How to completely disable YouTube on Xiaomi Redmi: from removal to concealment

YouTube is pre-installed on most Xiaomi Redmi smartphones and often runs in the background, consuming traffic, battery power and distracting with nods. Users want to turn it off for various reasons: parental controls, resource savings or simple reluctance to use the service. However, standard removal through the application menu is not always possible - MIUI blocks the removal of system applications.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods – from complete removal (for advanced users) to temporary locking and hiding the icon. All methods are tested on the current models of the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Redmi 11 Prime and Redmi 10 2022 with MIUI 14/15. If you are looking for a way to specifically for your model, check the firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

Important: Some methods require superuser rights (root) or ADB use. If you are a beginner, start with the simplest methods (sections 2 and 3). For experienced users, the deep removal instructions in sections 4 and 5.

1. disable YouTube alerts (without deletion)

If you're only annoyed by push notifications from YouTube, but the app itself is sometimes used, you just have to turn off alerts. This method doesn't require root rights and works on all versions of MIUI.

Go to Settings → Applications → App Management and find YouTube in the list. tap on it and select Notifications. Turn off the slider at the top of the screen. For complete silence, also deactivate:

• 🔔 Notifications (in the same menu)
• 📌 Pop-up windows (Special permissions section)
• 🔄 Auto-run (so that the application does not run in the background)

This method does not delete the app, but significantly reduces its activity. If the nozzles continue to come, clear the YouTube cache in the same menu (Storage → Clear cache).

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To prevent notifications from returning after the YouTube update, turn off the app auto-update in Google Play → Settings → App auto-update and select Never.

2. Hiding the YouTube icon (without deletion)

If you want to remove the icon from the home screen and app menu, but leave the app itself working (for example, for rare use), use the Hiding feature in MIUI.

Open Settings → Applications → App Management, search YouTube and tap it. Select Hide the App (some firmware may call it Disable).

• 📱 The icon will disappear from the main screen and menu.
• 🔍 The application will remain in the system and will be available through search (Conductor) → Search).
• 🔄 To return the icon, repeat the steps and click Show App.

This method does not delete YouTube data or interfere with its operation in the background. If you need to completely stop background activity, move to the next section.

3. Disabling YouTube background activity

YouTube consumes resources even when you're not using them: updates your feed, uploads notifications, and analyzes activity. To stop the background completely, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management.
2. Find YouTube in the list and select Limit Background Activity.
3. Return to the app menu (Settings) → Annexes → YouTube and turn it off: 🔄 Auto-start 📶 Mobile data in the background 📡 Wi-Fi in the background

After these actions, YouTube will not consume battery and traffic in the background, but will retain the ability to run manually. To check, open Settings → Battery → Battery Use and make sure YouTube does not appear in the active app list.

Limited background activity in battery settings|Auto-launch disabled|Background Wi-Fi and mobile data banned|The application is not displayed in "Battery use"-->

4. YouTube Deletion via ADB (no root)

If you're ready for more radical measures, YouTube can be removed without root rights using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that works on all Redmis with MIUI 12 and later, but requires a computer connection.

First, turn on the USB debugging:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone and tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate Developer Mode.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect the phone to the PC, confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.

Now download the ADB Tools for Windows/macOS/Linux and execute a command at the terminal:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.youtube

Once executed, YouTube will disappear from the system, but MIUI updates can bring it back. To prevent this, re-execute the delete command before updating the firmware.

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Delete via ADB does not require root rights, but only for the current user. Once the phone is reset, YouTube will return to the factory settings.

5. Complete removal of YouTube with root rights

To permanently delete YouTube (including all system files) root rights are required, a method suitable for experienced users, as incorrect actions can lead to system failure.

If you already have root (for example, through Magisk), use a root-enabled file manager, such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer.

/system/priv-app/YouTube/


or




/system/app/YouTube/

And delete the entire YouTube folder. Alternatively, you can use the command in the terminal:

su


rm -rf /system/priv-app/YouTube




rm -rf /system/app/YouTube

Once deleted, restart your phone. YouTube will disappear from the system forever, but keep in mind:

• ⚠️ Updates MIUI can return the application.
• ⚠️ Some features (such as Google Assistant) may not work properly.
• 🔧 You will need to re-flash the phone to recover.

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Before you delete your system files, back up your phone via TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery, which will allow you to recover your phone in the event of a crash.

Alternatives: Parental Controls and Restriction of Access

If the goal is to restrict access to YouTube for children, you can use built-in MIUI features or third-party apps instead of removing them.

Option 1: Integrated parental controls

1. Go to Settings → Digital Well-Being and Parental Controls.
2. Set up a child profile and add a YouTube restriction.
3. Set a password to change your settings.

Option 2: Third-party annexes

• 🛡️ Google Family Link – allows you to block YouTube remotely.
• 🔒 AppLock – puts a password to launch the application.
• ⏰ Digital Wellbeing – Limits the time of use.

These methods do not remove YouTube, but make it unavailable without your permission. For more information on setting up parental controls, see our article, [How to set up child mode on Xiaomi](link)

Comparison of YouTube Disconnection Methods

On Redmi models with MIUI 14+ (such as Redmi Note 12 or Redmi K60), deleting YouTube via ADB can lead to errors in Google services.

FAQ: Frequent questions