How to Remove YouTube from Xiaomi Forever: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often face intrusive pre-installed software. MIUI and its global version of HyperOS are guilty of having apps that cannot be removed by standard methods. Especially Google services like YouTube, which takes up space in memory and consumes resources in the background. Many users are looking for ways to get rid of this video service to free up space or just for the sake of minimalism.

The process of removing system applications requires care and understanding of the structure of the Android operating system. Simply removing the shortcut from the desktop does not solve the problem, since the very same thing is not solved. APK-The file stays in the system partition. To clean it properly, you need to use special tools to interact with deep layers of firmware. In this article, we will look at all the available methods, from secure methods without root rights to advanced options for power users.

It is important to understand that there are always risks involved in interfering with system processes. Mistakes can lead to unstable device performance or even loss of warranty. However, with caution and following the instructions, you can safely deactivate or remove YouTube from your Xiaomi device. Let's take a look at the preparations and basic methods for doing this.

Why You Can't Just Delete YouTube Through Settings

The standard Android interface on Xiaomi smartphones blocks removal of what developers believe are critical components. YouTube is often integrated into the system section /system/app or /system/priv-app. The average user only has access to the user data section, so the “Delete” button in the application settings is inactive or absent.

This restriction is dictated by licensing agreements between Google and device manufacturers, and GMS services are considered the backbone of the ecosystem and are prohibited from being removed by regular means, but the operating system provides mechanisms to disable or hide these components, as well as tools for developers to circumvent these restrictions.

⚠️ Note: Forced removal of system packages may disrupt other Google services such as the Google Play Store or Google Photos. Always check for dependencies before deleting.

There are several layers of file system access that define the user's ability. Without superuser rights (Root) or using USB debugging, you're limited to deaktivation only. But even deactivation through special utilities allows you to effectively remove the application from view and stop its processes.

Preparing Xiaomi smartphone to remove system applications

Before you start manipulating system files, you need to configure the device correctly. The first step is to activate the developer mode. To do this, go to the Settings menu, select About phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI or HyperOS version. After that, a new section will appear in the menu "Additional" or "Extended settings".

Inside the developer menu, find and activate the USB Debugging option, which will allow the computer to send commands to the smartphone, and enable the USB Debugging (Secure Settings Only) option if it is present in your firmware version, although some methods require full permission.

  • 📱 Click 7 times on the build number in the About Phone section to activate the developer menu.
  • 🔌 Turn on the "Debugging by" slider. USB" sub-set.
  • 💻 Install the drivers. ADB on your computer to correctly recognize the device.
  • 🔋 Make sure that the battery is at least 50% to avoid turning off.

You'll need a Windows, macOS or Linux computer to run it, and you'll need to download the Android SDK Platform-Tools from the official developer site, a suite of utilities that includes adb (Android Debug Bridge), which is a key tool for managing the device.

☑️ Preparation of the device

Done: 0 / 1

Removal method via ADB AppControl and PC

The safest and most convenient way for most users is to use graphical shells for ADB. ADB AppControl (or the Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools analog) allows you to see a list of all installed applications and manage them without entering complex commands manually, which reduces the risk of error to a minimum.

Once you install the program on your PC and connect the smartphone with a cable, you need to authorize the connection. On the phone screen, you will see a request for debugging permission from this computer — be sure to click "Allow." The program will scan the device and display a list of applications, dividing them into user and system.

Search YouTube (com.google.android.youtube). Select it and select "Delete" or "Disable" action. Delete physically erases the application file from the system, and disabling only hides it and stops processes. For YouTube, it is often enough to turn it off if you are afraid of damaging the system.

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

This command, which can be entered manually into the console or through the program interface, removes the application for the current user (user 0). It disappears from the menu, stops updating and consumes traffic, while the system partition remains intact, making it easy to restore the factory reset application if necessary.

What to do if your computer can’t see your phone?
If the device does not appear in the program, try replacing it. USB-You can also switch to the original or to the original port. MTP or ADB Interface in Windows Device Manager. Sometimes it helps to turn on debugging again. USB.» If you can't connect your smartphone to your computer, you can use the terminal emulator right on your device. The Termux app allows you to run Linux commands on Android. However, removing system applications with this method will require Root rights or the use of special permissions through Shizuku.The method with Shizuku is preferred, since it does not require unlocking the bootloader or obtaining full superuser rights. Install Shizuku and Termux apps (or any package manager). Launch Shizuku and follow the instructions for activation via wireless debugging right in the phone settings. Once Shizuku is activated in Termux, you can use utilities that support this backend, such as App Manager or special scripts. They will remove the com.google.android.youtube package in a similar way to the PC method. This is a more complex way, requiring careful study of the interface of the utilities used. ADB AppControl Yes No Low High Termux + Shizuku No No No Medium High Root + System App Remover No Yes High Medium Fastboot (Clean install) Yes No High Low Alternatives: Locking through_hosts_ and DNS If the purpose of removing YouTube is not to make room, but to restrict access to content (for example, for children or to improve productivity), then removing the application may be excessive. It's more effective to block access to the video service servers at the network level, and this can be done by changing the hosts file or configuring the hosts file. DNS. To change the hosts file, you'll need root rights.The file is on the way. /system/etc/hosts. Adding a line 127.0.0.1 www.youtube.com, you redirect the app's requests to nowhere. However, on modern versions of Android with an encrypted partition. /system It's hard to do without flashing it. The easiest way is to use a private one. DNS. In network settings (Settings) → Connection and sharing → Private DNS) You can write down the address of an ad blocker that can also cut YouTube, like AdGuard. DNS Have special addresses to block Google domains. ⚠️ Attention: Blocking through DNS It may stop working if the YouTube app uses new domains or IP-Addresses not included in the block list. It's not a 100% guaranteed method. There are also modified YouTube clients, such as YouTube ReVanced. They don't remove the original app, but replace it with the functionality, removing ads and background restrictions. APK Youtube Restore After Deleting If you have learned through experimentation that life is getting boring without YouTube, or the system is starting to work incorrectly, the app can be returned. Since we only deleted it for the current user (user 0), the original installation file remained in the hidden system partition. ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.youtube.This command forces the system to re-unpack the system application for the user. If this method does not work, a complete reset to factory settings will help (Factory Reset). 💡Removal through ADB It does not physically erase the application from the disk, but only hides it from the user, which makes it easy to restore work at any time.In the case of using third-party launchers or system modifications, recovery may require re-installation of the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool. Therefore, it is always recommended to back up important data before any manipulation of system components (FAQ) Is it safe to delete YouTube through the ADB Yes, it's safe if you only delete the com.google.android.youtube. The uninstall command for user 0 doesn't touch the system partition, so the phone won't turn into a brick. However, removing critical system components (e.g. SystemUI) can lead to bootloop. Do I need to unlock the bootloader to remove? No, to use methods ADB and disable applications, unlock the bootloader is not required. USB. The only thing you need to unlock is to make a deep modification of the system or install custom recavators. Will Google Play stop working after YouTube is removed? In most cases, the Google Play Store continues to work correctly. However, there may be problems with other Google services if they are linked to shared libraries. Usually, removing only YouTube does not affect the app store. Can you delete YouTube on global firmware without a PC? Without a computer, you can use a bunch of Termux applications + Shizuku or specialized application managers requiring special permissions through wireless debugging. 💡Before you delete any system application, write down its full name (e.g. com.google.android.youtube) if you want to restore it in the future.