How to permanently remove Yandex Games from Xiaomi phone: working methods 2026

The Yandex Games app is often installed on Xiaomi smartphones by default, either as part of a package of pre-installed MIUI services or through automatic updates to other Yandex applications (for example, Yandex.Browser or Yandex.Search). Despite the fact that the service is positioned as a platform for mobile gaming, many users consider it an imposed block that consumes phone resources and collects activity data.

The problem is that standard removal via Settings → Apps often doesn’t work: the Remove button may be inactive, and after uninstallation, the app reappears after a reboot or update to Google Play. In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways – from simple (no root rights) to radical (using ADB and custom firmware), and explain how to prevent re-installation.

Why do Yandex Games reappear after deletion?

The reason lies in the mechanism of MIUI and Google services:

• 🔄 Auto Update via Google Play: If the phone has Yandex.Browser or Yandex.Mail installed, they can pull Yandex Games as a “recommended” application through background processes.
• 📦 System package in MIUI: On some models (Redmi Note) 10/11, POCO X3/X4) application sewn into the firmware as a system and restored after resetting.
• 🤖 Google Play Services: Google’s algorithms can install the app automatically if you’ve previously used other Yandex products.

According to MIUI 14/15 firmware analysis, Yandex Games are integrated into com.yandex.games (for global versions) or en.yandex.games (for Russian builds), which can be linked to com.xiaomi.midrop (Mi Drop file transfer service), which makes it difficult to remove them.

Method 1: Standard removal through settings (without root)

If the Remove button is active, try this method first:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, enter “Yandex Games” or “Yandex Games”.
3. Click on the app and select “Delete” (if the button is grey – see method 2).
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

If the Remove button is inactive but there is an option to Disable, use it – this will stop the background processes, but will not delete files completely. For complete cleaning, go to Warehouse → Clear Data and Clear Cache.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) After turning off, the application can “resurrect” when connected to Wi-Fi. In this case, move to method 3 or 4.

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)

If standard deletion doesn’t work, use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that lets you uninstall system applications without superuser rights.

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Steps:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Connect the phone to your PC and type in the command line (cmd): Adb devices should appear with a serial number.
3. Execute the command to delete: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.yandex.games For Russian versions of MIUI use: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 en.yandex.games
4. Reboot the phone.

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If the adb command doesn’t work, update your phone drivers via the Mi PC Suite or reinstall ADB Tools.

Method 3: Disable Auto Updates in Google Play

Even after Yandex is deleted, the Games can return via Google Play.

1. Open the Google Play Store and find “Yandex Games”.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select “Remove from the Update List”.
3. Go to Settings → Auto Update apps and select “Do not update automatically”.
4. Uninstall other Yandex apps (Browser, Mail, Maps) as they can pull the Games as an addiction.

For reliability, add Yandex Games to the Google Play blacklist:

1. Open the settings of your Google Play account.
2. Go to Device and Application Management → Manage Automatically Updated Applications.
3. Find Yandex Games and turn off auto-update.

Method 4: Removal with root rights (for experienced)

If you're ready to get root access, it gives you full control over your system applications. MIUI!

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7 days).
2. Install a custom recap (TWRP) for your model.
3. Please use Magisk to obtain root rights.
4. Install Root Explorer or Titanium Backup and manually remove packets: /system/priv-app/YandexGames/system/app/YandexGames
5. Clean up the balances in /data/app and /data/data.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ After removing system applications, Anti-Rollback protection can work, leading to a device blink (inoperability). TWRP!

Method 5: Reflashing to custom MIUI or global version

If nothing helps, a radical solution is to install clean firmware without Yandex apps preinstalled.

• 🌍 Global MIUI: Please submit the official global version (MIUI Global) via Mi Flash Tool, which does not have Russian services, but may not have some features (for example, Mi Pay for Russia).
• 🛠️ Custom firmware: LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Xiaomi.eu (the latter is optimized) MIUI no-bloatware).
• 🔄 Reverse to the old version: Some users are returning to the new version MIUI 12, where there is no Yandex Games (but it is fraught with security problems).

Firmware instructions:

1. Download the firmware for your model with Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
2. Unlock the bootloader (see Method 4).
3. Sweat through Fastboot or TWRP (for custom firmware).
4. Do a full reset (Wipe Data) after the firmware.

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Fastboot firmware erases all data! create a backup through Mi Cloud or TWRP before you start.

How to prevent re-installation?

Even after Yandex is deleted, the Games may return to the game.

• 🚫 Block installation: In Google Play, open the settings of the Yandex Games app and click “Block installation” (not available on all devices).
• 🔒 Turn off background activity: In your phone settings, go to Apps → Yandex Games → Battery → Background activity and select "Limit».
• 📵 Use a firewall: Install NetGuard or AFWall+ (requires root) and block internet access for com.yandex packages.*.
• 🔍 Check out new apps: Some games from Google Play (e.g. Mail.ru or My.Games) may set Yandex Games as an addiction.

For complete confidence, turn off the automatic installation of applications in Google Play:

1. Open the Google Play Store → «Settings».
2. Select “Auto-Update Apps” → “Do not update automatically”.
3. In the Notifications section, disable the option “Automatically Install Recommended Applications”.

FAQ: Frequent questions