How to completely disable YouTube on Xiaomi devices: from smartphone to Smart TV

YouTube app is pre-installed on most Xiaomi devices – from smartphones to smartphones MIUI before TV Stick and smart TVs, which for many users is a source of distracting content, excessive traffic consumption, or even addiction for children, but simply removing the icon from the desktop does not solve the problem: The application remains in the system and can be automatically updated.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disable YouTube on Xiaomi devices – from completely removing system devices. APK before being blocked through parental controls and background restrictions, we'll focus on the nuances for different versions. MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS, and the specifics of Android TV on Mi TVs TV Redmi Smart TV. If you are looking for a way to get rid of annoying recommendations, save battery power or protect your child from unwanted content – here you will find working solutions.

1 Why YouTube is hard to remove on Xiaomi

The main problem lies in the status of the application: on most devices, Xiaomi YouTube is installed as system software.

• 🔹 The application is integrated into the firmware MIUI/HyperOS It does not have a "delete" button in the menu.
• 🔹 Even after “deleting” through the settings, it can recover after the system update.
• 🔹 In some models (for example, POCO F5 Or the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+) YouTube linked to Google Play services, making it harder to deactivate.

Xiaomi is also actively cooperating with Google on devices with Google Mobile Services (GMS) It's protected from accidental removal, and it's not just smartphones, it's also the Mi Box S, the Mi. TV Stick 4K, YouTube is often the main media player.

⚠️ Note: On devices without GMS (For example, Chinese versions of smartphones or firmware MIUI China) YouTube may be missing initially, and it will have to be blocked at the level of the Internet. DNS router.

2. Method 1: Disable YouTube through settings MIUI (rootless)

The safest method that doesn't require superuser rights is to deactivate the application through standard settings. MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS, but has a limitation: the application will remain in the system, will simply stop working.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, enter YouTube.
3. Click on the app, then select Disable (or Remove Updates if the Disable button is inactive).
4. Confirm the action by clicking Disable the application.

After that:

• 📱 YouTube icon will disappear from the desktop and from the app menu.
• 🔄 The app will not be updated via Google Play.
• 🔋 Background activity (including notifications) will be blocked.

Backup your data (if you use a YouTube account)

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Close all active YouTube sessions in multitasking

Disable Auto Update in Google Play for YouTube-->

On some firmware (e.g, MIUI Global for Redmi 10) after disabling the application may remain in the list:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Three points (⋮) → Resetting application settings.
2. Confirm the reset and restart the device.

⚠️ Attention: On Mi TV and Mi Box disabling YouTube through settings often causes the launcher to crash, in which case a complete system reset or the use of alternative methods is required (see Section 5).

3. Method 2: Delete YouTube by ADB (power-user)

If the shutdown is not enough, you can completely delete YouTube via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method works on all Xiaomi devices with an unlocked bootloader, but requires a PC connection.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB Debugging.

Terminal

adb devices

The name of your device should appear.

MIUI

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

For Android. TV (on the Mi Box or Mi TV):

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

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

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

On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) You may need to pre-disable the protection. MIUI:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

Advantages of the method:

• 🧹 Complete removal of the application without traces.
• 🔄 YouTube will not recover after the update MIUI.
• 📦 Free up to 50-100 MB of memory.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Requires unlocking the bootloader (on some models, this resets data).
• ⚠️ Android. TV may disrupt the launcher.
• ⚠️ After resetting to factory settings, YouTube will return.

Through MIUI settings (without root)

With help. ADB (PC)

Installation of alternative firmware

Blocking through parental control

Another option-->

Method 3: Block YouTube through parental controls

If the goal is to restrict access to YouTube for a child or other device user, parental controls are the best solution, and Xiaomi can do this in two ways:

Integrated parental controls MIUI

Available on smartphones with MIUI 12+:

1. Open Settings → Special Options → Parental Controls.
2. Create. PIN-setting-code.
3. Select a child profile (or create a new one).
4. In the Application Limits section, search YouTube and set a 0 minute limit.
5. Activate the option to block the installation of new applications.

Google Family Link (for devices with a family link) GMS)

Suitable for smartphones and tablets Xiaomi with Google services:

1. Install Google Family Link from the Play Market.
2. Create a family group and add a child.
3. In the child profile settings, find Application Management.
4. Select YouTube and click Block.
5. Set a time limit or completely ban use.

For Mi. TV Mi Box Parental Controls are set up differently:

1. Go to Settings → Security and Restrictions → Parental Controls.
2. Install. PIN-code (default frequency 0000 or 1234).
3. In the list of applications, mark YouTube as blocked.

⚠️ Attention: POCO and some Redmi models with firmware MIUI In Russia, there may be no parental controls, in which case you can use third-party apps like Kids Place or Norton Family.

5. Method 4: Delete YouTube on Mi TV and Mi Box (Android) TV)

On Xiaomi TVs and Mi Box consoles, YouTube is often a launcher system app, so removing it could cause crashes.

5.1. Launcher reset (without deleting YouTube)

If the goal is to hide YouTube from the home screen:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Launcher (or Leanback Launcher).
2. Select Warehouse. → Clear the data.
3. After the reboot, YouTube will disappear from the home screen, but will remain on the app list.

Installation of an alternative launcher

For a complete interface replacement:

1. Install an alternative launcher (for example, ATV Launcher or Wolf Launcher via Google Play.
2. In the settings Settings → Annexes → By default. → Starter, choose a new one.
3. In the alternative launcher settings, hide or remove the YouTube shortcut.

5.3 Removal through ADB (skilled)

If you are willing to take risks, you can delete YouTube completely:

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


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

On Mi. TV 4S mi TV 5 Pro after such removal may disappear access to Google Play. to Restore will help reset to factory settings.

💡

Before experimenting with Android TV Connect your mouse via Bluetooth – this will make navigation easier if the launcher stops working.

6. Method 5: Blocking YouTube at the network level (DNS/router)

If you want to block YouTube on all devices on the network (including smartphones, TVs and tablets Xiaomi), the effective solution is to change the situation. DNS on the router or directly on the device.

6.1. Blocking through router

Instructions for most routers (including Xiaomi Mi Router):

1. Open the router control panel (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
2. Go to section. DNS or Parental control.
3. Add to the blacklist domains: youtube.com www.youtube.com m.youtube.com youtu.be googlevideo.com
4. Save the settings and restart the router.

6.2. Change. DNS on a Xiaomi device

For smartphones and tablets:

1. Go to Settings → Connections → Private DNS.
2. Select the host name of the private DNS provider.
3. Enter the blocker's address DNS, e.g. dns.family (Cloudflare Family) family.opendns.com (OpenDNS FamilyShield)

Save and restart the device.

For Mi TV or Mi Box:

1. Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Click on the current network → Change the network → Additional → IP settings.
3. Select Static and enter DNS: 208.67.222.123 (OpenDNS) 208.67.220.123

Advantages of the method:

• 🌍 Blocks YouTube on all devices on the network.
• 🔒 Does not require root rights or ADB.
• 📱 It works even after resetting the settings.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ It may block other Google services.
• ⚠️ It does not work when using mobile Internet (only via Wi-Fi).

💡

Locking through DNS — The only way that does not depend on the firmware of the device and works even after updates.

7. Alternative methods and nuances for different devices

If standard methods do not help, consider alternative options:

Installation of custom firmware

On Xiaomi smartphones with unlocked bootloader, you can install firmware without GMS (For example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience, where YouTube is not the default:

• 🔧 Requires unlocking bootloader (resets all data).
• ⚠️ Deprives of warranty (on new devices).
• 📱 It may disrupt some functions (such as Mi Pay or Mi Pay). IR-remote).

7.2 Use of Magisk and modules

For root access devices:

1. Install Magisk and App Systemizer module.
2. Convert YouTube into a custom app.
3. Remove it through Settings → Apps.

Specific features for specific models

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70 Pro) standard methods ADB They may not work because of the increased protection, and in this case, only a network-level lock or custom firmware installation will help.

8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you try to disable YouTube, users often face problems, and consider common mistakes and their solutions:

“The switch ‘off’ button is inactive”

The reason: YouTube is an update to the system app.

Decision:

1. Click Remove Updates.
2. Then try to turn off the app again.

8.2 “After removal through ADB YouTube is back on the road"

Reason: Automatic recovery of system applications after update MIUI.

Decision:

• Turn off auto-update in Google Play for YouTube.
• Use Magisk to freeze the app.

8.3 "On the Mi. TV After YouTube was removed, Google Play disappeared"

Reason: YouTube on Android TV linked to Google services.

Decision:

• Perform a reset to factory settings.
• Use the lock through DNS remove.

“Parental control is reset after reset”

Cause: Failure to work MIUI Google Family Link.

Decision:

• Update MIUI to the latest version.
• Install third-party parental control software (such as Kaspersky Safe Kids).

💡

Before any manipulation of system applications, create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset, which will allow you to recover data when you crash.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions