How to Remove Android Auto from Xiaomi Phone: 5 Ways to Remove Android Auto

Android Auto is automatically installed on many Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones as part of Google Mobile Services (GMS) services. Even if you don’t use a car-based media system, the app takes up space in memory, consumes battery power in the background and can conflict with other services, especially for devices with limited memory (32-64 GB) or outdated models on MIUI 12.

In this article, you will find 5 ways to remove Android Auto, from standard shutdown to complete deletion of system files (including methods for rooted devices), we will also discuss how to disable automatic recovery of the application after MIUI updates and what to do if errors occur in the Google Play Services after deletion. All instructions are tested on Xiaomi 11T Pro, Redmi Note 10 Pro and POCO F4 with MIUI 13-14 firmware.

Why does Android Auto reappear after deleting?

Many users complain that even after removing Android Auto through settings, the app returns after a reboot or update to Google Play Services.This is due to the GMS Core mechanism, which restores Google's "system" apps by default.

• 🔄 Auto Update via Play Market: If an app was originally installed as a system, Google Play can restore it when you check the integrity.
• 📦 Integrated in MIUI: On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) 10 or Redmi K40) Android Auto is integrated into the firmware as /system/priv-app/.
• 🔧 Google: Starting in 2021, Google will oblige manufacturers to include Android Auto and Android System Intelligence in the list of untouchable applications.

To make the removal permanent, it is not enough to just uninstall the APK – you need to block its recovery. Next, we will look at the simplest (without root rights) to radical (using ADB and Magisk).

Method 1: Standard removal through settings (no root)

The most secure method, but it doesn’t work on all devices.Suitable for Xiaomi with MIUI 12-14, where Android Auto is installed as a custom application (not a system one).

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, enter Android Auto.
3. Click on the app, then select Delete (if the button is active).
4. Confirm action. If the Remove button is inactive, proceed to the next method.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) instead of the Delete button, you can only turn it off, in which case the application will remain in memory, but will stop working. ADB-commands (see Method 3).

Method 2: Disconnect via ADB (no root rights)

If standard removal is not available, you can disable the application using ADB (Android Debug Bridge.This method does not require root rights and works on most Xiaomi devices.You will need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and a tool. ADB.

Download Google’s Platform Tools and follow the following steps:

1. Enable USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the ADB folder and type: adb devices (you should display your device).
4. Run the command to disable Android Auto: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.projection.gearhead

If the team returns Success, the application will be removed for the current user, but after resetting or updating MIUI, it may return. To prevent recovery, use the additional command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.projection.gearhead

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If Android Auto still appears after you execute the commands, check for updates for Google Play Services manually. Sometimes it helps to temporarily disable automatic app updates in the Play Market → Settings → Auto-Update apps.

Method 3: Removing System APK with root rights

If Android Auto is built into the firmware as a system application (path /system/priv-app/), you can't remove it without root rights.

• 📱 Device with unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 🔓 Installed by Magisk or other root rights manager.
• 🛠️ Root-enabled file manager (e.g. Root Explorer or Mixplorer).

Instructions:

1. Open the root manager and go to /system/priv-app/AndroidAutoPrebuilt or /system/app/AndroidAutoStub.
2. Delete the folder with the application or rename it (for example, in the AndroidAutoPrebuilt_bak).
3. Reset the device.
4. Check the absence of the application in Settings → Applications.

⚠️ Note: Deleting system files can ruin Google services (e.g. Google Play Services will be constantly restarted).If this happens, restore deleted files from a backup or re-flash your device.

Method 4: Block updates via Magisk (for experienced users)

If you use Magisk, you can block Android Auto recovery using the App Systemizer module or Universal GMS Doze, a method that is suitable for devices where the app is restored after Google Play Services updates.

Steps:

1. Install the App Systemizer module via Magisk.
2. In the module settings, look for com.google.android.projection.gearhead.
3. Select the De-bloat (Remove) option.
4. Reset the device.

Alternatively, use the Universal GMS Doze module, which limits Google services activity in the background.This won't remove Android Auto, but will prevent it from running automatically.

Method 5: Alternatively, disable via Titanium Backup (for rooted devices)

Titanium Backup is a powerful tool for managing system applications, but requires root rights. With it, you can not only remove Android Auto, but also “freeze” it to prevent recovery.

Instructions:

1. Install Titanium Backup from Play Market or from [the official website](https://www.titaniumtrack.com/).
2. Open the app and provide root access.
3. Find Android Auto in the list of apps.
4. Click on it and select Freeze! (or Delete! for complete removal).

⚠️ Warning: If you choose to Delete! rather than Freeze!, the app will be erased without recovery via Titanium Backup.

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On devices with MIUI 14 and later, Android Auto can be protected by Google Play Protect, in which case even root methods do not guarantee permanent removal – the application can return after a security update.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you remove Android Auto, users face a few typical problems, and here’s how to solve them:

If none of the methods worked, consider turning off notifications from Android Auto instead of completely uninstalling.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Android Auto → Notifications.
2. Turn off all switches.
3. In the Permissions section, deny access to location, microphone, and contacts.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions