Modern Xiaomi smartphones are almost impossible to imagine without a pre-installed package GMS (However, in recent years, privacy issues, the desire to free up system memory or just experimenting with custom Android builds have led users to look for ways to get rid of “google addiction”. This process is not trivial and requires a deep understanding of the operating system architecture.
It should be noted that standard system tools can not completely remove system applications. You will need special tools to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or the presence of Root rights.
Before you start active action, you need to weigh the pros and cons. Removing critical components can lead to unstable operation of the device, so the preparation for the procedure should be careful.
Why do users want to get rid of GMS?
The main reason is often the desire to improve digital hygiene, as Google Services collects a huge array of telemetry about location, search queries and smartphone usage habits, which for many becomes an insurmountable barrier to personal safety.
The second important aspect is performance: On the budget models of Redmi or Poco, the background processes of the corporation can consume a significant amount of RAM, slowing down the MIUI or HyperOS interface.
There are also scenarios where the device is used as a “clean” tablet or media center, where Google functionality is simply not needed, but only takes up space, in which case removing unnecessary services is a logical step of optimization.
⚠️ Attention: Complete removal GMS can disrupt the work of banking applications, navigators and instant messengers tied to push notifications from Google.
And don't forget the impact on autonomy: constant data synchronization in the background is one of the main consumers of energy, and turning off this module can significantly extend the life of the battery.
Preparation of the device and creation of a backup copy
Any manipulation of system files requires preparation. The first step is to create a full backup of all important data. Xiaomi's built-in tools allow you to save contacts and photos, but it is better to use local copying on your PC.
You will need to activate the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI version number seven times. After that, the Developer option will appear in the advanced settings.
In the developer menu you need to include debugging by USB. Without this option, the computer will not be able to send commands to the smartphone «USB-Debugging (security settings) if available in your firmware version.
☑️ Checklist before removing services
Make sure you have a stable internet connection and access to a computer.Mobile applications to remove system components often work less reliably than desktop utilities.
Removal via ADB without Root Rights
The most secure and common method is to use the adb shell pm uninstall command, which does not require superuser rights, but allows you to hide applications for the current user (user 0), which is effectively equivalent to deleting.
To start, download Platform Tools from Google's official website. Unpack the archive into the root folder of the disk, for example, C:\platform-tools. Connect your smartphone with a cable to your PC and select File Transfer mode.
Open the command line in the tool folder and enter the communication verification command:
adb devicesYou'll see a request for debugging permission on your smartphone screen, and after confirmation, the serial number should appear in the list of devices, and then you can start deleting the packets, and the syntax of the command is as follows:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.packetIt is important to know the exact names of packages. For example, to remove Google Play Services, a command is used to remove the com.google.android.gms package. Be extremely careful when entering names, as an error can lead to the removal of Xiaomi system components.
List of Google's main packages to remove
Use of specialized snails
Manually typing commands can be tricky for beginners. Fortunately, enthusiasts have created graphical shells that make the process much easier. One of the most popular is Universal Android Debloater.
This utility automatically identifies the connected device and shows a list of installed system applications. The program interface allows you to safely remove known “junk” packets that are marked by the community as safe to remove.
Another option is ADB AppControl, a powerful tool with a Russian-language interface that allows you to not only delete but also freeze applications, and freezing is a temporary shutdown that can be rolled back at any time.
| Name of utility | Root presence | Difficulty | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADB Command Line | Not required | Tall. | Average (risk of error) |
| Universal Android Debloater | Not required | Low. | Tall. |
| ADB AppControl | Not required | Low. | Tall. |
| System App Remover | Required. | Medium | Low. |
Using graphical interfaces reduces the likelihood of human error, but does not eliminate the risks completely.Always check what you are going to delete by reading the description of the package.
Risks and possible consequences of removal
Deleting GMS isn't just about freeing up space; it's about changing the fundamental logic of the operating system, and many Google Play apps use geolocation and notification libraries that are tied to Google services.
The most notable consequence will be the inability of push notifications in applications that do not use their own notification servers (FCM) and you may stop receiving messages from some messengers or email clients on time.
⚠️ Note: Highly secure banking applications and services (Google Pay, Mir Pay) may stop working or block the device from starting if they detect a lack of Google security certificates.
You may also have trouble syncing your contacts and calendar if you’re used to using Google’s ecosystem.Switching to alternative services will take time to set up and get used to.
In rare cases, especially on newer versions of HyperOS, removing system components can result in a cyclic bootloop, which requires flashing the device through the Mi Flash Tool.
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Before removing services, install an alternative app store, such as F-Droid or Aurora Store, to be able to download the software.
Alternatives and Recovery of Functionality
When standard services are removed, the question becomes: where do you get applications? The main source is the F-Droid store, which specializes in free and open source software that does not require GMS.
You can use third-party clients to install popular apps like Telegram, WhatsApp or YouTube, such as YouTube ReVanced, which allows you to watch videos without ads and without the need to install official Google services.
There are partial service emulation projects like MicroG. This is a lightweight implementation of Google’s proprietary libraries that allows you to run most applications requiring GMS without transferring data to the corporation.
If you've realized that life is impossible without Google, you can restore the remote in two ways: simple: reset to factory settings, which will return all system applications; difficult: flash the device with data storage, which requires an original firmware image.
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MicroG is the best compromise for those who want to keep apps running but don’t want to share data with Google.