How to Remove Google Apps from Xiaomi Phone: 5 Ways to Remove Google Apps

Why Xiaomi Users Want to Get Rid of Google and Can It Be Done Without Repercussions?

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI or the new HyperOS come pre-installed with Google’s service package – from the Google Play Store to Google Play Services. For most users, this is convenient, but some are looking to remove these applications for several reasons: battery saving, memory freeing, privacy or the desire to use alternative services (for example, Huawei AppGallery or Aurora Store).

However, the complete removal of Google services on Xiaomi without root rights is fraught with system failures – many functions MIUI/HyperOS depend on Google Play Services (e.g. push notifications, geolocation, authorization in some applications). 5 from safe shutdown to radical removal through ADB, with nuances for different models (Redmi Note) 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T etc.).

Before you start, answer the key question: do you need to hide Google apps (so they don’t interfere, but remain in the system) or permanently delete them (with the risk of losing some functionality)?

Method 1: Turning off Google apps without uninstallation (the safest method)

If the goal is simply to hide unwanted applications and stop them from running in the background, just turn them off through the settings, which does not require root rights and is reversible: if necessary, services can be activated again.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, type the name of the app (for example, Google Play Store or Google Chrome).
• ⚙️ Click on the app. → Disable (if the button is inactive, select Stop first).
• 🗑️ Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Once disabled, the app will disappear from the menu and stop consuming resources, but system services (such as Google Play Services) will not be disabled in this way, the system will block this option.

Disable Google Play Store | Disable Google Chrome | Disable YouTube | Disable Google Duo | Disable Google Tips-->

⚠️ Note: Disabling Google Play Services through standard settings is not possible – this will lead to errors in the work MIUI/HyperOS. Removal of the user will require the rights of a superuser or team. ADB (see Methods 4 and 5).

Method 2: Hide Google apps through launcher (visual removal)

If you're annoyed by having Google icons on the home screen, but you don't want to delete the apps themselves, you can just hide them through the launcher settings. It won't free up memory, but it will make the interface cleaner.

Instructions for the standard MIUI/HyperOS launcher:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the home screen → select Settings (cog icon).
2. Go to Hide Apps (or Application Management → Hidden Apps on some models).
3. Check the boxes for unnecessary Google apps (e.g. Google Podcasts, Google TV).
4. Confirm the change.

The hidden apps will stay on the system, but they will disappear from the menu. To return them back, repeat the steps and uncheck the boxes. On some firmware (POCO Launcher, MIUI 14 Global), this method may not work, in which case use third-party launchers like Nova Launcher.

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If after hiding the Google Play icons, the Store becomes unavailable for installing applications, return it through the launcher settings or use alternative stores (Aurora Store, APKMirror).

Method 3: Remove Google App Updates (memory free)

Many Google apps (Google Play Services, Google Play Store, YouTube) are automatically updated, taking up hundreds of megabytes of memory. They can't be removed completely without root rights, but you can roll back to the factory version, saving space.

How to do this:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find the right app (e.g. Google Play Store).
• 📥 Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Remove updates.
• ✅ Confirm the action.

After rollback, the app will return to the version preinstalled on the smartphone. Updates will no longer be installed automatically, but some features may not work correctly. For example, YouTube does not support the latest video formats without updates, and the Google Play Store may give errors when installing applications.

Method 4: Google Removal via ADB (no root rights, but with risks)

For those who are willing to take drastic measures, but do not want to get root access, the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) removal method is suitable. It allows you to uninstall system applications without unlocking the bootloader, but requires a connection to a PC and knowledge of commands.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on the MIUI Version (or HyperOS Version) to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and enable USB Debugging.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and install Xiaomi USB Drivers (download from the official website).
3. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB (download Platform Tools from Google).
4. Follow the commands (replace package.name with the real name of the package): adb devices adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.gms Examples of packets to delete: com.google.android.gms - Google Play Services com.android.vending - Google Play Store com.google.android.youtube - YouTube

Once the commands are executed, the applications will disappear, but some MIUI/HyperOS functions will stop working (for example, synchronizing a Xiaomi account, push notifications in messengers). To return everything back, you just need to reset your settings or reflash your phone.

⚠️ Warning: Deleting com.google.android.gms will lead to critical disruptions MIUI/HyperOS Most of the models are Redmi Note 11, POCO F4, Xiaomi 12 Without this package, the following will stop working: push notifications on Telegram, WhatsApp; geolocation in maps and taxis; authorization through Google in games and services).

Method 5: Completely remove Google with root rights (for power users)

The most radical method is to obtain root rights and delete Google packets through the file system, which gives you complete control of the phone, but deprives you of warranty and can lead to a device "brick" if you make an error.

What will be required:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader) - instructions on the official website of Xiaomi.
• 📱 Established custom recaveri (TWRP Or OrangeFox).
• 💻 Magisk Program for Root Rights.
• 🗃️ File Manager with support for root (for example, Root Explorer or Root Explorer) FX File Explorer).

The removal process:

1. Install Magisk and get root access.
2. Open the file manager and go to /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/.
3. Delete folders with Google packages (e.g. PrebuiltGmsCore, Phonesky for Play Store).
4. Reboot the phone.

Google services will be permanently removed, but some MIUI/HyperOS features will stop working (such as themes, Xiaomi cloud storage, contact sync) and will require firmware reflashing to restore them.

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Getting a root license on Xiaomi from 2023 has become more difficult due to the lock bootloader on new models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13). XDA Developers or 4PDA.

What to do if your phone is not working properly after Google is deleted

If you have problems after manipulating Google applications (no notifications, no geolocation, system applications fly out), try the following steps:

• 🔄 Resetting settings: Go to Settings → The phone. → Resetting. This will bring back all the deleted applications, but it will save personal data (photos, contacts).
• 📥 Manual installation of Google Play Services: Download the latest version APK from APKMirror and install manually.
• 🔧 Fastboot Flash: If the phone doesn’t turn on or is constantly restarting, run the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions on the Xiaomi website).

If none of the methods worked, contact the Xiaomi service center – self-repair attempts after deleting system files can lead to a loss of warranty.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Google's removal from Xiaomi