Xiaomi’s current smartphones come with a pre-installed Google Mobile Services (GMS) package that provides apps, contacts synchronization and geolocation. However, many users, especially in the face of sanctions or those seeking maximum privacy, are wondering about completely clearing Google’s code, a complex process that requires understanding the Android architecture and the consequences of interfering with the system partition.
Simply removing shortcuts or disabling apps in settings is often not enough, as background processes continue to consume resources and transmit data. Deep cleaning requires more radical measures, including using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or obtaining superuser rights. It is important to realize that interfering with system components can lead to instability of the device.
In this article, we will discuss various methods of deactivation and deletion of services, assess the risks and provide a step-by-step algorithm of actions, you will learn how to minimize surveillance and free RAM, while maintaining the basic functionality of a Redmi or Poco smartphone.
Why do users want to get rid of GMS?
The main reason for Google’s abandonment of the ecosystem is privacy. GMS collects a huge array of telemetry, including location history, search queries and application usage data. For users who value anonymity, having a permanent channel to communicate with the corporation’s servers is a critical vulnerability in the security of personal data.
The second important aspect is performance and autonomy. Background services like com.google.android.gms are constantly active, which leads to increased battery consumption. On low-end Xiaomi models with little RAM, disabling heavy services can significantly speed up the MIUI or HyperOS interface.
⚠️ Warning: Complete removal of system components may disrupt third-party applications dependent on Google libraries (Push notifications, maps, authorization).
Also worth noting is the sanctions situation: new Xiaomi devices released for the Chinese market or during the restrictions, services may be initially absent or not work correctly, in which cases users often try to manually implement or, conversely, permanently clean up the remaining files to avoid version conflicts.
Risk assessment before intervention in the system
Before you start taking action, you need to clearly understand the difference between disabling and deleting. Disabling through settings hides the application and stops its processes, but files remain on the disk. Deleting through ADB or root rights physically erases packets, making recovery difficult without flashing it over.
A critical point is that many banking apps and games depend on Google Play Services, which, without these components, you won’t be able to start Google Pay (or its equivalents), log into your game account, or navigate as you would otherwise like, and some apps may simply not start, leaving an error that doesn’t have the necessary components.
Another risk is that push notifications are disrupted, and many messengers and social networks use Google Notification Channels (FCMs). When services are removed, notifications may stop arriving until the app is manually opened, which can lead to important messages being missed.
What is SafetyNet and how will its removal affect banking applications?
Method 1: Basic disabling via MIUI settings
The safest, though not the most efficient, way is to use the system's built-in tools, which don't require a connection to a computer or violate warranty, but stop basic processes, but don't physically delete files.
To start, you need to go to the smartphone settings menu, find the Apps section and select All Apps, and find Google-related processes, usually Google Play Store, Google Play Services, and Google Games Services.
Clicking on a particular application will show you a button to Disable or Stop. The system can warn you that other applications may not work correctly. Confirm the action. Repeat the procedure for all Google components that the system allows to deactivate.
☑️ Checklist of baseline shutdown
It is worth noting that on Xiaomi’s global firmware, many Google system applications are protected from being removed or disabled. The button may be inactive (grey), in which case this method is powerless and requires a transition to more advanced techniques.
Method 2: Removal via ADB without Root Rights
The most effective way to clean a system without obtaining superuser rights is to use USB debugging and the ADB tool. This method allows you to remove even those packets that are hidden from the average user, but require a connection to a PC.
The first step is to activate the developer mode on the Xiaomi smartphone. → About phone and seven times quickly click on the field MIUI (or OS). After the message "You became a developer" appears, go back to the main settings menu, select Additional → For developers and turn on the debugging switch USB.
Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable. On your PC, you need to download and unpack Platform Tools. Open the command line (Terminal or CMD) in the tool folder and enter a command to check the connection:
adb devicesYou'll see a debugging permission request on your phone screen. Check "Always Allow" and click OK. If the console displays the serial number of the device, the connection is successful. You can now start deleting the packets with the command adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 <name packet>.
| Name of service | Packet name | Risk of removal |
|---|---|---|
| Google Play Store | com.android.vending | Tall (no shop) |
| Google Play Services | com.google.android.gms | Critical (multiple apps crash) |
| Google Container | com.google.android.gsf | Medium (synchronization problems) |
| Google One | com.google.android.apps.tachyon | Low (can be removed) |
⚠️ Be extremely careful when removing the com.google.android.gms package. its absence breaks the work of maps, taxi navigation and many games.
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Use Universal Android Debloater (UAD) utility, a graphical interface for ADB that automatically identifies secure to remove packages on Xiaomi, reducing the risk of error.
System Restore and Installation of Alternatives
If the service is removed, the phone becomes unstable or important functions are no longer functioning, the system can be restored. Using the ADB method without root rights, the data is not permanently deleted from the disk, but only marked as deleted for the current user.
adb shell cmd package install-existing <name packet>However, if you deleted files through a root-rights file manager, only a full reset to factory settings (Wipe Data) or flashing the device through Fastboot will help. Before starting any manipulations, be sure to create a full backup of the data.
Open alternatives can be used to replace remote services. The F-Droid store offers a variety of open source applications that do not require GMS. Some programs can be run by installing micro-G (microG) — a free implementation of Google libraries that emulates the work of services without transferring data to the corporation.
Installing alternative stores like the Aurora Store (an anonymous Google Play client) or GetApps (a Xiaomi built-in store) will allow you to download the necessary applications without completely depending on your Google account.
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Using microG allows you to run applications that require Google Services without installing official Google components, providing a balance between functionality and privacy.