How to permanently remove YouTube from Xiaomi Redmi 9: from a simple shutdown to deep cleaning

Why YouTube is so hard to remove from Xiaomi and what to do

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 often face a problem: YouTube app can not be removed in the standard way - the button "Delete" is simply not on the menu.The fact is that on most Xiaomi smartphones this service is preinstalled as a system application that the manufacturer blocks from completely removing.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven methods, from temporary shutdown to full deletion with ADB (no superuser rights), and focus on the nuances of Redmi 9, including Redmi 9A/9C/9T models, where the process may be different, and learn how to disable YouTube’s automatic recovery after MIUI updates, a key point that many people miss.

We warn you right away that some of these things require care, like misusing ADB can cause your smartphone to malfunction, but if you follow the instructions Step-by-step, the risks are minimal, and let's start with the simplest one: hiding the app.

Method 1: Disable YouTube through Settings (without deleting)

If you don't have to completely erase the app, but just hide it and stop background activity, this method is the fastest. It requires no additional tools and is suitable for all versions of MIUI on Redmi 9.

How it works: You deactivate YouTube, and it stops appearing in the app menu, doesn't consume resources, doesn't update, but the app itself will remain in the device's memory and may "resurrection" after a major system update.

1. Open “Settings” and go to the Applications → Application Management section.
2. In the search bar, enter YouTube and select the app from the list.
3. Press Disable (if the button is inactive, first tap Stop).
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

✅ Pros: fast, safe, does not require technical skills.

❌ Cons: the application will remain in the system and may return after the update MIUI.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi firmware, the disabled application may be activated again when you connect to your Google account. To avoid this, delete your Google account in the settings (Accounts section) after you turn off YouTube and add it again.

Clear the app's cache|Stop background activity|Disable Auto Update in Google Play|Delete your Google account (optional)-->

Method 2: Remove updates and reset to factory version

If YouTube on your Redmi 9 was updated via Google Play, you can roll it back to the factory version and then disable it, which is more effective than the previous one, since it deletes all accumulated data and updates, but the application itself remains on the system.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → YouTube.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Remove Updates.
3. After the version rolls back, go back to the app menu and click Disable.
4. Then open Google Play, search YouTube, and click Delete (this will only remove downloaded updates, not the app itself).

🔹 Why it works: The factory version of YouTube often has fewer rights and is easier to turn off. MIUI The app may appear again.

⚠️ Note: If YouTube continues to appear after these manipulations, check the settings of the Google Play Store. → Auto-update apps and select Never.This will prevent the application from automatically recovering.

Method 3: Completely delete YouTube via ADB (without root)

This is the most radical method, which completely removes YouTube for the current user, but does not affect the system files. USB.

📌 What's the matter:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 📱 Cable USB (original or quality)
• 🔧 Utility. ADB (Platform Tools by Google)
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB Redmi 9

Step-by-step:

1. Activate USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI to unlock Developer Settings. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer and enable USB Debugging.

Connect your phone to your PC

File transfer

Download Platform Tools

Google's official website

Open the command line.

adb

Enter the commands in turn:

adb devices

(Your device should appear)

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

✅ The result: YouTube will be removed for your user, but will remain in the system partition, which means that after resetting settings or creating a new profile, the application can return to the system partition.

Method 4: Remove via TWRP (for advanced users)

If you’re willing to go further and have experience with custom firmware, you can uninstall YouTube via TWRP, an alternative recovery method that requires an unlocked bootloader and a TWRP installed, which voids the Redmi 9 warranty.

🔧 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (can take up to 7 days).
2. Install TWRP for Redmi 9 (look for the current version on twrp.me).
3. Download Magisk and App Systemizer (module for Magisk).
4. In TWRP, run Magisk, then install the App Systemizer module.
5. In the App Systemizer app, search YouTube and select Delete for all users.

⚠️ Risks:

• 🚨 Loss of warranty (if the bootloader is unlocked).
• 🔄 There may be system failures in case of incorrect installation TWRP.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI You have to repeat the procedure.

💡

Before unlocking the bootloader, back up all data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. Xiaomi erases all data when unlocked!

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If all the previous methods didn't work, and YouTube still appears, it's a complete reset, a radical solution that will remove all data from your phone, including accounts, photos and installed apps, and use it only as a last resort.

📌 How to Reset Redmi 9:

1. Make a backup copy of important data (contacts, photos, messages).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, do not restore data from the backup, as this can return YouTube.
5. When you first set up, skip logging into your Google account (or delete YouTube immediately after you sign in).

❗ Important: After discharge MIUI You can offer to restore the pre-installed apps. You can refuse this offer, or YouTube will return.

💡

Setting resets are the only way to guarantee that you will remove all YouTube traces, but it erases ALL data on your phone. Use it only if other methods have failed.

How to prevent YouTube from returning after updates

Even if you managed to delete YouTube, the app can return after updating MIUI or Google services. To avoid this, follow these tips:

• 📵 Turn off auto-update apps in Google Play (Settings) → Auto-update → Never).
• 🔄 Check the list of apps for YouTube regularly (once a month).
• 🚫 Don't install updates. MIUI through settings → Update the system if YouTube is mentioned in the list of changes.
• 🛡️ Use alternative launchers (like Nova Launcher) that can hide system applications.

If YouTube does come back, repeat the ADB method or turn it off again through the settings. Remember, Xiaomi and Google are actively promoting their services, so fighting pre-installed apps requires a systematic approach.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing YouTube from Xiaomi Redmi 9