How to turn off the sidebar on Xiaomi Poco X3

Poco X3 users often encounter intrusive MIUI shell functionality that isn’t always easy to use in everyday life. One of these elements is the sidebar, which can pop up when swiping from the edge of the screen, interfering with navigation or running unnecessary apps. Device owners often wonder how to deactivate this feature to get a cleaner and freer interface without unnecessary distractions.

In this article, we will take a look at how to manage this interface element, learn the difference between the system widget on the left and the Game Turbo dashboard, and get step-by-step instructions on how to disable them completely. Understanding the intricacies of the MIUI shell will allow you to customize the Poco X3 exactly as you want, not as the developers decided.

It’s worth noting that the setup process may vary slightly depending on the version of the operating system installed. However, the basic principles remain unchanged for the entire Xiaomi and Poco lineup. We’ll look at current methods that work on most modern firmware versions, including MIUI 12, 13 and 14.

Differences between the sidebar and the Game Turbo

Before you start to disable, it is important to clearly understand what exactly the element is talking about, since users often confuse two different functional blocks. The first option is a standard MIUI sidebar, which is located on the desktop (usually to the left of the main screen) and contains widgets, news, quick links and application shortcuts. The second option is the Game Turbo toolbar, which pops up on top of running games or applications when swiped from the corner of the screen.

The way these components work is fundamentally different. The system panel is part of the launcher and is responsible for quick access to information, whereas the game panel is an overlay over active processes to control performance. Improper identification of the customization object can lead to you looking for settings in the wrong menu, wasting time.

It is critical for Poco X3 owners to distinguish between these concepts, because disabling one does not affect the other. If you are annoyed by the menu crashing during the game, you need to configure the Game Turbo. If the widget with the news on the desktop interferes, changes are made to the desktop settings. In some cases, users want to get rid of both elements to minimize the interface.

It is also worth mentioning that in different regions of the firmware (Global, Chinese, European) menu items names may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same. Below we will give a table that will help you quickly navigate which component you need to disable.

Disabling the widget on the left on the desktop

The most common request involves removing the widget tape, which is located to the left of the first screen. This element is often called "Google Discover" or "Yandex.Rent" depending on the regional settings and the firmware version. To remove it, you need to go to the editing mode of the desktop. To do this, just pinch two fingers on the empty screen or swipe your finger from the bottom up to open the editing menu.

In the menu that opens, look for the Add button or settings icon (often looking like a gear or slider). You're interested in a section that might be called "More" or have a three-point icon. This is where the left-screen switch is hidden. In some versions of MIUI, it's easy to move the Widget Ribbon slider to an inactive position.

If the standard method didn't work, try pinching the blank area of the screen and select Settings in the bottom corner. Find the option Additional Screens or Google Discover and turn it off. Then the swipe left stops opening the news feed, and you'll stay on the clean desktop, which doesn't remove the apps, it just hides their aggregator.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling the left widget does not remove Google or Yandex apps from your device, it only hides their desktop preview.

Set up and remove Game Turbo on Poco X3

The second type of sidebar that often raises questions among gamers and regular users is the Game Turbo menu, which is designed to optimize games, but can be accidentally activated while watching videos or reading. To manage this functionality, you need to open the system application Security, which is standard for all Xiaomi devices.

Inside the app, find the Game Turbo section (often with a joystick icon). Click on the settings icon (cog) in the upper right corner. Here you will find the item "Sidebar in Games" or "Display Toolbar." Disabling this option will remove the pop-up menu during gameplay. However, if you want to remove the panel and in regular applications, the list of which is managed separately, you will need additional configuration.

In the same Game Turbo settings menu, there's a section called "Advanced Games." If you delete all the apps from this list, the panel will stop activating anywhere, because the system won't see the running "game" processes, which is a radical but effective method for those who don't use acceleration features.

There is also a nuance with so-called "side buttons" or triggers that can be emulated software. Make sure that the "Additional Settings" section → Special features do not activate one-handed controls or other tools that can create the illusion of a sidebar.

Management through special facilities

Sometimes the sidebar can be part of special features that are activated randomly or remain on after resetting. MIUI has a Settings menu → Additional settings → Special features. Here it is worth checking the sections related to managing the phone.

Pay special attention to the special feature (a button with a man or a square) If it is active, a floating button or sidebar may appear on the screen for quick access to functions. Disabling this option will return the screen to its original appearance. Also check the section "Quick commands", where gestures that cause different menus can be written.

It's important to understand that special features take precedence over normal interface settings, so if standard panel disabling methods don't work, you should look for a solution in this section of system settings, which is especially true for devices that other people before you have used.

Third-party launchers as an alternative

If the built-in MIUI tools do not allow you to achieve the desired result or the interface seems overloaded, a great solution is to install a third-party launcher. Replacing the standard shell with Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher completely eliminates the appearance of Xiaomi system panels.

Once you install the alternative launcher, ask for confirmation of default usage, and you'll get a completely clean Android experience without the intrusive widgets on the left and game bars, but remember that some of the Poco X3 features tied to the MIUI ecosystem may become unavailable or unstable.

Using a third-party launcher is the most radical, but also the most effective way to customize, you get complete control over every pixel of the screen, but it can be easy enough for the average user to properly configure the standard interface without having to install additional software.

⚠️ Note: When installing a third-party launcher, some Xiaomi system widgets may stop displaying or working correctly.

Comparison of disconnection methods

The choice of method depends on how deeply you want to interfere with the system. For most users, standard desktop settings and game mode are enough. However, enthusiasts may prefer a complete replacement of the interface. Let's compare the effectiveness of the different approaches.

Standard shutdown via settings is safe and reversible. Using third-party software gives you more freedom but takes time to get used to. Resetting to factory settings (last resort) is guaranteed to remove all custom configuration errors, but takes time to reset the phone.

The table below compares the complexity and effectiveness of the methods for different use cases.

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Before changing system settings or installing new launchers, it is recommended to create a full backup of data in the Mi Cloud cloud or on your computer to avoid losing important information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Proper interface configuration allows you to significantly increase the comfort of using the smartphone, removing unnecessary elements that distract from the main content and tasks.