How to Remove Google Apps from Xiaomi Phone: 5 Ways to Remove Google Apps

Google’s pre-installed services on Xiaomi smartphones take up space in memory, consume battery power and collect user data — even if you don’t use them. The manufacturer integrates GMS (Google Mobile Services) into MIUI and HyperOS firmware by default, but not all owners need the Google Play Store, YouTube or Chrome. This is especially true for users in China (where Google is blocked) or those who prefer alternative services.

However, simply removing icons from the desktop doesn’t solve the problem: apps continue to run in the background, update and consume resources. In this article, we’ll explore all possible methods, from secure disabling to radical removal through the use of a computer. ADB, including nuances for different versions MIUI/HyperOS and Xiaomi models, Redmi, POCO. You will also learn which programs can be removed without risk to the system, and which should not be touched.

⚠️ Important: Some methods require unlocking the bootloader and the rights of the superuser (root).This can lead to a loss of warranty, malfunction of the phone or lock the Mi Account!

1 What Google programs can be safely removed from Xiaomi

Not all Google services are equally useful — some are critical to the system, and some just take up space. Below is a table divided into secure to remove and system-critical applications.

If you don’t use Google services at all (e.g., you only log in through Mi Account), you can remove all apps from the first group, but remember that without Google Play Services, many programs (including WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok) may not work correctly or at all.

💡 Tip: Before mass removal, check which apps are actually using up resources. → Battery and productivity → Battery usage and sort the list by consumption.

2. Method 1: Disabling Google Apps without Deleting

The safest method is to deactivate unnecessary services, which will not free up disk space, but will stop background activity and updates, and is suitable for users who want to temporarily suspend Google or test alternative solutions.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter the name of the application (for example, YouTube).
• ⚙️ Click on the app. → Disable (if the button is inactive, first click Remove Updates).
• ✅ Confirm the action in the dialog window.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Google Play Services) cannot be disabled in the standard way. ADB (see method 4).

📌 What's the blackout doing:

• ⏳ Background processes are stopped (the battery charge is saved).
• 🚫 Applications are not automatically updated.
• 📥 Icons disappear from the menu, but the files remain in memory.

3. Method 2: Remove via settings (without root)

Some Google apps can be removed with standard MIUI/HyperOS tools, but only if they have been installed as upgrades on top of the system.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (like Google Duo or Google Tips).
3. Click Remove Updates (if the button is active).
4. If you have the option to delete (not "disable"), click it.

Important: This method only works for applications that have been updated through the Play Store. System versions (for example, com.google.android.gm for Gmail) can not be removed.

🔧 Alternative: If the Remove button is inactive, try resetting the app to the factory version:

1. In the app menu, click Storage.
2. Choose Clear Data and Clear Cache.
3. Go back and click Remove Updates.

Method 3: Removal via ADB (without root but with PC)

Deep removal of Google system applications requires an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) tool, which does not require superuser rights, but requires a computer and enabled USB debugging.

📌 What's the matter:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 📋 Installed Xiaomi drivers (download from the official website).
• 🔧 ADB Tools by Google.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on the MIUI version (you will be notified "You've become a developer").

USB debugging

Settings → Additional → For Developers

Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the trusted device.

ADB

adb devices

The serial number of your device should appear.

YouTube

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

🔹 List of popular removal packages:

• 🎵 com.google.android.music - Google Play Music
• 📺 com.google.android.videos - Google Play Movies
• 📊 com.google.android.apps.photos - Google Photos
• 📧 com.google.android.gm — Gmail

⚠️ Note: Deleting com.google.android.gms (Google Play Services) will cause many applications to fail. If you are not sure, first disable the application through settings and check the stability of the system during the course of the application. 1-2 days.

5. Method 4: Complete removal with root rights (for experienced)

If you’re willing to sacrifice the warranty and unlock the bootloader, root access will give you the best possible cleanup experience, a method that allows you to remove any Google apps, including Google Play Services, but requires caution.

🛠️ What needs to be done:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (can take up to 7 days to wait) SMS-code).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP) for your model.
3. Switch to Magisk to get root rights.
4. Use Root Explorer or Titanium Backup to remove system APKs.

📁 Where to find Google files:

• 📂 /system/priv-app/ — system applications (e.g, PrebuiltGmsCore/ Google Play Services).
• 📂 /system/app/ — standard.
• 📂 /data/app/ — User applications (updates).

⚠️ Critical warnings:

⚠️ Deleting the Google Services Framework (com.google.android.gsf) will result in the loss of the ability to use a Google account on your device.

⚠️ On some models (Xiaomi) 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) Google’s removal could cause Widevine problems L1 (downgrad L3), What will make streaming on Netflix and Disney worse?+.

🔧 Recommendation: Before deleting, back up the section /system through TWRP. This will allow the system to be restored in case of failure.

💡

If push notifications in instant messengers have stopped working after Google Play Services has been removed, install MicroG, an open alternative with GCM support.

6. Method 5: Flash to a version without Google (for advanced)

The most radical way is to install firmware without Google services, which is relevant for users who want to completely get rid of GMS and use alternative ecosystems (for example, Huawei AppGallery or F-Droid).

🌍 Firmware options:

• 📱 MIUI Europe – a modified version with the choice of Google or without.
• 🚀 LineageOS - custom firmware with open source (supports MicroG).
• 🛡️ GrapheneOS – firmware with a focus on security (requires a compatible device).

🔧 How to ask again:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see Method 4).
2. Download the right firmware for your model from the XDA Developers forum or MIUI Europe.
3. Install it via TWRP or Fastboot (instructions depend on firmware).
4. When you first start, select the option without Google (if available).

⚠️ Important: Firmware without Google may not support:

• 🎮 Google Play Protect games (such as Genshin Impact).
• 💳 Banking applications (due to lack of SafetyNet).
• 📱 Certain functions MIUI/HyperOS (For example, cloud backup).

💡 Tip: Before flashing, check user reviews of your model. For example, on Xiaomi 12 Pro, some custom firmware breaks the main camera.

7.How to check if Google services are actually deleted

After cleaning the system, it's important to make sure that unnecessary processes don't work anymore.

🔍 Verification methods:

• 📊 Task Manager: Open Settings → Annexes → Run and check if Google’s process list is listed.
• 🔋 Battery Consumption: Go to Settings → Battery → Battery usage and sort by consumption.Google apps shouldn't show up.
• 📡 Network activity: Use the NetGuard or PCAPdroid app to track which programs are sending data to Google servers.
• 📂 File Verification: Through a file manager (such as Solid Explorer) check folders: /system/priv-app/ /data/app/ (Look for files with com.google in the name).

📌 Command to check through ADB:

adb shell pm list packages | grep 'google'

If the output is empty, all Google packets are deleted. If the system ones are left (for example, com.google.android.gsf), but they are disabled, that's fine.

💡

Even after you delete some services (such as Google Play Services), the system can restore them after the MIUI/HyperOS updates. To avoid this, disable automatic system updates in the settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Google's removal from Xiaomi