Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face intrusive system applications, among which YouTube occupies a special place.The standard shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS does not allow you to simply take and remove this video service through the usual settings menu, which causes frustration for users who want to clean the device of excess garbage or simply do not use Google services.
There are several effective ways to get rid of the built-in app, from simple shutdown to deep system removal. The choice of method depends on your technical skills and goals. In this article, we will discuss each option in detail so that you can choose the most secure and suitable for your model Redmi Note.
It is worth noting that the complete removal of the system component requires caution. Wrong actions can lead to unstable operation of the Android operating system. However, following clear instructions, you can safely free up space and improve the performance of your gadget.
Why YouTube can’t be removed with a button
The reason is the Android security architecture: System applications preinstalled by the manufacturer or partner (in this case Google) are marked as undeleteable by standard means; the Remove button is either missing or inactive (gray) in the app menu, so that the user does not accidentally disrupt the system dependencies.
Xiaomi, like many other vendors, is entering into agreements with Google to pre-install the service package GMS (Google Mobile Services: This package includes video, which is considered a critical component by the system, although many users do not have it in practice, which is why removal requires special methods to bypass standard restrictions.
⚠️ Attention: Before any manipulation of system applications, it is strongly recommended to create a complete backup of important data.
There's a myth that deleting YouTube can damage Google's account. It's not. Your account and your data in the cloud will stay intact. You just delete the local app client from your device, and you can restore it at any time through the Play Market store if the decision turns out to be wrong.
Method 1: Disabling the application through settings
The safest and easiest way for anyone to connect to a computer is not to physically delete files, but to completely deactivate the application, it disappears from the menu, stops updating, consumes traffic and charges the battery in the background.
To do this, you have to go to your Redmi Note settings, find the program management section, and the path may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic remains the same, and you have to find the service itself on the list and force it to stop.
☑️ Pre-switch check
Once you find the menu item, click on the "Disable" button, and the system will give you a warning that the application may stop working correctly, agree, and then the icon will disappear from the desktop, and in the list of installed programs it will be marked as disabled.
The main advantage of this method is reversibility, and if you need a video service, you can turn it back on in a few seconds, but it won't free up space in the system partition memory, because the installation files will remain dead weight.
Method 2: Removal via ADB without Root Rights
This is a middle ground for advanced users, and it allows you to remove an application for the current user, effectively hiding it from the system as if it never existed, without having to get a superuser license (Root), which preserves the warranty on the device.
You will need a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) and USB-First, you need to activate the developer mode on the phone, and then you need to press the build number in the About Phone section 7 times in a row, and then turn on the Developer menu to debug. USB.
Download the minimum ADB toolkit to your computer. Connect your phone with a cable and type a command to check the connection. If it goes well, you'll see your device's serial number. Then you'll run a packet deletion command.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.youtubeOnce you execute the command, the application disappears instantly. It's important to understand the technical nuance: the file physically stays in the system partition, but for your user profile, it's marked as remote, which frees up user memory and removes the process from the task manager.
How to return a remote via ADB?
Method 3: Complete removal with Root rights
A radical method that involves superuser rights (Root) allows you to physically erase the application files from the system partition, which gives you the maximum effect of freeing up space, but carries risks. Getting Root rights on Xiaomi requires unlocking the bootloader, which dumps all the data from the phone.
To implement this method, you will need an installed rights manager (usually Magisk) and a file manager with root rights, such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer.
The process is like this: you open the system folder /system/app or /system/priv-app. Find folders associated with YouTube (often called YouTube or Vending), after deleting the files, you need to restart the device.
⚠️ Warning: Deleting system files manually can lead to a bootloop (infinite reboot) if you accidentally hit important dependencies. Do this only if you are confident in your actions and have a computer on hand to flash it in case of any accident.
This method is only valid for older devices with critically low memory capacity. On today’s Redmi Note with large storage capacity, it is easier and safer to use the ADB method, which produces almost the same visual and functional result.
Alternatives: How to Replace a Standard Client
After removing the official app, many users are asking, "How do you watch videos now?" Fortunately, the Android ecosystem offers many alternatives that often outperform the original in functionality, are devoid of advertising, can play video in the background and do not require Google services.
One of the best replacements is YouTube ReVanced, which is a modified version of the official client, which has built-in ad blockers, background playback and dislike returns. APK-file.
Another popular option is open source clients like NewPipe or SkyTube, which are extremely lightweight, do not require a Google account and respect user privacy, and can be found on the F-Droid store or on GitHub.
SmartTube is the ideal solution for owners of Android TVs and consoles, which is designed specifically for large screens, has no advertising and supports high-resolution 4K/8K playback without the unnecessary brakes typical of a standard application on weak devices.
Comparison of removal methods
To make it easier for you to decide on the choice of method, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you assess the risks and benefits of each option in the context of your specific situation and smartphone model.
| Method | I need a PC. | I need a Root. | The effect | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shutdown | No. | No. | Hiding from the menu | No. |
| ADB (User 0) | Yes. | No. | Complete removal for the user | Minimum |
| Root + Files | No. | Yes. | Physical removal | High-pitched |
| Third-party launchers | No. | No. | Hiding the icon | No. |
As you can see from the table, ADB is the most balanced method, it doesn't require a breach of warranty (getting a Root) and it gives you a great result, and the simple shutdown method is suitable for those who are afraid of communicating with the computer and commands.
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The best choice for 90% of users is the use of ADB-It's safe, it's effective, it doesn't require deep system intervention.
Possible problems and solutions
Unintended complications can occur during the removal process, such as the phone may not be computer-defined, in which case check the cable (it should transmit data, not just current) and drivers. Windows sometimes requires manually installing Google USB Driver drivers through Device Manager.
Another common problem is the error in typing the ADB command "Failure [not installed for 0]." This means that the batch name is incorrect or the application has already been removed/disabled. Check the accuracy of the command writing and the presence of spaces. For Xiaomi, the batch name is usually standard: com.google.android.youtube.
If you delete it through Root, you go into a cyclical reboot, you need to log in to Recovery mode, and you need to do Wipe Data, which will delete all your personal data, but bring the phone back to life, which is why backup is so important.
⚠️ Attention: Newer versions of HyperOS have tightened security policies, some system applications can automatically recover after a reboot, and only blocking the update through the system will help. ADB Adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.youtube.