How to completely remove Google Duo from Xiaomi Redmi: all the ways

Google Duo is preinstalled on most Xiaomi Redmi smartphones and often interferes with users — takes up space in memory, consumes battery power in the background and duplicates the functions of other messengers. Despite the fact that Duo can not be removed in the standard way through the application menu (due to the status of the system software), there are workarounds — from disconnection to deep removal through ADB. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods for MIUI 12-15, including hidden settings and technical nuances.

It’s important to understand that Duo is integrated into Google services (as part of the com.google.android.apps.tachyon package), so removing it may affect other features such as video calls in Google Meet or contact synchronization. We will describe the risks of each method in detail and give recommendations for system recovery if you are using Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 or newer models, the instructions below will fit with the firmware version.

Why can’t Duo be removed in the standard way?

When you try to uninstall Google Duo via Settings → Apps, users are faced with a gray “Delete” button or a message “App is disabled” because:

• 🔹 Duo is part of Google’s pre-installed services package (GMS), It's a system application that Xiaomi licenses for its devices» (system/app or a priv-app).
• 🔹 MIUI Blocks the removal of key Google components to avoid disrupting services (e.g. Play Market or Google Play Services).

Even if you see the Remove Updates button, it will reset the app to the factory version, but it won’t remove it completely. Complete uninstallation requires the rights of a superuser (root) or an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) command.

⚠️ Note: Removing Duo through ADB device-wise MIUI Global may cause Google services to crash. Back up your data in Settings before the procedure → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Method 1: Uninstall Duo without removal (safe method)

If you don't need video calls through Duo, but you don't want to risk system stability, just disable the app, which will stop its background activity and hide the icon from the menu:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type “Duo” and select Google Duo.
3. Click on “Disable” (or “Disable”, depending on the version of MIUI).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After the shutdown:

• 📵 The app will stop updating through the Play Market.
• 🔋 Battery consumption will disappear in the background (check in Settings) → Battery → Battery utilization).
• 📱 Duo icon will disappear from the main menu, but the application file will remain in memory (/system/priv-app/Tachyon).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI Disabling Duo may reset after the system update.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root)

For users willing to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), there is a way to remove Duo without obtaining root rights, a method that works on most Redmi models (except for devices with a locked bootloader in Chinese firmware).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux and established ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
2. Open the command line (or Terminal) and type:

adb devices

(Your device name should appear, which confirms the connection.)

1. Execute the command to remove Duo:

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

1. Reboot the phone.

If the command is successful, the Duo will disappear from the system.

• ⚠️ When you reset your phone to factory settings, Duo will return.
• ⚠️ Updates MIUI can restore the application (it is recommended to repeat the procedure after the update).

Method 3: Removal by root rights

If your Redmi has Magisk or another root rights manager installed, you can delete the Duo completely, including its files from the system partition. This is the most radical method, but also the most effective.

Warnings before removal:

• 🚨 Risk of disrupting other Google services (e.g. Google Photos or Gmail).
• 🚨 Security Check (SafetyNet) may fail, which will prevent the use of banking applications.
• 🚨 On some firmware MIUI Removal of system applications can lead to bootloop (locked boot).

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/Tachyon (or /system/app/Tachyon on some firmware).
3. Delete the Tachyon folder or rename it to Tachyon.bak.
4. Clear the cache and Duo data in Settings → Apps → Google Duo → Storage.
5. Reboot the phone.

For reliability, also run the command in Terminal (Magisk required):

su


pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.apps.tachyon

⚠️ Note: If Google Play Services stop working after deletion, restore Duo from backup or reflash your phone via Mi Flash Tool.

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Before you delete your system files, create a full /system partition backup using TWRP or adb backup command, which will allow you to restore your phone in case of critical crashes.

Method 4: Using De-Bloater Tools

For users who don’t want to manually enter ADB commands, there are specialized utilities called de-bloater (software to remove preinstalled software), which automate the process and allow selective removal of system applications.

Popular tools:

How to use De-Bloater:

1. Download and install the selected utility on the PC.
2. Connect Redmi to USB with debugging enabled.
3. In the program interface, search com.google.android.apps.tachyon (Google Duo).
4. Select the option “Uninstall” or “Disable” (depending on the functionality of the utility).
5. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

The advantage of this method is the ability to massively remove unnecessary applications (for example, Mi Browser, Mi Music, Facebook, etc.), but be careful: removing critical services can lead to the failure of the phone.

Method 5: Firmware without Duo (for power users)

The most drastic way to get rid of Google Duo is to install custom firmware without Google services (GApps) or with a minimum set of them, a method suitable for users willing to sacrifice Play Market and other services for the sake of cleanliness.

Firmware options:

• 📱 MIUI GApps-free: Unofficial builds MIUI from the community, for example, MIUI EU bloatless).
• 🤖 LineageOS or Pixel Experience: Android-based firmware without Google apps preinstalled.
• 🛡️ GrapheneOS: Firmware with a focus on privacy (without Google services).

How to re-examine Redmi:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account binding and a wait of 7-15 days).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Download the right firmware for your model (check compatibility with XDA Developers).
4. Sweat through recovery by first making a wipe (Dalvik/ART Cache, System, Data).

⚠️ Warning: Flashing will void Xiaomi’s warranty and may cause data loss. On some Redmi models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro), it takes 30 days to lock the bootloader after unlocking – during which time the phone is vulnerable to crashes.

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Custom firmware without GApps requires the manual installation of alternative services (such as MicroG for push notifications), without which many applications will not work correctly.

What if the Duo is back after the update?

Once the MIUI is updated via OTA or manually, Google Duo may reappear, because the firmware restores system applications.

• 🔄 Turn off auto updates MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-downloading updates (turn off).
• 📵 Block the Duo update in the Play Market: Open the app page → ⋮ → «Cancel the update».
• 🛡️ Use Magisk modules: Install Universal module GMS Doze or DisableFlagSecure to block background activity of Google services.
• 🔧 Check the Duo status regularly: after each update, repeat the deletion procedure through the ADB.

If Duo is back and is interfering with work, try freezing it with:

• App Quarantine (requires root)
• Island (creates an isolated environment for applications)
• Shelter (based on Work Profile)

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Duo on Xiaomi