Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but Google’s pre-installed services (including Google Maps) do not always suit users: someone wants to free up space in memory, someone is worried about privacy, and someone just does not like duplication of functions with Yandex.Maps or 2GIS. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to remove the application – from simple disconnection to complete uninstallation of system components.
It's important to understand that Redmi 9 comes with Android-based MIUI, where Google Maps can be both a regular user application and a system component. This depends on the method of deleting. We tested all methods on MIUI 12.5-14 (including global and European firmware) and identified those that work without root rights and do not break the stability of the system.
If you're looking for a way to just hide the app from view, you just have to turn it off in the settings. If the goal is to completely erase all traces of Google Maps, including cache, data and system updates, you'll need to take more radical measures. Start with the safest methods and gradually move on to advanced ones.
1. Disable Google Maps through Android Settings
The easiest and safest way to do this is to deactivate the app, which won't physically delete it, but it will stop the background, remove the icon from the menu, and prevent automatic updates, which is suitable for those who want to temporarily dispose of Maps without risking to the system.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔍 In the search box, enter “Maps” or “Maps».
- 🔘 Click on Google Maps → Disable (button at the bottom of the screen).
- ⚠️ Confirm the action in the pop-up window.
After the shutdown:
- ✅ The icon will disappear from the app menu.
- ✅ Background processes will stop (battery savings).
- ❌ The app will remain in memory (/system/priv-app/ or /data/app/).
- ❌ Updates via Google Play will be blocked.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI The "Disable" button may be inactive, which means that Google Maps is a system application and requires superuser rights to delete.
2.Removal of Google Maps Updates
If the application was preinstalled by the manufacturer, it can't be removed by standard means, but it can be returned to the factory version, which will reduce the space occupied and reset all settings.
How to do this:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Google Maps.
- Press three points (⋮) top-right → Remove updates.
- Confirm the action.
Result:
- 📉 The size of the application will be reduced with ~200-300MB to ~50–80 MB.
- 🔄 All user data (bookmarks, history) will be erased.
- 🚫 Automatic updates via Google Play will be blocked (until you turn it on manually).
This method doesn't remove the application completely, but it reduces its impact on the system. To completely uninstall it, you'll need tools like ADB.
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If after removing Google Maps updates, you have updated again through the Play Market, close the automatic update for this application: open Google Play → click on the profile avatar → Settings → Auto Update apps → Do not automatically update
3. Removal via ADB (without root rights)
ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is an Android debugging tool that allows you to manage system applications without getting root rights.The method works on Xiaomi Redmi 9 with any version of MIUI, but requires a connection to a computer.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 🛠️ Utility. ADB (download from Android).
- 📱 Included Debugging by USB smartphone.
Step-by-step:
☑️ Preparation for removal through ADB
- Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone → 7 times click on the MIUI version (you will be notified “You are a developer”). Then go back to Settings → Additional settings → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
- Connect your phone to your PC: Select File Transfer Mode (MTP) and confirm the debugging permission on your smartphone screen.
- Open the command prompt: On your computer, go to the folder with ADB (such as platform-tools), press Shift + right mouse button → Open the PowerShell window here (or Command Prompt for Windows 7).
- Check Connection: Enter the command: Adb devices should appear serial number of your Redmi 9.
- Delete Google Maps: Follow the command (to completely delete): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.maps If only data cleanup is needed (without deletion): adb shell pm clear com.google.android.apps.maps
Once the command is complete, the app will disappear from the system. To return it, you just need to reinstall Google Maps from the Play Market.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI After restarting, the application can recover, in which case you need to repeat the procedure or use the method with a shutdown via Titanium Backup (root).
4. Removal with Titanium Backup (root required)
If you have root rights, the most reliable way to do this is to use Titanium Backup, a method that allows you not only to uninstall the app, but also to freeze it (so that it doesn’t recover from system updates).
Instructions:
- Install Titanium Backup from the Play Market (or from the official website).
- Open the application and provide root access.
- Find Google Maps (com.google.android.apps.maps).
- Click on the app → select Delete! (or Freeze! if you want to leave the recovery option).
Advantages of the method:
- 🧹 Completely delete all application files, including cache and data.
- 🔄 Ability to back up before deletion.
- 🛡️ Freezing prevents automatic recovery after updates MIUI.
Disadvantages:
- ⚠️ Requires root rights (risk of losing warranty).
- ⚠️ Incorrect actions can disrupt the system.
What happens if you delete the system application without root?
5. Alternative way: rolling back firmware to a version without Google
If you want to get rid of all Google services, you can install custom firmware without GApps (Google Apps), such as LineageOS or HavocOS for Redmi 9.
Advantages:
- 🚀 Full control over pre-installed applications.
- 🔒 Lack of Google Background Processes (Battery Savings).
- 🛠️ Option to choose alternative maps (OSMAnd, Magic Earth).
How to do this:
- Unlock bootloader on Redmi 9 (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
- Install a custom recavery (TWRP).
- Download firmware without GApps (like LineageOS).
- Flow through TWRP.
⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware will void warranty and may cause unstable phone operation.Before the procedure, make a full data backup via TWRP Mi Cloud.
6.Comparison of Google Maps Deletion Methods
| Method | Root is required. | Removes completely | Restored after update | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disconnection in settings | ❌ No. | ❌ No (only deactivation) | ❌ No. | ⭐ Very simple. |
| Removal of updates | ❌ No. | ❌ No (reset to factory version) | ✅ Yes, if updated manually) | ⭐⭐ Just |
| ADB (no root) | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes, for the current user) | ✅ Perhaps (on some firmware) | ⭐⭐⭐ Middle-Average |
| Titanium Backup | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (complete removal) | ❌ No (if frozen) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hardly. |
| Custom firmware | ✅ Yes (unlock bootloader) | ✅ Yes (complete absence of Google) | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very difficult. |
The choice of method depends on your goals:
- 🔹 If you just need to hide the application – just disconnect.
- 🔹 If it is important to free up space, use it. ADB or removing updates.
- 🔹 If you need a complete cleaning, only Titanium Backup or custom firmware.
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The most balanced method for most users is deletion via ADB. It does not require root rights, completely removes the application for the current user and is reversible (you can return Cards through the Play Market).