How to turn off the side menu on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones come with a variety of productivity features, one of which is a side menu, often called the Mi Sidebar or floating window.This utility allows you to quickly run applications in multitasking mode without closing the current program, which is convenient when working with large screens.

However, for many users, the accidental appearance of this panel becomes a real problem, as it overlaps content in games or when watching videos, often due to high sensitivity of the sensor or improper setting of the activation zones, which is annoying and requires immediate solution.

In this article, we will discuss how to completely disable the side menu on Xiaomi devices, as well as the finer settings that will help to avoid accidental activation without completely removing the function. You will learn about the differences in the MIUI and HyperOS interfaces, and also get answers to frequent questions related to this system option.

The side menu is a translucent panel that hides at the edge of the display and exits when swiping, and the main purpose of this tool is to provide quick access to frequently used applications and functions, such as a calculator, voice recorder or instant messengers, directly on top of the main screen.

Owners of Xiaomi’s flagship models often use this feature to run videos in a floating window or to chat while playing.The system allows you to customize the list of apps that will be displayed in the sidebar, making it a personalized tool for each individual user.

Despite the obvious benefits of multitasking, the MIUI shell feature sometimes doesn’t work properly, and the panel can pop up at inappropriate times, such as scrolling through a social media feed or trying to take a screenshot, leading users to look for ways to deactivate it.

📱 Quickly launch applications in a floating window without leaving the current program.
⚙️ Ability to add system shortcuts, such as screenshot or screen recording.
🎮 Special mode for games, allowing you to respond to messages without interrupting gameplay.

💡

Use the side menu for a calculator or translator when working with documents or reading articles in a foreign language.

Sidebar switches may vary depending on the operating system version and regional firmware, and in most cases, the path to settings is through the main menu of device parameters, but item names may vary.

For users of current versions of HyperOS and recent MIUI 14 updates, the search algorithm has become more unified, and you need to go to the special features section, where all the tools to improve the interaction with the screen are concentrated.

If the standard path does not result, it is recommended to use the built-in search by settings. Type the query "side" or "sidebar" into the search bar at the top of the settings screen to instantly go to the desired menu, bypassing long searches in depth of categories.

Settings → Additional features → Floating window

Sometimes the function can be hidden in the section dedicated to specific applications or game mode. Carefully study all subsections of the menu "Additional features", as the logic of grouping settings in different versions of Xiaomi firmware can be radically different.

Step-by-step instructions for complete disconnection

To ensure that the irritant panel is removed, a sequence of actions must be performed that deaktiviruet function at the software level.The process takes less than a minute and does not require root rights or a computer connection.

First, open the main settings menu of your smartphone and find the Additional Features section. In some firmware, this item may be called "Special Features" or be placed in a separate category depending on the shell version.

Inside the menu, find the Floating Window or Mi Sidebar, and that's where the main switch switch activates or disables the sidebar, and switch to the Off position to stop the function.

☑️ Shutdown algorithm

Open Settings → Go to Additional Functions → Find Floating Window → Turn off the switchboard

Done: 0 / 1

After turning off the function, it is recommended to completely close the settings application and check the screen performance in applications where the menu previously appeared. If the panel disappeared, then the procedure was performed successfully and the system will no longer try to display it.

⚠️ Warning: After disabling the function, the side menu shortcut will disappear from the screen, and it will be impossible to call applications via swipe from the edge until activation is repeated.

Adjust sensitivity and activation areas

If you don't need to shut down the function completely, but it works too often, you should pay attention to the sensitivity settings. The system allows you to adjust the area in which the swipe is recognized to call the menu.

The sidebar settings menu often includes an option to exclude certain apps from the list of those where the sidebar works, especially for mobile games, where accidentally touching the edge of the screen can lead to a loss.

You can add PUBG, Call of Duty or other heavy apps to the exclusion list, in which case, when you start a game, the side menu is automatically blocked, but will remain available in the browser or messengers.

Parameter	Description	Recommended value
Activation zone	Width of the area at the edge of the screen	Small / 0.4 cm
Annexes	List of programs with access	Only workers.
Transparency	Visibility of label in plain	Hide.

📊 How often do you accidentally call a side menu?

It's a constant.

Sometimes.

Rarely.

Never had.

Experiment with the size of the activation zone, reducing it to a minimum, which will reduce the likelihood of false positives, while preserving the ability to use the function for its intended purpose in the right situations.

Solving problems with spontaneous appearance

There are situations where the side menu appears even after a shutdown or behaves unpredictably, often due to system process conflicts or errors in the operation of a particular MIUI shell update.

The first step in the event of software glitches is to clear the cache of the system application that controls the interface, which will not delete your personal data, but will reset temporary files that may have been corrupted.

To do this, go to the application settings, find the system process Security or System Components, and select cache cleanup. After restarting the device, the problem is most often solved on its own.

Hidden system settings

Some versions of MIUI have hidden engineering menu codes that allow you to reset the interface settings, but using them requires caution and can lead to a loss of warranty.

If the problem persists, check for system updates. Xiaomi developers regularly release patches that fix bugs in the interface and sidebars.

Alternative ways to control windows

By opting out of the standard sidebar, users can use Android’s built-in gestures to control windows, which allows them to keep multitasking simple without using specific panels from the manufacturer.

Modern versions of Android support splitting the screen with a swipe from the bottom up and finger retention, which is more stable and does not depend on the configuration of the MIUI shell or HyperOS.

It’s also worth considering using third-party launchers that offer custom sidebar implementations with more flexible customization, which can be a great compromise for those who feel the standard menu functionality is insufficient.

⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party launchers can change the appearance of the desktop and affect the operation of some system gestures.

Use keyboard combinations or voice control to run apps if tactile interaction with the edge of the screen causes discomfort.The Google Assistant or Ali voice assistant can open the desired program on command.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why does the side menu only appear in some apps?

This is due to compatibility settings, so you can select a list of apps on the sidebar menu where the feature will be active, check the settings and check the boxes for those programs where the panel is bothering you.

Does the Sidebar affect battery life?

The label itself consumes minimal energy, but floating window processes running in the background can increase the charge consumption. If you're not using the feature, you'd better turn it off.

Can I change the menu to the other side of the screen?

In standard Xiaomi settings, this option is often absent, and the menu is tied to the right or left edge depending on the region.

The menu icon has disappeared after the update, how to return?

Check if your settings have reset after the system update. Go to Additional Features and activate the switch again. If it doesn't work, check for updates for the System Security app.

💡

Competent setting of exceptions for games and applications allows you to save the useful functionality of the sidebar, getting rid of random activations during the use of the smartphone.