How to permanently remove Play Market from Xiaomi Redmi 9: safe and radical methods

Deleting Google Play Market with Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a challenge that many users are concerned about, ranging from wanting to free up memory to concerns about data privacy. MIUI (Xiaomiโ€™s Android shell, where Play Market is integrated into system applications, simply removing the icon from the desktop will not do anything โ€“ the service will continue to work in the background, update and consume resources.

In this article, we will discuss three working methods: from temporary shutdown to complete removal by using the help of ADB (You will also learn which alternative app stores you can install instead of Play Market, and what it can mean for the stability of the system.

If you decide to do this, first answer the question: โ€œWhy do I remove the Play Market?โ€, Perhaps it will be enough to turn off auto updates or limit background activity โ€“ it is safer and will not disrupt the work. MIUI. But if the goal is to get rid of Google services completely, read on.

Why you canโ€™t just remove Play Market as a regular app

On Xiaomi Redmi 9 (as with most Android smartphones), Google Play Market is a system app.

  • ๐Ÿ”น It's set in a section. /system/priv-app, Where ordinary users do not have access.
  • ๐Ÿ”น Remove via the standard Settings menu โ†’ Applications are impossible โ€“ the โ€œDeleteโ€ button is simply missing.
  • ๐Ÿ”น Even if you hide the icon, the process com.android.vending will continue to work in the background.
  • ๐Ÿ”น The forced stop (Stop) will only work until the next device restarts.

The Play Market is closely linked to other Google services:

  • ๐Ÿ”— Google Play Services โ€“ responsible for push notifications, geolocation and authorization in applications.
  • ๐Ÿ”— Google Account Manager โ€“ manages Google accounts on your device.
  • ๐Ÿ”— Google Framework Services โ€“ Compatible with most applications.

If you remove only the Play Market and leave these services, the system can start to work unstable, from accidental reboots to the inability to install some applications. So it is important to understand that the complete removal of the Play Market without consequences is possible only if all Google services are replaced with alternative solutions (for example, microG).

โš ๏ธ Note: Xiaomi Redmi 9 with firmware MIUI Global removal of Play Market may result in loss of warranty, and the manufacturer considers such actions to be a violation of the terms of use.

Method 1: Disable Play Market without removal (the safest)

If your goal is simply to free up resources or stop background activity, you just need to turn off the application, which does not require root rights or disrupt the system.

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management.
  2. In the search bar, type in the Play Market (or Google Play Store).
  3. Click on the application, then select Disable.
  4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

What does it mean?

  • โœ… The icon will disappear from the desktop.
  • โœ… The app will stop updating and consuming traffic.
  • โœ… Background processes will be stopped (until the next reboot).

Limitations:

  • โŒ Redmi 9 Play Market is back on the road.
  • โŒ Some apps (such as YouTube or Gmail) may not work properly.
  • โŒ Google Security Updates Will Stop Applying.
๐Ÿ“Š Why you want to remove Play Market from Redmi 9?
Freeing up the memory
Improve autonomy
Confidentiality
I don't like Google.
Another option

For permanent disconnection without removal can be used ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This wonโ€™t delete the application file, but will block it from running even after you reboot.

Team for ADB:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.vending

To get it all back, do this:

adb shell pm enable com.android.vending

๐Ÿ’ก

Before using ADB, enable USB Debugging in Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ MIUI version (click 7 times on the line with the version, then go back to Additional Settings โ†’ For Developers).

Method 2: Remove Play Market through ADB (rootless)

This method allows you to completely remove Play Market from Xiaomi Redmi 9 without getting root access. ADB.

What you need:

  • ๐Ÿ’ป Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ USB-cable (preferably original).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฅ Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB (You can download from the official website of Android Developers).

Step-by-step:

  1. Turn on the debugging. USB on Redmi 9 (see tip above).
  2. Connect the phone to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
  3. Open the command prompt (CMD on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:
adb devices

If the device appears in the list, execute the deletion command:

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

What do flags mean:

  • -k โ€” Stores cache and application data (in case of re-installation).
  • --user 0 โ€” Deletes only for the current user (does not affect system files).

Once the command is completed, Play Market will disappear from the device, but Google Play Services and other Google components will remain active.

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

โš ๏ธ Note: Deleting com.google.android.gms (Google Play Services) can cause most apps to fail, including YouTube, Gmail, and even some banking services. Before this step, make sure you donโ€™t need these apps, or install alternatives (like NewPipe instead of YouTube).

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Enable debugging on USB phone-on|Download ADB Tools|Make a backup copy of the data|Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)-->

Method 3: Complete removal with root rights (for power users)

If you are willing to go to drastic measures and get root access, you can delete Play Market forever, including all related files.This method is suitable for Xiaomi Redmi 9 with unlocked bootloader and installed TWRP.

Warnings:

  • ๐Ÿšจ Loss of warranty โ€“ Xiaomi does not provide support for devices with unlocked bootloader.
  • ๐Ÿšจ Risk of โ€œbrickingโ€ โ€“ wrong actions can make your phone inoperable.
  • ๐Ÿšจ Problems with OTA-Updates โ€“ after receiving root updates MIUI The standard menu will be unavailable.

Instructions:

  1. Unlock the Redmi bootloader 9 via the official Mi Unlock Tool (Mi Account binding and waiting required) 7-14 days).
  2. Install custom recovery TWRP Redmi 9 (version must match the device model).
  3. Download Magisk to get root rights.
  4. Boot to TWRP (hold Power + Volume up when turned on).
  5. Install Magisk via TWRP.
  6. After the reboot, install a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer).
  7. Go to the folder. /system/priv-app/PrebuiltGmsCore and delete the files:
  • PrebuiltGmsCore.apk
  • Phonesky.apk (That's what the Play Market is)

An alternative way is to use Titanium Backup (requires root) to โ€œfreezeโ€ or remove system applications.

After removal, it is recommended that:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Performing Wipe Dalvik/Cache into TWRP.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Reset the device.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Install an alternative app store (see next section).
What if the phone doesnโ€™t turn on after the Play Market is removed?
If Redmi 9 is on the logo MIUI Or you went to bootloop, try: 1. TWRP and restore backup (if you did). 2. Flash the device through Fastboot with the official firmware (download from the Xiaomi site). 3. If nothing helps, contact the service center (but the warranty will be lost).

Alternative app stores for Xiaomi Redmi 9

After removing Play Market, you will need a source to install apps.Here are 5 proven alternatives compatible with Redmi 9:

ShopAdvantagesDeficienciesReference
Aurora Storeโœ… Anonymous Play Market Access Without a Google Accountโœ… Open source codeโŒ Not all apps are availableโŒ Slower than the official storeauroraoss.com
APKMirrorโœ… Officially APK modificationlessโœ… Quick updatesโŒ No automatic updatesโŒ Manual installation of each APKapkmirror.com
F-Droidโœ… Open source software only (without spyware modules)โœ… Repositories with verified applicationsโŒ Few popular apps (no Instagram, WhatsApp)f-droid.org
APKPureโœ… Large application baseโœ… Built-in installerโŒ Advertising in the annexโŒ The risk of fake APK (check the hash sums)apkpure.com
AppGallery (from Huawei)โœ… Optimized for Androidโœ… There are popular apps.โŒ Registration is requiredโŒ There are no Google servicesappgallery.huawei.com

For the installation of alternative stores:

  1. Download. APK-file on Redmi 9 (for example, via browser).
  2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Special Access โ†’ Install unknown applications.
  3. Run the downloaded file and follow the instructions.

Important: When using third-party stores:

  • ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Check the hash amounts of downloaded APK (For example, through VirusTotal).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Regularly update applications manually.
  • ๐Ÿšซ Avoid pirated versions โ€“ they often contain malicious code.

๐Ÿ’ก

Removing Play Market without installing an alternative app store will make your Redmi 9 virtually useless โ€“ most programs are installed through the app store. APK-file.

What Happens After Play Market Deletions: Possible Problems

Even if you successfully removed the Play Market, some features of the Xiaomi Redmi 9 may not work properly.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Push notifications stop coming in apps (e.g. Telegram, VK).
  • ๐Ÿ“ Geolocation is inaccurate or not working at all (due to the lack of Google Play Services).
  • ๐Ÿ”’ Some apps (banks, government services) refuse to run due to lack of Google certificates.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Auto-update applications becomes impossible (you have to do it manually).
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Games from Google Play (for example, PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact not to be launched.

Decisions:

  • ๐Ÿ”ง For push notifications, install microG (replace Google Play Services).
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Use alternative geolocation services (e.g. Mozilla Location Service).
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Banking applications may require Magisk with Universal SafetyNet Fix.

If the problem is critical, you can return the Play Market:

  • Through ADB (adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.vending).
  • Redmi 9 is the official firmware MIUI.

โš ๏ธ Attention: On some firmware MIUI for Redmi 9 (for example, MIUI EU) Play Markets can be removed without consequences, as they are initially optimized to work without Google services. MIUI Global is fraught with disruption.

How to bring back the Play Market if something goes wrong

If Xiaomi Redmi 9 has become unstable after removing Play Market, there are several ways to get it back.

Method 1: Recovery through ADB

If you have removed the application through ADB, execute:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.vending

Method 2: Installation APK manually

  1. Download the latest version of Play Market from APKMirror (look for com.android.vending).
  2. Install APK through any file manager.
  3. Reset the device.

Method 3: Resetting to factory settings

If nothing helps:

  1. Make a backup copy of the data.
  2. Go to Settings โ†’ About the phone โ†’ Reset settings.
  3. Choose to erase all data.

Method 4: Fastboot Flashing

For experienced users:

  1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 9 from Xiaomi website.
  2. Unpack the archive and connect the phone in Fastboot mode (hold power). + Loudness down).
  3. Follow the command:
fastboot flash all [name file firmware].zip

This will bring Redmi 9 back to factory status with all the apps pre-installed.

๐Ÿ’ก

Before resetting or flashing, be sure to save the data - it will be completely deleted!

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Play Market with Xiaomi Redmi 9

Can I remove the Play Market without a computer?
Yes, but only if you have root access, and without it, you can't completely uninstall Play Market, just turn it off, and use apps like App Inspector (requires root) or Titanium Backup to do that.
Will YouTube work after Play Market is removed?
YouTube depends on Google Play Services, not Play Market. If you removed only Play Market, YouTube will continue to work, but if you removed Google Play Services, you'll have to use alternatives like NewPipe or SkyTube.
Can I update you? MIUI After the removal of the Play Market?
Yes, but only through TWRP Or Fastboot. Standard. OTA-Updates (Settings) โ†’ System updates will not work because they check the integrity of system applications, you will have to download the firmware manually from the Xiaomi site and install through custom recovery.
How to check if the Play Market is completely removed?
Launch it. ADB and execute the command: adb shell pm list packages | grep 'vending' If the answer is blank, the application is deleted, you can also use Root Explorer and check for no files. Phonesky.apk into /system/priv-app/.
Which apps will stop working after they are removed?
The list depends on which Google services you have removed: ๐Ÿ“Œ Google Pay (requires Google Play Services). ๐Ÿ“Œ Gmail, Google Maps, Google Drive. ๐Ÿ“Œ Applications that use Firebase (many instant messengers and games). ๐Ÿ“Œ Some banking apps (due to SafetyNet check) Alternatives: FairEmail instead of Gmail, OsmAnd instead of Google Maps, Proton Drive instead of Google Drive.