How to Remove Google Services from Xiaomi: 5 Verified Ways

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones come out of the box with Google’s pre-installed service package, from Google Play Services to YouTube and Chrome. For many users, these apps become a source of irritation: they take up space in memory, consume battery power in the background and collect activity data. However, simply deleting through the settings menu is often blocked by the system, and turning off leads to malfunctions in other applications.

In this guide, we will discuss 5 ways to remove Google services, from secure (no superuser rights) to radical (with unlocking the bootloader and firmware custom software). You will learn what methods are suitable for the Poco F5, Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13T, how to avoid the “brick” of the device, and what to do if banking applications stop working after removal.

Why you can’t just delete Google services through settings

MIUI (even in MIUI 14/15) refers to Google applications as first-level system components that cannot be uninstalled by standard means.

• 🔗 App Dependence: Many apps (including banking, instant messengers, and games) use Google Play Services for push notifications, geolocation, and authentication.
• 🔄 Automatic Recovery: Android Restores Remote Systems APK the next update or reset of the settings.
• 🛡️ Security MIUI: Xiaomi is blocking changes in the section /system without unlocking the bootloader to prevent malware installation.

If you try to delete services through Settings → Applications, the system will either offer only “Disable” (which does not free up memory) or give an error “Delete is impossible.” Even the adb uninstall commands for user applications will not work here – you need superuser rights (root).

⚠️ Note: Disabling Google Play Services will result in the shutdown of Google Pay, Gmail, Maps and most applications using Firebase (including Telegram and other applications). VK).

Method 1: Disabling services without removal (without root)

If your goal is to save battery power and reduce background activity, you can deactivate unnecessary services without completely removing them. This method does not require unlocking the bootloader and is suitable for warranty devices.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Show System Processes".
3. Find it on the list: 📱 Google Play Services (Don't completely shut down!) 🌐 Google Chrome 🎵 YouTube / YouTube Music 📍 Google Maps 📧 Gmail

"Disable"

"Battery and performance"

Disable Google Chrome (use an alternative browser)

Turn off YouTube (install NewPipe from F-Droid)

Limit background activity of Google Play Services

Disable Google One (if you are not using the cloud)

-->

This method does not free up memory, but reduces the load on the processor and battery.

Google Play Services (background activity)

YouTube (Advertising and Tracking)

Chrome (Browsing Data Collection)

Gmail (Open Source Alternatives)

All of the above

-->

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root but with pitfalls)

If you don’t have enough shutdowns, you can uninstall some services via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which doesn’t require unlocking the bootloader, but has limitations:

• ✅ It works on most Xiaomi devices (except for models with the same name). MIUI for Russia, where ADB limited).
• ❌ Does not remove Google Play Services and other system components – only custom APK (For example, YouTube, Chrome).
• ⚠️ After updating MIUI Remote applications can be restored.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) and type:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed.)

adb shell pm list packages | grep 'google'

(This will show you a list of all Google packages.)

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

(Example to delete YouTube. Replace com.google.android.youtube with the desired package.)

⚠️ Warning: Do not delete com.google.android.gms (Play Services) and com.google.android.gsf (Google Services Framework) – this will lead to the collapse of the system.

Method 3: Remove with Magisk (root)

If you’re ready to unlock the bootloader and install Magisk, this method will remove all Google services, including Play Services.

Advantages:

• 🧹 Complete removal of unnecessary APK from /system.
• 🔧 Possibility of fine tuning through Magisk modules.
• 🔄 Easy recovery if necessary.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Resetting all data when unlocking the loader.
• ❌ Loss of warranty on most Xiaomi models).
• 🛡️ Risk of "brike" in case of firmware errors.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account binding and wait 7-14 days).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Sweep through Magisk (download the latest version from GitHub).
4. Install the Universal GMS Doze or DisableGMS module via Magisk to disable Play Services.
5. For complete removal, use Root Explorer or the command: su mount -o rw, remount /system rm -rf /system/priv-app/PrebuiltGmsCore rm -rf /system/app/GmsCore

• 📍 OsmAnd instead of Google Maps
• 🔐 MicroG for push notifications
• 📧 FairEmail instead of Gmail

-->

Method 4: Firmware custom ROM without Google (for advanced)

The most radical way is to install firmware that doesn't originally contain Google services.

• 📱 LineageOS (without GApps by default)
• 🔧 GrapheneOS (maximum privacy)
• 🌍 CalyxOS (with MicroG for compatibility)
• 🐉 DivestOS (emphasis on degoogling)

Advantages:

• 🚀 Full control of the system.
• 🔒 There is no Google tracking.
• 📱 Support for older devices (e.g. Redmi Note 9).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Loss of function MIUI (Second Space or Game Turbo).
• 🔌 Possible camera or sensor issues (patches required).
• ⚠️ No official support from Xiaomi.

Installation instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see Method 3).
2. Download the firmware for your model with XDA Developers.
3. Fly through TWRP or Fastboot.
4. If necessary, install MicroG for application compatibility.

💡

Custom ROM firmware is the only way to get rid of Google completely at the system level. However, it requires technical skills and can lead to loss of functionality (for example, Widevine L1 for Netflix in 4K).

Method 5: Use of alternative services (without deletion)

If deleting Google seems risky, consider replacing standard services with open alternatives, which will preserve functionality but reduce tracking.

Advantages of this approach:

• 🔒 No need to root or unlock the bootloader.
• 📱 Compatibility with banking applications is maintained.
• 🔄 It is easy to return standard services when necessary.

⚠️ Note: Some alternatives (e.g. MicroG) may not support all features of the original services. For example, Google Pay will not work without official Play Services.

What to do if Google has stopped working after removal

Deleting Google Play Services often breaks down applications that depend on:

• 🔔 Firebase Cloud Messaging (push notifications).
• 📍 Google Location API (geolocation).
• 🔑 Google Sign-In (Authorization through an Account).

Decisions:

1. Install MicroG: Download MicroG from microg.org. Enable fake signature in MicroG settings. Set up unifiedNlp for geolocation (use Mozilla Location Service).

Use patches for applications

adb shell settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0

(Stops checking your internet connection via Google.)

Reinstall problem applications

Aurora Store

Banking applications (such as SberBank Online or Tinkoff) may require:

• 🔄 Play Services (via Magisk or Magisk) ADB).
• 📱 The use of the second space in MIUI original-fixed.
• 🔒 Installation of the application in Work Profile (via Shelter or Insular).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Google removing from Xiaomi