How to completely remove the YouTube app on Xiaomi smartphones: all ways

The YouTube app on Xiaomi smartphones is often a source of annoyance: it takes up space in memory, consumes traffic in the background and does not allow itself to be deleted by standard means. Even after clicking “Delete” in the app menu, the system simply resets the updates, leaving the preinstalled version. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to get rid of YouTube on Xiaomi — from temporary disabling to completely deleting system files, including methods for devices without root rights and with an unlocked bootloader.

Complicating the problem is that MIUI (and now HyperOS) aggressively protects system applications. Simple removal via Settings → Apps won’t work – the system will return YouTube after a reboot or update. We tested all methods on Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO X5 Pro and Xiaomi 13T models with the latest firmware versions, so the instructions are relevant for most of the brand’s modern devices.

Why YouTube can’t be removed in the standard way

The built-in YouTube app on Xiaomi is classified as system apps that are protected from removal for several reasons:

• 📦 Google license agreements: Xiaomi must pre-installe key Google services, including YouTube, to get Google Mobile Services support (GMS).
• 🔒 Protection against system "breakdown: MIUI/HyperOS Blocks the removal of critical applications to prevent service failures (e.g., login via Google).
• 🔄 Recovery mechanism: even if removed APK-manually, the system will restore it the next time you update or reset your settings.

Moreover, starting with MIUI 13 and HyperOS, Xiaomi has implemented additional protection: applications from the /system/priv-app/ folder (which includes YouTube) cannot be deleted without superuser rights.Attempt to delete them via ADB or file manager will result in a "Read-only file system" error unless you remount the partition as read-write.

⚠️ Attention: Removing system applications can lead to unstable smartphone operation, update issues, or even a "brick" (breaking firmware!

Method 1: Turn off YouTube without deleting (the safest)

If you just need to hide YouTube and prevent it from running in the background, you just need to turn the app off via the settings. This method does not require root rights and is completely reversible:

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

After the shutdown:

• 🚫 YouTube icon will disappear from the app menu.
• 📵 The app will stop receiving updates via Google Play.
• 🔄 YouTube Background Processes Will Be Stopped (Saves Battery).

💡

If the “Disable” button is inactive, try first to remove all YouTube updates through the same app settings screen.

Cons of the method:

• 📦 The application will remain in the device memory (takes up) ~50–100 MB).
• 🔄 After resetting settings or updating MIUI YouTube may be activated again.

Method 2: Remove updates and block them via ADB

A more radical method is to remove YouTube updates and block their installation via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This does not require root rights, but requires connecting the smartphone to a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on Xiaomi (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

Enable debugging over USB on Xiaomi|

Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in the device |

Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB|

Check the connection of the team `adb devices` (The serial number of the phone should be displayed)-->

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

This team:

• 🗑️ Remove all YouTube updates for current user (--user 0).
• 🔒 Pre-installed version (flag) -k), to avoid system failure.

To block future updates, do:

adb shell dumpsys package com.google.android.youtube | grep "versionName"

Remember the current version (e.g. 17.45.36) and create a rule in Google Play:

1. Open Google Play on your phone.
2. Find YouTube, click on three dots → “Do not update”.

⚠️ Warning: After flashing or resetting the settings, the lock will be removed! ADB After each major update MIUI/HyperOS.

Method 3: Completely delete YouTube via TWRP (requires an unlocked bootloader)

If you are ready for radical measures and your Xiaomi has unlocked the bootloader, you can delete YouTube permanently through custom TWRP restoration.

What to do before you start:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool (can take up to 72 hours to wait).
• 📥 Install TWRP For your Xiaomi model.
• 📦 Make a full backup system through TWRP (Backup → Select all sections).

Instructions for removal:

1. Boot into TWRP mode (turn off the phone, then press Power + Volume up).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Open /system/priv-app/PrebuiltGmsCore (or /system/priv-app/YouTube on some firmware).
4. Delete files: YouTube.apk YouTube.odex (if any) Lib folder (if present)

Reboot → System

Method 4: Using Magisk and Universal Android Debloater

For users with root rights (obtained through Magisk), there is an elegant solution - the Universal Android Debloater module, which allows you to remove system applications without risking damage to the firmware.

How it works:

1. Install Magisk (see instructions for your model on XDA-Developers).
2. Download the Universal Android Debloater module in.zip format.
3. In the Magisk app, go to Modules → Install from storage and select the downloaded file.
4. Reset the device.
5. After downloading, open Terminal (or Termux) and type: su uad
6. In the list of apps, search com.google.android.youtube and select the Uninstall option.

Disconnection through settings |

Removal of updates via ADB|

Complete removal via TWRP|

Use of Magisk and Debloater|

Don't delete YouTube.-->

Method 5: Alternative launcher and hiding icons

If you just need to hide YouTube from your eyes, but not physically remove it, use a custom launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair).

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Click and hold the empty space on the home screen → “Start-up Settings”.
3. Go to App Settings → Hide Apps.
4. Select YouTube from the list and confirm.

Additional benefits:

• 🎨 Customization of the appearance of the screen (themes, icons, gestures).
• 🔍 Ability to hide other system applications (e.g. Mi Video or Games).
• 🔄 Easy return of the icon back (just cancel the hiding in the settings).

💡

Using custom launcher is the only method that does not affect the operation of the system and does not require technical knowledge, suitable for users who want to just remove YouTube from view, but keep it available if necessary.

What to do if YouTube is back after the update

Even after successful removal, YouTube may return after:

• 🔄 Updates MIUI/HyperOS through OTA.
• 📱 Resetting settings to factory.
• 🔧 Recovery with the Mi Flash Tool.

How to prevent returns:

1. Turn off automatic MIUI update: Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Points → Settings → Turn off “Downloading”.
2. Block YouTube installation via ADB (perform after each update): adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.youtube This command “deceives” the system, making it think that YouTube is already installed.
3. Use the DisableForceEncrypt Magisk module (for advanced users) to prevent system applications from recovering.

⚠️ Note: Since HyperOS, Xiaomi has implemented System App Protector, which automatically restores remote applications. APK-To get around this, after you delete YouTube, block access to Google domains through a file. /etc/hosts or an app like Blokada.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing YouTube on Xiaomi