How to Remove YouTube App from Xiaomi: From Simple to Complex

The YouTube app on Xiaomi smartphones is often installed by default — as part of the Google Mobile Services (GMS) package or through a manufacturer pre-load. Even if you don't use the service, it takes up space in memory, consumes battery power in the background and can show annoying notifications. Unfortunately, simply clicking "Delete" in the app menu often doesn't work: the system either hides the button or offers only a shutdown, not a complete deletion.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to remove YouTube from Xiaomi smartphones, including the MIUI 12-14-based Redmi, Poco and Mi models. From standard methods through settings to advanced ones using ADB and superuser rights. Importantly, some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights, which can affect the warranty and security of the device. We will indicate the risks for each option.

Why is YouTube not being removed in the standard way?

The YouTube app on Xiaomi can be of two types:

• 📦 Systems -- sewn into firmware. MIUI It is part of Google Play Services, and it cannot be removed without additional tools.
• 📱 Custom - installed via Google Play or manually (.apk) and can be removed in the usual way.

To understand what type you have, go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → YouTube. If the "Delete" button is inactive or not, the app is system. 🔄 (Update next to the name: if it is, then YouTube has been updated through the Play Market, and it can be rolled back to the factory version (more about this below).

Smartphone manufacturers (including Xiaomi) often block removal of system applications to:

• 🔒 Keep compatible with Google services (e.g. Google Pay or Play Protect).
• 📊 Receive data about the use of the device (anonymous statistics).
• 💰 Maintaining partnerships with Google (e.g. pre-installing YouTube Music or Google) TV).

⚠️ Attention: Deleting system applications can cause Google Play Services to crash, account sync errors, or even launcher crashes!

Method 1: Standard removal (if available)

If YouTube has been manually installed or updated through the Play Market, it can be removed in the standard way:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find YouTube in the list (use search if there are many apps).
3. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Remove.
4. Confirm the action.

If you don't have a Remove button, but you have a Disable button, it's a system application, and then you can try rolling it back to the factory version:

1. In the same app management menu, click on three dots (⋮) and select Remove Updates.
2. Confirm the action. The app will go back to the original version.
3. The “Delete” button can now be activated.

Method 2: Disable YouTube (without deletion)

If it's impossible or risky to completely remove it, you can turn it off, it stops it from working, hides the icon from the menu, and prevents background activity, and it's safe and doesn't require root rights.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → YouTube.
2. Click Disable (button is usually gray).
3. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After the shutdown:

• ✅ YouTube icon will disappear from the app menu.
• ✅ The app will not be updated through the Play Market.
• ✅ Background processes and notifications will be stopped.
• ❌ The application files will remain in the device memory (taking up the device). ~50–100 MB).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI The disabled application can be activated again after the system update. MIUI!

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If you want to free up space after you turn off YouTube, use the built-in Cleanup tool in MIUI: go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup and select Deep Cleanup. This will delete the app's cache and temporary files.

Method 3: Removal via ADB (without root)

If standard methods don’t work, you can delete YouTube using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which doesn’t require root rights, but requires connecting the phone to a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Installed drivers ADB and Fastboot for Xiaomi.
• 🔓 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers. Activate USB Debugging and OEM Unlock options.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in the computer on your smartphone screen.
3. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

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

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

If the command is successful, the application will be removed for the current user (without affecting system files).

Method 4: Removal with root rights

If you're willing to take drastic measures, getting root rights will allow you to delete YouTube completely, including system files.

• 🔓 Requires unlocking the bootloader, which will reset the phone to factory settings.
• 🛡️ Could disrupt Google Play Services and other system components.
• 🚫 Deprives the warranty (if the device is warranty).

How to get root on Xiaomi:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Please use Magisk to obtain root rights.

Delete YouTube via root:

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.
3. Delete the folder with the application or rename it (for example, in the YouTube_bak).
4. Reset the device.

An alternative way to use Titanium Backup is to use the following:

1. Open Titanium Backup and find YouTube in the list.
2. Choose Delete! (not "Freeze").
3. Confirm the removal of the system application.

⚠️ Attention: Removal of system APK-Files can lead to bootloop (locked loading) or errors in work MIUI. Before experimenting, create a full backup through TWRP!

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If other Google services (such as Google Play Market or Gmail) have stopped working after YouTube is deleted, restore deleted files from the backup or reflash the firmware.

Method 5: Using custom firmware

The most radical, but also the most effective way to get rid of YouTube and other system applications is to install custom firmware without Google Services (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience without GAPPS).

• 📱 Users who do not use Google services.
• 🔒 Those who value privacy and want to minimize data collection.
• 🛠️ Enthusiasts willing to sacrifice stability for flexibility.

Pros:

• ✅ Full control over installed applications.
• ✅ The ability to choose firmware without Google or with a minimum set of services.
• ✅ Regular updates from the community (e.g. LineageOS supports even older Xiaomi models).

Cons:

• ❌ Installation difficulty (requires unlocking the bootloader, firmware) TWRP, Choosing the Right Version of the Firmware).
• ❌ Possible bugs (e.g., a broken camera or sensors).
• ❌ Lack of official support for Xiaomi.

Recommended Firmware without YouTube:

Before installing custom firmware:

1. Backup all data (including NANDroid backup via TWRP).
2. Check firmware compatibility with your Xiaomi model (on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums).
3. Make sure the bootloader is unlocked (fastboot oem unlock command).

What if YouTube is back after the update?

Even if you successfully delete YouTube, it may reappear after the MIUI update.

• 🔄 The firmware contains Google system apps that are restored when updated.
• 📦 Xiaomi may add new pre-installed apps to new versions MIUI.

How to prevent YouTube from returning:

1. Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system. Press three dots (⋮) and select Update Settings. Turn off Autoboot via Wi-Fi.

If YouTube is back, repeat the removal process via ADB or root.

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To get rid of YouTube forever, consider switching to custom firmware without Google Services or use Magisk to block its installation.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing YouTube from Xiaomi