How to Remove YouTube from Xiaomi TV: From Simple to Complex

Are you tired of the annoying YouTube ads on Xiaomi TVs or want to make room for other apps? Perhaps the app is constantly updated in the background, slowing down the system, or simply interferes with the menu. Delete preinstalled YouTube with Mi TV, Redmi TV or Xiaomi TV Stick is not so easy - the manufacturer blocks the standard removal of system applications. But there are workarounds!

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, from secure shutdown to complete removal with ADB (for advanced users).

• 🔄 Reset the TV to factory settings (delete all user data, but YouTube will return after the update)
• ⚙️ Disable automatic YouTube updates through system settings
• 📦 Hide the app from the menu without deleting (visual solution)
• 🖥️ Use it. ADB for uninstallation (requires PC and technical skills)
• 🔓 Get root rights to control the system (risky!)

Important: Not all methods will work for your model. TV Stick 4K (2023) lockdown ADB-Teams are stricter than Mi TV 4S (2019) We will specify the limitations for each method.

1. Why YouTube cannot be removed in the standard way

The YouTube app on Xiaomi TVs is a system service, which means that:

• 🔗 It is integrated into PatchWall firmware (Xiaomi shell for Android). TV)
• 🔄 Update automatically through Google Play Services, even if you don’t use it
• 🚫 There is no “Delete” button in the app menu (only “Disable” or “Hide»)

The manufacturer does this for several reasons:

1. A partnership agreement with Google – most Android TVs are required to include a basic set of Google services, including YouTube.
2. Monetization through advertising – even if you don’t watch the videos, the application’s background processes can collect data for targeted advertising.
3. Simplifying support – a single ecosystem reduces the number of customer service calls due to broken features.

There are loopholes, however: For example, on Xiaomi Mi TV 4A (2018) and older, you can roll back the YouTube version via ADB, and on Redmi Smart TV X (2021) you can block the updates completely.

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Before any manipulation of the system, check the firmware version in Settings → About TV → Software version. If it is older than 2022, some methods may not work due to changes in security policy.

2. Method 1: Resetting the TV to factory settings

This is the easiest, but temporary, way to do this, and when you reset, YouTube will disappear from the menu, but it will come back after you first connect to the Internet and update the system.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → All settings → System and reset.
2. Select Reset to factory settings.
3. Confirm the action by entering PIN-code (default 0000 or 1234).
4. Wait for the reboot (it will take 3-5 minutes).

⚠️ Note: This method will delete all accounts (Google, Netflix, IPTV), Wi-Fi settings, saved passwords and custom apps, channel list and image settings will also reset.

Record logins/passwords from services|Take pictures of the image/sound settings|Turn off the TV after reset (so YouTube doesn't update)|Check for remote control (after reset, you may need to reconfigure)-->

If you need to save some data, use a selective reset:

Settings → All settings → Accounts and security → Delete your Google account

This will only remove the link to the account, but leave the rest of the settings.

Method 2: Disabling Automatic YouTube Updates

If you don’t have to completely uninstall the app, but stop its background activity and updates, this method works best, and it works on all Xiaomi models, including the latest Xiaomi TV A2 4K (2023).

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → All settings → Applications.
2. Find YouTube in the list and select it.
3. Click Disable (this will stop the background processes).
4. Return to the main settings menu and open Security and Limitations → Special features.
5. Activate the option to limit background activity for YouTube.

To block the updates:

• 📱 Open Google Play Store on your TV.
• 🔍 Find YouTube and click on three dots in the corner.
• 🔕 Uncheck the checkmark with Auto Update.

🔹 Pros of the method: does not require reset, saves all data, reversible.

🔸 Cons: YouTube will remain on the menu, and its cache will take up space (up to 500 MB on some models).

Method 3: Hiding YouTube from the menu (without deleting)

If you're annoyed by just having a YouTube icon in PatchWall, you can just hide it. It won't delete the app, but it will make it inaccessible to run accidentally.

How to hide it:

1. Press the Home button on the remote (or press and hold the YouTube icon).
2. In the menu that appears, select Delete (actually it is a concealment).
3. Confirm the action. The icon will disappear from the main screen.

To get her back:

Settings → All settings → Home → Set up the homepage → Add apps

⚠️ Note: on some models (e.g. Redmi Smart) TV X55) Hidden applications still appear in the All Apps section. To completely remove access, you'll need to ADB (Method 4).

5. Method 4: Delete YouTube via ADB (for Advanced)

This is the most reliable way to completely remove YouTube, but it requires connecting the TV to your computer and basic command line knowledge. TV A Pro (2023) with the latest firmware - there ADB-restricted.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux
• 🔌 Cable USB-A → USB-A (or USB-C → USB-A new-model)
• 📥 Android utility SDK Platform-Tools (download from the official website)

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging on your TV: Settings → All settings → About TV → Software Version → Press 7 times on Software Version until the message “You are a developer” appears Then go back to Settings → All settings → Developer and activate Debugging over USB.
2. Connect the TV to your PC with a cable, and you'll see a request for debugging permission on the TV menu, confirm.
3. Open the command line (terminal) on your PC and go to the folder with the platform-tools.
4. Check the connection command: Adb devices should show the serial number of the TV.
5. Delete YouTube by command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.youtube.tv For YouTube Music (if you also need to delete): adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.apps.youtube.music

⚠️ Note: on some firmware (e.g. PatchWall) 4.0+) This team can return the Failure error. [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR]. In this case, try an alternative team:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.youtube.tv

This will not remove the app, but will block its launch.

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If YouTube reappears after the system update after being deleted via ADB, the TV firmware automatically restores system applications, in which case only disabling updates (Method 3) or obtaining root rights (Method 5) will help.

6. Method 5: Getting root rights and removing them completely (risky!)

It's an extreme method that gives you complete control of the system, but it's not guaranteed, and it can lead to a TV blink, and it's only suitable for power users.

What root does:

• 🗑️ Ability to remove any system applications, including PatchWall and Google Services.
• 🔧 Install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS for TV).
• 🚀 Overclocking of the processor (on some models).

How to get root on Xiaomi TV:

1. Unblock Bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-30 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for your model (see instructions on XDA Developers).
3. Sweep Magisk through TWRP to obtain root rights.
4. Use Root Explorer or ADB with superuser rights to remove /system/priv-app/YouTubeTV.

On Xiaomi TV A2 2023 and later, bootloader unlocking is officially blocked.Trouble-by-pass attempts can result in permanent locking of the device.

⚠️ Attention: After receiving root:

• 🔴 TV will lose support OTA-Updates (you will need to update manually).
• 🔴 Some apps (Netflix, Disney)+) They may stop working due to root testing.
• 🔴 Risk of loss of warranty and inability to contact the service center.

7. Alternative solutions: what to do if nothing has worked

If none of the methods worked (e.g., on the latest firmware Xiaomi TV Q2 4K), consider alternatives:

1.Use a third-party launcher

Install an alternative shell, such as an ATV Launcher or HalLauncher, where you can hide system applications.

1. Download APK launcher to USB- drive.


2. Connect the flash drive to the TV.




3. Open File Manager → install APK.




4. In the settings, select the new default launcher.

2. Roll back the firmware

On some models, you can return the old version of the software, where YouTube is removed more easily, for example, on the Mi TV 4S, firmware 1.6.65 allowed you to remove system applications without ADB.

🔹 Where to download the firmware: Xiaomi Firmware Updater.

3.Buy an external console

If the TV is only used as a monitor, connect an Android TV box (such as Nvidia Shield or Xiaomi Mi Box S) and customize it to suit your needs.

• 🎮 More freedom in application management.
• 🔄 Easy to reset or reflash without risking TV.
• 📦 You can use YouTube Vanced (modified version without ads).

FAQ: Frequent questions