Many owners of smartphones Xiaomirunning the shell MIUI or HyperOSare faced with the desire to free up space or increase privacy by deleting pre-installed applications. One of the most common “candidates” for deletion is YouTube, which not only takes up memory space, but also actively works in the background. However, the standard removal procedure will not work here, since this is a system application.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for uninstalling video hosting from the device. We will consider both safe ways to disable it and radical methods using ADB and root access. It is important to understand that tampering with the system partition can affect the stability of operation Android, so each step requires attention.
Why you can’t just delete YouTube
By default, the operating system Android prohibits the user from deleting applications that were installed by the device manufacturer before it was sold. YouTube is part of a package of services Google (GMS, which are deeply integrated into the system. When you try to click the “Delete” button in the settings menu, you will see that it is grayed out or missing altogether.
Manufacturers, including Xiaomi, enter into agreements with the corporation Google, obliging them to pre-install a certain set of software. This ensures the operation of functions such as synchronization of contacts, calendar and, of course, video service. Attempting to forcefully remove it without proper preparation may result in operational errors launcher or constant error notifications.
⚠️ Attention: Complete removal of system components may disrupt the operation of other applications that depend on Google services. Use removal methods only if you understand the risks.
However, there are technical options to circumvent these restrictions. These range from simply disabling the process in settings to using the command line on your computer. The choice of method depends on your technical literacy and goals.
Disconnection method through system settings
The safest and recommended method for most users is a forced stop and shutdown applications. Although the file remains in the phone's memory, it stops running, updating, and consuming CPU resources. To do this, you need to go to the menu Settings of your smartphone.
In the section Applications find in the list YouTube. Click on it to open the app information page. Here you will need to press the button Disable. The system will warn you that the application will be replaced with the factory version and all updates will be removed. Confirm the action.
- 📱 Disabling saves battery power by blocking background activity.
- 🚫 The application icon will disappear from the desktop and menu.
- 🔄 The application will not receive automatic updates from the Play Market.
If the “Disable” button is grayed out, this may mean that your firmware version is broken MIUI hardly blocks this option for critical services. In this case, move on to more advanced methods. It is also worth noting that disabling does not free up storage space occupied by the installation file itself.
Before disabling, clear the cache and application data in the same settings menu to free up several hundred megabytes of memory.
Preparing for removal via ADB
To completely remove a system application without obtaining root access, use tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This is an official utility from Googlethat allows you to control the device from your computer. This method is the “golden mean” between safety and efficiency.
First of all, you need to activate the developer mode on your smartphone Xiaomi. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the item MIUI version (or OS version). After this, a new section will appear in the menu Advanced settings a new section will appear For developers.
Inside this section, find the switch USB debugging and activate it. When you connect your phone to your computer, a request for debugging permission will appear on your smartphone screen—be sure to click “Allow.” Without this step, the computer will not see the device.
| Preparation stage | User action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mode activation | Click on the firmware version | Appears the developer menu |
| Setting up the connection | Enable USB debugging | Permission to control from PC |
| Installation drivers | Installation of ADB Drivers | Defining a device in the system |
| Checking communication | Adb devices command | Displaying the serial number |
You will also need to download the package Platform Tools from the official website Android developers and unpack it on your computer. Work will be carried out through the command line or terminal in this folder.
☑️ Ready for ADB commands
Uninstallation process by command line
After connecting the smartphone to the PC and opening the command line in the folder with the utility, enter command adb devices. If you see a list with a serial number and status device, then the connection was established successfully. Now you can start deleting.
The command for deleting is as follows:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.youtubeHere pm uninstall is responsible for deleting the package, the flag --user 0 indicates deletion for the main user, and com.google.android.youtube is a unique name application package. It is important not to confuse the package name, otherwise you may remove a system component necessary for the interface to work.
After entering the command, press Enter. If the operation was successful, the terminal will display a message Success. The application will instantly disappear from the device. The application data is not completely deleted, it remains in the system, but becomes inaccessible to the user.
⚠️ Attention: MIUI and HyperOS interfaces can be updated. Menu item names or debugging requirements may change. Check the current settings in the official Xiaomi documentation before starting work.
How to get YouTube back?
If you want to restore the application, use the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.youtube. This will return the system package to its original state without downloading again.
Removal using third-party utilities
For those who do not want to work with console commands, there are assistant applications that automate the process of working with ADB. One of the most popular is the utility Universal Android Debloater or application Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools.
These apps have a graphical interface, where the list of system applications is presented in the form of checkboxes. You just need to find YouTubein the list, check the box and press the delete button. The app itself will generate and send the necessary command to the device.
- 🛠 Convenient visual interface without the need to enter a code.
- 📋 Availability of lists of applications safe to remove.
- ⚡ Possibility of mass deletion of several apps at a time.
However using third-party software requires installing additional drivers and trusting the utility developer. Some antivirus apps may respond to such apps as potentially unwanted, since they modify the system partition.
Radical method with root access
Obtaining superuser rights (Root) gives full control over the device's file system. Using file managers like Root Explorer or specialized uninstallers, you can physically erase the APK file from the system folder. /system/priv-app/.
This method frees up the most space, since it deletes the installation file itself, and not just access to it for the user. However, unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root access Xiaomi is a complex process that requires waiting (sometimes up to 7 days) and leads to loss of warranty.
In addition, the presence of root access makes the device vulnerable to malware and blocks the operation of banking applications and highly secure services. Use this method only as a last resort when other methods are not suitable.
Using ADB is the optimal balance: it removes the application for the user without violating the integrity of the system partition and without requiring unlocking the bootloader.
Possible problems and solutions
During the removal process, you may encounter a situation where, after a reboot, the phone begins to work unstable. For example, widgets may disappear or the voice assistant may stop working Google Assistantas it is closely connected with the video service.
If the device goes into an endless reboot (bootloop), you will need to enter the mode Recovery and reset the settings to factory settings (Wipe Data). This will return the phone to its original state with all pre-installed applications.
⚠️ Attention: Before any manipulations with system files, be sure to make a complete backup copy of important data to an external storage device or to the cloud.
It is also worth considering that some firmware updates MIUI can automatically restore deleted system files applications. In this case, the procedure will have to be repeated after each major system update.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will YouTube return after a factory reset?
Yes, performing a full factory reset (Factory Reset) will restore all system applications, including YouTube, to their original state, since they are stored in a protected memory section.
Is it safe to delete YouTube via ADB for banking applications?
Yes, unlike obtaining root access, using ADB commands to disable applications does not violate the integrity of the bootloader and does not affect the operation of banking services and Google Pay.
Is it possible to uninstall YouTube to install a modified version?
Yes, uninstalling the system version is necessary if you want to install a modified client (for example, YouTube Vanced or ReVanced), since their certificate signatures are different, and the system will not allow installation over the original.
Will deleting YouTube take a long time?
The deletion process itself via ADB takes a few seconds. The main time is spent on preparation: installing drivers, enabling debugging and downloading the necessary tools to the computer.