How to Remove Google Duo from Xiaomi: 5 Ways to Remove Google Duo

Google Duo (now Google Meet) is pre-installed on most Xiaomi smartphones and often interferes with users: it takes up space in memory, consumes battery in the background and appears in the list of undeleteable applications. Despite the fact that the service is useful for video calls, many owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi want to remove it — especially if they use alternatives like WhatsApp or Telegram.

The problem is that MIUI and HyperOS block standard removal of system applications, including Duo. Even after resetting or updating the firmware, it returns. In this article, we will discuss all the working methods from simple disabling to complete removal through ADB, including nuances for different versions of the shell. Importantly, some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights, which can affect the warranty.

Why Google Duo Cannot Be Deleted in the Standard Way

Google Duo is part of the Google Mobile Services (GMS) package that Xiaomi installs on all global smartphone versions.

• 📦 It is marked as system and protected from removal without special rights.
• 🔄 After resetting to factory settings or updates MIUI/HyperOS Application is automatically restored.
• 🛡️ It cannot be uninstalled through Settings. → Applications as regular programs.

Moreover, in some regions (e.g. the EU), Xiaomi is required to provide a basic set of Google services under licensing terms, so even if you remove Duo through ADB, it can come back after another firmware update, the only radical way is to reflash the phone to custom firmware without GMS, but this is not for everyone.

Method 1: Disable Duo without removing (without root)

If you don’t need to completely erase the application, but just stop it and hide it from the menu, use the built-in MIUI or HyperOS features:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google Duo (or Google Meet) in the list and tap it.
3. Click Disable (or Remove Updates if the button is not available).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After that:

• ✅ The application will stop running and spending resources.
• ✅ Its icon will disappear from the menu (but will remain in the list of disabled applications).
• ❌ Updates for Duo will no longer be installed, but it will remain in the system.

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO X3 Pro, Redmi Note 10) after disabling Duo, notifications from other Google services may disappear. If this happens, turn the application back on and use the methods below.

Make a backup copy of important data

Check the version. MIUI/HyperOS at the Settings → The phone.

Close all background applications

Connect your phone to charge (recommended)-->

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

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method allows you to remove Google Duo without superuser rights, but requires a connection to a computer, the most reliable way for most Xiaomi users.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 📱 USB-cable (original or quality).
• 🔧 Utility. ADB (You can download from the official website).
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Xiaomi: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version (or HyperOS Build Number).

Settings → Additional → For Developers

• USB debugging.
• Allow debugging (when connected to a PC).
• Connect your phone to your PC and run ADB via the command line (or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
• Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the phone appears in the list, continue.
• Run the command to delete Duo: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.apps.tachyon For Google Meet (if Duo was updated): adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.apps.meetings
• Delete or rename files (e.g. add the.bak extension).
• Clear the cache and application data through Settings → Apps.
• Reboot the phone.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ The app is permanently deleted, even after updates.
• ✅ No need to repeat the procedure.

Risks:

• ⚠️ Other Google services may fail (e.g. Play Market or Gmail).
• ⚠️ Violation of system partition integrity can lead to bootloop ( looped reboot).

💡

Before you delete your system files, back up your /system partition via TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery to help restore your phone in the event of a crash.

Method 4: Using custom firmware

If you're willing to take drastic measures, flashing your phone to custom firmware without GMS (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) will fix the problem once and for all, but this method is only suitable for power users, because:

• 🔓 Requires to unlock the bootloader (leads to resetting all data).
• 📉 Some functions may stop working (for example, Mi Pay or Mi Pay) IR-remote).
• 🚫 Phone warranty is cancelled.

Step-by-step process:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (instructions on the official website).
2. Install custom Recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Download the firmware without GMS (for example, LineageOS for MicroG).
4. Swipe the firmware through the recovery, first making wipe partitions system, data, cache.

Once you reflash Google Duo and other unnecessary Google services will disappear, but note that some apps (like YouTube or Maps) will have to be manually installed through the Aurora Store or F-Droid.

⚠️ Note: On phones with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) Unlocking the bootloader may not be possible due to manufacturer policy. XDA Developers.

Method 5: Hiding Duo with Launcher

If you can't delete an application, and you can't disable it, you can just hide it from the interface. This method doesn't remove Duo, but it makes it invisible on the menu.

How to hide the icon:

• 📱 Use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair).
• 🔍 In the launcher settings, find the Hidden Applications section.
• 🗑️ Add Google Duo to the Hidden List.
• 🔄 Restart the launcher.

For the standard MIUI/HyperOS launcher:

1. Press the Duo icon on the home screen.
2. Drag it to the top of the screen where a basket or Remove sign appears.
3. On some versions of the shell, instead of removing it, you will be prompted to Hide – choose this option.

The downside is that the application will stay on the system and can still use resources in the background, but it is the safest way to do it without technical skills.

Table: Comparison of Duo removal methods with Xiaomi

The choice of method depends on your technical skills and willingness to take risks, and for most users, the best solution is to remove through ADB — it does not require root rights, but it gives a lasting result.

💡

If you're not sure about your abilities, start by turning off Duo through the settings. This is the safest way to do this that won't hurt the system.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to remove Google Duo, users often face problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🔌 ADB Does not see the device: Check if debugging is enabled USB and if you're allowed access to your PC. Install Mi drivers. USB Driver (you can download it on the official website).
• 🔄 Duo is back after the update MIUI: Use it. ADB After each update, disable automatic app updates in the Play Market.
• 🛑 Phone freezes after system files are deleted: Download to Fastboot and flash the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool. TWRP, restore the backup.

Another common mistake is trying to remove Duo from the standard Delete menu in the app settings. On system applications, this button is either missing or simply resets the updates without removing the software itself.

If you are using HyperOS (the new Xiaomi shell), note that the paths to system files may be different from MIUI. For example, in HyperOS Duo, you may find that:

/product/priv-app/GmsCore/

In this case, the ADB commands remain the same, but the path for manual root removal changes.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions