How to completely remove Google services from Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but its owners often face the problem of imposed Google services. These applications not only take up space in memory, but also constantly work in the background, consuming battery power and traffic. If you want to remove Google Play, Services, GMS Core and other components, this article is for you.

We’ll look at all the possible methods, from simple disabling through settings to complete deletion using ADB, TWRP and custom firmware. It’s important to understand that some methods require unlocking the bootloader and can lead to a loss of warranty. Be sure to backup your data before you start!

This article is relevant for Redmi Note 5 (codename whyred) based on MIUI and Android 8.1/9.0. If you have a different model, check the compatibility of methods.

Why Google services interfere with the smartphone?

Even if you don't use Google Play, Gmail or YouTube, system services still work.

• 🔋 Google Play Services and Google Services Framework can consume up to 15% of the battery per day.
• 📶 Mobile traffic: background synchronization “eats” up to 500 MB per month.
• 📱 Memory clutter: cache and updates take up to 1-2 GB.
• 🛡️ Privacy: Google collects location, activity and device data.

On the Redmi Note 5 with 3/4GB of RAM, these processes are particularly noticeable — the phone starts to “brake” and the apps spontaneously close. But can you do without Google? Yes, if you use the alternatives:

On the Redmi Note 5 with MIUI Global, you can’t completely remove Google services without rooting or unlocking the bootloader, but even disabling them will give you a 20-30% increase in performance.

Method 1: Disable Google Services through Settings (without root)

The safest method, which requires no special knowledge, is suitable for users who want to save charge, but are not willing to risk the stability of the system.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search, type Google and a list of all services will be displayed.
3. Select Google Play Services and click “Disable” (not “Delete Updates!”).
4. Repeat for: 📱 Google Play Store 🔄 Google Services Framework 📍 Google Play Maps 🔍 Google App (Search)

Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: After the shutdown, it will stop working:

• Automatic synchronization of contacts / calendar with Google;
• Some features in apps (e.g. geolocation in Uber)
• Push notifications from Gmail, YouTube, etc.

Method 2: Remove updates and reset to factory version

If you don't want to get rid of Google completely, but you want to reduce its impact, you can bring the services back to the factory version, which will remove the accumulated cache and unnecessary modules.

How to do this:

1. Open Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Search Google Play Services and select “Delete Updates”.
3. Repeat for Google Play Store and Google App.
4. Go to Settings → System → Resetting of settings → Resetting of application settings.
5. Confirm the reset – this will clear all app data, including Google.

🔹 The effect: the free space will increase by 300-500 MB, background activity will decrease, but after a while, the services will be updated again if you do not turn off auto-update in Google Play.

adb shell pm hide com.google.android.gms

This hides the service from the system, but requires a PC connection.-->

Method 3: Remove via ADB (without root rights, but with bootloader unlocking)

A more radical method is to uninstall packets via ADB. It doesn't require root rights, but you need an unlocked bootloader. On the Redmi Note 5, you can do this officially through the Mi Unlock Tool, but you have to wait 7-15 days after you link the account.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Android SDK Platform-Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on the phone Debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional → For developers).
3. Connect Redmi Note 5 to your PC and execute on the command line: Adb devices (should display your device).
4. Enter the commands alternately: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.gms adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.gsf adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.vending adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.google.googlequisearchbox
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: This method removes Google services only for the current user (--user 0). When you reset your settings or create a new profile, they can come back.

Method 4: Complete removal via TWRP (root required)

The most reliable way is to remove APK-Google files via custom recovery TWRP. It will require:

• 🔓 Unlocked loader;
• 📱 Established TWRP Recovery (version for whyred);
• 💾 Backup (nandroid backup).

Instructions:

1. Download. TWRP For the Redmi Note 5 Installation with fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-whyred.img
2. Download to TWRP (hold Power + Vol Up when enabled).
3. Backup the System section.
4. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
5. Delete the folders: /system/priv-app/PrebuiltGmsCore//system/priv-app/GoogleServicesFramework/ /system/app/GooglePackageInstaller/ /system/app/GoogleContactsSyncAdapter/

Wipe → Cache/Dalvik

The result: Google services will be removed at the system level, but some applications (such as banking) may stop working due to the lack of Google SafetyNet.

💡

After you delete Google services via TWRP, be sure to swipe the Magisk module to pass SafetyNet, otherwise Android Pay, Netflix and some games will not work.

Method 5: Install custom firmware without GApps

If you want to get rid of Google completely, the best option is to flash custom firmware like LineageOS or HavocOS without GApps.

• 🚀 Clean Android without unnecessary services;
• 🔄 Regular security updates;
• 🛡️ Full control of the system.

Recommended firmware for Redmi Note 5:

🔹 How to sew:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see Method 3).
2. Install TWRP and backup.
3. Download firmware (choose Vanilla or No GApps) and Open GApps (if you need one).
4. In TWRP, run Wipe → System, Data, Cache.
5. Then, go ahead and then (optional) GApps.

⚠️ Note: After the firmware custom OS rollback MIUI It can be difficult to change partition markup, and some functions (e.g., VoLTE) can be unstable.

What if Google Services are removed and applications stop working?

Many programs (banks, instant messengers, games) require Google Play Services to:

• 📍 Geolocations;
• 🔔 push notifications;
• 🔑 Authentication (SafetyNet).

Decisions:

1. MicroG is an open replacement for Google services. Install it through the official website or F-Droid: 📍 Geolocation (via UnifiedNlp); 🔔 Notifications (through FCM); 🔄 Synchronization of contacts.
2. Magisk modules: Universal SafetyNet Fix – for certification; FakeGApps – emulates the presence of Google services.

Manual setting

• In banking applications, disable SafetyNet check in settings;
• Use OsmAnd or Maps.me for geolocation.
• Please send them via Pushy or Gotify.

💡 Tip: Before installing MicroG, remove the remnants of Google services through ADB:

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

Otherwise, there may be conflict.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Google services from Redmi Note 5