Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 7 smartphones often face intrusive pre-installed applications, among which the video service from Google leads. Standard methods of uninstallation in the MIUI system do not allow you to simply get rid of this component, since it is integrated into the system partition of memory, which creates the illusion that you can not clean the device from excess software, which is especially true for budget models with limited internal storage.
But there are proven ways to get around these limitations, to completely clear the operating system of unnecessary software. Deleting system applications requires care, but it gives real performance gains and frees up valuable megabytes. In this article, we will examine all legitimate methods, from simple disconnection to deep cleaning through a computer interface.
It’s worth noting that complete deletion is different from standard deactivation. If you just hide the icon, the process can still consume resources in the background. Completely deleting the com.google.android.youtube package via ADB is the only way to ensure that the service never starts on its own. Next, we’ll go into detail each step of the procedure.
Why YouTube can't be removed in the standard way on Redmi 7
The Android operating system, based on the Linux kernel, has a strict hierarchy of access rights. Applications installed by the smartphone manufacturer before sale are placed in the /system/app or /system/priv-app section. This section is read-only for the average user, which protects the integrity of the system from random changes, but prevents customization.
Xiaomi Redmi 7 runs a MIUI shell that further protects system processes. Even if you find the Remove button in the settings, it will be inactive (shadowed in gray) This is done to ensure that an inexperienced user does not remove critical components that depend on the work of Google Play Services or other system functions.
In addition, the video service is often linked to other services in the Google ecosystem, and attempting to roughly delete files through a file manager without the appropriate permissions (Root) will only result in an access error.
⚠️ Warning: Directly deleting system files without backing up can cause device instability or cyclic reboot.Always check the name of the packet being deleted.
Understanding the Android permission architecture is essential to the success of the procedure. You can't just erase an application like a file on a flash drive. You'll need a tool that can send a command to a system with enhanced privileges without having to go through the standard user interface.
Preparation of the Xiaomi Redmi 7 smartphone for deep cleaning
Before you start manipulating system components, you need to configure the smartphone itself correctly. The first step is to activate the hidden menu for developers. Without this item, USB debugging will not be available, and the computer will not be able to interact with the phone at the required level.
To enable the developer mode, perform the following actions:
- 📱 Open Settings and go to About Phone section.
- 🔢 Find the line Version MIUI And press it fast. 7-10 successively.
- ✅ Wait for the notification “You became a developer!".
- 🔙 Return to the main settings menu, scroll down to the optional item and select For Developers.
Inside the developer menu, we are only interested in one setting: USB Debugging. Activate the switch and confirm the system's risk warning. It is also recommended to turn on the option "Do not turn off the screen when charging" so that the device does not fall asleep at a critical time of data transfer.
The second important step is to prepare your computer. You'll need a USB cable with good wires, because cheap cables often only support charging, but not data transfer. Connect your smartphone to your PC and select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the window that appears on your phone's screen, although this is not strictly necessary for ADB, but is useful for accessing internal memory.
☑️ Redmi 7 Prepares for System Application Removal
Method 1: Disabling the application through MIUI settings
The safest, though not the most radical, way is to shut down the service completely. Unlike simply removing the shortcut, this method causes the system to stop running the app's code and allocate RAM to it. For many Xiaomi Redmi 7 users, this is enough to stop noticing the presence of YouTube.
To turn off, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find it in the YouTube list. If you can't find it right away, search or click three dots in the corner of the screen and select "Show System Processes." In the menu that opens, click "Switch off or off."
Once confirmed, the app icon will disappear from the desktop and menu, the system will forcefully stop all related processes and prevent the application from running even background services, but the space in the /system partition will not be released, since the files will remain on the disk "dead load".
This is ideal for those who are afraid of damaging the system, and if you need a video service again in the future, you can turn it back on with a single click in the same settings menu, which is a reversible procedure that doesn't require a computer.
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After disabling the application, go to Settings → Memory and clear the system cache to delete temporary files that may have been left from YouTube.
Method 2: Removal via ADB without Root rights (Recommended)
The most efficient way to physically remove an app for the current user without breaking the warranty or getting superuser rights is by using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool. The computer sends a command to the Android system, which marks the package as remote for your user profile.
The process is as follows:
- 💻 Download and unpack Platform-tools (official package) ADB) from Google to your computer.
- 🔌 Get Redmi on board. 7 Cable to the PC and allow debugging to pop up (CMD) PowerShell in the tool folder ADB. Enter the adb device command. You'll see a request for debugging permission from that computer on your phone screen -- tick "Always Allow" and click on it. OK. The console should have a serial number for the device, and now you're going to type in the command to delete it. The name of the video service package is com.google.android.youtube. adb shell pm uninstall. -k --user 0 com.google.android.youtube After clicking Enter, you should see the message Success. app will disappear instantly. /system, It is simply hidden for your user (User). 0). It's safe and doesn't violate the integrity of the system files. When you reset your phone to the factory settings (Wipe Data), the application will return, because it's stored in a factory image. 💡Team team. ADB It removes the application only for the current user, leaving the original files in the system, which makes it easy to restore everything by resetting the settings. If you just need to free up RAM and remove the icon, a standard shutdown is enough, but if the goal is to free up space in the user partition as much as possible (although the system partition will not affect this), and ensure that there are no processes, it is better to use it. ADB. Below is a table comparing available options for Redmi 7 owners: Standard Delete Settings Removal via ADB Reinstallation Security High High Medium Low Place Release No (unavailable) No Partial (for the user) Full Complexity Low Average High Application Return Through Google Play Market Enable in Phone Reset or System Reinstallation As seen from the table, the method using ADB is the golden mean. It does not require unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader is a difficult time for Google Payet to use the mobile phone-right applications). They either simply disable applications (as method 1) or require a connection via ADB anyway. It is better to use direct commands than to trust third-party software to access your system. Restore YouTube after deleting If after deleting you realize that you still need the service, or some other application (for example, messengers or browser) stopped opening links to the video correctly, the service must be returned. Since the files remain in the system, the recovery process is simple. For the method with ADB, there is a restore command that you need to enter in the same command window: adb shell cmd install-extooming com, this application will be available from the Internet package. If you have done a full Hard Reset, YouTube will automatically return with all the other factory apps, in which case you will either have to use it again. ADB, Or accept the presence of the app by turning it off in the settings. ADB Make sure the drivers are installed correctly. Try replacing them. USB-cable or port. Reset the service ADB Adb kill-server and adb start-server, check if debugging is enabled. USB. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Is it safe to delete YouTube on Xiaomi Redmi 7? Yes, it's safe. Video service is not a critical component for Android downloads or basic phone features (calls) to work, SMS, Wi-Fi: Deleting it will not break your smartphone, do you need to unlock the bootloader to remove it? No, to remove through ADB (User method 0) no bootloader unlock required. This is a standard debugging feature available on any device with developer mode enabled. Can I watch YouTube in my browser after deleting the application? Yes, absolutely. Deleting a native application does not affect the operation of the web version of the site youtube.com in the browser Chrome, Yandex or any other. The functionality will be even wider, since you can use ad blockers. MIUI? Updating the firmware “over the air" (OTA) It usually does not affect the user settings of the packages, so remote via ADB However, a major Android update (e.g. 9 to 10) may reset some settings. Can other Xiaomi system applications be removed in the same way. Only the name of the package changes (e.g. com.miui.video for Mi Video) Be very careful: removing system components like com.android.phone or com.miui.securitycenter can render the phone inoperable.