Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphones often face the intrusiveness of Google’s pre-installed services, which take up precious space in memory and consume CPU resources. The standard MIUI interface does not provide a direct button to completely remove system applications such as YouTube, which causes frustration for advanced users. However, there are proven methods to circumvent these restrictions, allowing you to clean the system of unnecessary “junk” without the need for root rights.
In this article, we will look at several ways to solve this problem, from simply turning off through settings to using specialized tools like ADB. It is important to understand that interfering with system processes requires care, since mistakenly removing critical components can disrupt the stability of Android.
Before you start taking action, you need to understand the difference between deleting and disabling. Completely erasing an apk file requires deeper access to the file system, while disabling simply hides the application and prevents it from running. For most Redmi 9 users, the best solution is a combination of methods that will provide the desired result without the risk of turning the device into a brick.
Analysis of MIUI system constraints on Redmi 9
The Android-based MIUI operating system has a specific permission structure. Xiaomi developers deliberately protect certain packages, including com.google.android.youtube, from standard removal via the application management menu, to preserve the functionality of Google’s ecosystem and prevent inexperienced users from accidentally damaging the system.
When you try to remove YouTube in the usual way, the button may be inactive or not at all, because the application is system-based. Trying to get root rights to overcome this barrier automatically voids the warranty on the Redmi 9 device and can cause banking applications to malfunction due to security breaches.
⚠️ Note: Getting root rights to Xiaomi Redmi 9 requires unlocking the bootloader, which leads to a complete data reset and waiting from 7 to 168 hours before the procedure begins.
Fortunately, modern versions of Android allow you to use USB debugging to manage packages without having to hack the system, creating a safe corridor to remove unnecessary software, and understanding the MIUI architecture helps you choose the least risky path to achieve your goal.
Preparing the device for modification of system applications
Before any manipulations, you need to properly configure the Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphone. The basic requirement for working with system packages through a computer is to activate the developer mode. Without this step, the computer will not be able to access the file structure of the phone to transmit commands.
To start, go to the Settings menu. → About the phone and find the line "Version" MIUI». You need to press this line quickly. 7-10 Once in a row, until the notification "You became a developer" appears, and then a new menu for developers will appear in the "Additional" section, where you need to activate the "Debug by" item. USB».
- 📱 Charge the Redmi 9 battery to at least 60% to avoid shutting down during the process.
- 💻 Install the drivers. ADB and Fastboot on your personal computer or laptop.
- 🔌 Use the original. USB-cable to provide stable connection without data loss.
It is also recommended to back up important data, although the methods described do not involve a complete reset. Using high-quality cable is critical, since cheap analogues often only support charging, but not data transfer, which will lead to a connection error when trying to enter commands.
☑️ Readiness check for Redmi 9
Disconnection method through standard Android settings
The safest, though not radical, way to combat YouTube on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is to use the built-in shutdown feature, which doesn’t physically delete the app files from memory, but completely shuts it down, hides the icon and bans background processes, which is effectively equivalent to deleting for the average user.
To implement this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Search YouTube and click on it. In the menu that opens, select the “Disable” button. The system will alert you that the app will stop working and disappear from the desktop. Confirm the action.
The advantage of this method is that it is completely reversible, and if you need YouTube functionality after a while, you can easily turn it back on through the same menu, and it doesn't require you to connect to your computer and install additional software.
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After disabling YouTube, free up space by clearing its cache and data in the same app settings menu before re-disabling if the cleanup button is active.
But it's worth noting that the application files still take up space in the internal storage. For Redmi 9 with 32 or 64 GB of storage, this can be a significant factor. If you want to physically release megabytes, you'll have to use more advanced tools, which will be discussed below.
Complete removal via ADB: step-by-step instructions
The most effective way to get rid of YouTube on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is to use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) toolkit, which allows you to send commands directly to the package manager of the system, bypassing the graphical interface of the MIUI restrictions.
First, you need to download the SDK Platform-Tools platform from the official Android developer site and unpack the archive on the C: disk. Next, connect the smartphone with a cable to the PC. On the phone screen, a request for debugging permission will appear - be sure to tick "Always Allow" and click "OK".
Open the command prompt (cmd) or PowerShell in the ADB tool folder. Make sure the device is visible to the system by entering the command:
adb devicesIf your Redmi 9 serial number appears on the list with device status, the connection is successfully installed. Now you can proceed to delete.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.youtubeOnce you enter the command and click Enter, the application will disappear from the device instantly. It is important to understand that in this case we delete the application only for the current user (user 0), without affecting the system partition, which allows you to restore it by factory reset if necessary.
List of packet names for removal
Use of specialized ulets (Universal Android Debloater)
For those who don’t want to mess around with manually entering commands, there are graphical shells for ADB like Universal Android Debloater.It’s an open-source cross-platform app that automatically scans the connected Xiaomi Redmi 9 and shows a list of packages installed with recommendations for removing them.
The interface is divided into categories: system, user, etc. If you find com.google.android.youtube, you can click the delete button, and the program will generate and send the necessary command, which reduces the risk of a typo in the name of the package, which is especially important for beginners.
The main advantage of using such utilities is the knowledge base about safe to remove applications.The program can warn if you try to remove a critical component of the system that can lead to a bootloop (cyclic reboot).
| Method | Difficulty | Risk to the system | Recoverability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disconnection in settings | Low. | Absent. | Instant. |
| ADB (command line) | Medium | Low. | Requires reset or reinstall |
| Universal Debloater | Low. | Medium. | Requires reset or reinstall |
| Root rights + System App Remover | Tall. | High-pitched | Difficult. |
The choice of tool depends on your confidence in handling the technical means. The command line is enough for a one-time removal of YouTube on Redmi 9, but if you plan to clean the system regularly, installing a graphical interface will save time.
Alternatives and Restore Remote YouTube
After removing a standard client, many users wonder how to replace it. Direct installation of an apk file may not be possible without Google Framework services. Alternatively, you can use the web version through a browser or open-source third-party clients such as NewPipe or SmartTube, which do not require the installation of Google services and are free of advertising.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party YouTube customers may not support logging into your Google account, which will limit access to subscriptions and browsing history if they are not synced with the cloud.
If things change and you need to get your official YouTube back to the Xiaomi Redmi 9, there are a number of ways to do it, and the easiest way to do it is to reset your phone to the factory settings, which will put all the system applications back in place, a radical method that requires a complete backup of data.
A softer way is to re-install via ADB. You need to download the original YouTube apk file (the version compatible with your version of Android) and install it with the command:
adb install name_of_file.apkHowever, since we removed the user 0 application, the system may perceive the installation as an update or simply put a new copy.In some cases, if the system part was affected, it may be necessary to flash the device through the Mi Flash Tool.
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Removing system applications via ADB is conditionally safe, as it does not affect the system partition, but requires caution when selecting packets to remove.