How to Remove Google Apps From Xiaomi Phone Completely: All Ways

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the problem of pre-installed Google apps that take up space in memory, consume battery power and collect data. Even after manually uninstalled through the Apps menu, many services (such as Google Play Services or Google Play Market) are automatically restored after a reboot, due to the fact that they are built into MIUI firmware at the system level.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to remove Google apps, from standard methods to deep cleaning with ADB and custom firmware. You’ll learn which services can be safely deactivated and which ones are not recommended to be removed (and why), and look at the implications for smartphone performance and alternative solutions for those who want to get rid of Google but keep the device functional.

Note that the procedure is different for devices with global firmware (with Google services by default) and Chinese MIUI (without GMS).If you have a model for the Chinese market (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G), many steps will be redundant - but we will specify the nuances for each case.

Why do Google apps return after being deleted?

The main reason for the “return” of Google’s remote apps is the Google Play Services mechanism and MIUI policy, and the key factors are:

• 🔄 Automatic Recovery: The system considers GMS (Google Mobile Services is critical and restores them through background processes, especially after updates or reboots.
• 📦 Built-in APK In the firmware: Google apps are integrated into the section /system/priv-app or /system/app, Where can they be removed without rooting rights.
• 🔒 Politics MIUI: Firmware for the global market (Global) ROM) necessarily GMS For Google certification, even after manual removal, they can return the next update.
• 🛡️ Deactivation Protection: Some services (e.g. com.google.android.gms) are protected from shutdown via standard settings.

Interestingly, the Chinese versions of MIUI (without GMS) don’t have these issues, but they don’t have access to Google Play and many Western services, and users of these devices often install GMS manually through tools like Google Installer, but that’s a different story.

⚠️ Note: Removing Google system applications without properly replacing them with alternatives could cause disruptions MIUI, Problems with push notifications and inability to use certain features (e.g. Google Pay or Widevine) L1 viewable HD-content).

Method 1: Standard removal through settings (without root)

This method is suitable for ordinary applications (for example, Google Duo, Google Tips, Google Photos), but does not affect system services. MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show All Applications (or System Processes).
3. Find the app you want (like Google Play Music) and click on it.
4. Choose Delete or Disable (if the delete button is inactive).

For some applications (such as Google Play Store), the delete button may not be available.

• 📱 Try disabling the application – it will stop its work and hides from the menu, but will not free up space on the disk.
• 🔧 Remove the updates (Remove Updates button) to return the app to the factory version with minimal weight.
• 🚫 Use background restriction (in the app settings) to prevent automatic updates.

This way of removing applications does not remove them completely, but only hides them from the user, and more radical measures will be needed to get rid of them forever.

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is an Android debugging tool that allows you to manage system applications without root rights.The method works on most Xiaomi devices (except some Chinese models with blocked debugging).

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with ADB-tools installed.
• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with enabled debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock Developer Settings, then turn on Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB Type C C Cable (Original or Quality).

Steps to remove:

1. Connect the phone to your PC and confirm the trusted device on your smartphone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (or PowerShell in Windows) and type: Adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
3. To uninstall an app (e.g. Google Play Music), do: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.music Replace com.google.android.music with the desired app package (see the list of popular packages in the table below).

Important: Deleting com.google.android.gms will cause the system to crash — the phone will stop booting or will constantly restart — this package is responsible for authorization, push notifications and operation of most applications.

💡

Before mass deletion, back up your files via adb backup or an app like Swift Backup, which will allow you to recover deleted packets if something goes wrong.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi devices (e.g. Poco) F5 Redmi Note 12 Pro after removal ADB Applications can be restored after updating MIUI. To avoid this, disable automatic firmware updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Method 3: Deactivation through Developer Settings

If deletion is not possible, you can turn off unnecessary Google services through the developer menu, which will not free up space on the disk, but will stop their work and background activity.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the option Do not save actions and turn it on – this will limit the background activity of applications.
4. Return to Settings → Apps, select the Google app you want and click Stop (if the button is active).

For complete deactivation:

• 🔕 Turn off auto-start in the application settings (Battery section) → Auto-start).
• 📵 Disable Internet access (Settings) → Annexes → Access to data).
• 🚫 Remove all permissions (geolocation, contacts, storage, etc.).

This method is suitable for applications that can’t be removed even through ADB, such as Google Play Services. minus – they will still take up space in memory (from 100 MB to 1 GB depending on the version).

Method 4: Install custom firmware without GMS

The most radical, but also the most effective way is to reflash the device to custom firmware without Google services.

• 📱 LineageOS (official and unofficial builds).
• 🔄 Pixel Experience (c) GMS without).
• 🚀 MIUI EU (European firmware with the possibility of disconnection GMS).
• 🛡️ GrapheneOS (for advanced users, focus on security).

Advantages:

• ✅ Full control over system applications.
• ✅ No forced installation of Google.
• ✅ Options for alternative services (e.g. MicroG instead of MicroG) GMS).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Installation difficulty (requires unlocking the loader, TWRP, kerb-risk").
• ❌ Loss of warranty on most devices).
• ❌ Possible problems with Widevine L1 (no HD Netflix, Disney.+).
• ❌ Not all functions. MIUI It can work (e.g. Xiaomi Cloud or Mi Fit).

Instructions for installing LineageOS (simplified):

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account binding and wait 7-168 hours).
2. Install. TWRP For example, for the Redmi Note. 10 Pro. twrp-3.7.0_12-v6.7_A11-sweet).
3. Download LineageOS firmware (for example, for Poco X3 Pro - lineage-20.0-20230612-nightly-vayu).
4. Download to TWRP, make Wipe → Format Data, then run the firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) K50 Xiaomi 13 Unlocking the bootloader Could Lead to Widevine Locking L1, This will make it impossible to view content in high definition on Netflix, Amazon Prime and other services. XDA Developers or 4PDA.

Method 5: Using Magisk and GMS removal modules

If you don't want to flash custom firmware but are ready to get root rights, you can use Magisk and special modules to remove Google, a method less risky than full firmware, but requires unlocking the bootloader.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader (as in method 4).
2. Install Magisk via TWRP or boot.img patch.
3. Download Universal GMS Doze or DisableGMS from the Magisk repository.
4. Activate the module in Magisk Manager and restart the device.

Popular modules for working with GMS:

Warning: After the Google Play Services shutdown, the following will stop working:

• 📱 Push notifications in most applications (Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.).
• 📍 Precise location (Google Maps, Uber).
• 🔑 Authorization through Google Account.
• 🎮 Many games (such as Clash of Clans) PUBG Mobile).

An alternative would be to install MicroG via Magisk, which would allow some functionality to be retained without being completely dependent on Google.

💡

Magisk is a trade-off between complete flashing and standard methods, allowing you to manage system applications flexibly, but requires caution: improper configuration of modules can lead to a bootloop.

What if your phone stopped working after Google was deleted?

If after manipulation with GMS device stopped booting, there were errors or missing key functions, use these tips:

1. Recovery via ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.gms This command will restore Google Play Services if they were deleted but the files remained in the system.
2. Reset to factory settings: Press Volume up + Power when your phone is off, select Wipe Data from the Recovery menu. This will bring back all Google apps but delete your data.
3. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website and run it through Mi Flash Tool: fastboot flash all [name file firmware].tz

If the phone is loading but errors occur (e.g. com.google.process.gapps has stopped):

• 🔄 Restart the device in Safe Mode (hold the switch off button). → long tap on "Switch off» → «Reboot to Safe Mode»).
• 📥 Install the latest version of Google Play Services manually (download) APK APKMirror).
• 🔧 Clear the cache and data of Google Play Services in Settings → Annexes.

⚠️ Note: If banking applications (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff) have stopped working after Google has been deleted, this is due to checking for Google SafetyNet. GMS Use the Magisk root masking module (MagiskHide or Universal SafetyNet Fix).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Google's removal from Xiaomi