Remove Google System Apps on Xiaomi: 5 Ways to Work

Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones come with Google Mobile Services (GMS) pre-installed — even if you don't use them — and these apps take up space in memory, use up battery power in the background, and collect data about your activity, but can they be removed without repercussions on the system?

Unlike regular software, Google Play Services, Google Play Market or Google Chrome are protected from standard removal. An attempt to uninstall through the settings menu usually ends with a message: “Delete is impossible” or “App is disabled.” However, there are legal ways to get rid of them, both through built-in MIUI tools and through ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Why Google System Apps Cannot Be Removed in the Standard Way

All pre-installed services Google on Xiaomi are divided into two categories:

• 📦 System applications – integrated into firmware MIUI They're stored in a section of their files. /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/, It's a root-free, change-proof system, like Google Play Services, Google Services Framework.
• 📱 Normal apps are set as custom but with enhanced privileges and can be disabled or removed through Settings → Applications: Examples: Google Chrome, Google Duo, YouTube.

Smartphone manufacturers (including Xiaomi) contract with Google to pre-install GMS, which is a condition for obtaining a license for Google Play and certification of the device, so even after “deleting” through ADB, some services can recover after the system update.

⚠️ Note: Deleting Google Play Services will result in loss of functionality of applications that depend on it (e.g. Google Maps, Gmail, banking apps with push notifications.

Method 1: Disable unnecessary Google services without deleting

If the goal is to save battery power and traffic, rather than free up memory, it is enough to disable unnecessary applications, which is safe and requires no special knowledge.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Show all apps."
3. Find an app (like Google Play Music or Google Duo) and tap it.
4. Click “Disable” (if the button is inactive – the application is system and requires ADB).
5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

The apps that are disabled won't start, but their data will remain in memory. To return functionality, just click "Enable" in the same menu.

Method 2: Remove via MIUI Optimizing (without root)

MIUI has a built-in tool for managing system applications, MIUI Optimizing (formerly called Security), which allows you to remove some pre-installed programs, including some of Google’s services.

How to use:

• 🔧 Open the Security app (shield icon).
• Go to the “Optimization” or “Acceleration” section.
• Select “Deep Clean” → “Delete Unnecessary Apps.”
• In the list, tick the Google apps you want to remove (e.g. Google Podcasts, Google TV).
• Click "Delete" and confirm the action.

⚠️ Attention: Through MIUI Optimizing cannot remove critical services like Google Play Services or Google Services Framework, and trying to do so will result in a mistake or a “soft breeze” (cyclical reboot).

Download and install ADB on PC (platform-tools)

Enable USB debugging on Xiaomi (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 taps)

Connect your phone to your PC via USB (file transfer mode)

Allow debugging on the smartphone screen

Check the connection with the adb device command

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Method 3: Remove via ADB (for power users)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is Google’s official tool for debugging Android devices, which allows you to remove system applications without root rights, but with reservations:

• ✅ Works on all Xiaomi smartphones with unlocked bootloader.
• ❌ Some apps will recover after the update MIUI.
• ⚠️ A team error can lead to system failure.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the platform-tools from the official Android website and unpack the archive.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your smartphone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap the build number → return to Settings → Additional → For developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB and select File Transfer mode.
4. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with the platform-tools:

cd C:\path\pad\platform-tools

1. Check the connection of the device:

adb devices

If the phone appears in the list, type a command to delete (for example, for Google Chrome):

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.chrome

List of packages of popular Google applications:

💡

Before deleting, back up your data via Settings → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud. This will help restore the system if something goes wrong.

Method 4: Debloate with Magisk (root required)

If your Xiaomi has Magisk (an alternative to SuperSU for root rights), you can use modules for debloat - uninstall system software.

• 🛠️ Universal SafetyNet Fix – bypasses Google SafetyNet checks after deletion GMS.
• 🗑️ Debloater (by HuskyDG) – removes pre-installed apps selectively.
• 🔍 App Systemizer – Converts user applications to system applications and vice versa.

Instructions for Debloater:

1. Install Magisk and download the Debloater module from the repository.
2. Reboot your phone and open Magisk → “Modules”.
3. Activate Debloater and restart again.
4. Launch Debloater from the menu and tick off unnecessary Google packages.
5. Click on “Apply” and wait for the process to be completed.

⚠️ Note: After Google Play Services is removed, Magisk will no longer have geolocation, push notifications, and Google authorization services in games.

Method 5: Flashing on custom firmware without GMS

The radical but most effective method is to install firmware without Google services.

• 🌍 LineageOS – “clean” Android without preinstalled apps.
• 🔥 Pixel Experience – firmware with the interface of Google Pixel, but without unnecessary services.
• 📱 MIUI EU — modified MIUI removeable GMS.

Firmware process:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a binding Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Download the firmware from the XDA Developers or 4PDA forum (for example, this section will suit the Redmi Note 10 Pro).
3. Install the custom TWRP recavator via fastboot:

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img


fastboot boot twrp.img

1. In TWRP, reset (Wipe → Advanced Wipe, mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
2. Install the downloaded firmware (Install) → Choose. ZIP-file).
3. Reboot. The first launch can take 10 to 15 minutes.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• ✅ Full control over system applications.
• ✅ Lack of advertising and surveillance MIUI.
• ✅ Regular security updates.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (if the bootloader is unlocked).
• ❌ Risk of “brick” in case of firmware error.
• ❌ Some features (such as Mi Pay or Mi Pay) IR-blaster) may not work.

💡

GMS-free castom firmware is only suitable for advanced users, and if you are not ready for possible bugs and manual configuration, use methods 1-3.

What to do if Google Services are Recovered

MIUI can automatically restore remote applications after:

• 🔄 Firmware updates through Settings → Updating the system.
• 🔧 Resetting settings to factory.
• 📱 Connecting to Google Account After Flashing.

How to prevent recovery:

1. Turn off MIUI auto-update: Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Points → Settings → Auto-update (off).
2. Freeze packets via ADB: Instead of deleting, use the command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.gms

1. Use Magisk modules such as DisableForceEncrypt or Universal GMS Doze to block background activity.

If the apps are back, re-delete them via ADB or MIUI Optimizing.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Google apps on Xiaomi