How to remove Gmail from Xiaomi phone completely: all the working ways

Why Gmail is so Hard to Remove from Xiaomi and What to Do

You're trying to make room on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro, but standard removal of Gmail through the app menu doesn't work? It's not a coincidence - the app is part of the Google Mobile Services (GMS) package that manufacturers pre-installe at the firmware level. Even after clicking "Delete," the system only suggests disabling updates or resetting settings, but not uninstalling completely.

Complicating the problem, on devices with MIUI 14 and later, some Google system applications are protected from removal through ADB, a popular method that worked on older versions of Android. However, workarounds do exist. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways: from simple disabling to deep removal through the engineering menu, taking into account the features of different models Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO.

Before you start, consider: completely removing Gmail could disrupt other Google services (such as Play Market or Google Pay).If your goal is simply to free up space or stop background activity, just disable the app or remove updates.

Method 1: Standard shutdown (without root)

If you don’t have to completely erase Gmail, just stop it and hide it from the menu, use the built-in MIUI tools. This method does not require additional rights and is suitable for all models, including the Xiaomi 13T and Redmi A2.

How it works: You don’t delete the application files, but you block it from running and updating. The system will continue to take up ~50-100 MB of memory, but Gmail will no longer appear in the list of applications and consume resources.

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, type “Gmail” and select the app from the list.
• ⚙️ Click “Disable” (if the button is inactive, first tap “Delete Updates»).
• ✅ Confirm the action in the dialog window.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global for the European region, the "Disable" button may not be available. ADB (section).

Once disabled, the Gmail icon will disappear from the home screen, but the app will remain in the system. To return it, go to Settings → Applications → Disabled and click Enable.

Method 2: Remove updates and reset to factory version

Gmail by default takes up little space (~30-50 MB), but after updates through the Play Market, its size can grow to 200-300 MB. If it is important to free up memory, but do not want to risk the stability of the system, reset the application to the factory version.

This method works on all Xiaomi devices regardless of the version of MIUI and does not require superuser rights. However, note: after the reset, you will lose all local Gmail data (drafts, sync settings), but the emails on the Google server will remain intact.

• 📦 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Gmail.
• 🔄 Click on “Delete Updates” (if the button is inactive, first tap “Storage» → «Clear the data»).
• 🗑️ Return to the app information screen and select “Clear the cache».
• 🔒 Optionally: Turn off automatic Gmail updates in the Play Market (open the app page) → ⚙️ → uncheck the box from "Auto Update»).

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI China without China GMS) The "Delete Updates" button may not be available. ADB (section 3) or install an alternative launcher that hides system applications (e.g., Nova Launcher).

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If Gmail continues to update automatically after reset, add the app to the blacklist in the Play Market settings (Auto-App Update section).

Method 3: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)

If standard methods didn’t work, try removing Gmail via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices that works on most Xiaomi models, including the POCO F5 and Redmi Note 11, but requires a connection to a computer.

Advantage: You delete all user data and Gmail updates, but you save the system version of the app (it can be restored through Settings). → Annexes → Disconnected. Minus for some firmware (e.g, MIUI 14 on Xiaomi 13) may require additional command to bypass protection.

• 💻 Install. ADB-Xiaomi drivers (download from the official website or via Mi) PC Suite).
• 🔌 Connect your phone to the PC by USB, Turn on Developer Mode (7 times tap the build number in Settings) → About the phone) and activate the debugging USB.
• 🖥️ Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) enter:

adb devices

(Your device should show up. If not, check the drivers and allow debugging on your phone.)

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

If the command doesn’t work, try the alternative (for newer versions of MIUI):

adb shell cmd package uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.gm

Once executed, Gmail will disappear from the menu, but its system files will remain in memory (~30 MB).

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

Method 4: Delete with root rights (for power users)

If you’re willing to take drastic measures and your Xiaomi bootloader is unlocked or Magisk is installed, you can delete Gmail completely — along with system files — this method will free up to 100-150 MB of memory, but with consequences:

• ⚠️ Google Play Services malfunction (other apps may stop updating).
• ⚠️ Problems with login on Google services (e.g. YouTube or Google Maps).
• ⚠️ Risk of "brike" (inoperability) of the system in case of incorrect removal.

Use a root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer) to delete:

1. Open the manager and go to /system/priv-app/Gmail or /system/app/Gmail.
2. Delete the Gmail folder (or files with the.apk and.odex extensions).
3. Clear the cache and data to /data/data/com.google.android.gm.
4. Reset the device.

The alternative is through TWRP (Castom Recovery):

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/Gmail




rm -rf /system/app/Gmail




rm -rf /data/data/com.google.android.gm




reboot

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13/14 The path to system applications may differ with Dynamic Partitions. Before deleting, back up the system partition via TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery.

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Removing Gmail with root rights can be irreversibly restored only by flashing the device or manually installing it. APK-system-version.

Method 5: Alternative methods (without removal)

If none of these methods work or you are afraid of disrupting the stability of the system, consider alternative solutions:

• 📧 Install a lightweight email client (like FairEmail or BlueMail) and turn off Gmail through your account settings.
• 🔒 Use Island or Shelter to isolate Gmail in a separate profile (the app will work but won’t be able to collect data about other activities).
• 🖼️ Hide the Gmail icon from the home screen through launcher settings (long press) → «Take it off the screen»).
• 🛡️ Block Gmail Internet access through Settings → Mobile network → Application traffic.

For Xiaomi models with MIUI 14 and later, another trick is available: hiding system applications through the engineering menu.

1. Enter the dialer code ##4636##.
2. Go to the “Phone Information” section → “Select the Default App.”
3. Find Gmail in the list and uncheck it.

This won't remove the app, but it will make it less intrusive, like mailto links: open in the client of your choice, not in Gmail.

What to do if nothing works

If all of these methods do not work, the reason may lie in:

• 🔒 Blocked bootloader (on new Xiaomi models, it takes 7-15 days to unlock).
• 📱 Regional firmware (e.g., regional firmware, MIUI China without China GMS It does not allow you to remove Google applications).
• 🛡️ Device policy (if the phone is linked to a corporate account).
• 🔄 Security Updates (Some Android Patches Block Deletion of System Apps).

In such cases, two options remain:

1. Reflashing the device to custom firmware without GMS (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) is a radical step that requires unlocking the bootloader and resetting all data.
2. Buy a GMS-free device – Some Xiaomi models for the Chinese market (e.g. Redmi K60 Ultra) come without Google preinstalled services.

⚠️ Warning: Firmware on unofficial software voids warranty and may lead to problems with Google Pay, Netflix HD Other services that require Widevine certification L1.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Gmail from Xiaomi