How to Remove YouTube from Xiaomi Redmi 6: From Standard Methods to ADB

Xiaomi Redmi 6, with its modest 3GB of RAM and 32/64GB of internal storage, often suffers from “clogging” with pre-installed apps. One of the main “eaters” of resources is YouTube – especially if you do not use it, but the system stubbornly updates it in the background. Unlike new Xiaomi models, where the application can be disabled in settings, on Redmi 6 (released in 2018) with MIUI 9-11, this turns into a real quest.

The problem is compounded by the fact that YouTube on Redmi 6 is often integrated into the system section as com.google.android.youtube, rather than installed as a regular user app.This means that the standard "delete" in the app menu will be inactive. However, there are workarounds - from temporary shutdown to complete removal through ADB (In this article we will discuss all working methods, including nuances for different versions. MIUI, And explain why some of the ways may not work on your device.

Why can’t YouTube be removed in the standard way?

On Xiaomi Redmi 6 (and many other Xiaomi budget smartphones of the period), YouTube falls into the category of system applications that the manufacturer blocks from being removed for several reasons:

• 🔄 License Agreements with Google. Xiaomi must include a basic set of Google Mobile Services (GMS) Deleting key applications (such as YouTube or Chrome) may violate these terms.
• 🛡️ Protection from “curved” firmware. MIUI restricts access to system files so that users do not accidentally delete critical components (e.g. com.android.phone), which will result in bootloop (locked on).
• 📦 Updates via Google Play.Even if you don't launch YouTube, it can update automatically by taking up space in the section /data (where user data is stored).

Interestingly, on newer models (like the Redmi Note 10 or POCO X3), YouTube can often be disabled via the app menu, but on Redmi 6 with MIUI 9-11, this item is simply missing. What's the catch?

⚠️ Note: If you see the “Delete” button for YouTube in the settings, it means that your device has a custom version of the application installed (not system). In this case, just click “Delete” – but after rebooting or updating. MIUI The app could come back!

Method 1: Disable YouTube without deleting (to save resources)

If your goal is simply to free up RAM and prevent YouTube from doing background activity, you just need to disable the app and block its updates, a method that does not require root rights and is suitable for users who are afraid of “breaking” the system.

Steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type YouTube (or scroll through the list to the All Apps section).
3. Click on YouTube, then select Disable (if the button is inactive, see Method 3).
4. Confirm the action by clicking Disable the application.

After the shutdown:

• 📵 The app will disappear from the menu and stop running.
• 🔄 Updates via Google Play will be blocked (but not always – see below).
• 📥 Released before 100–150 MB of space in section /data (by deleting cache and data).

But there's a caveat: Google Play can continue to download updates for the app that's disabled, taking up space in memory.

1. Open Google Play.
2. Go to Profile → App and Device Management → YouTube.
3. Click on the three dots in the top corner and select Remove from the update list.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 9 after updating the system through OTA Disabled applications can be activated again. Check their status after each update!

Method 2: Remove YouTube Updates (if the app is system-based)

If YouTube on your Redmi 6 is system (the Remove button is inactive, and Disable button is), you can return it to the factory version by removing all updates.

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. Confirm action. The app will roll back to the version preinstalled in MIUI.
4. Then turn it off as described in Method 1.

Advantages of this method:

• 📉 Reduced battery consumption (no background processes).
• 📱 Released until 50–80 MB in the section /data.
• 🔒 The app will not update through Google Play until you turn it on.

But there are downsides:

• 🔄 After resetting (hard reset) or updating MIUI through OTA The application may return to the current version.
• 🛑 Some features (like YouTube Music or Premium) will stop working even after being turned on again.

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

If you're willing to go for more drastic measures, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) will allow you to completely remove YouTube from Xiaomi Redmi 6, even if it's system-based.This method doesn't require root rights, but requires a computer connection.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 ADB Fastboot Tools by Google.
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB smartphone.

Step 1. Enable debugging over USB

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate Debugging via USB and confirm the resolution.

Step 2: Connect your smartphone to your PC and check the connection

1. Connect Redmi 6 to your computer via USB.
2. Select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the notification curtain.
3. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
4. Enter the command: adb devices If the device is displayed in the list – the connection is established.

Step 3: Delete YouTube

Enter two commands in turn:

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


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

What these teams do:

• pm uninstall - removes the packet.
• -k - saves cache and data (in case you want to restore it).
• --user 0 — Deletes only for the current user (does not affect system files).
• com.google.android.youtube is the main YouTube app.
• com.google.android.apps.youtube.music - YouTube Music (if installed).

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If the command doesn’t work, try to turn off YouTube in the settings first (Method 1), then repeat the procedure through ADB.

Result:

• 🗑️ The application will be completely removed from the system (it will not even appear in the disabled list).
• 📈 Free up to 200-300 MB (including cache and data).
• 🔒 Google Play will not be able to update or restore YouTube until you reset your settings.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI after updating OTA YouTube may come back, in which case, repeat the procedure or consider the custom firmware option.

Method 4: Removal through custom firmware (for advanced)

If you’re willing to go to extreme lengths and want to not only remove YouTube but also get rid of another bloat (pre-installed Xiaomi apps), you might want to consider custom firmware, a method that only suits power users, as it requires unlocking the bootloader and installing an alternative OS.

Pros:

• 🧹 Complete removal of all unnecessary apps (including Facebook, Mi Browser, Mi Video, etc.).
• 🚀 Improved productivity through optimized code.
• 📱 Possibility of installation MIUI without GMS (If you don’t need Google services).

Cons:

• ⚠️ The risk of brick (turning the phone into a brick) when you make an error.
• 🔒 Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).
• 🔄 The need for manual firmware updates.

Recommended Firmware for Redmi 6:

• 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without bloat.
• 📱 Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel interface.
• 📱 MIUI by XDA — modified MIUI free-of-use.

The installation instructions are beyond the scope of this article, but the basic steps are:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Install TWRP Recovery.
3. Backup the current firmware.
4. Sweat the custom firmware through TWRP.

How to get back YouTube if you need it?

If you deleted YouTube through ADB or custom firmware, but then decided to return it, there are a few ways:

• 📥 Install YouTube from Google Play (there will be a custom version, not a system version).
• 🔄 Make a reset of settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Resetting settings).
• 🔧 If you've used ADB, Return the application with the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.youtube

Important: Once restored via Google Play, the app will update automatically, to avoid this, immediately after installation:

1. Open Google Play.
2. Go to the YouTube page.
3. Press three points. → Remove from the list of updates.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you delete YouTube from Xiaomi Redmi 6, users often face typical problems.

• 🚫 «Team not found" in ADB: Problem: When you type in adb devices, the system writes command not found. Solution: Make sure that ADB added to the environment variables (PATH), Or run commands from the platform-tools folder.
• 🔌 The phone is not determined in ADB: Problem: Adb devices show blank list.Solution: Check if debugging is enabled by USB, Try another cable or port USB. Windows may require the installation of Mi drivers PC Suite.
• 🔒 «Failure to delete packet": Problem: Adb shell pm uninstall command returns Failure error [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR]. Solution: Try to turn the app off in the settings first, then repeat the command. If it doesn't work, your version. MIUI Blocking removal (rooting is required).
• 🔄 YouTube is back after an update MIUI: Problem: After OTA-Update the application appears again.Solution: Repeat the deletion procedure through ADB or turn off automatic update checks in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

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If you are not sure about your actions with ADB, It is better to choose Method 1 (disable) or Method 2 (remove updates). MIUI.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions