How to hide or remove Google Play on Xiaomi smartphones: the complete guide

Google services are deeply integrated into MIUI firmware, but not all Xiaomi users need apps like the Google Play Store.Some want to free up space in memory, some want to speed up the system, and some just prefer alternative app stores. In this article, we will examine all the legal ways to hide or disable Google Play on Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones, from simply removing the icon from the desktop to completely blocking background activity.

It is important to understand that you cannot completely remove Google Play Services without root rights – it is a system application associated with the operation of other services (for example, push notifications or geolocation). However, it can be deactivated, hidden or limited so that it does not interfere with everyday use of the phone. We tested all methods on current versions of MIUI 14/15 (Android 13/14) and selected only those that do not require unlocking the bootloader or superuser rights.

Why you can’t just uninstall Google Play on Xiaomi

When you try to delete the Google Play Store in the standard way (via Settings → Apps), you will see the Disable button, but not Delete.

• 🔹 Google Play Services is a system component responsible for synchronizing your account, card operation, authorization in games, etc. Its removal will lead to failures in other applications.
• 🔹 Google Play Store is a separate app, but it depends on Services.
• 🔹 Xiaomi signs firmware MIUI In accordance with the requirements of Google Mobile Services (GMS). Removal of systemic APK root-free breaks the integrity of the OS.

Even if you disable both services, some phone features will stop working:

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI In Russia (without Google services), these restrictions are not relevant — there is initially no Google Play. GMS manually (e.g., through Google Installer), removing them can cause the system to be “eternal” loaded.

Method 1: Hide the Google Play icon from the desktop

The easiest and safest method is to simply remove the app shortcut, which won't shut down Google Play itself, but it will disappear visually from the screen, and is suitable for those who want to get rid of the annoying icon but aren't willing to sacrifice functionality.

Instructions:

1. Press and hold the Google Play Store icon on your desktop.
2. At the top of the screen, a panel with options will appear. Drag the icon in the Delete (or Hide, depending on the version of MIUI) field.
3. Confirm the action. The icon will disappear, but the app will remain on the menu of all programs.

To completely hide the app from the list:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find the Google Play Store in the list and tap it.
• 👁️ Enable Hide the app (not available on all versions) MIUI).

Check if it is added to the folder on the desktop

Update the launcher (in Play Store or via Settings → About Phone → Update MIUI)

Reboot the phone.

Reset the launcher settings (Settings) → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data)-->

This method does not affect performance, but it does not solve the problem of background activity of Google Play Services. If the goal is to free up RAM, read on.

Method 2: Disabling Automatic Updates

One of the main “eaters” of traffic and battery power is automatic updates of applications through Google Play.

How to do this:

• 🛒 Open the Google Play Store and tap the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
• ⚙️ Select Settings → Network settings → Auto-update of applications.
• 🚫 Set the value Do not update automatically.

For full control:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Google Play Store → Mobile data.
2. Turn off the Background and Auto Start options.
3. In the Notifications section, forbid displaying alerts from the Market.

Once a week.

Only when critical errors appear

Never update.

I use alternative stores.-->

⚠️ Note: After disabling auto-updates, some applications (such as banking) may stop working properly due to outdated security certificates!

Method 3: Limit background activity through ADB

For advanced users who are ready to connect the phone to a computer, there is a way to turn off background activity of Google Play Services without root permissions.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux;
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original);
• 🛠️ Utilities. ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official Android website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on the phone Developer Mode: go to Settings → About phone and 7 times tap on the item MIUI version.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and in the command line (terminal) do:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed)

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.vending


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

These commands will disable the Google Play Store and Google Play Services for the current user. To get it back, replace the disable-user with enable.

⚠️ Note: After these commands are completed, services that depend on Google (such as Google Maps or Gmail) will cease to work, and Push notifications may disappear in some applications (such as Telegram or Gmail). VK).

Method 4: Use of an alternative launcher

If you need to not just hide Google Play, but completely redesign your phone’s interface, install a third-party launcher, many of which allow you to filter system applications and remove unnecessary elements.

The best options for Xiaomi:

• 🌐 Nova Launcher supports app hiding, gestures, icon customization. The free version is limited, but we'll have enough for our purposes.
• 🎨 Lawnchair is a lightweight open source launcher that can hide system APK.
• ⚡ Hyperion Launcher – optimized for performance, there is a function of “blacklist” applications.

How to hide Google Play in Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play (paradoxically, but it’s temporary).
2. Press the empty space on the desktop → Settings Nova → Applications and notifications.
3. Select Hide Apps and tick the Google Play Store.
4. Click Ready – the icon will disappear from the app menu.

The advantage of this method is that you do not break system processes, but visually get rid of unnecessary elements.

💡

If after installing an alternative launcher, the phone started to brake, try turning off the animation in its settings or return to the standard MIUI launcher via Settings → Applications → Default → Launcher.

Method 5: Install custom firmware without GMS

The radical, but most effective way is to reflash your phone to a MIUI version without Google services, which is true for users who:

• 🚫 Completely abandoned the Google ecosystem;
• 🔒 They want maximum confidentiality;
• 📱 Use alternative stores (e.g. Aurora Store or APKMirror).

Official MIUI firmware without GMS is available for:

• 🇨🇳 China Region (China) ROM);
• 🇷🇺 Russian market (starting with the MIUI 12.5 for certain models);
• 🌍 Some European countries (e.g, EEA ROM Google).

How to determine:

1. Download the desired firmware version from the official Xiaomi website (choose Fastboot or Recovery depending on the installation method).
2. Make a backup of the data through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
3. Follow the instructions for your model (usually you need to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool).

⚠️ Note: Installing unofficial firmware (e.g. from Xiaomi.EU) may lead to the blocking of banking applications (due to lack of Google certification.

What to do if Google Play is turned on voluntarily

Even after Google Play Services is disabled, the system can automatically return it to an active state.

• 🔄 Updates MIUI (They sometimes reset the settings);
• 📱 Resetting to factory settings;
• 🔧 Restore from backup (if system applications were included in the backup).

How to fix the result:

1. After disconnecting via ADB, execute the command:

adb shell pm hide com.android.vending


adb shell pm hide com.google.android.gms

This will hide applications not only from the user, but also from the system.

1. Install the App Inspector app (available in F-Droid) and check if com.google processes are running in the background.
2. Turn off Autosynchronization of data in the settings of your Google account.

If the problem recurs after the MIUI update, consider installing a custom recovery (such as TWRP) and firmware a modified version of the system without GMS.

💡

The most reliable way to prevent Google Play from turning on is to use GMS-free firmware initially, all other methods require regular checks and re-disabling after updates.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Google Play hideout on Xiaomi