How to permanently remove YouTube from Xiaomi phone: from shutdown to complete erasure

YouTube is preinstalled on all Xiaomi smartphones and often works as a system app – it cannot be removed in the standard way through the Apps menu. → Annexes → YouTube system offers only to disable updates or reset settings, but does not erase APK-This creates problems: the application takes up space in memory, consumes resources in the background and can automatically update through Google Play.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to remove YouTube from Xiaomi, including ways for users without root rights and advanced options using ADB or custom firmware. We will discuss how to completely erase the application, disable its updates, and what to do if after removal there are errors in the work of Google Play Services or other Google services. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-15 (including global and Chinese versions) and models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Why YouTube can’t be removed in the standard way

On Xiaomi smartphones, YouTube is a system app (or "bloatware"), which means that:

• 📦 His. APK-file-stitched /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/ firmware MIUI.
• 🔒 The system blocks direct deletion without superuser rights (root).
• 🔄 Even after “deleting” through the app menu, it is restored after resetting settings or updating. MIUI.
• 📱 In some models (for example, POCO F5 or Redmi K60) YouTube is integrated into Google Play Services, making it harder to remove.

The manufacturer does this for several reasons:

1. Contractual obligations to Google – for the certification of devices under Google Mobile Services (GMS).
2. Monetization – pre-installed applications generate revenue from advertising and affiliate programs.
3. User Convenience – Xiaomi believes that most users need YouTube out of the box.

However, for those who do not use the service or prefer alternatives (for example, NewPipe or Vanced), preinstalled YouTube becomes a burden.

• 📉 It takes up to 100-150 MB of memory space (along with cache and data).
• 🔋 Consumes up to 5-10% of battery power per week due to background activity.
• 🚫 You may be in conflict with alternative YouTube clients.

Method 1: Disable YouTube without removing (without root)

If you don't have to completely erase an app, you just have to turn it off, use this method. It's safe, it doesn't require superuser rights, and it's reversible.

Steps:

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 Disable button is inactive).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

What happens after the shutdown:

• ✅ YouTube icon will disappear from the app menu.
• ✅ The app will stop updating through Google Play.
• ✅ YouTube Background Processes Will Be Stopped (Battery Savings).
• ❌ APK-The file will remain in the system and will take up space (about 50-80 MB).

If the Disable button is inactive, try:

1. First, click Remove Updates, then reopen the app menu.
2. Use ADB (see Method 3).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (For example, the Chinese version is not GMS) Disabling YouTube may cause errors in the Google Play Services, in which case it is recommended to use Method 2 (hiding the icons).

Method 2: Hiding the YouTube icon (without deleting)

If you are only disturbed by the app icon in the menu, but you do not want to remove the application itself (for example, to save space or because of the risk of errors), use the Hiding feature in MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Press the YouTube icon on the home screen or in the app menu.
2. In the menu that appears, select Hide the app (or Remove from the screen → Hide).
3. Confirm the action.

Alternative method (for MIUI 14-15):

1. Open the Settings. → Main screen screen.
2. Select Hidden Apps.
3. Add YouTube to the list of hidden ones.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require root rights or ADB.
• ✅ The app can be returned to the menu at any time.
• ✅ Does not affect the operation of other Google services.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ The application remains in the system and can be updated.
• ❌ Takes up a place in memory.
• ❌ Youtube notifications may appear (if not disabled in the settings).

💡

If, after hiding the YouTube icon, you continue to appear in the search by application, clear the launcher cache: Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache.

Method 3: Completely delete YouTube via ADB (without root)

This method allows you to completely erase APK-YouTube file without superuser rights using Android Debug Bridge (ADB). It is suitable for most Xiaomi models. MIUI 12–15.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.
2. Connect your phone to your PC: Download and unpack the platform-tools (enables adb.exe). Open the command prompt (cmd) in the adb folder. Enter the command: adb devices If the device is not detected, confirm the debugging permission on the phone screen.
3. Delete YouTube: Follow the command to check the package: adb shell pm list packages | grep youtube Usually the package name is com.google.android.youtube. Delete the app (for the user): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.youtube

If the command is successful, you will see a message of success.

• ✅ YouTube icon will disappear.
• ✅ APK-The file will be deleted for the current user (but will remain in the system).
• ✅ The app will not be updated.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (Youtube may recover after a reboot, in which case use Method 4 (with root rights) or repeat the command ADB after each reboot.

Method 4: Delete YouTube with root rights

If you have root rights (like through Magisk), you can completely erase YouTube from the system partition, which ensures that the app doesn’t recover from updates or resets.

Tools required:

• 📱 Phone with root rights (for example, after installing Magisk).
• 🛠️ Root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
• 🔧 Application for freezing system applications (optional, for example, Titanium Backup).

Instructions:

1. Open Root Explorer and provide root access.
2. Go to /system/priv-app/PrebuiltGmsCorePiX/ or (for older versions of MIUI): /system/app/YouTube/
3. Find the files: YouTube.apk and (if any) YouTube.odex
4. Remove or rename them (e.g. YouTube.apk.bak).
5. Reboot the phone.

Alternative method (via ADB root):

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




rm /system/priv-app/PrebuiltGmsCorePiX/YouTube.apk




rm /system/priv-app/PrebuiltGmsCorePiX/YouTube.odex




mount -o ro,remount /system




exit




exit

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Complete removal APK-file.
• ✅ YouTube will not recover after updates MIUI.
• ✅ Free up to 100-150 MB of memory.

⚠️ Attention: Removal of system APK-files may cause errors in the operation of Google Play Services or other services. /system through TWRP magisk.

💡

If other apps (such as Google Maps or Gmail) have stopped working after you delete YouTube, restore deleted files from a backup or reinstall Google Play Services via Magisk.

Method 5: Delete YouTube through custom firmware

The most radical, but also the most effective way is to install custom firmware without GMS (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

• ✅ Get rid of YouTube and other Google pre-installed apps.
• ✅ Install only the services you need.
• ✅ Increase battery performance and operating time.

Cons of the method:

• ❌ Requires bootloader unlocking and installation TWRP.
• ❌ Risk of "bricking" of the device with incorrect firmware.
• ❌ Loss of warranty (if the phone is under warranty).

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader: Apply for unlock through the official Xiaomi website. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off your phone, then press Volume Down + Power).
2. Install TWRP: Download the current version of TWRP for your model from the official website. Sweat recovery via fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
3. Sweep through custom firmware: Download GMS-free firmware (like LineageOS for microG). Download to TWRP (Loud up + Power). Make Wipe → Advanced Wipe (select Dalvik, Cache, System, Data). Install the firmware through Install.

After installing custom firmware, you can:

• 📥 Install only the right Google apps via microG or Open GApps.
• 🚀 Use alternative YouTube clients (e.g., NewPipe) without conflict.
• 🔒 Completely control background processes.

💡

Before you run your firmware, check the compatibility of custom firmware with your Xiaomi model on the XDA Developers forum.Some firmware (e.g., for POCO F1) may not support cameras or communication modules.

What to do if other apps stop working after YouTube is deleted

Deleting YouTube could affect other Google services, as it is integrated into Google Play Services.

• 🔄 Google Play Store Is Getting a Mistake DF-DFERH-01.
• 📍 Google Maps does not identify location.
• 🔑 Google Authorization or Push Notifications Are Not Working.

Decisions:

If problems persist, return deleted YouTube files from backup or reset settings (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset).

YouTube Alternatives for Xiaomi: What to install instead of a remote app

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

• 🎥 NewPipe is an open YouTube client with ad blocking, background playback and video download.
• 📺 Vanced (unofficial) – modified YouTube with ad blocking and additional features. Requires installation via Vanced Manager.
• 🌐 Brave Browser – a browser with built-in ad blocking and support for background playback YouTube.
• 📱 SkyTube is an alternative open source client (available in F-Droid).

Comparison of alternatives:

Google Play Services is not required to install NewPipe or SkyTube, making them ideal for custom firmware without GMS.

⚠️ Note: Using modified YouTube clients (e.g. Vanced) may violate the terms of use of the service.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing YouTube from Xiaomi