How to Remove Google from Xiaomi Redmi: From Shutdown to Deep Cleanup

Google services are deeply integrated into MIUI firmware on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones, but many users want to get rid of them — whether because of privacy, battery savings or the desire to use alternative services. Google’s removal can range from simply disabling unnecessary apps to completely reflashing the device with the removal of all trace files. It’s important to understand that even after visual removal, some Google services can remain on the system in the background, consuming resources and transferring data.

This article covers all the current methods, from basic settings to advanced technical solutions, we will discuss which components can be removed without risking the stability of Redmi, and where caution will be required, and you will learn how to check whether services are deactivated, and what to do if after removal there are problems with the smartphone.

Warning: Some methods require unlocking the bootloader or the rights of the superuser (root), which can lead to a loss of warranty. If you are a beginner, start with the safest methods and only then move on to radical measures.

Why users want to remove Google from Xiaomi Redmi

The main reason is privacy: Google Play Services, Google Play Store and Google Account Manager constantly collect data about location, activity in apps and even search history, and even if you don’t use a Google account, these services can run in the background, sending telemetry to the company’s servers.

The second most popular reason is resource savings: On low-end Redmi models (like the Redmi 9A or Redmi Note 10), Google’s background processes can take up to 300-500 MB of RAM and consume battery power 10-15% faster, especially on devices with 2-3 GB of RAM.

Other motivations:

• 🚫 Desire to use alternative services (e.g., Huawei AppGallery, Aurora Store, or F-Droid).
• 🔒 Security: Reducing the surface for attacks through vulnerabilities in Google services.
• 📱 Performance optimization on weak devices (e.g. Redmi 7A or Redmi 8).
• 🌍 Geographical restrictions: In some countries (e.g. China, Russia) Google services are blocked or unstable.

But there is a downside: without Google services, some apps (like YouTube, Gmail, Google Maps) may not work properly or even stop running, and access to Google Play Protect, the built-in virus scanning system, will also disappear.

Method 1: Manually disabling and deleting (without root)

The easiest and safest way is to deactivate unwanted Google apps through MIUI settings, which won’t remove them completely, but will stop background activity and remove icons from the menu.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select Show All Apps.
3. Search for Google apps (e.g. Google Play Services, Google Play Store, Google Chrome) and tap them.
4. Click Disable (if the button is active) or Remove Updates (to return to the factory version).
5. To completely delete data, click Warehouse → Clear data.

⚠️

Note: Some system applications (e.g., Google Services Framework) cannot be disabled without root, and deactivation of these applications may cause MIUI to malfunction.

What can be safely removed or disabled:

• 📱 Google Play Books, Google Play Music, Google Duo — these apps are not critical to the system.
• 🌐 Google Chrome – can be replaced with Firefox or Brave.
• 📍 Google Maps – alternatives: OSMAnd, 2GIS, Yandex.Maps.

What can not be turned off without consequences:

• ❌ Google Play Services is responsible for push notifications and many applications.
• ❌ Google Account Manager – manages the login in the account.
• ❌ Google Services Framework is a system component for synchronization.

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

If manually shutting down didn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool to manage Android devices from your computer, which allows you to remove even those applications that do not turn off through the settings menu.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).
• 🛠️ Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download from Google or through Xiaomi) ADB/Fastboot Tools).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Redmi to your computer and allow debugging over USB on your phone.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
3. To see a list of all Google packages installed, follow: adb shell pm list packages | grep 'google'
4. To remove a particular application, use the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.gm (replace com.google.android.gm with the package name, for example, com.android.chrome for Google Chrome).

⚠️

Note: Deleting system packages (e.g., com.google.android.gms – Google Play Services) may cause system failure or inability to use certain features (e.g. push notifications). Before experimenting, back up through Settings → System → Backup.

The list of safe to remove Google packets:

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If it reappears after you delete the application via ADB, try adding the command --user 0 (as in the example above) to remove the application only for the current user, but prevent it from automatically restoring.

Method 3: Install custom firmware without Google (GApps)

If you need to get rid of all Google trace files, including system services, the best option is to install custom firmware without GApps (Google Apps).

• 📱 LineageOS without GApps is pure Android without unnecessary services.
• 🔒 GrapheneOS is a firmware with a focus on privacy and security.
• 🌍 CalyxOS is an alternative with pre-installed private services.
• 🛠️ MIUI without Google are modified versions of MIUI from enthusiasts (e.g., MIUI EU with the option to remove GApps).

⚠️

Note: Custom firmware installation requires unlocking the bootloader, which resets all data and may take away warranty. On some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12), unlocking takes up to 7 days of waiting due to Xiaomi's policy.

Step-by-step (as in LineageOS):

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
2. Download LineageOS without GApps for your Redmi model from lineageos.org.
3. Install custom TWRP or OrangeFox recavators via fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
4. In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe (mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
5. Install the downloaded firmware through Install.
6. Reset the device.

Once installed, you will get a pure Android without a single Google footprint.

• ❌ Some applications (e.g., Banking apps) may not work without Google Play Services.
• ❌ There is no Google Play Store, you have to install apps through F-Droid or Aurora Store.
• ❌ There may be problems with push notifications (solved via MicroG).

Method 4: Using Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools

For users who do not want to manually enter commands ADB, there is a convenient utility - Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools. It allows you to massively remove Google applications in a few clicks, without risking accidentally removing critical system components.

How to use:

1. Download the utility from GitHub and unpack the archive.
2. Connect Redmi to your PC and enable USB Debugging.
3. Launch XiaomiADBFastbootTools.exe.
4. Select your Redmi model from the list (if not, select Generic).
5. Go to the Uninstaller tab.
6. Check the unneeded Google apps and click Uninstall Selected.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔍 Visual interface - no need to memorize ADB commands.
• 🛡️ Protection against accidental deletion of critical packets.
• 🔄 Ability to restore remote applications.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Not all Redmi models are supported (especially newer ones like the Redmi Note 13).
• ⚠️ PC connection required.

💡

Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools is the safest way for beginners, as the utility automatically filters system applications that can not be removed.

Method 5: Root and Deep Cleaning (for the experienced)

If you're willing to take drastic measures, you can get root rights and remove Google at the system level, and that gives you maximum control, but also maximum risk.

• 🚨 Loss of guarantee.
• 🚨 Risk of "bricking" the device when incorrect actions.
• 🚨 Possible problems with banking applications (due to SafetyNet).

How to get root on Redmi:

1. Unlock the bootloader (as in Method 3).
2. Install custom Recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Download the latest version of Magisk from GitHub.
4. In the recaveri, run Magisk through Install.
5. Reset the device.

After obtaining root, you can:

• 🗑️ Remove Google system packages via Root Explorer or Titanium Backup.
• 🔧 Disable background services via DisableService.
• 📵 Block Internet access for remaining Google services via AFWall+.

⚠️

Attention: Removing system packets from root can lead to bootloop. Always back up through TWRP before changes. If something goes wrong, you can restore the system.

Example of commands to remove via ADB root:

su


pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.gms




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.gsf




mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/PrebuiltGmsCore




rm -rf /system/app/GmsCore

What to do if Google has stopped working after removal

If you delete Google Play Services or other critical components, some apps (e.g. YouTube, Gmail, Google Maps) may stop working.

Methods of restoring functionality:

• 🔄 Install MicroG (an alternative to Google Play Services) via F-Droid. After installation, set up signature spoofing in MicroG settings.
• 📥 Return remote packets via ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.gms
• 🛠️ Use alternative clients: 🎵 Instead of YouTube, NewPipe or LibreTube. 📧 Instead of Gmail, FairEmail or K-9 Mail. 🗺️ Instead of Google Maps, OSMAnd or Magic Earth.
• 🔧 Set up a manual connection to Google services (if you only need to for specific applications). For example, YouTube Vanced only requires Google Play Services, but not the entire GApps package.

If nothing works, the last option is to return the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
2. Unpack the archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Connect Redmi in Fastboot mode (press Power + Vol Down when the phone is off).
4. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Google removal with Xiaomi Redmi