How to Remove YouTube from Xiaomi TV: All the Techniques Work

Removing YouTube from a Xiaomi TV is a challenge that many users face, and the reasons range from wanting to free up memory to restricting access to content for children. However, standard removal of an app through menus is often not possible, as the manufacturer blocks the ability to uninstall preinstalled services. In this article, we will look at all the current ways, including hidden settings, rollback updates, and even manual removal via ADB.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi TVs run on two types of firmware: Android TV (for Mi TV 4S/5X models and later) and MIUI TV (for older versions). Deletion methods will vary depending on the platform. Also consider that some actions may require resetting or even unlocking the bootloader - these are risky operations, which we will discuss in detail with warnings.

If you're looking for a way to just hide an app, rather than remove it completely, there's a separate section at the end of this article with alternative solutions, and for those who are ready for radical action, we'll give you a step-by-step instruction on how to uninstall it through ADB.

1. Why YouTube cannot be removed in the standard way

The YouTube app on Xiaomi TVs is a system app (or bloatware) that means it is integrated into the firmware and is uninstallable, and even if you find the Remove button in the app menu, it will be inactive or only suggest you turn off the service.

Reasons for such blocking:

• 🔹 Contractual obligations – Xiaomi is partnering with Google and YouTube pre-installing is part of the agreement.
• 🔹 System Stability – Removing system applications can cause malfunctions MIUI TV Android TV.
• 🔹 Updates through Play Market – Even if you delete APK-file, the application can be restored after the next update.

On Android TVs (such as the Mi TV 5X), the situation is complicated by the fact that YouTube is part of the Google Services Framework, and its removal can disrupt the work of other services, such as Google Play Movies or Chromecast.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Smart) TV X50 Attempt to delete YouTube through ADB This can result in a blocking of access to Google Play, which requires a complete reset.

2. Method 1: Disable YouTube (without deletion)

If your goal is simply to hide the application or to ban it, you just have to disable it, and it's root-free and safe for the system.

Instructions for Android TV (Mi TV 4S/5X, Xiaomi TV A Pro):

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Find YouTube in the list and select it.
3. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, proceed to the next method).
4. Confirm the action – the application will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the system.

For MIUI TV (Redmi Smart TV, old Mi TV 3/4):

• 📺 Go to Settings. → All settings → Annexes.
• 🔍 Select YouTube and click Control.
• 🔕 Click Disable or Hide (depending on the firmware version).

Once disabled, the app won’t appear in the main menu, but it can be activated again via settings, a method that’s fine if you want to temporarily restrict access to YouTube (for example, for children).

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If the "Disable" button is inactive, try updating the app first through Google Play and then try again.

3. Method 2: Removing YouTube Updates

If standard removal is not available, you can roll back the app to the factory version.This won't remove YouTube completely, but will reset it to baseline, which sometimes solves work problems or eliminates unnecessary features.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Apps → YouTube.
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Remove Updates.
3. Confirm the action. The app will return to the factory version.
4. (Optional) In Google Play Settings, turn off auto-update for YouTube.

On TVs with MIUI TV, the path may be different:

Settings → All settings → Apps → App management → YouTube → Remove updates

Once rolled back, the app will run in a stripped-down mode but stay on the system, a method that is useful if YouTube has started to slow down after an update or shows unnecessary ads.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) TV Q1) After rollback updates, the application can automatically update the next time you connect to the Internet. To avoid this, turn off Wi-Fi before the procedure.

Method 3: Removal via ADB (for power users)

The most radical method is to remove YouTube via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the TV to a computer and executing commands in the terminal, which works on all Xiaomi models, but has risks.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 🔌 USB-cable (to connect the TV to the PC).
• 📋 Included debugging by USB TV-wise.

Step 1: Enable debugging over USB

1. On the TV, go to Settings → About TV.
2. Find the Build Number and click on it 7 times until the message “You’ve become a developer” appears.
3. Go back to Settings → For developers and enable USB debugging.

Step 2: Connect the TV to your PC and execute commands

1. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your TV.
3. Delete YouTube by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.youtube.tv Some models may require an alternative command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.youtube

If the command is successful, the application will be removed for the current user (without root rights, complete removal is impossible).

⚠️ Attention: On TVs with MIUI TV (For example, Redmi Smart. TV X43) after removal ADB Google Play may be lost, requiring a reset or re-authorization of your Google account.

5. Method 4: Resetting the TV to factory settings

If previous methods didn't work, the last thing you can do is reset your settings completely, and it will delete all apps, including YouTube updates, but it will also erase all your data: accounts, Wi-Fi settings, saved passwords.

How to reset:

1. Open Settings → Device → Reset and Reset (on Android TV) or Settings → All settings → System → Reset (on MIUI TV).
2. Choose Reset all settings or Restore factory settings.
3. Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter) PIN-code).
4. Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once reset, YouTube will be in factory condition, but not completely removed, to prevent automatic updates:

• 🔄 Turn off auto-update in Google Play.
• 📵 Turn off the internet before the initial setup is completed.
• 🔒 Set a password for installing apps (in parental control settings).

This method is guaranteed to work, but it is only worth using it as a last resort – for example, if YouTube has caused constant failures of the TV.

6. Method 5: Flashing the TV (for advanced)

If you're willing to take drastic measures, you can install custom firmware without preinstalled apps, which is only suitable for advanced users and requires unlocking the bootloader.

Warnings:

• 🚨 Flashing voids warranty and can lead to TV 'bricking.
• 🔧 It will. USB-storage device (formatted in FAT32) and a firmware file for your model.
• ⚡ Risk of losing features such as Google Assistant or Chromecast.

Step-by-step:

1. Download official or custom firmware for your model from the XDA Developers forum or xiaomifirmware.com.
2. Unpack the archive and copy the file update.zip on USB-accumulator.
3. Insert the flash drive into the TV and go to Settings → Software Update → Update via USB.
4. Select a file and confirm the installation. The TV will restart.

Once you have re-flashed, YouTube will be removed, but there may be problems with other Google services, a method that is only recommended if you are confident in your actions or prepared for the consequences.

7. Alternative Solutions: How to Limit YouTube Without Deleting

If deleting seems too risky, consider alternative ways to restrict access to YouTube:

1. Parental control

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Set up. PIN-code to launch the application in Settings → Parental control.
• 🔒 Block the installation of new applications without a password.

2. Restrictions on the Internet

• 🌐 In the router, block access to the domains youtube.com and googlevideo.com for IP-TV address.
• 📡 Turn off Wi-Fi on your TV and use only local content sources (USB, DLNA).

Installation of an alternative launcher

On Android TV, you can install a third-party launcher (for example, ATV Launcher), which allows you to hide unnecessary applications.

1. Download. APK launcher USB-accumulator.
2. In Settings → Security allow installation from unknown sources.
3. Set up a launcher and set up a YouTube hideout.

These methods do not require deep technical knowledge and are reversible at any time.

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If your goal is simply to restrict access to YouTube for children, parental controls or blocking through a router will be safer and easier than uninstalling the app.

FAQ: Frequent questions