How to remove YouTube app from Xiaomi devices: Smart TVs and phones

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones and smart TVs often face a problem: the built-in YouTube app cannot be removed by standard methods, it takes up space in memory, updates in the background and can interfere with the operation of the device, especially for budget models with limited internal memory, where every megabyte counts.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to remove YouTube from Xiaomi devices, from simple (no root rights) to radical (with a complete reset system). Separately, we will consider the nuances for smartphones on MIUI and TVs on Android TV. All methods are tested on current versions of firmware (2023-2026) and do not require special technical skills.

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

The YouTube app on Xiaomi devices is system (or pre-installed) which means it is integrated into firmware and is protected from accidental removal.

• 🔹 Google Partner Agreements – Many Functions MIUI Android TV Google is a part of Google, and YouTube is part of it.
• 🔹 Optimize your work – some Xiaomi models use YouTube to stream on embedded screens or in Cast mode.
• 🔹 Security – removing system applications can disrupt OS stability, so MIUI block such an opportunity.

But there are workarounds, like on smartphones, you can turn off the app, and on TVs, you can replace it with YouTube Lite or the web version, and let's take a closer look at all of the options.

Method 1: Disable YouTube without deleting (for smartphones)

If you don’t have to completely erase the app, but just hide it and stop background activity, use the built-in MIUI settings. This method works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with the MIUI 12 firmware version and later.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, enter YouTube and select the app from the list.
3. Click Disable (or Remove Updates if the button is active).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After the shutdown:

• 📱 YouTube icon will disappear from the app menu.
• 🔄 The app will stop updating through Google Play.
• 📵 Background processes (such as notifications) will be stopped.

⚠️ Warning: The disabled application still takes up space in the device’s memory (usually 50–150MB).To free up space, you will need to completely delete it (see methods 3–5).

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If the "Disable" button is inactive, try first to delete all YouTube updates through Settings → Apps → YouTube → Remove updates. After that, the "Disable" option should appear.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root rights)

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method allows you to completely remove YouTube from your Xiaomi smartphone without obtaining root rights.This is an official tool from Google, but requires you to connect the device to your computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download from Google or through Xiaomi) ADB/Fastboot Tools).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the smartphone to the computer and allow debugging (a request will appear on the phone screen).
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, follow the command to delete YouTube:

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

For Xiaomi TVs (on Android TV), the team will be different:

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

⚠️ Attention: After removal through ADB YouTube will disappear from the system, but may return after resetting settings or updating the firmware. To prevent this, turn off automatic application recovery in Settings. → Accounts. → Google → Application recovery.

USB | Installed drivers ADB| Smartphone connected to PC | Command line open on behalf of administrator-->

Method 3: Delete with Magisk (for root users)

If your Xiaomi device has root rights (obtained through Magisk, TWRP, or other tools), you can remove YouTube as a regular user application, a method that is suitable for power users, as it requires unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom recap.

Instructions:

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

The following is the Magisk Universal YouTube Debloater:

• 📱 Download the module from the Magisk repository.
• 🔧 Install it through the Magisk Manager app.
• 🔄 Reset the device.

Advantages of this method:

• 🧹 Complete removal without traces.
• 🔒 Ability to return the application through the module rollback.
• 🛡️ No risk of damaging system files (if you use verified modules).

Method 4: Remove YouTube from Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV, Redmi TV)

On Xiaomi TVs with Android TV or Google TV, YouTube deletion has its nuances. Standard methods (disable or ADB) may not work due to manufacturer restrictions.

Option 1: Reset to factory settings

It's a radical method, but it's guaranteed to delete all user data, including YouTube updates, but the app itself can come back after the first Internet connection.

1. Go to Settings → Device → Reset → Erase all data.
2. Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter) PIN-code).
3. After rebooting, don’t connect your Google account right away – first disable YouTube via ADB (see Method 2).

Option 2: Replacement with YouTube Lite

If you only need basic YouTube functionality (watching videos without a background), install YouTube Lite from Google Play and disable the main app:

• 📺 Install YouTube Go (for weak TV) or YouTube Lite (if available in your area).
• 🔧 Turn off standard YouTube via Settings → Annexes → YouTube → Shut down.
• 📵 Prohibit background activity in the application settings.

Option 3: Blocking through parental control

If YouTube is disturbing children or you want to restrict access to it, use the built-in parental controls:

1. Go to Settings → Security and Restrictions → Parental Controls.
2. Create. PIN-code.
3. In the list of apps, find YouTube and block it.

⚠️ Note: On some Mi models TV (Like Mi. TV 4S or Redmi Smart TV X) YouTube is integrated into the launcher and cannot be removed without losing the functionality of Google Cast, in which case the only way out is to use external devices (for example, Fire). TV Stick or Apple TV) YouTube.

Method 5: Flashing the device (extreme case)

If none of the methods worked, it remains to flash the device to a custom or modified version. MIUI/Android TV. This method is suitable only for experienced users, as it carries risks:

• 🚨 Loss of warranty if the device is new).
• 🔧 Possibility of "bricking" (turning into a "brick") in case of error.
• 🔄 Loss of all data (if backup is not made).

How to proceed:

1. Download custom firmware without GApps (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) from the XDA Developers or 4PDA forum.
2. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-30 days).
3. Install TWRP Recovery and run through it the downloaded firmware.

Advantages:

• 🧹 Complete removal of all system applications, including YouTube.
• 🔧 Ability to fine-tune the system.
• 📈 Increased productivity (due to the lack of excess software).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Risk of losing functionality (e.g, IR Blaster or Mi Remote may not work).
• 🔄 Lack of official security updates.

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Flashing is a last resort. Before you start, make sure you have a backup of the data and you understand the risks. On Xiaomi TVs, flashing it can lead to the loss of license keys for Netflix or Disney+!

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you delete YouTube from Xiaomi devices, users often face typical problems, and consider the most common and ways to solve them:

A few more tips:

• 🔍 Before deleting, check if YouTube is used by other apps (for example, for streaming on Mi). TV).
• 📡 If Google Cast is missing after removal, install alternative screen mirroring software (e.g. LocalCast).
• 🔄 Check firmware updates regularly – sometimes Xiaomi adds the option to remove unnecessary apps in newer versions. MIUI.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions