De-Googling without root

This is zcink's path [#501 p26]: for users who want to take control of their device but can't or won't go through the unlock/root process, you can still meaningfully reduce Google's footprint via Settings → Apps → Disable / Uninstall (for user) on stock RedMagicOS.

"Google is fixin' to destroy Android by August/September. If we cannot root this phone we can DeGoogle it without root."

What zcink confirmed works (no root)

• Disable / uninstall (for user) the Google apps that RM10 Pro's UI offers a button for.
• Install replacements you trust (keyboard, gallery, photos, etc.).
• Uninstall the Android updater app to prevent forced upgrades (this is the part most relevant to keeping the unlock window open).

What you can't do without root

• Flash custom ROMs (bootloader stays locked)
• Block ads/telemetry at the system level
• Remove pre-installed Google services (Play Services, GMS) — these are required for many third-party apps to work and refuse to uninstall

Why he recommends not updating past current A16 build

"I don't suggest any more updates beyond the current Android 16 because no doubt it will lock down the phone in compliance with Google's new policies. I don't think RedMagic is going to do anymore updates anyway. I uninstalled the Android updater app so it cannot be updated further."

This dovetails with the ZTE-fuse warnings — even if you're not chasing root, killing the updater protects your unlock path for future use.

Pre-installed app inventory

Not captured in-thread; varies between Global, EEA, and CN ROMs. Use a system app lister (e.g. App Manager from F-Droid) to enumerate before bulk-disabling. Test one disable at a time if you go beyond the obvious Google bundle — wrong removals can cause boot loops or services crashes [zcink].

ADB-level removal (still no root)

For Google apps that won't disable via Settings, you can use ADB without root:

adb shell pm list packages | grep google
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.example.package

This removes for the primary user only and is reversible with:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.example.package

zcink didn't mention this method explicitly — included here for completeness since it's the standard no-root degoogling path and applies cleanly to NX789J.

Related: zcink's stance on unlocking

He pursued unlock + root for full degoogling but found this stop-gap useful while the toolbox unlock was still RM11-only. With unlock now landed (May 2026), this path is mostly for users who deliberately want to keep the bootloader locked (banking apps, SafetyNet) — pair with Path D: toolbox no-BL root via KernelSU if you change your mind.