How to completely remove Google Maps from Xiaomi phone: all ways

Google Maps is one of the most useful navigation apps, but not all Xiaomi users need it. Some prefer alternatives like Yandex.Maps or 2GIS, some annoyed by background processes, and some just want to free up space in memory. The problem is that most Xiaomi smartphones (especially those with MIUI firmware) Google Maps are preinstalled as a system application — they can not be removed in the standard way through the Apps menu.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods to get rid of Google Maps on Redmi, Poco or Mi – from simple disconnection to complete removal via ADB. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 14/15 based on Android 13/14 (including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13, Poco F5/X5). Importantly, some methods require superuser rights (root) or unlock the bootloader – we will also talk about this.

1. Method: Disabling Google Maps without deleting

If you don't have to completely erase an app, you just have to stop it and hide it from the menu, it's the easiest and safest method, and it's suitable for users who don't want to risk the stability of the system.

How to turn it off:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, type “Maps” and select Google Maps.
• 🛑 Click Disable (button will appear if the application is system-based).
• ⚠️ Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

What happens after the shutdown:

• ✅ The app will disappear from the menu and stop updating.
• ✅ Google Maps Background Processes Will Be Stopped (Saves Battery).
• ❌ If necessary, you can turn it back on in the settings.
• ❌ Some functions (e.g. geolocation in other applications) may not work properly.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 10C POCO M5) The "unplug" button may be blocked, in which case move to the next method.

2. Method: Removal of updates and reset to factory version

If Google Maps was originally preinstalled in MIUI, but you updated it on Google Play, you can return the app to the original version. This will not remove it completely, but will reduce the space occupied and reset the settings.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Google Maps.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Remove Updates.
3. Confirm the action. The app will go back to the version that was out of the box.
4. (Optional) In Google Play, turn off automatic updates for this app.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Does not require root rights or ADB.
• 📉 Frees up to 100-300 MB (depending on the number of updates).
• 🔒 It does not affect the stability of the system.

⚠️ Note: After resetting to the factory version, some features (such as offline maps) may stop working, and Google Play will periodically offer to update the application – it will have to be manually ignored.

Method 3: Removal via ADB (without root)

For users willing to take advantage of Android Debug Bridge (ADB), there is a way to remove Google Maps without obtaining superuser rights.This works because Xiaomi (unlike some other brands) does not block ADB commands to uninstall system applications.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then enable debugging in Settings → Additionally. → For developers).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.


2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) in the folder with ADB.




3. Enter a command to check the connection:




adb devices




(Your device serial number should appear).




4. execute the removal command:




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




5. Reboot the phone.

What do flags in a team mean:

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware (especially Chinese versions) MIUI) The command may not work due to manufacturer restrictions, in which case you will need to unlock the bootloader or root.

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If the app still appears after you run the command, try adding the --user 0 flag to other commands, such as adb shell pm hide com.google.android.apps.maps.

4. Method: Complete removal with root rights

If you are willing to take drastic measures and you already have root access (for example, through Magisk), you can delete Google Maps forever. This method is suitable for experienced users, since the wrong actions can lead to a bootloop.

Deletion options:

• 📁 Through the file manager with root: Use Root Explorer or FX File Manager, find the folder /system/priv-app/Maps or /system/app/Maps and remove it.
• 💻 Through ADB Root: Follow the command: adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system rm -rf /system/priv-app/Maps rm -rf /system/app/Maps reboot
• 🔧 Titanium Backup: The app allows you to freeze or completely remove system APK.

Risks of the method:

• ⚠️ Some Google Play Services features may stop working.
• ⚠️ After updating MIUI The app could come back.
• ⚠️ The warranty will be cancelled (unless you hide root via Magisk).

5. Method: Use of alternative firmware

For the most advanced users, there is a radical way to reflash the phone to custom firmware without Google services (for example, LineageOS or Xiaomi.EU without GApps).

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (fastboot oem unlock).
• 📥 Installations TWRP or another custom Recovery.
• 🔄 Complete data reset (wipe).

Pros of the method:

• ✅ Full control over system applications.
• ✅ The ability to choose firmware without unnecessary services.
• ✅ Often better performance and battery life.

Cons:

• ❌ It is difficult for beginners (the risk of “bricking” the phone).
• ❌ Loss of guarantee.
• ❌ Some features (such as Google Camera or Widevine) L1 for Netflix HD) may not work.

Popular firmware without GApps for Xiaomi:

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Installing custom firmware is the only way to permanently get rid of Google Maps and other system applications, but requires technical skills and voids the warranty.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you delete Google Maps, Xiaomi users often encounter common mistakes, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem. 1: After the adb uninstall command, the Failure error appears. [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR].

• 🔹 Make sure the debugging is done USB drivers included ADB correctly.
• 🔹 Try adding a flag. --user 0 (top-up).
• 🔹 On some devices, you need to get root first.

Problem 2: The app has been deleted, but after the MIUI update it has returned.

• 🔹 This is normal behavior – system applications are restored when you update your firmware.
• 🔹 Solution: Repeat deletion through ADB Use Magisk to block the installation.

Problem 3: Other Google services (e.g. Play Market) have stopped working.

• 🔹 Clear the cache and data of Google Play Services in the settings.
• 🔹 Reinstall Google Maps manually (download) APK APKMirror).
• 🔹 If the problem remains, reset the settings (Settings) → System system → Resetting settings).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions