How to Remove Google Services from Xiaomi: 5 Proven Methods

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones come with Google services pre-installed, from Google Play Services to Google Play Store. For many users, this is convenient, but some want to get rid of them for reasons of privacy, battery saving or using alternative ecosystems (such as Huawei AppGallery or Aurora Store). In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to remove GMS (Google Mobile Services) from Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, including hidden nuances and risks.

Itโ€™s important to understand that completely removing Google services can disrupt some applications (such as YouTube, Gmail or Google Account-authorized games). However, for most tasks, there are alternatives โ€“ from MicroG (a lightweight analog of GMS) to manually installing APK. We will look at methods of varying complexity, from simple disabling through settings to deep cleaning through ADB and custom firmware.

Why users are removing Google services from Xiaomi

The main reasons for uninstallation of GMS are related to performance, security and ideology:

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery savings: Google Play Services consumes up to 10-15% It's a very powerful charge in the background, even if you don't use Google. On the budget Redmi, it's especially noticeable.
  • ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Privacy: Google collects data about location, app activity, and even your travel history โ€“ even if youโ€™ve turned off geolocation.
  • โšก System Acceleration: On weak chipsets (e.g. Snapdragon) 4xx or Helio Gxx) background processes GMS slow down.
  • ๐ŸŒ Using alternative ecosystems: For example, in China, Xiaomi smartphones are sold without a smartphone GMS, Many users prefer this option.

But there is a downside: without Google services, the following will stop working:

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Games with authorization through Google Play Games (e.g. Genshin Impact or Google Play Games) PUBG Mobile).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Apps dependent on Google Play Services (e.g. Google Maps, Uber, or banking apps with push notifications).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Automatic updates of applications through the Play Store.

โš ๏ธ Note: Some Xiaomi models (such as Mi 11 Ultra or Xiaomi 13 Pro) have a complete removal GMS This can cause a loss of camera functionality (due to a Google Camera dependency). API). Before cleaning, check the compatibility of your model!

๐Ÿ“Š Why do you want to remove Google services?
Savings in battery charge
Confidentiality
Acceleration of work
I use alternative services.
Other

Method 1: Disabling Google Services without Deletion (for beginners)

If you donโ€™t need to completely remove GMS, but stop them, use the built-in MIUI tools:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management.
  2. In the search bar, type in Google Play Services and select the app.
  3. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, click Stop first).
  4. Repeat the steps for Google Play Store, Google Account Manager and Google Services Framework.

This method doesn't delete files, it only pauses them until they're restarted, and once they're rebooted, the services can be activated again, to avoid this:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Install AppOps (requires) ADB) Block Auto-Run for Google Services.
  • ๐Ÿ“ต Use Greenify (with root rights) to freeze background processes.

โš ๏ธ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ Disabling Google Play Services may cause errors in system notifications (for example, skipping push messages from instant messengers.

โ˜‘๏ธ Preparation for shutdown GMS

Done: 0 / 4

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root)

A more radical way is to uninstall Google services via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require root rights, but removes system applications irrevocably (it will require firmware re-flashing to restore).

What you need:

  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Version. MIUI โ†’ 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings โ†’ Additionally. โ†’ For developers โ†’ Debugging by USB).
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ USB-Type C Cable (original to avoid connection issues).

Step-by-step:

  1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (Win + R โ†’ cmd).
  2. Check the connection command: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
  3. Run the command to delete Google Play Services: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.gms
  4. Remove the remaining components (one by one): adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.gsf adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.vending adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.gms.persistent

Google services will disappear from the system after the reboot. However, on some Xiaomi models (such as the POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12), this can lead to a reboot cycle - check compatibility in advance!

The Google componentADB Team TeamEffects of removal
Google Play Servicespm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.gmsLoss of push notifications, errors in games
Google Services Frameworkpm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.gsfImpossibility to log in to a Google account
Google Play Storepm uninstall --user 0 com.android.vendingNo automatic updates to applications
Google Account Managerpm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.gsf.loginMistakes in Contact and Calendar Synchronization

๐Ÿ’ก

Before deleting via ADB, take a screenshot of the list of installed Google packages with the adb shell pm list packages | grep google command to help restore them if necessary.

Method 3: Install custom firmware without GMS

The most reliable way to get rid of Google services is to reflash the device on custom firmware without GMS.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ LineageOS (official builds without any official builds) GMS Or with an optional MicroG installation).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Pixel Experience (no versions available) GMS).
  • ๐ŸŒ Havoc-OS or CrDroid (flexible component configuration).
  • ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ MIUI China ROM (Official firmware for China without Google services).

The firmware process includes:

  1. Unlock the bootloader (fastboot oem unlock).
  2. Installation of custom recavery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
  3. Formatting the system, data and vendor sections.
  4. Installation of ZIP-archive with firmware.

Advantages of the method:

  • โœ… The complete absence of Google services out of the box".
  • โœ… Option to choose alternatives (MicroG for push notifications).
  • โœ… Updates via community (e.g. LineageOS Updates).

โš ๏ธ Note: On new Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi) 14 or Redmi K70) Unlocking the bootloader can lead to loss of Widevine L1 (no HD into Netflix/Disney+). Check compatibility on the forum XDA Developers!

How to return Widevine L1 after firmware?
On some devices (such as the POCO X3 Pro) you can restore the Widevine L1 by running the original vendor section through Fastboot. However, this requires deep knowledge and can lead to a brick.

Method 4: Using MicroG as an Alternative to GMS

If you need push notifications and geolocation, but without full Google services, install MicroG, a lightweight open-source analogue of GMS.

  • ๐Ÿ“ Geolocation via Mozilla Location Service or Dรฉjร  Vu.
  • ๐Ÿ”” Push notifications (compatible with Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Authorization in some applications (e.g. OSMAnd for navigation).

How to install MicroG:

  1. Download the latest version from the official website.
  2. Install. APK-Manual files (requires permission to install from unknown sources).
  3. Enable MicroG Settings and set up: ๐Ÿ”„ Self-Check (Compatibility Checking). ๐Ÿ“ก UnifiedNlp (alternative to Google Location Services). ๐Ÿ”” Google Cloud Messaging (for push notifications).

MicroG's limitations:

  • โŒ Does not work with Google Pay and some banking apps.
  • โŒ No support for Google Play Games (games wonโ€™t save progress in the cloud).
  • โŒ Possible delays in push notifications (up to the next few days) 5-10 minute).

๐Ÿ’ก

MicroG is the best compromise for those who want to get rid of Google, but keep the basic functionality (notifications, geolocation).

Method 5: Manual removal via TWRP (for experienced)

If you already have customized recaps (TWRP) installed, you can manually delete Google service files from the /system partition, a method that is risky but gives you complete control.

Instructions:

  1. Download to TWRP (hold Power + Volume Up when enabled).
  2. Go to Advanced โ†’ File Manager.
  3. Delete the folders: /system/priv-app/PrebuiltGmsCore/ /system/app/GmsCore/ /system/priv-app/GoogleServicesFramework/ /system/app/GoogleServicesFramework/
  4. Clean the cache (Wipe โ†’ Dalvik / ART Cache).
  5. Reboot.

Warnings:

  • ๐Ÿšจ Deleting the wrong files can lead to bootloop (cyclical reboot).
  • ๐Ÿ”ง On some firmware (for example, MIUI EU) Google services are integrated into system.img โ€” They cannot be removed without re-flashing.
How to restore the system after bootloop?
If the device is stuck on the logo, try flashing the original boot.img through Fastboot or recovering the TWRP backup.

What to do after deleting Google services

After uninstallation of GMS, configure the device for comfortable operation:

  1. ๐Ÿ“ฅ Install an alternative app store: Aurora Store (anonymous access to the Play Store). F-Droid (open source). APKMirror (manual download). APK).
  2. ๐Ÿ”” Set up push notifications: MicroG is enough for Telegram and Signal. WhatsApp may need FcmProxy.
  • OsmAnd (Offline maps based on OpenStreetMap)
  • Magic Earth (similar to Google Maps with navigation)
  • โ˜๏ธ Move your contacts and calendar to DAVxโต (Synchronization with Nextcloud or OwnCloud).

Problems you may face:

  • ๐ŸŽต YouTube: Will not work in the background without Vanced or ReVanced.
  • ๐Ÿ’ณ Banking applications: Can block the entrance due to the lack of Google SafetyNet.Solution - Magisk with Universal SafetyNet Fix module.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Games: Authorization through Google Play Games will become impossible (use Facebook or email account).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Google services from Xiaomi

Can I remove Google services from Xiaomi without root?
Yes, with ADB (method 2) or disabling through settings (method 1). However, complete removal of system applications without root is not possible on all firmware - some Xiaomi models require unlocking the bootloader.
Will Xiaomi work without Google services?
Yes, the smartphone will work, but will lose some of the functions: push notifications (without MicroG), authorization in some applications, automatic software updates. Basic functions (calls, SMS, camera) will remain available.
How to return Google services after deletion?
Recovery methods depend on the method of removal: If you used ADB, reflash the original MIUI via Fastboot. If you deleted it via TWRP, restore the backup or run through ZIP with GMS (for example, Open GApps). If you used MicroG, just install the APK of Google services manually.
What Xiaomi models are best for life without GMS?
The most compatible with alternative firmware are: POCO F1 (wide community, lots of custom firmware); Redmi Note 10 Pro (good LineageOS support); Xiaomi Mi A2/A3 (originally on Android One, easy to reflash); Xiaomi 11T Pro (compatible with Pixel Experience without GMS); new flagships (e.g. Xiaomi 14) may have problems with camera drivers or Widevine.
Can I update my MIUI after I delete my Google services?
If you have deleted GMS via ADB or TWRP, official MIUI OTA updates can restore deleted files. To avoid this: Turn off automatic updates in Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ Update MIUI. Use custom firmware with manual updates.