How to permanently remove Google apps from Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Why Xiaomi users want to get rid of Google services

Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones come pre-installed with Google Mobile Services (GMS) app packages — even if you buy a device in China or through global channels. These services take up memory space, use battery power in the background and collect user data. According to a 2023 Counterpoint Research study, up to 40% of Xiaomi owners in Russia and the CIS are trying to get rid of them — but face technical difficulties.

Key reasons to delete: Without root rights, you can only disable updates to Google applications, but not remove them completely - they will remain in the system partition and will consume up to 150 MB of memory even in the "frozen" state. Complete removal requires either deep firmware manipulation or the use of alternative versions of MIUI. In this article, we will discuss all working methods, from the simplest to the most radical.

Method 1: Disabling Google apps without root rights (for beginners)

If you don't need root rights and you're afraid of breaking your phone, start with this method. It doesn't physically delete files, but stops them from working and hides them from the menu. Suitable for Xiaomi 12/13/14, Redmi Note 11/12, Poco F4/F5 and others on MIUI 14/15.

Steps to shut down:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three points in the upper right corner and select Show System.
3. In the list, find apps called Google, Services, or GMS.
4. For each, click Disable (if the button is inactive, skip).
5. Return to Settings → Accounts and delete your Google account.

• ⚙️ What to disable first: Google Play Services, Google Play Store, Google Account Manager, Google Contacts Sync.
• 📱 What NOT to touch: Android System WebView (required for the browser to work), Google Services Framework (may cause system errors).
• ⚡ Effect: savings up to 300 MB RAM and increase battery life on 10-15%.

Make a backup copy of important data|Battery charge > 50%|Turn off Google’s two-factor authentication|Make sure you have an alternative way to log in to your accounts (SMS/email)|Check the operation of key applications (banks, instant messengers) after disabling-->

⚠️ Note: After disabling Google Play Services will stop working: Automatic synchronization of contacts with Gmail; Notifications in some messengers (Viber, Telegram – work, WhatsApp – can glitch); Geolocation in maps (2GIS/If you use these features, skip this step or install alternatives in advance (e.g. MicroG for geolocation).

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root rights but with PC)

A deeper way is to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to uninstall system applications without obtaining root permissions, but requires a connection to a computer. It works on all Xiaomi models with an unlocked bootloader (even on the new Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Poco F6 Pro).

Instructions:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a folder on your PC.
2. On the phone, activate Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in Settings → About the phone).
3. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line (in the folder with ADB):

adb devices


adb shell




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




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.vending




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.gsf

• 🔧 Teams for other Google apps: com.google.android.apps.maps — Google Maps; com.google.android.youtube — YouTube; com.google.android.apps.photos — Google Photos.
• 📊 What's being deleted: only user data and updates. APK-Files will remain in the system partition but will not work.
• 🔄 How to return: cmd package install-existing com.google.android.gms.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI After deleting com.google.android.gms, application authentication stops working (for example, you will not be able to log into banking applications via SMS). Before deleting, check whether your bank supports alternative authentication methods (push notifications, biometrics).

Method 3: Complete removal with Magisk (root required)

If you're ready to get root rights, this is the most radical way: it physically erases Google application files from the system partition, freeing up to 1-1.5 GB of space, suitable for power users, because it requires unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (you need a Mi Account tied to the phone).
2. Install custom Recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox) for your model.
3. Sweep Magisk through the Recovery (download on GitHub).
4. Install Universal GMS Doze or DisableGMS via Magisk Manager.
5. Restart your phone and check for no Google services in Settings → Apps.

💡

Before installing Magisk, check your model’s compatibility on the XDA Developers forum.Some devices (such as the Xiaomi 13T on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1) may require additional patches to properly operate the root rights.

⚠️ Attention: After removal GMS Magisk provides some system functions MIUI They may stop working, including: MIUI (Requires Google account for downloading; Cloud backup (uses Google Drive); Some gestures (e.g. Double tap to wake on some firmware) We recommend you make a full backup before deleting TWRP or Mi PC Suite.

Yes, through ADB|Yeah, with root rights.|No, but I'm planning.|No, I'm not going to.|I don't know what it is.-->

Method 4: Switching to custom firmware without GMS

The most dramatic way is to install an alternative firmware that doesn't originally contain Google services.

• MIUI EU (European version without Bloatware, but with optional GMS)
• LineageOS (pure Android, but without proprietary drivers for some models)
• Pixel Experience (Google Pixel-style firmware, but with the ability to remove GMS)
• Havoc-OS or CrDroid (Castom firmware with flexible settings).

How to install (LineageOS for Redmi Note 10 Pro):

1. Download the firmware from the official website (lineageos.org) and the GApps package (if you need Google services) or MindTheGapps (alternative).
2. Install it through TWRP (first firmware, then Gapps, if needed).
3. To completely remove GMS, select the vanilla firmware option (without Gapps).
4. After installation, perform a data reset (Wipe → Format Data).

💡

Installing custom firmware voids Xiaomi’s warranty and can result in the device being locked if the bootloader is not officially unlocked.Always check firmware compatibility with your model on forums (e.g. 4PDA or XDA).

Method 5: Using MicroG instead of Google Mobile Services

If you only need individual GMS features (like geolocation or push notifications) but not Google apps themselves, install MicroG, an open implementation of Google Mobile Services. It weighs 10 times less (about 30 MB) and doesn't collect data as aggressively.

How to install MicroG:

1. Download the latest version from microg.org (select MicroG Services Core and MicroG Services Framework Proxy).
2. Install. APK-Manual files (allow installation from unknown sources in Settings) → Security).
3. Enable Signature Spoofing (if you have a root, use the FakeGapps module for Magisk).
4. Set up Self-Check in MicroG settings (all green ticks should be lit).

• ✅ What works with MicroG: geolocation in Yandex.Maps and 2GIS; Push notifications in Telegram, Signal; Authorization via Google in some applications.
• ❌ What doesn’t work: Google Pay and other payment services; some games (e.g., Google Pay, Pokémon GO); SafetyNet (will not pass the check in banking applications).

What to do if the phone stops working after removing the GMS

If you delete critical components (like the Google Services Framework), the system may start to give out errors or get stuck on the boot.

1. Fastboot Reset: If the phone doesn't turn on, run the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (you can download it on the official Xiaomi website). Use the command: fastboot flash all [firmware name].zip
2. Recovery via TWRP: If you have custom recaveri installed, load into it and stitch backup or clean firmware.
3. Manual reinstallation of GMS: Download the latest Open Gapps package (select the pico option for the minimum set) and install via TWRP.

⚠️ Attention: If after removal GMS Banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.) have stopped working, try: Install MagiskHide Props Config module and hide the root; Use Island or Shelter to isolate applications; Restore Google Play Services via ADB (Most banks block access in the absence of Google services due to the requirements of the Central Bank of Russia.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Google apps from Xiaomi