How to Remove Google Maps with Xiaomi Redmi: An Expert Guide

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face a dilemma: pre-installed apps take up precious space, but the system does not allow them to be simply removed. Especially for Google services, which are deeply integrated into the shell of MIUI or HyperOS. Users wonder whether it is possible to completely get rid of the navigator if they prefer Yandex Navigator or 2GIS.

Simply removing updates or disabling them through a standard menu often doesn’t free up space in the system partition, but only hides the icon. Real removal requires a deeper approach. In this article, we’ll look at all the available methods, from safe methods for ordinary users to advanced techniques for experienced owners.

It’s important to understand that Google Maps is a system component in many regions, and deleting them could affect other services that depend on Google Play Services geolocation. However, if you’re risk-aware and aware of your actions, it’s possible to free up a few hundred megabytes of memory.

Why Standard Removal Doesn't Work on MIUI

Shell MIUI It's built in such a way that apps that are marked as system are protected from being removed by the average user. When you try to delete Google Maps through settings, the system often only suggests "Delete Updates." This returns the application to the factory version, but it itself is the same. APK-file remains in the section /system/app or /system/priv-app.

This policy is conditioned by licensing agreements between Google and smartphone manufacturers: removing system components without root rights requires the use of USB debugging and ADB tools, without which you can only disable the application, which will stop its processes, but will not delete files from the device’s memory.

In addition, some versions of firmware for the Chinese market (China ROM) Google services are not at all, and in global (Global ROM) they are a mandatory part of the ecosystem.

⚠️ Warning: Before any manipulation of system applications, be sure to create a complete backup of data.Removing critical components can disrupt the smartphone.

Safe method: Disconnecting and cleaning data

If your goal is simply to remove an annoying icon and stop background processes, you don't need sophisticated tools. The standard shutdown method is the safest and most reversible. It's suitable for those who are afraid of damaging the system but want to free up RAM.

To start, go to your Redmi's settings menu. Find the Apps section and select All Apps. From the list, find Maps or Google Maps. Click on Remove Updates if it's active. This action will return the app to the original factory version, which takes up the minimum amount of memory.

Then the "Disable" button will be activated, and if you click on it, you will hide the application from the menu and prevent it from running, the system will stop updating maps and using geolocation through this service, but the files will still remain on the disk.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
• 🗑️ Search in the Google Maps list and click “Delete Updates».
• 🚫 Click the “Disable” button to stop the service completely.
• 🧹 Additionally, go to Memory and click Clear to remove the cache.

Advanced method: Removal via ADB without Root rights

To actually remove the system application from Xiaomi, you need to use a computer and tools ADB. This method does not require obtaining superuser rights (Root), which retains the warranty on the device, but requires care when entering commands.

First, you need to activate the developer mode on your smartphone. Go to About Phone and quickly press 7 times on MIUI Version. Then the Developer Menu will appear in the advanced settings. Enable USB Debugging.

Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable. The PC should have a minimum set of drivers and an adb utility installed. Open the command line or terminal in the utility folder and enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

You'll see a request for debugging permission on your phone screen. Confirm it. You can now manage packets. To delete Google Maps, you need to know the exact name of the package. For Google Maps, it's usually com.google.android.apps.maps.

The removal command is as follows:

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

The --user 0 option indicates that the application is removed for the main user, which effectively removes it from the system. -k saves data and cache, but in this case this is not critical, since the application is system.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete the com.google.android.gms (Google Play Services) package, which will cause most applications, including banking and instant messengers, to fail.

Google's table of system packages for removal

When using ADB, it is important not to remove the extra, and here is a table with the main packages associated with maps and geolocation and their description. Be careful: removing some of them may disrupt other functions.

If after deleting you want to return the application, just execute the command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.apps.maps

This will restore the system package from the hidden storage if it has not been completely erased from the recovery section.

Use of third-party uninstallers

For those who don’t want to mess with the command line, there are uninstallation apps that work on the principle of ADB, but with a graphical interface. Popular examples include Universal Android Debloater or System App Remover (requires Root).

Rootless applications, such as ADB AppControl (for Windows), allow you to see a list of all packets and tag them for removal. The program itself generates the right commands, which reduces the risk of a typo in the packet name, which is especially important for beginners.

But even with graphical interfaces, you have to understand what you're doing, and system applications are labeled with a special icon, and when you delete them, you take responsibility for the stability of the system, and always check the description of the package before you delete them.

• 🛠️ Download a proven uninstallator, for example, ADB AppControl.
• 🔌 Connect your smartphone and allow debugging.
• 🔍 Find in the list of Google Maps (usually sorted by name).
• ❌ Select the “Delete” or “Disable” action and confirm the operation.

Possible problems and solutions

After removing system components, Xiaomi users may experience unexpected system behavior, such as weather widgets or Google Now (the tape to the left of the desktop) may stop displaying location or produce errors.

This is because many widgets use map APIs to determine the coordinates, so if the base card pack is removed, geo-position requests can be blocked, which can help install an alternative geo-data provider or restore a remote packet.

Another problem is automatic recovery, and some versions of MIUI have a self-healing mechanism, so once rebooted, the system can detect the absence of a critical component and try to download it again from a hidden partition or through Google Play services.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts to discharge or warm quickly after deleting the cards, restore the deleted packets immediately.

Alternatives and conclusions

Should you delete Google Maps? If you live in a region where Google maps are poorly detailed, or if you don't use Google's services, yes, that makes sense. But for many users, it's easier to just turn off the app and forget about it.

Alternatively, consider installing Yandex Maps, 2GIS or OsmAnd. These navigators are often better adapted to local conditions and traffic situation in the CIS countries.

In conclusion, managing system applications on Redmi is a balance between system cleanliness and stability. Use ADB only if you are confident in your actions. For most cases, a standard shutdown is enough.