How to completely disable Google Gemini on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Google Gemini (formerly Bard) artificial intelligence is actively integrated into the Android ecosystem, including Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI and HyperOS. For many users, this service becomes intrusive: it takes up space in memory, consumes traffic for background updates and can conflict with native XiaoAI. Unfortunately, the standard removal of the icon from the desktop does not solve the problem - Gemini continues to work in the background, collecting data and consuming device resources.

In this guide, we will discuss all possible ways to deactivate Gemini on Xiaomi, from simple (via the settings menu) to radical (disable via ADB and remove system packages). Instructions are relevant for Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi models on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS, including flagships Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and POCO F6. If you encounter that the service is installed voluntarily after a reset or update, here you will find a solution.

Why is Gemini appearing on Xiaomi and can it be safely removed?

Google Gemini is not just an app, but a part of Google Play Services and Google App, and it can appear on Xiaomi devices for three reasons:

• 📱 Pre-installation: On some models (especially for European and global markets), Gemini is embedded in firmware as a system application.
• 🔄 Auto Update: Through the Google Play Store or Google Background Services (even if you haven’t installed it).
• 📦 Part of the package GMS: On devices with Google Mobile Services certified (all global versions of Xiaomi).

Can you remove Gemini without consequences? Yes, but with reservations:

• ✅ It is safe to disable through settings or ADB — It won't disrupt the system.
• ⚠️ Removal of systemic APK (For example, through Root, it can cause Google Play Services or Google App to crash.
• 🔄 After resetting or updating MIUI/HyperOS The service may return - re-deactivation will be required.

⚠️ Note: On Chinese versions of Xiaomi (without the GMS) Gemini is not available by default. If it appeared, chances are you installed it manually or through third-party services.

Method 1: Disable Gemini via Xiaomi Settings (without Root)

The easiest method is to deactivate the app through the standard menu, which won’t remove it completely, but will stop the background and notifications.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type Gemini (or Google App if the first option is not found).
3. Select the app and click Disable (if the button is inactive, read Method 2).
4. Confirm the action by clicking Disable the application.

If the button is not available:

• 🔧 Try Stop the app first, then Clear the cache and Clear the data.
• 📵 Turn off auto-update in Google Play Store: find Gemini, click on three dots → Turn off auto-update.

This method works on most devices, but has limitations:

Method 2: Remove updates and reset Google App

If Gemini is integrated into the Google App (search engine), it can be rolled back to the factory version, where Gemini functionality is missing.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Google App.
2. Click on the three dots in the top corner → Remove updates.
3. Confirm the action. The app will return to the factory version.
4. Turn off auto-update in the Google Play Store (see method 1).

After that:

• 🔍 Gemini icon will disappear from the desktop.
• 📱 Voice search features (OK, Google) may not work well.
• 🔄 Next Google App Gemini will be back, you will need to repeat the procedure.

💡

To prevent automatic updates, add Google App to the “Ignored” list in the Google Play Store settings (Settings → Auto-Update Applications → Do not update automatically).

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi firmware (e.g. HyperOS 1.0 for Xiaomi 14), removing Google App updates may cause weather and search widgets to crash (ADB).

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can block Gemini via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which doesn’t require Root rights, but requires a computer and enabled USB debugging.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode on Xiaomi: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB drivers (for example, via Mi PC Suite).
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (its serial number should appear).
5. Run the command to deactivate Gemini: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.nexuslauncher adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.apps.gsa

Transcript of commands:

• 📌 uninstall -k — Remove updates for the current user.
• 🔧 Disable-user – disables the application without deleting system files.
• 🔄 If Gemini returns after the reboot, use: adb shell pm hide com.google.android.apps.gsa (requires: ADB ROOT).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI/HyperOS.
• ✅ Doesn't require a Root license.
• ✅ You can return Gemini with a command: adb shell pm enable com.google.android.apps.gsa

Method 4: Removal through Root (for advanced)

If you have Root rights (e.g., through Magisk), you can completely remove Gemini as a system application.This is a risky method - wrong actions can cause Google Play Services to crash.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with Root support (such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/.
3. Find files related to Gemini: GoogleApp.apk (main package), Velvet.apk (old version of Google Search) Gsa.apk (Google Search Assistant)

.bak

GoogleApp.apk.bak

Reset the device.

Consequences:

• ✅ Gemini will be permanently removed (until the next firmware).
• ⚠️ Voice search may break down, OK, Google.
• ⚠️ Google’s Weather, Search Widgets Will Stop Working.

⚠️ Attention: HyperOS system removal APK It can cause bootloop. Before experimenting, back up through the bootloop. TWRP Or OrangeFox.

Method 5: DNS or firewall lock (for technical users)

If Gemini keeps updating in the background, you can block its servers through a DNS or firewall, which doesn't delete the application, but it stops its connection to the Internet.

Option 1: Change the DNS on your phone

1. Go to Settings → Connections → Private DNS.
2. Select the Private DNS Host Name and type in: dns.adguard.com (or any other DNS with tracker locks, such as Cloudflare's 1.1.1.3).
3. Save the settings and restart the phone.

Option 2: Use a firewall (e.g., NetGuard or AFWall+)

• 🔥 Install NetGuard from Google Play.
• 📵 Enable traffic blocking for apps: Google (com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox) Google Play Services (com.google.android.gms)
• 🔄 Reset the device.

Effect:

• ✅ Gemini will stop updating and sending data.
• ⚠️ Google Play Market and other Google services may be affected.
• 🔧 To restore work, it is enough to disable the lock in the firewall.

💡

DNS blocking is the safest way to limit Gemini’s background activity without deleting system files.

What if Gemini returns after the update?

Gemini can reappear after:

• 🔄 Updates MIUI/HyperOS.
• 📥 Updates to Google Play Services or Google App.
• ⚡ Resetting settings to factory.

Decisions:

1. Disable Auto-Update System Applications: Settings → Apps → Google Play Store → Auto-Update → Do not automatically update
2. Use ADB to permanently lock (see Method 3).
3. Install an alternative firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience without GMS).
4. Reverse to the old version of Google App via APKMirror.

For HyperOS devices:

• 📌 Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔧 If Gemini appeared after the update, try to roll back to the previous version of the firmware via Fastboot.

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off Gemini on Xiaomi