How to Hide YouTube on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, which are based on MIUI and HyperOS shells, often come with a pre-installed set of applications. Among them, it is not uncommon to find YouTube, which can take up space in the interface or simply annoy the user with its presence. However, standard system tools cannot remove the system application, since it is part of a protected partition of memory.

However, there are several effective ways to hide YouTube from the shiaomi or shut it down completely, and you can use the built-in app hide features, the Second Space mode, or more advanced methods using a computer, depending on your goal: simply remove the icon from the screen or completely disable the program from running.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available options, from simple interface settings to use. ADB-You can choose the most appropriate way for your smartphone model, whether it is a budget Redmi Note or flagship Xiaomi. It is important to understand that interference with system processes requires care, but the methods described below are safe if you follow the instructions.

Hiding the icon through desktop settings

The easiest and safest way to remove an application from view is to use the built-in icon hiding feature, which is available in most versions of the MIUI shell and allows you to hide any installed programs, including system ones, unless they are blocked by the manufacturer hard, and first you need to go to the desktop settings to activate the desired mode.

Open the Security or Settings app, then find the desktop section. In some versions of the firmware, the path may be different, but the logic remains the same: you need to find the app visibility control menu. Once the feature is activated, you can select YouTube from the list and hide it.

To access hidden applications, you will need to perform an action on the desktop, such as spreading your fingers to the sides or entering a special password, which creates an additional level of privacy, since an unauthorized person will not see the icon even when the screen is unlocked.

The process is as follows:

• 📱 Open “Settings” and go to the “Desktop” section».
• 🔒 Find the “Hide Apps” item and activate the switch.
• 👁️ Select YouTube from the list and confirm the action.
• 🔑 Set a password or pattern lock to access hidden programs.

⚠️ Note: Hiding an icon does not remove the app or stop its background processes. YouTube will continue to receive notifications and updates unless you disable these features separately.

This method is ideal for those who want to simply clear the visual noise on the screen without resorting to complex manipulations, but it is worth remembering that the application still takes up space in memory and can consume resources in the background.

Use of the “Second Space” mode

The “Second Space” feature in Xiaomi smartphones allows you to create a completely isolated environment inside a single device, which is similar to having two different phones: the main and the guest. You can leave YouTube in the second space and use the main one without it, or vice versa, move all personal data to the second space, leaving the first “clean”.

To create a new space, go to your system settings and find the appropriate partition, and the system will suggest setting up a separate password or fingerprint to log in, which is a great way to differentiate content for different users, for example, if children use the phone.

Once you have created the second space, you can either not install YouTube there or you can move all the entertainment apps there, and switch between spaces quickly and conveniently through the notification curtain or settings.

Advantages of using the Second Space:

• 🛡️ Complete isolation of data and applications between profiles.
• 🚫 Option not to install YouTube in your main profile.
• 🔐 Protecting access with a password or biometrics.
• 🔄 Quick switch without restarting the device.

Using this method does not require root rights or a computer connection, it is a regular feature of HyperOS and MIUI, which works stably on all modern models, including the Redmi Note series and Poco F.

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Use different wallpapers for the main and second spaces to visually distinguish which profile you are in at the moment.

Disabling the application through system settings

If your goal is not just to hide the icon, but to stop the application, you can try to disable it. Depending on the firmware version and region, the "Disable" button for system applications can be active or blocked. If it is available, this is the most effective software method.

Go to the app management menu, search the YouTube list and click on it. In the app information window that opens, look for the "Disable" button. If the system allows this action, the app will be frozen: its icon will disappear, processes will stop, and updates will stop coming.

If the button is inactive (gray), this means that the manufacturer has prohibited the disabling of this component at the software level, in which case only the use of ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which will be discussed in the following sections, will help.

Importantly, even after shutdown, the application files remain in the phone's memory, which does not take up space in the user partition, nor does it free up the system memory completely, a trade-off between full functionality and radical deletion.

Removing System Applications Through ADB

The most radical and effective way to get rid of YouTube on Xiaomi is to use the ADB toolkit. This method allows you to remove system applications for the current user without the need to obtain root rights.

You’ll need a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) and a USB cable to start with. You’ll need to activate the developer mode on your smartphone. Go to About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI build number or HyperOS version seven times. After that, the Developer menu will appear in the advanced settings.

Turn on USB debugging in the developer menu. When you connect your phone to your computer, you'll see a request for debugging permission on your smartphone screen -- make sure you tick "Always Allow" and confirm the action. Now the computer can control the device.

Procedure for removal:

1. Download and install ADB platform tools on your computer.
2. Connect the phone and check the connection with the adb device command.
3. Enter the command to delete the packet: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.youtube.
4. Wait for the “Success” message confirming the execution.

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

This command removes the app for your user only (user 0), leaving it in the system partition in case of a factory reset.It is a secure method that allows you to return YouTube back at any time by simply completing a recovery command or resetting your phone.

⚠️ Note: Be extremely careful when entering packet names. Removing critical system components (e.g. com.android.systemui) may cause your phone to fail.

Restriction of access through parental control

If your goal is to limit children's access to YouTube rather than remove the app entirely, it's best to use parental controls tools.Google Family Link or the built-in digital well-being features in MIUI allow you to flexibly customize your use times and available content.

With Google Family Link, you can remotely block an app from running on your child’s device, set time limits, and filter content – a more humane approach than deleting it altogether, as it teaches digital balance.

In the Digital Well-Being settings, you can also set a YouTube timer on the phone itself, and when the time limit expires, the app icon will turn grey and you can’t run it without entering your administrator password.

Key features of parental control:

• ⏳ Setting daily limits on time of use.
• 🚫 Blocking the launch of the application on a schedule (for example, at night).
• 🔞 Content filtering and banning new versions.
• 📊 Viewing statistics on device usage.

This method requires a Google account and initial setup, which takes about 10-15 minutes, but the result is worth it, especially if you're worried about the time children spend in front of the screen.

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Parental control is not just a lock, but a tool for nurturing digital hygiene that is more effective than completely removing apps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)