How to completely remove YouTube from Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: from shutdown to root methods

Why is the standard YouTube deletion on Xiaomi not working?

You tried to remove YouTube from Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 through the usual app menu, but instead of the "Delete" button, you saw only "Disable" or "Delete Updates"? This is not a bug - this is how MIUI works on Android. The fact is that YouTube on most Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi Note 7) is installed as a system application - part of the firmware, not a regular APK from Google Play.

Manufacturers (including Xiaomi) are integrating YouTube into firmware for several reasons: partnership agreements with Google, certification requirements for Google Mobile Services (GMS), and a desire to provide a “ready-to-use” system to the user. However, for many Redmi Note 7 owners, this becomes a problem: the app takes up space in memory, consumes battery power in the background and is not always necessary. Fortunately, there are ways to get rid of it, from the simple to the radical.

Method 1: Disable YouTube without deletion (no root rights)

If you don't want to physically remove an app, but you just need to hide it and stop the background activity, this is the perfect method, and it doesn't require superuser rights, and you can reversibly return YouTube at any time.

Instructions:

• 📱 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 "Delete Updates").
• 🔄 Confirm the action in the dialog window.

What this method does:

• ✅ The app will disappear from the menu and launcher.
• ✅ Background activity will stop (battery savings before the end of the day) 3-5% day-to-day).
• ✅ Released before 100-150 MB cache (but not the app itself).
• ❌ YouTube will remain in the system and will take up space (about) 50-80 MB).

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 13-14 After disabling YouTube, access to the Google Play Store or other Google services may disappear. If this happens, turn the application back on and use alternative methods.

Method 2: Remove updates and reset to factory version

If YouTube on your Redmi Note 7 was updated via Google Play, it can be rolled back to a factory version that weighs significantly less.This method won't remove the app completely, but will reduce its size from ~200MB to ~30MB.

Step-by-step:

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 go back to the version that was used when you bought the phone.
4. Turn off automatic updates: Open Google Play, search YouTube, click on three dots → Remove from Auto Update.

This is a good option if you want to save space but are not prepared for drastic measures, but keep in mind that the next major update will be a big one. MIUI YouTube can update automatically again. To avoid this, use the following: ADB-teams (described below).

Check the current version of YouTube in Settings

Disable Wi-Fi/mobile data (so that the Play Store does not update the app during the process)

Backup of important data (in case of failure)

Reboot your phone after removing updates-->

Method 3: Delete YouTube via ADB (no root rights)

If you’re ready for more serious action but don’t want root access, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool to debug Android via your computer, which allows you to completely remove YouTube from the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 without root, but requires a PC connection.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB (guideline).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode on Redmi Note 7: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
4. Download ADB Tools and unpack into any folder.
5. Open the command prompt (cmd) in this folder and type: adb devices (should appear serial number of your phone).
6. Follow the command to delete YouTube: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.youtube

⚠️ Warning: After rebooting your phone or resetting your settings, YouTube may return if the system deems it critical. To prevent this, after deleting, follow the command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.youtube

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Complete removal without root rights.
• ✅ Doesn't affect the guarantee.
• ✅ Works on MIUI 12-14.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Requires PC and basic command line skills.
• ❌ Can I return the app after the update? MIUI.

💡

If the command doesn’t work, try first removing YouTube updates through Settings and then repeating. ADB-team.

Method 4: Complete removal with root rights

If you're willing to go to extreme lengths to get root access, you can physically remove YouTube from the system, freeing up to 200 MB of memory and permanently eliminating background activity.

• 🚨 Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).
• 🔄 The risk of “bricking” the phone with incorrect actions.
• 🔒 Security issues (root opens up vulnerabilities).

How to get root on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 7-14 days).
2. Install a custom TWRP recavator for the Redmi Note 7 (model lavender).
3. Sweep Magisk through TWRP to obtain root rights.

After receiving root:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/PrebuiltGmsCore or /system/app/ and find files related to YouTube: YouTube.apk YouTube.odex (if any)
3. Delete or rename these files (e.g. YouTube.bak).
4. Reboot the phone.

The alternative method (via Titanium Backup):

• Install Titanium Backup from Magisk Module.
• Find YouTube in the list of apps.
• Select "Un-install!"

⚠️ Attention: Removal of system APK This can cause a cyclic bootloop if you delete the dependent files. TWRP!

Method 5: Alternative launchers for YouTube Hiding

If all previous methods seem too complex or risky, you can simply hide YouTube with an alternative launcher.This won't remove the app physically, but will make it invisible in everyday use.

Best launchers for Xiaomi Redmi Note 7:

• 🌐 Nova Launcher – allows you to hide applications, customize gestures and icons.
• 🎨 Lawnchair – a lightweight launcher with support for hiding applications.
• 🔍 Microsoft Launcher – has a built-in function “Hidden applications".

How to hide YouTube in Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Hold your finger on the desktop → "Settings Nova".
3. Go to App & Widget drawers → Hide apps.
4. Select YouTube from the list.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require rooting or ADB.
• ✅ Reversible at any time.
• ✅ Additional features of phone customization.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ YouTube will remain on the system and will take up space.
• ❌ Background processes can continue to work (unless you disable the application in Settings).

💡

Alternative launchers are the safest way to remove YouTube, but not the most effective way to save memory and battery.

What if YouTube is back after the MIUI update?

One of the most common problems with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is that YouTube returns after a firmware update, which is because the system restores remote system applications when new versions of MIUI are installed.

How to prevent YouTube from returning:

• 📵 Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Settings → Deactivate "Automatic loading"
• 🔧 Use it. ADB to block installation: adb shell pm hide com.google.android.youtube
• 🛡️ Install the Magisk Module Universal GMS Doze or Disabler for MIUI (root).
• 📦 Check the list of apps regularly after updates and repeat deletion.

If YouTube is back,

1. Repeat Method 3 (ADB) or Method 4 (root).
2. Check if new dependencies have emerged (e.g. Google Play Services may be trying to restore YouTube).
3. If the problem recurs, consider switching to custom firmware (like LineageOS) that doesn’t have Google apps preinstalled.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing YouTube on Xiaomi