Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to remove Google Maps — whether due to space savings, performance issues or preference for alternative navigation services. However, standard removal through the app menu often does not work: the system either blocks the uninstallation or leaves “stumps” in the form of cache and data. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways, from simple disabling to completely deleting system files, including nuances for different versions of MIUI (12, 13, 14) and models of Redmi, POCO, Mi.
It's important to understand that Google Maps on Xiaomi can be both a regular user application and a system component integrated into firmware. This is the difficulty of uninstalling. For example, on devices with MIUI Global or EEA (European version), the application is often protected from removal, whereas on MIUI China it can be uninstalled without restrictions. We will look at solutions for both cases, as well as alternative methods - from rollback updates to using ADB.
Before you start, check:
- 📱 Phone model and version MIUI (In Settings → The availability of certain methods depends on it.
- 🔒 Root rights. Without them, you can't completely remove system applications.
- 📦 Have a backup, even if you don't plan to use it. ADB, Create a backup of important data.
1. Simple disabling of Google Maps (without deletion)
If you don’t have to completely erase the app, just stop it and hide it from the menu, use the built-in MIUI tools. This method does not require root rights and is suitable for all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 11.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- In the list, find Google Maps (or com.google.android.apps.maps).
- Click Disable (the button will become active if the app has been updated through Google Play).
- Confirm the action in the dialog window.
What the blackout does:
- 🚫 The application will stop running and updating.
- 📵 Disappears from menu and search MIUI.
- 🔄 The cache and data will remain on the device (can be manually cleaned).
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI The disabled application may be activated again after restarting or updating the system. To avoid this, additionally remove all updates for Google Maps in Google Play.
2.Removal of updates and rollback to the factory version
If Google Maps was pre-installed on your Xiaomi but later updated through Google Play, you can return the app to its original version.This will reduce its size and reset the settings, but will not remove it completely.
How to roll back updates:
- Go to Settings. → Annexes → Google Maps → Three points (⋮) → Remove updates.
- Confirm the action. The system will return the app to the version that was there when you bought the phone.
- Turn off automatic updates in Google Play: Open the Google Maps page, click on three points → Remove from auto update.
Advantages of the method:
- 📉 Reduces the amount of space (from 200)+ MB up to 50–80 MB).
- 🔧 Resets all user data (history, bookmarks).
- 🔄 Does not require root rights or ADB.
| MIUI version | Supports the rollback? | Does Google Play need to be used? |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI Global/EEA | Yes. | Yes. |
| MIUI China | Yes (but the app may not be available) | No. |
| Custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu) | Depends on the build. | No. |
⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F4 s MIUI 14) after the rollback of updates, the application may stop opening, in which case only a complete removal or reinstallation through the APK.
3. Complete removal via ADB (no root)
If disabling and rolling back are not appropriate and root rights are not available, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to delete Google Maps as a custom application, even if the system blocks the standard uninstallation.
Step-by-step:
- Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging over USB.
- Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
- Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
- Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools and type: adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
- Run the command to delete: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.maps
What to do if the team does not work:
- 🔄 Try the alternative command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.apps.maps (without a key) -k).
- 📵 If there is a mistake DELETE_FAILED_DEVICE_POLICY_MANAGER, This means that the application is protected by device policies (typical for corporate phones).
- 🔧 On some firmware MIUI 14 requires first to disable the application through settings and then use ADB.
Developer mode activated | USB| Installed Xiaomi drivers on PC| Downloaded Platform Tools| Phone connected in file transfer mode-->
4. Delete Google Maps system (root required)
On devices with MIUI Global/EEA Google Maps are often embedded in the system partition, and removing them will require root rights and a file manager with access to the root folder (such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer).
Instructions for experienced users:
- Get root rights with Magisk (see instructions for your model on 4PDA or XDA Developers).
- Install a file manager with root support (such as Mixplorer).
- Go to /system/priv-app/PrebuiltGmsCore/ or /system/app/Maps/ (the exact path depends on the version of MIUI).
- Delete Maps folders or files with the names com.google.android.apps.maps*.
- Clear the cache to /data/data/com.google.android.apps.maps.
- Reset the device.
Critical: Deleting system files without a backup can cause other Google services (such as Play Market or Gmail) to fail. Create a full backup through TWRP before you act!
Alternatively, through Magisk:
- 📦 Install the Universal module GMS Doze or DisableFlags to disable unnecessary Google services.
- 🔧 Use the App Systemizer module to convert the system application to a custom one and remove it without rooting it.
What happens if you delete Google Maps?
5. Google Maps Alternatives on Xiaomi
If you have removed Google Maps but need navigation, consider MIUI-optimized alternatives:
| Annex | Advantages | Deficiencies | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yandex Maps | Offline maps, real-time traffic jams, integration with Yandex.Navigator | Less coverage abroad | Google Play |
| 2GIS | Detailed maps of cities, offline mode, search for organizations | Poor navigation outside the city | Google Play |
| OsmAnd | Fully offline, open-source OpenStreetMap, no advertising | A complex interface for beginners | Google Play |
| Waze | Social traffic jams, police radar, voice control | High battery consumption | Google Play |
For maximum battery and traffic savings:
- 📱 Use OsmAnd or Yandex Maps in offline mode.
- 🔋 Turn off background activity of navigation apps in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
- 📡 Download maps only over Wi-Fi (in the application settings).
💡
If you travel abroad frequently, install Maps.me – it supports offline maps for 197 countries and does not require an internet connection to navigate.
6.Restore Google Maps after Deletion
If you change your mind and want to return Google Maps, do it one way:
Method 1: Through Google Play
- 🔍 Open Google Play and find Google Maps.
- 📥 Click Install. If the app was system-based, you may need to update Google Play Services.
Method 2: Hand-mounted APK
- Download the latest version of APK from a trusted source (e.g. APKMirror).
- Allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Installation of unknown applications.
- Install the APK and restart the phone.
Method 3: Through ADB (if the application was system)
adb install com.google.android.apps.maps.apk⚠️ Note: If other Google services (such as Play Market or Gmail) stop working after deleting Google Maps, restore them through Google Play Services or reset your phone settings to factory.
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Before you uninstall system applications, always back up via TWRP or another custom recavator.This is the only way to recover your phone in the event of a crash.