How to completely remove YouTube from Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: all working ways

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro often face a problem: preinstalled YouTube app takes up space in memory, consumes battery in the background and does not allow itself to be removed by standard methods. Even after clicking "Delete" in the application menu, the system simply resets it to the factory version, and after a few days updates again. Why does this happen?

The fact is that YouTube on Xiaomi devices refers to system applications (so-called bloatware), which the manufacturer integrates into the MIUI firmware. They can not be removed as regular programs, but there are workarounds - from simple disabling to complete removal through ADB or root rights. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, including those that work without losing warranty.

Method 1: Disable YouTube through Settings (without deleting)

If you don't have to completely erase an application, but you just lock it and hide it from the menu, this is the best method. It doesn't require any additional tools and is safe for the system.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, type “YouTube” and select the application from the list.
• ⚙️ Click “Disable” (if the button is inactive, first click “Stop»).
• ✅ Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Once disabled, the YouTube icon will disappear from the menu and the background processes will no longer be consuming, but the application will remain in the device's memory and can be activated again after the MIUI update.

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To return YouTube back, repeat the steps and click "Enable." This method is reversible and does not affect the warranty.

Method 2: Remove YouTube Updates (return to the factory version)

If the app has been updated through Google Play, it can be rolled back to a factory version that weighs less and has no extra features.This method doesn't remove YouTube completely, but reduces its weight from ~100MB to ~20MB.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → YouTube.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select “Delete Updates”.
3. Confirm the action. The app will return to the factory version.
4. On Google Play, turn off the automatic update for YouTube (find the app → three dots → “Disable Auto Update”).

Important: After resetting or updating MIUI, the application can update again. To avoid this, use method 3 or 4.

Method 3: Removal via ADB (without root rights)

For users willing to use the Android debugging bridge (ADB), there is a way to delete YouTube without obtaining root rights.This does not violate the warranty, but requires a connection to a computer.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Google’s Platform Tools utility (download and unpack archive).
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer and select File Transfer mode.


2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) in the folder with Platform Tools.




3. Enter a command to check the connection:


   adb devices


(Serious number of the device must appear).




4. execute the command to delete YouTube:


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


5. Reboot the smartphone.

If YouTube reappears after the reboot, repeat the command by replacing uninstall with disable-user:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.youtube

USB | Downloads Platform Tools| Installed Xiaomi | Drivers Smartphone connected in "File Transfer" mode-->

Method 4: Complete removal with root rights

If you are ready to obtain root rights (for example, through Magisk), you can delete YouTube permanently, including all system files, this method is suitable for experienced users, as improper actions can lead to loss of warranty or unstable system operation.

How to delete:

1. Install Magisk Manager and get root access (instructions for the Redmi Note 8 Pro are available on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums).
2. Download a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
3. Go to /system/priv-app/PrebuiltGmsCore or /system/app/YouTube (the exact path may vary depending on the version of MIUI).
4. Delete the YouTube folder or rename it (for example, in the YouTube_bak).
5. Clear the cache to /data/data/com.google.android.youtube.
6. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI To avoid this, use the Magisk module to block system applications (e.g. Universal). GMS Doze or App Systemizer).

Method 5: Blocking through Package Disabler (without root)

If the previous methods seem complicated, you can use applications like Package Disabler Pro or Bloatware Remover, which allow you to disable system applications without root rights, but require you to use them. ADB-access (as in method 3).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 It does not delete files permanently, it only blocks them from execution.
• 🔄 It is easy to return the app back.
• 📱 It works on most versions. MIUI (including the Redmi Note 8 Pro).

How to use:

1. Download Package Disabler from Google Play.
2. Connect to your PC via ADB (as in Method 3) and grant the application permissions.
3. Search the listing for com.google.android.youtube and turn it off.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Note: Some Bloatwer removal apps may contain ads or request unnecessary permissions.Before installing, check reviews and rankings on Google Play.

How to prevent the re-installation of YouTube

Even after deleting, YouTube may return after updating Google Play Services or resetting settings. To avoid this, follow the following steps:

For maximum reliability, combine several methods, for example, after uninstalling through ADB, install NewPipe and disable auto-updates in Google Play.

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The most reliable way to avoid returning YouTube is to use alternative clients (NewPipe, Vanced) and block the system package through ADB.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When users delete system applications, they often encounter problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

• 🚫 The “Command Not Found” Error ADB: Make sure that the folder with Platform Tools is added to the variable PATH Open the command line directly from this folder.
• 🔄 YouTube is back after the reboot: Use the pm disable-user command instead of uninstall if the first option didn't work.
• ⚠️ Smartphone stopped turning on: This only happens when critical system files are deleted (not YouTube related.
• 📱 Google Play does not work after deletion: YouTube does not affect the Play Market, but if you delete related services (such as Google Play Services), you will have to restore them.

If after manipulating the system files, the Redmi Note 8 Pro started to slow down or give out errors, reset to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset). This will return all remote applications, but restore stability.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions