How to turn off the sidebar on Xiaomi: Deep setup

Modern MIUI shells and the new HyperOS offer users many features designed to improve multitasking, such as the sidebar, or Toolbar, which allows you to quickly run applications and mini windows, but not all users like it when this interface element appears on top of other applications, sometimes interfering with management.

Many Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners are wondering how to remove this element so that it doesn’t overlap content in games or when reading. The process of turning off is simple enough, but can vary depending on the version of the operating system and the firmware region. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available deactivation methods.

It is worth noting that completely disabling system elements sometimes requires care so as not to disrupt other important functions. We will look at standard methods through settings, as well as touching on the features of operation in various scenarios of using the device.

What is a side panel and why you need it

The sidebar is a floating interface that is hidden at the edge of the screen and activated by a swipe. The main purpose of this tool is to provide quick access to selected applications and functions without having to fold the current task.

The dashboard allows you to open applications in a floating window, which creates a multitasking effect. You can text in the messenger while watching a video or a browser. However, implementing this mechanism at the system level can consume additional RAM resources.

⚠️ Attention: Active sidebar may conflict with game interfaces, causing random taps or dimming of the screen during intense play.

Users often confuse this feature with regular widgets or control menus. It is important to understand that the Toolbar is a separate system service that runs on top of other applications. Its presence is not critical to the operation of the smartphone, and its deactivation will not affect the stability of the system.

• 📱 Allows you to run applications in floating window mode.
• ⚡ Provides quick access to calculator, voice recorder and screenshots.
• 🎮 In game mode (Game Turbo) provides access to macros and memory cleanup.

Disconnection through the main system settings

The easiest and safest way to remove the sidebar is to use the built-in settings menu. The path to the desired switch may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell, but the logic remains the same. You will need to go to the Settings section of your device.

Next, you need to find the option for additional interface functions. In most current versions of MIUI and HyperOS, it is hidden in the Additional Features menu. This is where you reside to manage specialized controls that are not part of the basic Android configuration.

Inside the Toolbar menu, you'll see the main switch that activates or deactivates the function. Once it's turned off, the swipe from the edge of the screen will stop calling the app menu. If you don't find this item right away, search by settings by typing "panel."

Sometimes the system suggests selecting applications that will be available for the panel, and if you want to turn it off only for certain programs, not globally, you can just tick off the boxes against the unnecessary applications on this list, which is a flexible approach for those who need the feature selectively.

Setup in Game Turbo mode

Special attention should be paid to the game panel, which is often part of the Game Turbo ecosystem. Many users confuse the standard sidebar with the game accelerator, which pops up during the launch of games.

To access your game mode settings, open the Security app, which is preinstalled on all of the brand’s smartphones. At the bottom of the screen or in the menu, look for the Game Turbo section. Here are the performance and interface settings during the game.

In the game accelerator menu, find Settings (often indicated by a gear) and you can find the Sidebar or Game tools option here. Disabling this option will remove the pop-up menu during gameplay, which can prevent accidental touches.

It is worth noting that in some versions of the firmware, game mode settings can be made into a separate Security application or integrated into the screen settings. If the standard path does not work, check the Screen -> Game Mode section.

• 🎮 Opens access to blocking notifications during the game.
• 📉 Allows you to reduce the quality of graphics for improvement FPS.
• 📼 It allows you to record the screen without third-party applications.

Differences between MIUI and HyperOS

With the release of the new HyperOS shell, Xiaomi has changed the menu structure somewhat, the logic remains the same, but the names of items and their location may have shifted, and users who have recently updated should be more careful when searching for the right options.

In HyperOS, interface management has become more centralized, and often the toolbar settings can be found by searching at the top of the settings menu, and the AI system can tell you what you want if you type in keywords.

Despite cosmetic changes, the technical implementation of the function remains similar, and the interface configuration files have not undergone major changes, so the user's algorithm of actions is almost identical on both shells.

If you can't find the right item in HyperOS, try a global search by settings. Type "side" or "panel" and the system will redirect you to the right section. This is a universal method for all versions of the software.

Impact on productivity and battery

There is a widespread belief that disabling system functions saves battery life significantly. In the case of a sidebar, the situation is ambiguous. Since it is a static element that is activated only at the request of the user, its background resource consumption is minimal.

However, if the panel is fixed "heavy" applications or widgets that constantly update content, this can lead to micro-slowdowns.Switching off the panel frees up a small amount of RAM, which can be critical for devices with 4 GB of RAM or less.

⚠️ Note: Disconnecting system services through ADB This can cause the interface to work in an unstable way. Use only the regular switches in the settings.

For owners of flagship models with a large amount of memory, the difference in autonomy will be invisible, and the main advantage of switching off in this context is improved ergonomics and avoiding accidental activations, rather than saving energy.

• 🔋 Reduces background activity of services Google and Xiaomi.
• 🧹 Releases until 50-100 MB of RAM.
• 🚀 Reduces the number of processes in the task manager.

Alternative solutions and access settings

If you don't want to shut down completely, but the standard panel is in the way, you can adjust its behavior, and some versions of the firmware have the option of changing the sensitivity of the swipe or activation zone, so you can avoid accidental openings.

You can also completely clear the app list in the panel, leaving it blank, in which case the swipe will call the menu, but it will be useless, which effectively neutralizes the function without technically turning off the service, which can be useful if you are afraid to bring down the system settings.

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If you use split screens often, try using the standard multitasking menu (swipe up and hold), which often works more stable than the sidebar.

For advanced users, there is a possibility of using ADB-commands to hide system elements, but this requires a connection to a computer. We recommend using standard means, as they guarantee the preservation of warranty and stability of the work.

It is important to check system updates periodically. Xiaomi engineers often make changes to the interface logic, and new patches may feature more convenient ways to manage side elements.

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Disabling the sidebar is a safe operation that does not require root rights and returns the purity of the interface, removing unnecessary controls.