make it inaccessible to run accidentally:

1. Click and hold the YouTube icon on the home screen.
2. In the menu that appears, select Delete (or drag the icon to the top of the screen where the cart will appear).
3. Confirm the action – the icon will disappear, but the application will remain in the system.

To bring the icon back:

1. Open the menu of all applications (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Find YouTube in the list, click and hold it.
3. Drag to the main screen or folder.

If you want to completely remove YouTube, rather than just hide it, read the following ways – but be prepared for the possible consequences for the system.

Method 3: Delete YouTube via ADB (for Advanced)

This method allows you to completely remove YouTube as a system application, but requires a computer connection and knowledge of ADB commands. Mistakes can cause MIUI to fail – back up your data!

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and tool ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Xiaomi Redmi smartphone with debugging enabled USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version number, then go back to Settings → 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 on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Follow the command to delete YouTube: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.youtube
5. Reboot your smartphone.

YouTube will be removed from the system, but:

• ⚠️ Updates MIUI can return the application.
• ⚠️ Some Google features (such as Google Assistant) may not work properly.
• ⚠️ If you reset your phone to factory settings, YouTube will pop up again.

Debugging is on. USB|Installed drivers Xiaomi on PC|Scud ADB (platform-tools)|Backup of important data is made|Battery charge > 50%-->

Method 4: Blocking through parental control

If you want to restrict access to YouTube (for example, for a child or to avoid accidental launches), use the built-in Parental Controls feature in MIUI. This will not delete the application, but will block it from opening without a password.

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Parental Controls.
2. Create a P.IN-code (remember it!).
3. In the App Restrictions section, find YouTube and set a time limit or block it completely.
4. Save the settings.

Now, when you try to open YouTube, the system will require input. PIN-This method is suitable if:

• 👶 You give your child a phone and you want to limit content.
• 🔒 You are afraid of accidentally launching an app (for example, through search or voice assistant).
• 📵 You want to temporarily stop YouTube, but you don’t want to delete it.

💡

Parental controls in MIUI not only allow you to block apps, but also set time limits, which is useful if you want to reduce your time spent on YouTube, but not remove it completely.

Method 5: Disconnecting via Safe Mode

If YouTube is starting to behave in an unstable way (e.g. crashing or wasting battery), you can check if it is conflicting with other apps by booting into Safe Mode, which only runs system apps and all third-party apps are disabled.

How to run Safe Mode on Xiaomi Redmi:

1. Press the power button before the off menu appears.
2. Press and hold the option to Turn Off (or Reboot, depending on the model).
3. Confirm the transition to Safe Mode.

In safe mode:

• 🔍 Check if YouTube is stable, and if so, there's a problem in one of the apps installed.
• 🚫 You may not be able to delete YouTube, but you may be able to disable its notifications or background activity (as in Method 1).
• 🔄 To exit Safe Mode, simply restart your phone.

⚠️ Note: In Safe Mode, some features (e.g. Google Pay or Google Pay) are included. NFC) Don't use this mode all the time, just for diagnostics.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make the choice easier, we have collected the key features of each method in the table:

If you’re not sure which method to choose, start with the easiest one (disabling notifications or hiding an icon).If YouTube is critically intrusive, try ADB, but only after backing up the data.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)