How to Remove YouTube from Xiaomi Redmi: From Standard Methods to Hidden MIUI Features

Are you tired of the annoying YouTube notifications on your Xiaomi Redmi, or want to make room for it? Delete this app is not as easy as it seems — Google has integrated it into MIUI firmware at the system service level. Even after the standard "deletion" through the app menu, it continues to take up space and consume resources in the background.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, from simple shutdown to complete removal through ADB, including little-known tricks with MIUI Optimized and hidden settings. All methods are tested on Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/9A/9C and flagships of the K50 series running Android 10-14 with the shell MIUI 12-14. Importantly, some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights - we will warn you about this in advance.

Why is YouTube so hard to remove from Xiaomi Redmi?

The reason lies in the agreement between Xiaomi and Google, which requires all smartphones with Google Mobile Services (GMS) preinstalled in 2019 to include key applications in the ecosystem, including YouTube, as part of the Mobile Application Distribution Agreement (MADA).

Even if you see the “Delete” button in the app menu, what really happens is:

• 📱 Hiding icons from the main screen and menu
• 🔄 Disable Automatic Updates via Play Market
• 🗑️ Delete cache and user data (but not system files)

YouTube’s actual volume on the system can be as high as 300-500MB, even after “deleting,” because the app’s core (com.google.android.youtube) remains in the /system/priv-app section and cannot be removed without special permissions.

Method 1: Standard shutdown via settings (without root)

This method doesn't remove the app completely, but it stops it and saves battery life. It's suitable for users who don't want to risk system stability.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. In the search bar, enter YouTube and select the app
3. Click Disable (if the button is inactive – tap first on Remove Updates)
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window

What does it mean?

• ✅ The application stops running and consuming resources
• ✅ Disappears from the menu and the main screen
• ❌ Does not free up space in the system section
• ❌ Returns after resetting settings

💡

If the “Disable” button is inactive, try first to delete all app updates through the Play Market, then clear the cache and data in the app settings.

Method 2: Remove updates and reset to factory version

YouTube on Xiaomi Redmi consists of two parts: system APK (basic version) and updates from the Play Market.

Step-by-step:

After this procedure:

• 📉 The size of the application will decrease with ~300 MB to ~50-80 MB
• 🔒 Functionality will be limited to the basic version (possible errors at launch)
• 🔄 When you update it through Play Market, it will return to its original size.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Note 11 Pro)+ 5G) After reset, YouTube can automatically update in the background. To avoid this, turn off auto-update for this app in Play Market: Settings → Network settings → Auto-update of applications → YouTube → Never.

Method 3: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)

This is the most effective method for users who do not want to get root rights. You need a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and the Android Debug Bridge tool (ADB).

Preparation:

1. Download Platform Tools from Google
2. Turn on the phone Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in Settings → About phone)
3. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For Developers
4. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer

Commands for removal:

adb shell


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




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.youtube.music # optionally, for YouTube Music

What's going on?

• 🗑️ The application is removed for the current user (without affecting system files)
• 🔄 After resetting settings or updating MIUI Maybe he'll come back.
• ⚠️ Some features (such as Google Assistant) may not work properly.

💡

ADB-The remote application does not occupy a place in the user section, but its system files remain in the user section. /system. For complete removal, root or custom recovery is required.

Method 4: Complete removal via TWRP and Magisk (for advanced)

If you're willing to take drastic measures, this method will completely wipe YouTube off the system, including all related services.

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (fastboot oem unlock)
• 🛠️ Established custom recovery (TWRP Or OrangeFox)
• 🔧 Magisk Module for Root Rights Management

Step-by-step:

1. Download Debloater script for your model (e.g. Universal Debloater by 0x192)
2. Reboot to TWRP (clip Power + Volume Up)
3. Install. ZIP-Archive with script through Install
4. Select the option Remove Google Apps → YouTube from the script menu
5. Reboot the system.

Advantages of the method:

• 🧹 Complete removal of all YouTube traces (including libyoutube.so)
• 📱 Free up to 500 MB in the system partition
• 🔒 Ability to block automatic reinstallation

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Note) 11 Pro 5G) Deleting YouTube through TWRP This could lead to loss of Widevine certification. L1, What will reduce the quality of streaming on Netflix and Disney+ before 480p. Before the procedure, make a backup section /vendor.

Method 5: Blocking with MIUI Optimized (hidden method)

A little-known feature, MIUI Optimized, allows you to block system applications without root, which runs on MIUI 13+ firmware and does not require a PC connection.

Instructions:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon)
2. Go to Acceleration → Sign of the gear → Autostart
3. Find YouTube and disable all permissions
4. Return to the main security menu and select MIUI Optimized
5. Activate the mode and add YouTube to the blacklist

Effect:

• 🚫 The application stops running (even through third-party links)
• 📵 Background processes and notifications are blocked
• 🔄 After updating MIUI settings may reset

This method is particularly useful for Redmi models with locked bootloader where it is not possible to use ADB or TWRP. e.g. on Redmi 10C or Redmi A1 where unlocking is not officially supported.

What if YouTube is back after the update?

System applications on Xiaomi are often restored after MIUI or Google Play Services updates.

Methods of blocking automatic reinstallation:

• 🛡️ Use Universal Android Debloater for Magisk
• 📋 Turn off application sync in Settings → Google accounts → Synchronization
• 🔧 Install App Manager (from MuntashirAkon) and block the com.google.android.youtube package

For models with unlocked bootloader, you can use a script disable_force_install.sh, file-modifier /system/addon.d/70-gapps.sh. This script is responsible for restoring Google apps after updates.

Example of script content:

#!/system/bin/sh


mount -o rw,remount /system




sed -i '/youtube/d' /system/addon.d/70-gapps.sh




mount -o ro,remount /system

⚠️ Note: On devices with Dynamic Partition (e.g. Redmi) K60 Pro) Modification of system scripts can lead to bootloop. Before experimenting, check the partition structure through the ls command. -l /dev/block/by-name.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing YouTube on Xiaomi Redmi