How to hide YouTube on Xiaomi phone: methods and solutions

Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which are powered by MIUI and HyperOS, offer users a wide range of customization options. However, the standard set of apps preinstalled by the manufacturer often raises questions for those who seek minimalism or parental control. In particular, many device owners are wondering how to effectively hide YouTube to limit access to video content for themselves or children.

The process of hiding a system application is different from the usual removal of third-party software, since YouTube is often a deeply integrated component of the Android system.A simple attempt to delete can lead to errors or automatic re-installation after updating Google services.It is therefore important to understand the differences between disabling, freezing and completely debugging.In this article, we will look at all the available methods, from simple menu settings to advanced methods for advanced users.

Before you take action, you need to assess the risks and choose a method that fits your technical skills. Complete removal of system packages through ADB requires accuracy, as an error can lead to unstable operation of the operating system. We will discuss each step in detail so that you can safely optimize your device without losing warranty or functionality.

Use of built-in application hiding functionality

The easiest and safest way to get the app icon out of sight is to use the built-in Hidden Apps feature, which is available in many versions of the MIUI shell, but its location can vary depending on the regional firmware and Android version. First, you need to go to the standard Security app, which is preinstalled on every Xiaomi device.

Inside the security menu, find the section associated with the Hidden Utility. Usually the path is: Open Settings → Applications → Hidden Applications. If you don't have one directly in your interface, try pinching the empty space on your desktop with two fingers and spreading them to the sides — a classic gesture to enter widget and hidden folder management mode on older versions of MIUI. Here you will see a list of all installed programs.

Find the YouTube list and activate the switch opposite it, and then the icon disappears from the desktop and from the menu of all apps. To access hidden content, you will need to use the same finger-sparing gesture or enter the previously installed password, which is ideal for those who want to just remove visual noise, but leave the application functional.

It’s worth noting that this method doesn’t disable background processes, and the app can still receive notifications and update in the background, unless it’s limited separately, which is important to consider if your goal is a full digital detox.

Disabling the application through system settings

If your goal is not just to hide the icon, but to prevent the application from running, the best solution is to turn it off. APK-The application file, making it invisible to the system and the user, without physically removing it from the memory partition.

To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Find YouTube in the list. If you don't see it in the general list, click three dots in the corner of the screen and select Show System Processes. In the app properties menu that opens, the Delete button will be inactive, but the Disable button should be available.

⚠️ Note: Once you disable a system application, it will stop receiving updates through Google Play until you turn it back on, and features associated with the service in other programs may stop working.

Once confirmed, the system will alert you that the application will be removed from the active list. Don't worry, this is a standard warning. In fact, the data is saved, but the executable code is blocked. This is a great way to free up RAM, since the disabled application is guaranteed not to start in the background.

It is important to understand that on some global firmware, the shutdown button may be blocked by the manufacturer for mission-critical services of Google, in which case the system will not allow you to deactivate YouTube by standard means, and you will have to resort to more complex methods described below.

Use of Second Space (Second Space)

The unique feature of Xiaomi smartphones is the “Second Space” feature, which allows you to create a completely isolated environment on one device, effectively splitting the phone into two independent smartphones. You can leave YouTube in the main space, and in the second one you simply do not install it, or vice versa, remove it from the main profile.

To activate this feature, go to Settings → Second Space → Enable Second Space. The system will suggest setting up a separate password or fingerprint to log in to this mode, which creates the feeling of using a completely different phone with its own settings, Google accounts and a set of apps.

The advantage of this method is that it's completely isolated, so if you create a second space for work or study, you can simply not install YouTube there, so it will not physically exist in the work profile, switching between spaces is instantaneous through the lock screen or notification panel.

Using Second Space is a trade-off between convenience and discipline: you don't remove entertainment content completely, but you create a barrier that helps you focus, but it's worth remembering that having two profiles increases battery consumption due to the background processes of the twin system.

Advanced method: Disconnect via ADB (without Root)

For users who want to achieve a result that is not available through the standard menu, there is a method of using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to send commands directly to the operating system, bypassing the graphical interface of settings, and this is the most effective way to hide the application, effectively turning it into a frozen system component.

The first step is to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings. → About the phone and press 7 times in a row on the item "Version" MIUI» or "Version" OS». After the message “You became a developer” appears, go back to the main settings menu and find the “More” section» → «For developers. You need to include the item "Debugging by USB».

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

This command, which is entered into the ADB console on a connected computer, will force the YouTube packet to be disabled for the current user. Unlike the standard shutdown, this method works even when the button in the menu is locked.

To work the method, you will need a PC (Windows, macOS or Linux) and installed ADB drivers. Connect the phone with a cable, allow debugging in a pop-up window on the smartphone screen and enter a command in the terminal. Syntax errors are unacceptable, so copy the commands carefully.

Radical Solution: Removing System Applications

If you're confident in your actions and want to make room in /system completely, you can try uninstalling the app. However, on modern smartphones with a system partition that's read-only, this often means removing updates and returning to the factory version, or using superuser rights (Root). Without Root rights, we can only remove custom updates.

The command to remove updates and return to the factory version looks like this:

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

This command removes the application for the current user (user 0). Physically, the file remains in the system partition, but for the system it is considered deleted. This frees up user space and removes all traces of the application's presence. Importantly, when you reset the phone to the factory settings (Hard Reset), the application will return.

⚠️ Note: Deleting Google system components may disrupt Google Play Services, leading to errors in other apps using Google account (maps, mail, sync).

Before you decide to take this step, weigh the pros and cons. For most users, a disable method is enough, which gives the same visual and functional result, but is reversible and safe. Deletion is only advisable on devices with critically low internal memory.

💡

Before uninstalling system applications via ADB, create a full data backup or take a screenshot with a list of packages installed to know what exactly you disabled.

Alternatives and Parental Controls

Often, the desire to hide YouTube is dictated by the care of children or the need to limit the time spent watching videos, in such cases, a complete removal may not be the most effective solution, since the user can always download the application again or use the browser.

Android and Google Family Link services allow you to limit your use of the app, not hide it, you can set a limit of, say, 30 minutes a day, after which the app is blocked, and you can also use a content filtering feature that hides inappropriate videos, leaving access to educational materials.

• 📱 Google Family Link: Allows you to remotely block apps on your child’s device and see usage statistics.
• 🔒 Digital Well-Being: An integrated Android tool that allows you to set timers for specific apps right in your phone settings.
• 🚫 Ads and Tracker Blockers: Use DNS-filters (e.g. AdGuard) DNS) It can make using YouTube uncomfortable, which in itself will reduce the desire to open the application.

Using dedicated launchers can also help: By installing a third-party shell like a Niagara Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, you can simply not add YouTube to the home screen, leaving it deep in the app menu.This creates an additional step that helps combat the habit of opening the app automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

💡

The safest and most effective way to hide YouTube on Xiaomi is to disable the app through settings or ADB, which allows you to keep the system stable but removes the app from view.