The YouTube app on Xiaomi Redmi 9T is often a source of annoyance: it takes up space in memory, consumes traffic in the background and prevents you from completely disabling updates. Unlike most user programs, YouTube on Xiaomi is often embedded in the firmware as a system application — it can not be removed in the standard way through the settings menu. But this does not mean that the task is impossible.
In this article, we'll look at all the possible methods, from temporary shutdown to complete deletion with ADB and even manual intervention in system files. It's important to understand that the depth of intervention depends on your goals. If you just want to hide an application, the first two ways will suffice. If the goal is to make room and get rid of background activity forever, you have to use advanced techniques. On Redmi 9T with MIUI 12.5+ firmware, the method of disconnecting through Settings → Applications is unstable - the application can self-heal after system updates.
Before you start, check:
- 📱 Version MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. On the Redmi. 9T current versions 12.5–14.
- 🔒 Root rights status: if the phone is not rooted, methods with ADB and editing system files will require unlocking the bootloader.
- 📦 Free space: after removal of the system APK Up to 150-200 MB (depending on YouTube version).
1. disable YouTube without deleting (the safest way)
If you don't have to permanently erase an app, but you just stop it and hide it from the menu, this is the best way to do it, and it doesn't require superuser rights, and it's reversible, and if you need it, you can re-activate YouTube.
Steps to shut down:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- In the search bar, type “YouTube” and select the app from the list.
- Click Disable (the button will appear if the application is system).
- Confirm the action in the dialog window.
What happens after the shutdown:
- 🚫 YouTube icon will disappear from the app menu.
- 📵 The app will stop receiving updates via Google Play.
- 🔄 Background processes (e.g. statistics collection) will be stopped.
- ⚠️ But! the application files will remain in the memory of the phone and will take about 100-150 MB.
⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI After major system updates, disabled applications can automatically turn on again!
💡
If the “Disable” button is inactive, try first to delete all YouTube updates through Settings. → Annexes → YouTube → ⋮ → Remove updates.
2.Removal of updates and reset to factory version
YouTube on Redmi 9T consists of two parts:
- System APK is a firmware version (usually outdated).
- Updates from Google Play are new versions that are downloaded automatically.
Even if you completely remove the application will not work, you can at least return it to the factory state - it will free up to 50-80 MB and stop background activity.
Instructions:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → YouTube.
- Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Remove Updates.
- Confirm the action. The app will go back to the version that was used when you bought the phone.
- (Optional) Turn off auto-update for YouTube on Google Play: Open Play Store, find YouTube. Click on three dots next to Update. Uncheck Auto Update.
After that:
- ✅ The application will stop updating automatically.
- ✅ New features (like YouTube Premium or Shorts) will disappear).
- ❌ But systemic. APK It will remain and cannot be removed without ADB or root rights.
What to do if the “Remove Updates” button is inactive?
3.Use ADB for uninstallation (no root)
ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is an Android debugging tool that lets you execute commands on your phone from your computer, and you can delete YouTube without root rights, but you need to unlock Developer Options and enable USB Debugging.
Step-by-step:
- Phone Preparation: Activate Developer Options: Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on MIUI Version. Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers and enable USB Debugging.
- Install ADB on PC: Download Platform Tools from the official Android website. Unpack the archive into a folder (for example, C:\adb). Connect Redmi 9T to your computer via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
Execution of the command:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.youtube- Open the command prompt (Win + R → cmd) and go to the folder with ADB:
- Enter the command above and press Enter.
What do flags in a team mean:
- -k - saves the cache and application data (if you want to delete everything, remove this flag).
- --user 0 — It indicates the current user (does not require root).
⚠️ Note: Some firmware Xiaomi may recover from YouTube after the reboot. To avoid this, before you execute the command, turn off the Internet and remove all app updates (see section 2).
☑️ Preparation for removal through ADB
4. Complete removal through root rights
If you are willing to take drastic measures and you have an unlocked bootloader with Magisk or another root manager installed, you can delete YouTube permanently, including all system files, which is suitable for experienced users, as it carries the risk of disrupting the stability of the system.
Methods of disposal:
- Through file manager with root: Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer. Go to /system/priv-app/YouTube or /system/app/YouTube. Delete the entire folder or files inside (YouTube.apk, YouTube.odex if any). Reboot your phone.
Through Terminal Emulator:
su
mount -o rw,remount /system
rm -rf /system/priv-app/YouTube
rm -rf /system/app/YouTube
mount -o ro,remount /system
rebootAdvantages of the method:
- 🧹 Complete removal of all YouTube traces, including cache and data.
- 📉 Free up to 200 MB of memory.
- 🔒 The app will never recover on its own again.
Risks:
- ⚠️ If you sloppyly delete system files, the phone may stop booting (bootloop).
- ⚠️ Certain functions MIUI (Google Services may not work smoothly.
- ⚠️ After the firmware update, YouTube may return.
💡
Before you delete your system files, make sure to back up via TWRP or OrangeFox, which will allow you to recover your phone in the event of a crash.
5. Alternative methods: Disconnect via Titanium Backup or Debloater
If ADB seems complicated and root rights don't, you can use specialized utilities to trim system applications, which automate the process and reduce the risk of errors.
Method 1: Titanium Backup (requires root)
- 📌 Install Titanium Backup from Google Play.
- 🔍 Find the list of applications com.google.android.youtube.
- 🗑️ Click Delete! and confirm the action.
- 🔄 Reboot the phone.
Method 2: Universal Android Debloater (without root, via ADB)
- 💻 Download Universal Android Debloater on PC.
- 📱 Get Redmi on board. 9T down USB plugged.
- 🖱️ Start the program, select com.google.android.youtube in the list.
- 🚫 Press Uninstall (the application will be deactivated for the current user).
The advantages of these methods are:
- 🎯 More secure than manual editing of system files.
- 🔄 You can return the application back with one click.
- 📊 Supports batch removal of several unnecessary apps (e.g. Google Duo, MIUI Bloatware).
6 What to do if YouTube is back after MIUI update
One of the most common problems with the Xiaomi Redmi 9T is the self-repair of remote system applications after a firmware update, which is because MIUI contains a system APK protection mechanism that restores them when critical updates are made.
How to prevent YouTube from returning:
- 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system. Press three dots (⋮) and select Update Settings. Turn off Autoboot and AutoInstall.
- 📥 Install updates manually: Download firmware from Xiaomi's official website. Uninstall YouTube via YouTube before installing ADB or Debloater.
- 🛡️ Use Magisk modules: Install Universal Debloater or Xiaomi Debloater via Magisk. These modules block the recovery of remote applications after updates.
If YouTube is back,
- Repeat the removal process through ADB (Section 3).
- Check for updates for Universal Android Debloater – newer versions often add support for fresh MIUI firmware.
- If nothing works, consider switching to custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) that doesn’t have a sewn-in YouTube.
| Deleting method | Root is required. | Reversibility | Risk of failure | Place vacated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disconnection in settings | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | 0 MB (files remain) |
| Removal of updates | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | 50–80 MB |
| ADB-team | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Low. | 100–150 MB |
| Root + manual removal | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No (no backup) | ⚠️⚠️ High-pitched | 150-200 MB |
| Debloater-utilities | ❌ No (except Titanium) | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Medium. | 100–180 MB |