How to Remove YouTube from Xiaomi TV: The Complete Guide

Owners of Xiaomi smart TVs often face a situation where the built-in YouTube app starts to work incorrectly, takes up too much space in memory or simply does not need the user. Standard methods of the Android TV operating system do not always allow you to completely get rid of this preinstalled service, since it is a system component of Google. However, there are proven ways to hide, disable or even delete the program, returning the device to the desired performance.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for managing system applications on the Android platform. TV. You will learn how to safely disable the service through settings, use ADB-What to do if standard methods fail, and understanding the structure of your TV's file system will help avoid errors when modifying software.

Before you start taking action, you need to determine the model of your device and the version of the installed operating system. the interface of the Mi Home or pure Android TV may have differences in the location of menu items.

Analysis of the reasons for removing the system application

The main reason users are looking to delete YouTube is the accumulation of cache and temporary files, which over time begin to occupy a significant part of internal memory.The operating system of Xiaomi TVs often has a limited amount of storage, and the sprawling application can cause the entire interface to slow down. Clearing the cache gives a temporary effect, but complete deletion or deep freezing solves the problem radically.

Another common problem is intrusive advertising and the inability to disable autoplay in a standard client.Some users prefer to use alternative clients, such as SmartTubeNext, which are devoid of advertising and have advanced functionality. To install an alternative, you often need to vacate space or simply remove the conflicting original package.

⚠️ Attention: Deleting the Google Services system component completely may cause voice search and other features tied to your Google account to malfunction.

Also, consider that after resetting to factory (Hard Reset) remote system application can automatically return if it is sewn into the firmware at the level of the partition recovery. In such cases, the only way to permanently get rid of the application is to flash the device on custom build, which requires high qualification.

Users who use the TV exclusively to watch IPTV or play games from consoles often want to clean the interface of unnecessary visual noise.Removing or hiding icons of standard applications makes the menu cleaner and easier to navigate from the remote control.

Standard shutdown via Android TV settings

The safest and most affordable method that most users can use is the built-in functionality of the operating system, which doesn't physically delete the application files, but completely shuts down the application, removes the icon from the home screen and stops the background processes, which is ideal for those who are afraid of breaking the system's stability.

To do this, you need to get into an extended settings menu. Standard fast access may hide some options, so it's important to follow the exact path. On different versions of MIUI for TV or Android TV firmware, the location of the items may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same.

📊 What is your version of Android? TV?
9.0 Pie
10.0
11.0
The other one, I don't know

The disconnection process is as follows:

  • 🔘 Go to the main menu and select Settings (cog icon).
  • 🔘 Find the Apps section or All Apps.
  • 🔘 In the list, find YouTube and click on it.
  • 🔘 Select the option Disable or Forced Stop if the first one is not available.

Once you do this, the system will alert you that the application will stop working. Confirm the action. The icon will disappear from the desktop, and the application will disappear from the list of active processes. If the “Disable” button is inactive (gray), then your firmware version blocks this possibility and you will need to use it. ADB-the teams described below.

It’s important to note that a disabled app won’t receive updates through the Google Play Store, which is also a plus for saving traffic and space.However, if you decide to turn it back on, the system may require you to upgrade the component to the latest version before launching.

Using ADB to remove system components

For users who are not afraid to work with the command line, the Android Debug Bridge method (ADB) It gives you maximum control over the system, and it's a way to physically remove it. APK-The application file is for the current user, effectively making it non-existent for the system, although the file remains in the system partition (but is not loaded).

Before starting the procedure, you need to activate the developer mode on the Xiaomi TV. To do this, go to Settings → About the device (or About the TV). Find the Build Number bar and click on it 7 times in a row with the remote control, and a notification will appear that you became a developer.

☑️ Preparation for ADB-removal

Done: 0 / 4

Next, follow the following steps:

  • 💻 Enable the debugging option USB developer menu.
  • 🌐 Find out. IP-TV address in the Network section → Wi-Fi (click on the connected network).
  • 🔌 Connect your computer and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • ⌨️ On the computer in the command line, enter the connection command: adb connect IP_AREZ TELEVISOR.

Once connected, you can start deleting the YouTube deletion command as follows:

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

In some regions and firmware versions, the package may be called differently, for example, com.google.android.youtube. To find out the exact name of the package, you can use the command adb shell pm list packages | grep youtube. Once you execute the deletion command, the application will disappear instantly. To restore, you just need to reset to factory settings.

Alternative methods and third-party launchers

If deleting seems too risky and the standard shutdown doesn’t hide the icon completely, you can use third-party launchers.Installing an alternative shell, such as FLauncher or ATV Launcher, allows you to completely ignore the standard Xiaomi interface and hide any system applications, including YouTube, from view.

This method is especially popular among users who want to turn their TV into a universal media station without being tied to the Google ecosystem, which allows you to create your own lists of applications, widgets and reorder elements, making unnecessary services invisible.

How to install a third-party launcher without Google Play?
For installation APK-You can use the application "Send Files to" TV" or a file bootloader, downloading the installer directly from the browser on the TV. APK You must allow installation from unknown sources in security settings.">Installing a third-party launcher requires a load APK-Because Xiaomi TVs often don't have access to the app store or it's limited, the easiest way to use a smartphone is to install the "Send Files to" app. TV" Both devices, pass it on. APK Using a launcher also helps to solve the problem with slow operation of the interface, since many third-party shells are optimized better than stock solutions from the manufacturer. However, it is worth remembering that the launch of third-party software always carries minimal security risks. The choice of method depends on your technical skills and the ultimate goal. The table below compares the main ways to influence the system application YouTube. Method Complexity Risk for the system Return Opportunity Disconnection in settings Low No Instantaneous (enabled) ADB Uninstall Average Minimum Reset to Factory Settings Third-Party Launcher Average No Change of Flashing Launcher (Custom) ROM) High High (brick risk) Complex (flashing back) As you can see from the table, for 90% of users, the optimal solution is a standard disconnection or use. ADB-Flashing is recommended only for experienced enthusiasts who know exactly how to restore the device in the event of a failure. New Xiaomi models on the new models TV Stick or TV Box with Android 11 The above access rights may be more stringent, which makes the method ADB Frequent problems and their solution During the process of deleting or disabling, users may encounter errors, for example, after trying to delete through the ADB The system can produce a Failure error. [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR]. This often means that the app is actively used by another system process or has device administrator rights (although this is rare for YouTube). Another common problem is the appearance of the “Application Stopped” error when trying to run a linked application, for example, when you click the “YouTube” button on the remote. In this case, you need to reassign the button through special mapper applications or accept the fact that the button will lead nowhere. ⚠️ Note: If voice search or Chromecast is no longer available after YouTube is deleted, try reinstalling Google Play services or resetting the Google Play Services app. Indeed, major firmware updates MIUI You can restore the original set of applications, and then you have to do the deletion again, and the final optimization recommendations are just one step to optimize your Xiaomi smart TV. To maintain high speed, it is recommended to regularly clean the cache of the remaining applications and not fill the internal memory completely. 15-20% Free space for normal operation of the operating system. If you use the TV as a monitor or for console games, consider setting the Game mode or disabling all background image enhancements, which will also reduce the load on the processor. 💡The safest way to get rid of YouTube is to turn it off through settings. ADB It's more efficient, but it requires caution and a computer at hand, and remember that modifying the system software is always an interference with the normal operation of the device. ADB-The team could theoretically be regarded by the service center as a breach of conditions, although software changes are often difficult to detect without special analysis (FAQ) Can You Remove YouTube on Xiaomi TV Without a Computer? Completely remove the system application without using a computer (ADB) You can turn it off through settings, or hide the icon with a third-party launcher that is installed directly on the TV. Will YouTube return to factory settings after reset? Yes, a factory reset will restore the original firmware state, and the YouTube app will reappear, as it is part of the Android system image. TV. Is it safe to use the pm uninstall command for system applications? --user 0 It removes the application only for the current user without affecting the system partition.This is safe in the sense that the device will not stop booting, but removing critical system components may disrupt other functions. What to do if the sound in other applications is lost after removal? This is rare, but possible, if Google codecs or audio drivers were affected, and you need to reset your device completely to factory settings via the Recovery Mode menu. TV? Yes, you can download. APK-The older version of YouTube file with verified resources and install it manually.However, older versions may stop supporting video playback due to changes on the server side of Google.