How to permanently remove YouTube from Xiaomi Redmi 8: from standard removal to deep cleaning

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its owners often face a problem: preinstalled YouTube takes up space in memory, slows down the system and prevents you from completely removing through standard settings. Unlike the new models of Redmi, where the application can be deactivated in two clicks, on the Redmi 8 (released in 2019), the process is complicated due to the features of the MIUI 10/11 firmware.

In this article, you will find 5 working methods, from simple shutdown to complete deletion of system files (including hidden updates), we will also discuss why YouTube returns after resetting, and how to prevent it. All instructions are tested on Redmi 8 with current versions of MIUI and adapted for users without technical skills.

Why can’t YouTube be removed in the standard way?

On Xiaomi Redmi 8, YouTube is embedded in the system partition as part of the Google Mobile Services (GMS) package.

• 🔹 It's taking over. ~150–200 MB in the section /system, Unavailable without superuser rights (root).
• 🔹 MIUI Blocks the “Delete” button in the app menu, offering only “Disable” or “Remove Updates».
• 🔹 Even after the shutdown, YouTube continues to receive background updates through the Google Play Store.

Moreover, Redmi 8 uses the /product partition (introduced in Android 9), which stores additional system APKs. This makes cleaning difficult: even after deleting the main com.google.android.youtube-1.apk file, there may be stubs left in other sections.

Method 1: Disable YouTube without removing (without root)

If you just have to hide an application and stop it from working in the background, this is the best way to do it. It doesn't require superuser rights, and we'll reversing:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type “YouTube” and select the app from the list.
3. Click “Disable” (not “Delete Updates”!).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After that:

• 📱 YouTube icon will disappear from the app menu.
• 🔄 The app will stop updating through Google Play.
• ⚠️ But! YouTube files will stay in memory (~150 MB), and when resetting or updating MIUI It could come back.

💡

To return YouTube back, go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications → Menus (⋮) → Show off and click "Include».

Method 2: Remove YouTube Updates (release up to 50MB)

Even if you turn off YouTube, its cache and updates continue to take up space, and you can manually delete them:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → YouTube → Storage.
2. Click on “Clear Cache” and “Delete Data”.
3. Then select “Delete Updates” (this will return the app to the factory version).

This method will free up to 50-70 MB, but:

⚠️ Warning: After the next update via Google Play, YouTube will “bloat” back to the current version. To avoid this, block the automatic update in the Google Play settings for this app.

Method 3: Completely delete YouTube via ADB (without root)

If you're ready for more radical measures, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) will allow you to remove YouTube without superuser rights.This method works on Redmi 8 thanks to the features of MIUI, but requires a connection to a computer.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 ADB Tools by Google.
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.


2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) in the folder with ADB.




3. Enter a command to check the connection:


   adb devices


(Serial number of your Redmi 8). should appear)




4. execute the removal command:


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


5. Reboot the phone.

After this command, YouTube will be removed for the current user (not from the system partition), but will be freed up to 180 MB and will not be updated.

⚠️ Note: When resetting settings or updating MIUI The application can return via fastboot. To avoid this, block its installation via Google Play (see Method 4).

USB | Installed drivers ADB| Phone connected in file transfer mode | Command line open on behalf of administrator-->

Method 4: Blocking the Automatic YouTube Installation

Even after deleting, Google Play can automatically restore YouTube when you update your system apps next.

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Find YouTube in search.
3. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and uncheck the checkmark with "Auto Update».
4. Select “Do not update” manually.

For reliability, also disable auto-update of all applications:

• 🔧 Google Play → Settings → Auto-update of applications → Not update automatically.

If you have used Method 3 (ADB), further block the installation of YouTube via Package Installer:

adb shell pm hide com.google.android.youtube

Method 5: Remove YouTube with root rights (for experienced)

If you have root access (e.g., through Magisk), you can completely erase YouTube from the system partition.This is the only way to get rid of it forever, but it takes care:

Step 1: Install a root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer).

Step 2. Go to the folders:

• 📁 /system/priv-app/YouTube — basic APK.
• 📁 /system/app/YouTube — alternate-position.
• 📁 /product/priv-app/YouTube — Additional files (if any).

Step 3: Delete all files with the.apk and.odex extensions in these folders.

Step 4: Clear the Dalvik cache (via Magisk or TWRP) to avoid errors.

Warning:

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect deletion of system files can lead to bootloop (locking on the boot). TWRP Or OrangeFox. On Redmi. 8 especially vulnerable files in /system — Their damage requires reflashing.

💡

Root removal is the only way to get rid of YouTube forever, but it's risky. If you're not sure what you're doing, use Method 3 (ADB) or disable the app in the standard way.

What if YouTube is needed but it is slowing down?

If you don’t want to delete YouTube, but it slows down Redmi 8, try:

• 🔧 Turn off background activity: Settings → Annexes → YouTube → Battery → Background activity → Limit.
• 📵 Prohibit Autostart: Settings → Annexes → YouTube → Auto-start → Shut down.
• 🚫 Remove from optimization MIUI: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → YouTube → Not optimize.

You should also install YouTube Vanced (an alternative client without ads) or use the web version through a browser with a request for a desktop version (chrome://flags/#force-desktop-site).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing YouTube from Xiaomi Redmi 8