Owners of Xiaomi Mi TVs and Android TVs often find themselves in a situation where the built-in YouTube app gets incorrect, freezes or simply takes up space that you would like to use for more useful programs. However, the standard deletion procedure is not always obvious in this case, since YouTube is a system component of Google Services, which creates the illusion that it cannot be uninstalled using conventional methods.
In fact, there are several effective ways to do this, from simply turning off the data to completely clearing the data through the engineering menu. In this article, we will detail how to delete or, more correctly for system applications, disable YouTube on Xiaomi and Redmi TVs. You will learn about the nuances of the Android TV operating system and methods that will help free up the resources of the device.
Before we take any drastic measures, it is important to understand the difference between removing a custom app and disabling a system app. While store-bought software disappears completely, Google's built-in services require a special approach to block it, and we'll look at all the options available so you can choose the best fit for your TV model.
Why YouTube can’t be removed in the standard way
The main reason users can’t find the “Delete” button in the application management menu is because of the operating system architecture: YouTube on Xiaomi TVs is preinstalled as a system application with administrator rights, which means that the standard user interface hides the possibility of its complete uninstallation to avoid critical errors of the system.
Android TV treats Google services as fundamental components, and even if you don't use it, it's deeply integrated into PatchWall or the standard launcher. Attempting to tamper with the file system without the right to do so can lead to a shaky interface.
⚠️ Warning: Complete removal of system components through third-party file managers without root rights can cause a cyclical reboot of the TV.
However, the system allows the application to be turned off, in which the program stops consuming RAM, does not receive updates in the background and disappears from the list of active applications, enough for most users to assume that YouTube is removed from the device.
Why does Google protect its apps?
Disable YouTube through TV settings
The safest and most recommended method, which is suitable for 95% of users, is to permanently disable the application through the settings menu.This process does not require connecting a keyboard or using complex ADB commands.
To start, you need to go to the main menu of your Xiaomi TV. Navigation is done using the navigation buttons on the remote. Find the gear icon that indicates the settings section. Depending on the firmware version (MIUI for TV or pure Android TV), the path may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same.
Next, perform the following actions:
- 📺 Select "Applications" or "All Apps" in the settings menu.
- 🔍 Find in the list “YouTube” and click the OK button to enter the control menu.
- 🛑 Click the “Disable” or “Disable” button».
- ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up warning window.
Once these steps are done, the app icon will disappear from the home screen and its processes will be stopped. If the “Disable” button is inactive (gray), this may mean that the TV is limited by parental control or requires a system software update. In rare cases, pre-cleaning the application data before trying to disconnect helps.
💡
Disabling the application completely stops its processes and frees up RAM, making it invisible to the system, which is equivalent to deleting it for the average user.
Using Developer Mode and ADB Teams
For advanced users who want to securely delete a YouTube apk file or manage hidden settings, there is a method of using USB debugging, which allows you to send commands directly to the operating system, bypassing the GUI restrictions.
The first step is to activate the hidden developer menu. Go to Settings → About the device. Find the Build line and quickly click on it 7 times in a row. The system will tell you that you have become a developer. Now a new section for developers will appear in the settings menu.
Include in this section the option “Debugging by” USB». After that, you’ll need a computer connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the TV and an installed utility. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. The process is as follows:
adb connect IP_ANDRESS TELEVISOR:5555
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.youtubeExecuting this command will remove the application for the current user (user 0), which is effectively equivalent to a complete deletion.
☑️ Preparation for use ADB
Cleaning cache and data as an alternative
If your goal is not so much to remove the application as to fix bugs in its operation (hangs, black screen, playback problems), then complete removal can be redundant. Often the problem lies in accumulated debris or corrupted configuration files.
The YouTube app management menu discussed in the second section includes the Clean Data and Clear Cache option, and selecting the data cleanup option will return the app to a “just after installation” state, which will delete your search history, account authorization and personal settings.
This procedure is useful in the following cases:
- 🧹 The app stopped launching or crashes immediately after launch.
- 🔐 There are problems with the authorization of Google account.
- 💾 The TV’s internal memory is out and space needs to be vacated urgently.
Once the data is cleared, YouTube will require re-entering the account, a good way to refresh the service without risking the integrity of Android TV operating system files.
Blocking YouTube Updates
One of the frequent reasons users want to get rid of YouTube is the intrusive app update, which can impair performance on older Xiaomi TV models.Newer versions often require more CPU resources.
To prevent automatic updates, you can turn off auto-update in the Google Play Store. Go to the Play Store, open the settings menu and find Auto-Update Apps. Select Never or Wi-Fi Only if you want to manually control the process.
| Locking method | Efficiency | Difficulty | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disconnection in settings | Tall. | Low. | Minimum |
| ADB teams | Maximum | Tall. | Average. |
| Blocking through router | Medium | Tall. | It'll affect all devices. |
| Clearing the data | Temporary. | Low. | Absent. |
You can also prevent a specific app from being updated. To do this, go to the Play Store and find YouTube, click three dots in the corner of the app screen, and uncheck Auto Update, which will allow you to stay on the old, stable version of the program.
Reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)
A radical method that is often used when selling a TV or critical system failures is a complete reset. It is important to understand that on Xiaomi TVs with Google certification, this method will not remove YouTube forever, but only return it to the factory version.
The reset process is done via the Settings menu → Device → Reset. The system will alert you that all data will be destroyed. This includes installed applications, Wi-Fi settings, accounts and passwords.
⚠️ Warning: Before performing Hard Reset, be sure to save important data and make sure to remember passwords from your Google accounts, otherwise activating the TV after a reset will not be possible (protection is not possible). FRP).
After the reboot, the TV will look like it was on the day of purchase.YouTube will be present on the system but in its original, "clean" version.This can be useful if the current version of the app has been damaged by viruses or incorrect modifications.
💡
Before resetting your settings, take a picture of the current image and sound settings on your phone to quickly restore comfortable settings after the reboot.