Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the challenge of limiting access to video content, whether it’s children’s time control or simply wanting to minimize digital distractions. The standard MIUI shell or the new HyperOS provides powerful tools for controlling app visibility, but hiding system components like YouTube isn’t always obvious to the average user. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways, from simple settings to advanced blocking methods.
There are several approaches to this problem, each with its own characteristics and depth of impact on the system: you can simply remove the icon from the desktop, completely disable the application through settings, or use specialized parental control tools. The choice of the specific method depends on your ultimate goal: whether you want to simply free up space on the screen or guaranteed to block access to content.
It is important to understand that YouTube is a system application in many firmware, so it is impossible to completely remove it without root rights. However, effective concealment and blocking of startup is available to every user. Below we will describe in detail the algorithms for the various versions of the Android operating system and Xiaomi shells.
Using built-in application hiding
The first and easiest way for users of MIUI and HyperOS shells is to use native app hiding, which does not remove the program or prevent it from running completely, but makes it invisible on the desktop and in the menu of all applications for prying eyes.
To activate this feature, you need to go to the Security app, which is preinstalled on all Xiaomi devices. In the tool menu, find Hide the apps. The system will prompt you to create a password that will be different from the unlock password of the screen. Once activated, all installed programs, including YouTube, will appear in the list.
Opposite the YouTube name, you move the slider to the active position, then the icon disappears from the desktop, to access hidden applications, you need to open the standard app menu and swipe from the bottom up (or enter the password in the search box, depending on the firmware version), this method works only at the interface level and does not block the application from running through the voice assistant or other shortcuts.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t forget to create a password for hidden apps. Resetting it without losing data or completely resetting your phone settings will be extremely difficult.
This is ideal for those who want to remove visual noise and restrict random access, but do not require a hard lock functionality, but for full parental control, this may not be enough, as a technically savvy child can find a way to circumvent the restriction through search.
Disabling and removing updates through settings
A more radical method available without superuser rights is to disable the application. In the Android operating system, this action returns the application to the factory version and prevents it from running. In fact, YouTube ceases to appear in the list of programs and can not be launched by the user.
To do this, go to your Redmi or Xiaomi Settings. Find the Apps section and select All Apps. Search YouTube in the list that opens. If the list is long, search by name. The App Management menu that opens will ask you to turn off (or delete updates if the disable button is inactive).
Once confirmed, the system will warn you that the application will be removed from the device (meaning the user version), and all data will be cleared. This is safe and reversible at any time, the icon will disappear, and when you try to open a link to the video, the system will prompt you to choose another application or browser.
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes.
- 🔍 Find it on the YouTube list.
- 🛑 Click the Disable or Remove Updates button.
- ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up window.
If the Disable button is inactive (gray), press Remove Updates first, this will return the application to the factory version, after which the Disable button will be available. This is the standard behavior of the system for mission-critical system components.
☑️ Pre-switch check
Adjusting parental controls to Google Family Link
The most effective and safe way to restrict children’s access to YouTube on Xiaomi smartphones is to use the official solution from Google – Family Link. This method allows you not only to hide the icon, but completely block the launch of the application on schedule or forever, as well as filter content.
To start, you’ll need to install the Google Family Link app (for parents) on your phone and create or link a child’s Google account to their Redmi device. Once the devices are linked, you’ll have full control over which apps can run on your child’s phone. You can set a time limit or completely ban YouTube.
The advantage of this method is that even if a child tries to reinstall the app or find workarounds, the lock will remain active until the parent removes the ban from their device.In addition, Family Link allows you to turn on the limited content mode inside YouTube itself, filtering adult videos.
| Function | Description | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Launch lockdown | Complete prohibition of opening the application | Tall. |
| Time limit | Limiting use in minutes per day | Medium |
| Content filtering | Hiding videos for adults | Medium |
| Remote installation | Blocking the installation of new versions | Tall. |
Using Family Link requires an internet connection on both devices to sync settings, a highly recommended way for parents who want to be confident in their child’s digital security.
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Use the "Apps Only" mode in Family Link so your child can only run programs that you explicitly approve of.
Limitation through Digital Well-Being
Modern versions of Android, which are installed on Xiaomi and Redmi, have a powerful tool called Digital Wellbeing, which allows you to analyze the time of use of your smartphone and set limits for specific applications, including YouTube.
To set the restrictions, go to Settings and find Digital Well-Being and Parental Controls. Select Toolbar or App Timers. Search YouTube and set your desired time limit, such as 0 minutes if you want to ban use entirely, or 15 minutes to restrict.
When the time limit is exhausted, the app icon will turn grey and it will not be possible to launch it until the next day or until the restriction is manually removed (if you have a password to change your well-being settings), which is a good way to self-monitor or softly restrict children.
But there's a caveat to this method: if the device doesn't have a password set to change its Digital Well-being settings, the user can simply go to the settings and increase the limit or turn off the timer, so it's only effective when it comes to password protection.
Use of third-party launchers
Another way to keep YouTube out of sight is to replace the standard MIUI desktop with a third-party launcher, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which provide advanced customization capabilities, including hiding apps from menus.
Once you have installed the launcher and assigned it as the default, go to its settings. Usually, the section is called Hide Apps. Here you can choose YouTube and other programs that should not be horny. Unlike Xiaomi's system hideout, launchers often allow you to hide applications without creating additional secure space.
Importantly, this method is purely cosmetic in nature: the app is still installed, can receive notifications and run through widgets or voice commands. Moreover, on some Xiaomi models with aggressive battery optimization, third-party launchers can operate unstable or close in the background.
⚠️ Note: When installing a third-party launcher, some system gestures MIUI You may stop working properly and you will have to get used to the new navigation.
This option is suitable for users who want to personalize the interface and remove the unnecessary, but do not seek to rigidly block the functionality of the device.
Advanced lock through ADB (for experienced)
For users who want to get the most out of the box and understand the risks, there is a USB debugging (ADB) method that allows you to “freeze” or delete the YouTube system app for the current user, even if the “Disable” button in the settings is not available.
To do this, you need to turn on the developer mode on Xiaomi (clicking 7 times on the build number in About Phone), activate Debugging over USB and connect the phone to the computer. Using the command adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.youtube, you can remove the application for the current user. It will disappear from the system completely.
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.youtubeUsing the disable-user command is safer because it does not delete the user. APK-It's a professional approach that ensures that the application doesn't work until you want it to work.
How to return the application after ADB?
Keep in mind that careless use of ADB commands can lead to unstable system performance.Always check the name of the package before typing a command.For YouTube, this is usually com.google.android.youtube, but there may be variations in different regions and firmware.
Comparison of blocking methods
The right method depends on your technical background and your goals: If you just want to remove the icon, you can use the built-in concealment, the best way for children is Family Link, you can turn off the settings or timers.
Remember that no method other than physically removing the device gives a 100% guarantee if the user has access to installing new software (APK-File resetting: Combining methods (e.g. hiding) + Family Link: The best results.
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A combination of methods (e.g. Family Link + Hiding an icon) provides maximum protection against unauthorized access.