How to completely remove YouTube from Xiaomi Redmi Note: from disabling to uninstalling system APKs

Are you tired of the annoying YouTube notifications on your Xiaomi Redmi Note, or does the app take up precious space in memory?Maybe you're annoyed by automatic video playback in the background that eats up traffic and battery power. Unlike most Android devices, Xiaomi smartphones often come with YouTube preinstalled as a system app - it can't be removed in the standard way through the Apps menu.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, from simple disabling to complete deletion of APK system files (including hidden components of com.google.android.youtube).You will learn how to circumvent the limitations of MIUI, what tools will be needed for deep cleaning, and what to do if after deletion there are problems with Google Play Services. All instructions are adapted to the Redmi Note 8/9/10/11/12 models and are relevant for MIUI 12, 13 and 14.

Warn in advance: some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights. If you are a beginner, start with the safe ways (sections 1-3), and experienced users will find detailed guides on working with ADB and Magisk in sections 4-5.

1. disable YouTube without deleting (the safest way)

If you don't have to completely erase the app from your device, but you just stop it and hide it from the menu, this is perfect. It doesn't require root rights, and you can reversibly return YouTube at any time.

Here's what happens after the shutdown:

• 📵 The app will disappear from the list in the menu and on the main screen.
• 🔇 Notifications will stop coming (including recommendations and reminders of subscriptions).
• 📉 Background activity will stop, saving battery power and traffic.
• 🔄 YouTube updates via Google Play will no longer be installed.

Step instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type YouTube (or scroll through the list to the All Apps section).
3. Slip on YouTube, then select Disable (button is usually gray).
4. Confirm the action in the pop-up window by clicking Disable the application.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI The "Disable" button may be blocked. If it's not, proceed to the next method (delete via the "Disable" button). ADB).

To return YouTube back, repeat the same steps and click Enable. the app will appear in the menu, but all its data (cache, account settings) will be saved.

2.Remove YouTube updates (memory free)

Even if you disabled YouTube, its updates can take up to 200-300MB of storage on the device.The system version of the app weighs much less (usually ~30MB), but it can't be removed without root. However, you can roll back YouTube to the factory version, freeing up space.

How it works:

• 📦 All updates downloaded through Google Play are removed.
• 🔙 The app returns to the version that was preinstalled on the Xiaomi Redmi Note.
• 🚫 New updates will not be installed automatically (if you disable auto-update in the Play Store).

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → find YouTube.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Remove Updates.
3. Confirm the action. The system will warn you that it could affect the application, you can agree.
4. (Optional) Open Google Play, search YouTube, click three dots → Remove from the waiting list (to disable auto updates).

⚠️ Warning: If YouTube has stopped opening after deleting updates, it's OK. The system version may not be compatible with the current version of Google Play Services. Solution: either update YouTube manually or switch to the method from the Google Play Services. ADB.

3. YouTube Deletion via ADB (no root rights)

This method is suitable if YouTube is installed as a custom app (not a system one). It works on most Xiaomi Redmi Notes, except models with MIUI for the global market (where YouTube is sewn into the firmware). To check, open the application information: if there is a button to Delete (do not disable) - use this method safely.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB smartphone.
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (Platform Tools by Google).

Instructions:

1. Download Platform Tools and unpack the archive in any folder.
2. On your smartphone, turn on: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times to become a developer) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB (enable)
3. Connect Redmi Note to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
5. Enter the commands in order: adb devices (you should see the name of your device) adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.youtube

Download Platform Tools|Enable developer mode |Activate debugging over USB|Plug phone to PC|Run command line in folder with ADB-->

If the command is successful, you will see the Success message. YouTube will be deleted for the current user (but will remain in the system for other profiles, if any).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI after removal ADB If you notice that other Google apps have stopped working, follow the command: adb shell pm install-existing com.google.android.gms

4. Complete removal of the system YouTube (requires root)

If previous methods didn't work, YouTube is embedded in the firmware as a system application, and it requires root rights to remove it, which is suitable for advanced users, because it carries risks:

Possible consequences:

• ⚠️ Violation of Google Play Services (resolved by reinstallation).
• 🔄 Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• 📱 Unstable work of firmware (in rare cases).

What needs to be done:

1. Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi Redmi Note (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
2. Install Custom Recavers (TWRP) and get root through Magisk.
3. Download a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
4. Go to /system/priv-app/YouTube or /system/app/YouTube and delete the folder with the application.
5. Reset the device.

Alternative method (via ADB root):

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/YouTube




rm -rf /system/app/YouTube




mount -o ro,remount /system




exit




exit

💡

Before you delete your system files, back up your /system/priv-app/YouTube folder to your computer, and if something goes wrong, you can restore the files back.

5. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If YouTube is not removed and critical (e.g., due to corporate restrictions), it is a complete reset, which is radical: you lose all data, but you get a clean system without preinstalled apps (if you choose the right method).

Important: There are two types of resets on the Xiaomi Redmi Note:

• 🔄 Soft reset (via settings) – saves system applications, including YouTube.
• 🧹 Hard reset (via recoveries) – removes everything, including system application updates.

How to perform a hard reset:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the MI logo appears.
3. From the recap menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
5. Reboot the device (Reboot).

⚠️ Attention: After a hard discharge MIUI can automatically restore YouTube when you first connect to the Internet (via Google services). Wi-Fi/Install an ad blocker (e.g. Blokada) before syncing with Google.

💡

Hard reset is the only way to remove ALL YouTube traces without root, but it also erases all user data. Use it only if other methods have failed.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after YouTube is deleted, there may be problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If you notice that other Google apps (such as Gmail or Google Maps) are not working stable after you delete YouTube, try:

• 🔄 Reinstall Google Play Services through APK (Download the latest version from APKMirror).
• 📥 MicroG is an easy alternative to Google Services (requires root).
• 🛠️ Check error logs via logcat (for experienced users).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions