How to Remove Google Apps from Xiaomi to MIUI 12: Safe and Radical Techniques

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI 12 often face the problem of built-in Google applications that take up space in memory, consume battery power and collect data — even if you are not using them. Delete them with standard system tools is impossible: the button “Delete” is simply not in the app menu. Why is this happening?

The fact is that MIUI 12 (like the newer versions) comes with a pre-installed Google Service Package (GMS) that is integrated into the system at the firmware level. Manufacturers contract with Google to include these apps in exchange for access to Google Play Services and other key services. However, for many users of YouTube, Google Play Music or Duo becomes an unnecessary ballast.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways Google apps can be removed, from secure (disable and hide) to radical (delete via ADB or custom firmware), which methods don’t require root rights, and where they can’t be done, and the risks involved. If you’re willing to free up memory and increase battery life, read on.

Why you can’t just delete Google apps through settings

At first glance, it seems logical to try to remove unnecessary programs through the standard Settings → Apps menu, but for most Google services, this option is simply not available.

1.System integration: Applications like Google Play Services or Google Play Market are part of MIUI and are responsible for other programs (such as banking applications or games) that can be destroyed.

2. Google policy: The company obliges manufacturers to block the removal of key services, and even if you turn them off, they can automatically recover after the MIUI update.

3. Dependencies: Some Xiaomi applications (e.g. Theme or Security) use Google APIs to synchronize data, and deleting them could disrupt these features.

• 🔍 What to do without root: only disable or hide applications.
• ⚙️ What Root Needs: Complete System Removal APK-file.
• ⚠️ Removing Google Play Services will cause errors in other programs.

⚠️ Note: If you use banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.), their work may be disrupted after the removal of Google Play Services. Many financial services require these components to verify the security of the device.

Method 1: Disabling Google Apps without Deleting

The safest way to get rid of unnecessary services is to turn them off, not completely delete them, which will stop them from working, free up RAM and prevent background activity.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the top menu, select the All Apps tab (not “Installed”).
3. Find the app you want (like Google Duo or YouTube).
4. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, click Stop first).
5. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

Once disabled, the app will disappear from the menu and no longer consume resources, but it will remain in the device's memory and can be activated again after the MIUI update.

Check if the app is being used by other services (e.g. Google Play Services is needed for maps)

Backup of important data (contacts, photos)

Make sure you have alternative ways to sign in to your accounts (if you disable Google Account Manager)

Record or photograph synchronization settings-->

What applications can be turned off without risk:

• 🎵 Google Play Music (if you don't use it)
• 📺 YouTube (can be replaced by a web version)
• 📞 Google Duo or Meet (if you don't use video calls)
• 📊 Google News (consumes traffic in the background)

⚠️ Warning: Do not disable Google Play Services and Google Services Framework, which will cause other applications, including banking and instant messengers, to crash.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root rights)

If the shutdown isn’t enough, you can uninstall unnecessary apps via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that doesn’t require root rights, but requires connecting the smartphone to your computer, and the advantage is that apps will be removed completely, not just hidden.

You'll need:

• 💻 A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and in the command line (on behalf of the administrator) perform: adb devices Make sure that the device is determined (it should appear its name).
3. To see a list of all packages installed, type: adb shell pm list packages | grep 'google' (this will show all Google apps with their identifiers).
4. To remove a specific application, use the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.YouTube (replace com.google.android.apps.YouTube with the desired package).

Examples of disposal packages:

Once the command is executed, the application will disappear from the device, but the next MIUI update may allow it to return, and to avoid this, you can block its installation via ADB:

adb shell pm hide com.google.android.youtube

Disconnection through settings

Removal via ADB

Installation of custom firmware without GMS

I won't do anything, I'm afraid to break my phone.-->

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Before deleting through ADB, back up your data with adb backup or third-party utilities like Titanium Backup, which will help restore the system if something goes wrong.

Method 3: Root rights removal (for power users)

If you're willing to take the risk of root access, you can uninstall any system applications, including those that are blocked in MIUI 12.

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• 🔒 Security issues (bank applications may stop working).
• 🔄 The risk of “brick” (turning the phone into a “brick” in case of an error).

How to get root on Xiaomi with MIUI 12:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock tool (requires a binding Mi Account and wait 7-14 days).
2. Install a custom recap (TWRP) for your model.
3. Sweep Magisk through TWRP to obtain root rights.

Once you get root, use a root-enabled file manager (like Root Explorer) and delete it. APK-file /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/. For example:

• 📁 /system/priv-app/PrebuiltGmsCore/ — Google Play Services
• 📁 /system/priv-app/Velvet/ — Google Search Search
• 📁 /system/app/YouTube/ — YouTube

⚠️ Attention: Deleting Google Play Services will cause many apps (including WhatsApp, Netflix, and banking services) to stop working or to constantly give out errors.

Method 4: Install custom firmware without GMS

The most radical, but also the most effective way to get rid of Google is to install firmware without Google services (GMS).

• 📱 LineageOS without a lineage GMS (official and informal assembly).

Pros:

• ✅ Google’s complete absence (memory and battery savings).
• ✅ Greater control over the system.
• ✅ The ability to use alternative services (e.g. MicroG instead of Google Play Services).

Cons:

• ❌ Installation difficulty (requires unlocking the bootloader and experience with the TWRP).
• ❌ Possible compatibility issues for some applications.
• ❌ Lack of official support (risk of bugs).

How to install custom firmware:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Install TWRP Recovery for your Xiaomi model.
3. Download firmware without GMS (e.g. LineageOS for microG).
4. Flush the firmware through TWRP, pre-made Wipe partitions System, Data, Cache.
5. If necessary, install MicroG to run applications that require Google APIs.

💡

GMS-free castom firmware is only suitable for power users. If you are not ready to deal with TWRP, Fastboot and possible bugs, it is better to use methods without rooting or disabling applications.

What happens if you delete all Google apps?

Deleting Google from Xiaomi completely has both pros and cons. Here's what you're looking for:

Pros:

• ⚡ Increased battery life (Google's background processes consume a lot of power).
• 📈 Memory release (before) 1-2 GB, depending on the model).
• 🔒 Increased privacy (less data is sent to Google).
• 🚀 Faster system operation (less background processes).

Cons:

• 🚫 Many applications (banks, cards, some games) will not work).
• 🔄 Update issues (some apps require Google Play Services to update).
• 📱 Unable to use Google services (e.g. Google Pay or Google Photos).
• ⚠️ Risk of system instability (if critical components are removed).

Alternatives to Google Services:

If you decide to abandon Google altogether, be prepared for some smartphone features to stop working. For example, push notifications in many apps depend on Google Play Services. In this case, you can use MicroG, an open implementation of the Google API that does not send data to Google.

How to Get Google Apps Back If Something Goes Wrong

If you have problems after deleting or disabling Google services (apps are not working, notifications are not working, system crashes), they can be restored.

Method 1: Recovery through ADB

If you have removed applications through ADB, you can return them by command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.gms

(Replace com.google.android.gms with the package you want).

Method 2: Reset to factory settings

If the system becomes unstable, reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset all settings (no data is affected on the memory card).
3. After the reboot, all Google apps will return.

Method 3: Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fastboot Fast Fast Fastboot Fastboot Fast

If the smartphone is not turned on or stuck on the logo:

1. Download the original firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
2. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, connect the phone in Fastboot mode (clamp Volume down + Power).
3. Select the Clean All option and run the firmware.

⚠️ Warning: After resetting or flashing, all data on the device will be deleted. If you did not have a backup, it will be impossible to restore photos, messages and applications. Always save important data to an external drive or to the cloud before experimenting with the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Google apps from Xiaomi