How to permanently remove YouTube app from Android on Xiaomi: 3 proven methods

The built-in YouTube app on Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi series) is often a source of annoyance: it takes up space in memory, consumes traffic in the background and is not deleted by standard methods. Unlike conventional programs that can be uninstalled through the settings menu, YouTube is a system application and is protected from simple deletion.

In this article, we’ll discuss three working ways to completely remove YouTube from Xiaomi devices, from disabling through settings to deep deletion using ADB. Each method has its own nuances: some require superuser rights (root), others work without them, but with restrictions. It’s important to understand that removing a system application can affect the stability of MIUI, especially if you use features related to Google services. Before you start, back up your data!

Why is YouTube not being removed in the standard way?

The YouTube app on Xiaomi is a pre-installed system program (called bloatware), which means it's embedded in MIUI firmware and is protected from accidental removal, and manufacturers do this for a number of reasons:

• 🤝 Partnering agreements with Google: most Xiaomi smartphones are certified to work with Google Play services, which obliges to include a basic set of applications in the firmware, including YouTube.
• 📱 Integration with MIUI: Some shell features (e.g., fast video access via search or Quick Apps) may depend on system versions of applications.
• 🔄 Automatic Updates: Even if you turn off YouTube, it can recover after a firmware update or through the Google Play Store.

A standard click on Delete in the app menu only leads to the icon being hidden, not uninstalled. Program files remain in the device's memory and processes continue to work in the background. More radical measures will be needed to remove YouTube permanently.

Method 1: Disable YouTube without removing (without root)

If you don't have to physically delete an application, but you just have to shut it down and hide it from the system, this is the best way to do it. It doesn't require superuser rights and it's reversible.

Steps:

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 “Delete Updates” if the off button is inactive).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After that:

• 📵 YouTube icon will disappear from the app menu.
• 🚫 The app will stop receiving updates via Google Play.
• ⚠️ The program files will remain in memory (take up) ~50–100 MB).

Backup of important data

Check the version of MIUI (Settings → About the phone)

Disable Auto Update in Google Play for YouTube

Make sure the device has enough charge (minimum 30%)

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⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO F3) After disabling YouTube, errors may occur in the operation of Google Play Services. If you notice a failure, turn the application back on.

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)

A more radical method is to remove YouTube using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which does not require root rights, but requires connecting the smartphone to a computer and installing special drivers.

Advantages of the method:

• 🧹 Complete deletion of application files (released) ~100–150 MB of memory).
• 🔧 It works on most Xiaomi models (including Redmi, POCO, Mi).
• 🔄 The ability to return the application through re-installation from Google Play.

Instructions:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
2. Activate Developer Mode on your smartphone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Press 7 times on MIUI Version. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB Debugging.

File transfer

ADB

adb devices

Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).

YouTube

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

If the command is correct, the app is removed, and to return it, you just need to install YouTube from the Google Play Store.

Method 3: Complete removal with root rights (for experienced)

If you are willing to take drastic measures and have root access (unlocked bootloader + installed Magisk or SuperSU), you can delete YouTube at the system file level.This method is irreversible without flashing the device and can lead to unstable MIUI operation if executed incorrectly.

Step-by-step:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/YouTube or /system/app/YouTube (the path may vary depending on the version of MIUI).
3. Delete the YouTube folder or rename it (for example, in the YouTube_bak).
4. Reset the device.

Alternatively, use ADB with root rights:

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/YouTube




reboot

⚠️ Note: Deleting system files without a backup may result in a bootloop ( looped reboot) or loss of functionality of Google Services. TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery.

💡

If other apps (such as Google Play Store or Gmail) have stopped working after YouTube is deleted, try clearing the cache and data of these programs in the settings. If the problem does not disappear, restore the deleted files from the backup.

How to prevent the re-installation of YouTube?

Even after successful removal, YouTube may return after:

• 🔄 Firmware updates MIUI (The application will be restored as a system).
• 📥 Automatic updates via Google Play Store.
• 🔧 Resetting settings to factory.

To avoid this:

1. Turn off auto-update in Google Play: Open Google Play Store → click on profile avatar → Settings → Network settings → Auto-update apps. select “Never”.

Lock the installation.

ADB

adb shell pm hide com.google.android.youtube

This command hides the application from the system, but does not physically remove it.

Use alternative launchers

Nova Launcher

If YouTube is back after the MIUI update, repeat the deletion procedure. Some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14 and later) may need to disable MIUI Optimization in the developer settings.

YouTube Alternatives: Which Apps to Use?

If you have removed YouTube but want to continue watching videos, consider the alternatives:

To install NewPipe or SkyTube, download APK from official sites (newpipe.net or skytube-app.com) as these apps are not available on Google Play.

💡

If you want to sync your subscriptions and browsing history, use NewPipe with MicroG login (an alternative to Google Services) to keep the functionality unbound to your Google account.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you delete YouTube, users often face problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🔧 Error "Failed to uninstall" in ADB: Reason: App protected by flag INSTALL_FAILED_DEXOPT. Solution: Use a command with a flag --user 0 (As in the instructions above, or try: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.youtube
• 📵 YouTube is gone, but traffic is still being consumed: Reason: Google Play Services background processes are working. Solution: Turn off background activity in Google account settings.
• 🔄 App returned after reboot: Reason: MIUI Solution: Repeat deletion through ADB and turn it off MIUI Optimization.

If other Google services (such as Gmail or Maps) have stopped working after YouTube has been deleted, try:

1. Clear the cache and data of Google Play Services.
2. Reinstall Google Play Services via APKMirror.
3. Reset your Google Account settings on your device.