Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face intrusive ads in the official YouTube app that interrupt viewing of their favorite videos. The official YouTube Vanced service was closed by developers, which led to the emergence of many fake versions that can harm your device. However, the desire to watch content without ads, with the screen off and the background remains more relevant than ever.
In this article, we will discuss the only relevant and safe way to get Vanced functionality on your shell devices. MIUI We're not going to use questionable devices. APK-Files from unverified sources, and let's turn to the official successor project called ReVanced. This method requires a little more action than just installing an application, but ensures the absence of viruses and stable operation.
The installation process may seem complicated to beginners, but following the instructions will allow you to forget about interruptions in the video forever.It is important to understand that the standard Google Play store will not allow you to download modified versions of applications, so we will have to use alternative installation methods.
Why Vanced is no longer and what is ReVanced?
YouTube Vanced, which has been the de facto standard for free YouTube fans for years, has officially ceased to exist, and developers have received a legal warning from Google, after which they have removed all download links and shut down servers, meaning that any sites offering to download the original Vanced right now are distributing either non-working versions or malware.
The open platform ReVanced has replaced it, and unlike its predecessor, it does not distribute ready-made products. APK-ReVanced’s philosophy is that the user patches the official YouTube app from a trusted source, and this approach ensures maximum security because you control the process of changing the application code on your device.
For Xiaomi owners, this method is ideal, since the shell is perfect. MIUI It provides flexible permission settings. You don't need to get a Root to use most of the features. All the magic happens inside a dedicated manager who puts the necessary patches on a cleaner system. APK-file.
⚠️ Warning: Never download the finished ones. APK-files with the names "YouTube Vanced" or "ReVanced" from dubious sites. The only safe source for the patcher is the official GitHub project ReVanced.
Preparation of Xiaomi smartphone for installation
Before you start patching, you need to properly configure your Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone. MIUI The company is known for its aggressive energy savings and strict security policies that can block the installation of modified applications.The first step will be to enable installation from unknown sources.
You need to go to security settings. Depending on the Android and MIUI version, the path may be slightly different, but it's usually in the Settings menu → Apps → Settings → Install unknown apps. Here you need to find a browser (like Chrome) or file manager that you'll use to install and allow it to install.
It’s also worth disabling MIUI optimization for the package installer, although this is hidden in newer versions.If you have access to hidden settings through ADB, this will improve stability. Make sure there’s enough free space on the phone, as the process of creating a patched file requires time space.
☑️ Xiaomi Preparation for Installation
Required components: GMS, MicroG and ReVanced Manager
For a modified YouTube to run on devices without Root rights (and this is the scenario we are considering), the MicroG component (called GmsCore in the new versions) is a free implementation of Google services, which allows the application to think that it is running on a certified device, and most importantly, allows you to log into your Google account.
Without GmsCore, you can watch ads-free videos, but you can’t log in, which means your subscriptions and history won’t be available. In the ReVanced ecosystem, this component often comes with the manager or is installed separately. It’s important for Xiaomi to download a version that is compatible with your CPU architecture (usually arm64-v8a).
The second key component is ReVanced Manager itself, which is a tool that is not a YouTube client, but creates it. You download Manager, it checks for the necessary components, downloads the official YouTube app and puts the patches you choose on it (ad blocking, sponsored blocks, etc.).
| Component | Appointment | Do you need a Root? | Where to find it. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReVanced Manager | Creating a patched APK | No. | GitHub (officially) |
| GmsCore (MicroG) | Log in to a Google account | No (for Non-Root) | GitHub ReVanced |
| YouTube APK | Basis for modification | No. | APKMirror / Manager |
| MicroG Settings | Emulation setting | No. | As part of GmsCore |
Why can’t you just download the APK?
Step-by-step: Install ReVanced on Xiaomi
Now, to the most important step, make sure you download ReVanced Manager from the official repository to GitHub. Don't use third-party sites. Once you install Manager, run it. The app will ask permission to install unknown apps -- you'll agree, because it will install the YouTube you created.
In the Manager interface, go to the Patcher tab. Here you will see "Select an app." Click on it and select "YouTube." If you do not have the desired version installed on YouTube, Manager will suggest downloading it or finding it in the installed applications. It is recommended to download the recommended version directly through the manager (cloud button) to avoid patch compatibility errors.
Then click the Select patches button. You'll be offered a list of available improvements. The defaults are the most important ones: ad blocking, SponsorBlock, return of the dislike button. Press "Done." Then press the large Patch button. The process will take from 1 to 5 minutes depending on the speed of your Xiaomi.
Once the patching is complete, the Install button will appear. Press it. The MIUI system can show a red risk warning window, which is Xiaomi's standard protection. Press OK, then Set. Don't open YouTube right away. First, you need to configure MicroG.
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If the installation is blocked by the message "Application not installed", try in the settings ReVanced Manager in the Settings section to change the version of the code (Version code) to the one that is recommended, or clear the data of the YouTube application before repatching.
Setting up MicroG and logging into your Google account
Once you have installed a patched YouTube and GmsCore (MicroG), you need to set the sign-in correctly. Find the MicroG Services (or GmsCore) app in your phone settings and check that the boxes are ticked against "Cloud Messaging" and "Device registration."
Now, open YouTube itself. When you first start, it may ask you to update Google Play Services — ignore it or agree if Manager offered an update. To log in, click on the profile icon. You'll be taken to the Google login window. Importantly, if you see a "Verify..." error, it means MicroG is not configured or the YouTube version is not supported.
In some cases, Xiaomi requires additional permission for MicroG to access location and contacts, although this is not always necessary for basic work. If you do not sign in, try to delete your account from MicroG (the Google Account section) and add again through the MicroG menu itself, rather than through YouTube.
⚠️ Note: If after logging in to the account, the video does not play or an error crashes, try in the ReVanced settings (cogs) → ReVanced) disable experimental features or change region in MicroG settings.
Solving Frequent Mistakes and Problems at MIUI
MIUI has its own features that can cause conflicts. One of the common problems is the black screen when an application starts or crashes. This is often because the system kills the background process. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → YouTube. Enable Auto Start and select No Restrictions under Battery.
Another common mistake is the inability to play video (network connection error) and this can be due to DNS-level ad blockers (e.g. AdGuard or DNS 1.1.1.1 with blockers). Try disabling DNS in network settings or adding exceptions for Google domains.
If you have updated the YouTube app through the Play Store, ReVanced will stop working. The Play Store automatically updates the apps by "wiping out" your modified version. To avoid this, it is better to delete the official YouTube update and not touch it in the store anymore, or disable the auto-update specifically for YouTube in the Play Store settings.
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The main reason for the failure on Xiaomi is aggressive battery optimization. Be sure to put YouTube and MicroG in "No Limits" mode in the power consumption settings.
Additional features and hidden settings
By installing ReVanced, you can access hidden features that are not in the official client. In ReVanced settings (via the profile icon → ReVanced settings), you can fine-tune the appearance: hide the comment panel, remove the “Shorts” plaque, change the color of the logo to red (return to the classics).
The SponsorBlock integration is particularly noteworthy, because this patch automatically skips the ad integrations within the video itself that the author inserted himself, and you can set the categories of pass: for example, skip only Advertising and Subscribe, but leave Interview or Greetings.
Background Play is also available, which allows you to listen to music with the screen off, which is more stable on Xiaomi than on other Android smartphones, thanks to good support for background processes in MIUI, if the battery limitations are set correctly.