How to remove Google from Xiaomi phone: 5 proven ways

Why Xiaomi users want to get rid of Google – and should they?

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI or the new HyperOS are pre-installed by default with Google services, from Google Play Services to YouTube and Chrome. For most users, this is convenient, but some want to remove these apps for three key reasons:

1) Privacy – Google services collect data on location, search queries and activity in applications. 2) Charge savings – background activity of Google Play Services can consume up to 15-20% of the battery per day on budget models of Redmi or POCO. 3 Performance optimization – on weak chipsets (for example, Snapdragon 4xx or Helio G) unnecessary processes slow down the system.

However, the complete removal of Google has the downside: you will lose access to the Play Market, contact sync, Gmail and many apps that require Google Play Services (e.g. Uber, Google Maps, most banking apps).

In this article, 5 ways to remove Google from Xiaomi, from the simplest (disconnect) to the radical (reflash to the custom version of MIUI without GMS).

Method 1: Disable and Hide Google Apps (without root)

The most secure method that does not require superuser rights and is suitable for any Xiaomi model, from the Redmi Note 12 to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. You will not delete files physically, but stop them and hide them from the menu.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, type the name of the service (for example, Google Play Services or YouTube).
• ⚙️ Click on the app. → Disable (if the button is inactive, first click Stop).
• 🗑️ To Hide From the Menu: Remove Updates → Reset the settings → Shut down.

⚠️ Note: Disabling Google Play Services will cause errors in apps that depend on it (e.g. Google Pay or Google Pay). Pokémon GO). To return functionality, you will have to re-enable the service.

Check if there are alternatives to the right services (for example, Aurora Store instead of Play Market)

Create a backup of contacts and data

Remember your account passwords (without Google Smart Lock, it will be harder to recover them)

Make sure that the phone has enough free memory (disabled applications still take up space)-->

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)

If the shutdown isn’t enough, you can physically uninstall Google apps using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that works for all Xiaomi, including new models on HyperOS, but requires a connection to a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB)
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB Tools (download from the official Google website)

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Remove the unnecessary app (e.g. YouTube): adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.youtube
5. To remove Google Play Services (not recommended!): adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.gms

⚠️ Note: Deleting com.google.android.gms may cause system failure – many system processes MIUI If the phone stops turning on, you'll need a full reset or flashing.

Method 3: Install custom firmware without GMS (for advanced)

The radical method is to reflash the phone to a version of MIUI or HyperOS without Google services (called GMS-free builds), which completely solves the problem of preinstalled applications, but has serious disadvantages:

Pros:

• ✅ Google’s complete absence at the system level
• ✅ The ability to use alternative stores (for example, F-Droid or Aurora Store)
• ✅ Enhanced confidentiality

Cons:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (if the phone is under warranty)
• ❌ Risk of "bricking" (turning into a "brick") in case of firmware error
• ❌ No official security updates
• ❌ Many apps won’t work without Google Play Services

Where to get firmware without GMS:

• 🌍 Official Global ROM China (without Google, but with language and service restrictions)
• 🛠️ Castomic firmware on XDA Developers (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience without a GMS)
• 🔧 Project MIUI EU (There are versions without Google, but it requires unlocking the bootloader)

Firmware instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 7-14 days for new devices).
2. Download GMS-free firmware for your model (for example, for the Redmi Note 11, it could be MIUI 14 China Stable).
3. Install via Fastboot or TWRP (depending on firmware).
4. Perform a data reset (Wipe Data).

💡

Before you run the firmware, check the compatibility of the model on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forum. For example, the firmware for the Xiaomi 13 Pro will not work for the Xiaomi 13 Lite - this will lead to the failure of the camera module or sensors.

Method 4: Use of alternative launchers and shells

If you don’t like the look of Google services (like the home screen search bar or widgets) but don’t want to remove them completely, you can replace the standard launcher with an alternative one.

The best launchers for Xiaomi:

• 🏆 Nova Launcher – flexible configuration, gesture support, hiding applications
• 🎨 Lawnchair – open source, minimalist design
• 🔄 Microsoft Launcher – Integration with Windows, synchronization with PC
• 🖼️ Apex Launcher – Support for themes and icon packs

How to hide Google with Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Play Market or APKMirror.
2. Press your finger on the home screen → Settings Nova → App settings.
3. Choose Hide apps and tick off unnecessary ones (e.g. Google, YouTube).
4. To remove the search bar: Settings → Dock → Search bar → Disable.

⚠️ Note: Even after the launcher changes, Google services will work in the background. To completely disable them, combine this method with Method 1 (disable via settings).

Method 5: Rooting and removing system APKs (for experts)

If you're willing to go to extreme lengths, you can get root rights and delete Google's system files manually, which gives you maximum control, but can be dangerous.

• ❌ Loss of guarantee
• ❌ Risk of system damage
• ❌ Update issues OTA

What you need:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (see Method 3)
• 🛠️ Installed Magisk (to obtain root)
• 📂 File Manager with support for root (such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer)

Instructions:

1. Install Magisk via TWRP.
2. Open Root Explorer and go to /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/.
3. Find folders with Google app names (e.g. PrebuiltGmsCore for Google Play Services).
4. Remove folders or rename them (e.g. add at the end of.bak).
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Removal of system APK This can lead to bootloop. Always back up before you change. If the phone doesn't turn on, restore the backup through the backup. TWRP.

💡

Rooting is the most powerful, but also the most dangerous method. If you are not sure about your skills, use Method 1 or Method 2 (ADB).

What if your phone is not working properly after Google is deleted?

If you have removed critical services (such as Google Play Services) and encountered problems, try the following steps:

Symptom: Apps crash with the error "Google Play Services missing."

Decision:

• Install microG, an open alternative to Google Play Services (available on F-Droid).
• Or return the deleted packages via ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.gms

Symptom: The phone is constantly rebooting.

Decision:

• Load into Safe Mode (press the power button → “Reboot in Safe Mode”).
• Return the disabled applications through Settings → Applications.

Symptom: Push notifications are not working.

Decision:

• Install FCM Push Replacer (to replace Google Cloud Messaging)
• Or use alternative messengers (e.g. Telegram instead of WhatsApp if the latter requires GMS).

If nothing works, reset to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset) and it will bring back all remote system applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Google's removal from Xiaomi