How to fix the error “Google app stopped” on Xiaomi smartphones

The “Google App Stopped” error is one of the most common problems on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones running MIUI, and it comes suddenly when you try to open a search, run Google Assistant, sync your account, or even in the background, which results in the app getting painted and the user sees a stop notification, most often due to conflicting versions of Google services, system cache, or features of MIUI optimization.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to fix the bug, from simple (clearing the cache) to radical (resetting the settings). All methods are tested on Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 and other devices with MIUI 14/13 and Android 13/12.

Why is Google’s app stopping at Xiaomi?

The causes of failure are usually divided into two categories: software (software conflicts) and system (MIUI features).

• 🔄 An outdated version of Google Play services or the Google app itself (often after an update) MIUI).
• 🗑️ Damaged cache or application data, especially after incorrect update.
• 🛠️ Optimization of the battery in MIUI, which forcibly shuts down Google’s background processes.
• 📱 Conflict with the shell MIUI, if unofficial firmware or modified versions of the services are used.
• 🔒 Restrictions on access to contacts, location or storage (e.g. after permission resets).

On Xiaomi devices, the bug often shows up after updating firmware or installing updates through Google Play, for example, Redmi Note 11 users complain of crashes after switching to MIUI 14, and owners of POCO X3 after manually updating Google services through APK.

⚠️ Note: If the error occurred after unlocking the bootloader or installing custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), the reason may be the absence of Google Apps (GApps.

Method 1: Cleaning up the cache and data of the Google application

The fastest and safest method is to reset your cache and app data, which won’t delete your bookmarks or search history (they sync with your account), but will reset temporary files that may be causing the crash.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google (not to be confused with Google Play Store or Google Play Services**).
3. Slip Warehouse → Clear the cache and Clear the data.
4. Reset the device.

Identify the version of the Google App (under the "Information" section)

Check the free space on the device (minimum 1 GB)

Disable battery optimization for Google (Settings → Battery → Optimization)

Sync your data with your Google account (in case of reset)

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If the error persists after cleaning, try to remove the app updates:

1. In the same menu (Settings → Apps → Google), click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
2. Select Remove Updates.
3. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

Method 2: Update Google and Google Play Services

Outdated versions of Google services are a common cause of failures. MIUI sometimes blocks automatic updates of system applications, so they have to be updated manually.

How to check and update:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. In the search, type in Google and select the official application from Google LLC.
3. If you have an Update button, press it. If you don't have a button, you have a version that's up to date.
4. Repeat the steps for Google Play Services.

If the update is not available through the Play Store:

• 📥 Download the latest version of Google APK from the official website of APKMirror (choose the option for the arm64 universally).
• 🔗 Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special permits → Installation of unknown applications).
• 🔄 Reset the device.

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On devices with MIUI Global Stable, updating Google Play Services via APK can lead to conflict with system libraries, in which case only a factory reset or installing firmware through Fastboot will help.

Method 3: Resetting permissions and optimizing the battery

MIUI aggressively optimizes background processes, which can lead to the forced closure of the Google app.

Step 1. Turn off battery optimization:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Optimization.
2. Find Google in the list and select No Limits.
3. Repeat the Google Play Services.

Step 2. Reset the permits:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Google → Permissions.
2. Click Reset permissions (if option is available).
3. Manually provide all the necessary permits (Location, Contacts, Warehouse, etc.).

Step 3. Start auto-start:

1. In the Google app menu, find Auto Start and Background Activity.
2. Activate both parameters.

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If the battery settings do not have the option "No restrictions", select "High performance" - this will give the application maximum rights to work in the background.

Method 4: Remove and reinstall Google

If previous methods didn’t work, try removing the Google app completely and reinstalling it, which works even on non-root-enabled devices.

Instructions:

1. Download. ADB-drivers for Xiaomi from the official website and connect the phone to the PC.
2. Turn on USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

(Wait for the serial number of the device, confirm the debugging on the phone.)

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

After completing the command, the Google app will be removed for the current user (without losing system files).

1. Install the latest version of Google APK from APKMirror.
2. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (China, for example. ROM) Google is a system application and is not removed through ADB. In this case, only the firmware Global will help. ROM.

Method 5: Checking for conflicts with other applications

Sometimes, third-party applications, especially those that interact with Google services (launchers, optimizers, VPNs) cause an error to detect a conflict:

Step 1. Start the device in safe mode:

1. Press the power button before the turn off menu appears.
2. Press and hold Power Disconnect - a suggestion will appear to go to Safe Mode.
3. Confirm and wait for the reboot.

Only system applications are running in Safe Mode, and if the error is gone, one of the installed applications is to blame.

Step 2. Find the problem app:

• 🔍 Remove recently installed programs (starting with optimizers, antiviruses, launchers).
• 📊 Check Google after each deletion.
• 🛡️ Pay special attention to applications with Overlay rights over other windows or the device administrator.

Method 6: Resetting settings to factory

If none of the methods work, you'll have to reset hard, and that will delete all the data from the device, so first you have to:

• 📱 Make a backup copy through Settings → The phone. → Backup.
• 🔐 Write down usernames/passwords from your accounts (including Mi Account).
• 📁 Save photos and files to your PC or cloud.

Resetting instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Enter the password from Mi Account (if requested).
4. Confirm the reset and wait for the reset.

After discharge:

• 📱 Configure your device as new (don’t restore your backup right away – check Google first).
• 🔄 Update all applications through the Play Store.
• ⚙️ Turn off battery optimization for Google services (see Method 3).

⚠️ Note: On devices with a bootloader, a reset may cause you to request Mi Account entry even after flashing. Make sure you remember the login details!

Method 7: Manually Update MIUI (for power users)

If the error occurred after the MIUI update, the firmware may contain a bug, in which case a rollback to the old version or installing a beta version with fixes will help.

Option 1. Update via Recovery:

1. Download the latest stable or beta version of MIUI for your model from the official website.
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of internal memory.
3. Open Settings → About the phone → Update MIUI.
4. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Select the Update File.
5. Please specify update.zip and confirm the installation.

Option 2. Fastboot firmware (unlocked bootloader required):

1. Download Mi Flash Tool and Fastboot firmware for your model.
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down when the device is off).
3. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Flash.
4. Wait until the process is completed (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

After the firmware:

• 📱 Don’t restore data from backup right away – check Google first.
• 🔄 Update all applications through the Play Store.
• ⚙️ Turn off automatic optimization in Settings → Battery.

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If the error occurred after the MIUI update, a rollback to the previous firmware version solves the problem 80% of the time, but this is a temporary solution – watch for the release of patches from Xiaomi.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)