How to remove Gmail from Xiaomi phone completely: step-by-step instructions

Removing Gmail from a Xiaomi phone may seem like a simple task, but in practice, users face a number of nuances: Unlike most apps, Google’s email client is tightly integrated into MIUI firmware, making it difficult to completely remove it. This article will help you figure out how to properly uninstall the application, avoid synchronization errors, and free up space on the device.

It’s important to understand that simply clicking “Delete” in the app menu often doesn’t work. Xiaomi uses its own shell, where Google’s system services can remain active even after visible deletion. We’ll look at all the methods available, from standard removal to deep cleaning through ADB, and explain what consequences each method can have.

If you want to get rid of Gmail due to performance issues, data leakage or just prefer alternative clients, this guide is suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models based on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.

Why Gmail is Hard to Remove from Xiaomi

The Gmail app on Xiaomi smartphones is a Google system service that is installed with firmware, meaning that it is not just stored in the device’s memory like a regular program, but is integrated into the Android-level operating system.

The main reasons why standard removal does not work:

• 🔗 Connecting to Google Play Services – Without these services, many phone features (including the app store) will stop working.
• 📦 Separation into user and system parts – even after the icon is removed, the application can remain in the background.
• 🔄 Automatic recovery — MIUI Sometimes returns remote system applications after restarting.
• 🔒 Manufacturer Restrictions – Xiaomi blocks removal of critical components for system stability.

Moreover, on some models (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12), the Gmail app can be linked to the Mi Account, which complicates the process. MIUI.

Method 1: Standard removal through the settings menu

The easiest and safest method is to uninstall through the standard menu, which is suitable if you just want to remove the app icon and stop it from working, but do not plan to completely clean the system of Gmail traces.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. In the list, look for Gmail (could be called Google Mail).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Delete or Uninstall.
4. Confirm action. If the button is inactive, try to turn it off first.

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F5) Instead of deleting, only disabling will be suggested, which means that the application will remain in memory, but will stop working and update.

If standard removal doesn’t work, move on to the next method, and note that some Google-related features may stop working after removal, such as:

• 📧 Synchronization of contacts and calendar.
• 🔍 Search Google via the widget on the home screen.
• 🎮 Some Google Play Games May Need Authorization.

Method 2: Disabling Gmail without Deleting

If deleting the app seems risky, you can simply disable it, which saves all system files but stops Gmail's background activity and saves battery life.

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Gmail and open its page.
3. Press Turn Off (if the button is grey, click Stop first).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After the shutdown:

• ✅ The app will disappear from the menu and stop using resources.
• ✅ All settings and data will be saved (when you turn on again, everything will be restored).
• ❌ There will be no memory (system files will remain).
• ❌ Some push notifications may continue to arrive via Google Play Services.

💡

If notifications continue to come after Gmail is turned off, go to Settings → Notifications → Gmail and manually turn off all alerts.

This is ideal for those who don’t use email temporarily but don’t want to lose access to emails or risk system stability, such as if you’ve switched to Yandex Mail or Outlook but plan to return to Gmail later.

Method 3: Remove via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a deep-management tool that requires connecting your phone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This may cause your device to fail. Before you start, back up your data and make sure your phone is debugging enabled. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-Cable (use the original cable for stability).
3. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

(Your device name should appear as a confirmation of your connection.)

1. Enter the command to delete Gmail (for the user part):

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.gm

1. If you need to remove the updates (return the application to the factory version):

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

After you execute the commands, restart your phone. the Gmail app will disappear from the menu, but the system files will remain in memory (this is safer than completely deleting).

If Gmail continues to appear after completing commands, check if it has been installed through Google Play, in which case, first remove the updates in the app menu, and then repeat the procedure through ADB.

Method 4: Complete removal via TWRP (for stitched devices)

For users who have customized TWRP recaps, deep removal of system applications is available, a risky method that allows them to get rid of Gmail forever, including all of its system components.

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications through TWRP It may not be possible to update the firmware through OTA Use this method only if you are confident in your actions and ready for potential problems.

Instructions:

1. Download and install TWRP for your Xiaomi model (instructions are available on the XDA Developers forum).
2. Load your phone in Recavator mode (usually Volume Up + Power).
3. In TWRP, select Advanced → File Manager.
4. Go to /system/priv-app/Gmail or /system/app/Gmail.
5. Delete the folder with the application (swipe to the right).
6. Reset the device.

Gmail will be completely wiped from the device, but:

• 🚨 Google Play Services and related features may stop working.
• 🔄 Firmware updates through OTA It will be impossible (you will have to manually stitch it).
• 📱 Some apps (such as Google Maps or YouTube) may require Gmail recovery.

If you have problems after deleting the application, you can restore it by downloading the APK from an official source (for example, APKMirror) and installing it manually via TWRP or ADB.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If all previous methods failed, the last option is a complete reset, which will remove all data from the phone, including Gmail, but return the device to the “out of the box” state.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data.
4. Enter a password (if required) and confirm the action.
5. Wait until the process is completed (the phone will restart).

After discharge:

• 📱 The phone will be like new, without tied accounts.
• 🔓 You’ll be able to skip Google login the first time you set up (but some features will be limited).
• ⚠️ Gmail will return if you log in to your Google account.

💡

Factory reset is the only way to guarantee that you will remove all traces of Gmail, but it also erases all personal data. Use it only if other methods have failed.

If the goal is to get rid of Gmail forever, don’t sign in to your Google account when you set up after reset. Instead, use your local or Mi Account.

• 📱 Google Play Market (I will have to install it) APK manually).
• 📧 Synchronization of contacts and calendar.
• 🗺️ Some features of Google Maps and YouTube.

What to do if Gmail is back after deleting

Sometimes Gmail reappears after a firmware reboot or update, and this is due to MIUI recovery mechanisms that return system applications to factory status.

Blocking automatic recovery:

• Install Package Disabler (root rights required).
• Find Gmail in the list and block it.

2. Remove via Titanium Backup (for root):

• Open the Titanium Backup.
• Find Gmail and select Delete.
• Also delete all associated data (Dalvik cache).

3. Disabling updates:

• Go to Google Play → Settings → Auto-Update apps.
• Choose Not to Update Automatically.
• Manually find Gmail and cancel any pending updates.

If Gmail comes back after the MIUI update, it means that the firmware contains it in the system partition, in which case only:

• 🔧 Install custom firmware without Google services (for example, LineageOS).
• 📵 Complete rejection of updates MIUI (riskily).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Gmail from Xiaomi