Xiaomi’s current smartphones, including the popular POCO series, come with a pre-installed set of services that many users consider redundant. One of these elements is the Google Discover News Feed, formerly known as Google Now. It automatically appears to the left of the first desktop and starts consuming Internet traffic and CPU resources in the background, even if you’re not using it.
For many device owners, this feature becomes a source of irritation, especially when a random swipe to the right opens an endless stream of articles and recommendations that the user did not request. In addition, constant updating of the tape can negatively affect the autonomy of the device, since background processes actively use the network connection. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for deactivating this feature on current versions of the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS.
The process of disabling may vary slightly depending on the software version and regional firmware installed on your gadget.We will look at both standard methods through system settings, and more advanced options for cases where standard switches are hidden or unavailable.It is important to understand that the complete removal of system components requires caution, but simply hiding the tape is absolutely safe to guarantee and stability of the smartphone.
Why you should turn off the Google Discover feed
The main reason users are trying to get rid of the intrusive news feed is to optimize the Android operating system. Google Discover works as a separate widget that is constantly updated even when the screen is off. This leads to additional battery consumption, which is especially critical for models with a smaller battery or for users who actively use the phone during the day without the possibility of recharging.
The second important aspect is privacy and personal data: Google algorithms collect information about your search queries, location and interests to shape personalized SERPs. While the company claims data security, many POCO owners prefer to minimize the digital footprint and limit the collection of information by corporations. Disabling the feed is the first step to increasing privacy.
⚠️ Note: Disabling Google system widgets does not affect the search bar or voice assistant.You will still be able to use voice input and search, just the recommendation feed will no longer appear when swiping.
Also worth mentioning is the visual component: the standard POCO Launcher or MIUI Launcher with the left panel turned off works more smoothly. Swipes become more responsive, micro-latency disappears when switching between desktops. For users who value minimalism and cleanliness of the interface, removing unnecessary elements is a necessity. This allows you to focus on applications and widgets that are really important without being distracted by advertising or news blocks.
Disconnection through POCO desktop settings
The easiest and safest way to remove the news feed is to use the launcher's built-in settings, which don't require root rights or third-party software. It's suitable for most current models, such as the POCO X3 NFC, POCO F3, POCO M4 Pro and later. The algorithm is intuitive and takes only a few seconds.
First, you unlock the device and go to the main screen, make a long tap (click and hold) on the empty area of the desktop or pinch the screen with two fingers to go into editing mode. At the bottom of the display, you will see a toolbar where you need to find the gear icon or the Settings button, and this is where the key interface design parameters are hidden.
☑️ Tape-off algorithm
In the settings menu that opens, you'll need to find the section that handles the extra screens. In different versions of MIUI, it can be called "Additional Screens," "Left Screen," or just "Google Discover." Find the appropriate switch and deactivate it. Then swipe right — you should see the widgets, but not the news feed. If a browser or another page opens instead of the feed, then the setting is successful, but another widget is fixed.
In some cases, especially on global firmware versions, the path may be slightly different. Then you should go to the general system settings through the Settings app, select the Home Screen and then look for the Google Discover option. If you can't find this option, your launcher version may not support direct shutdown, and you will need to use the alternate methods described below.
Configure through the Google system application
If standard launcher settings don’t work or the interface looks different, you can try disabling the feature through the Google app itself.This method doesn’t work on all devices, but often works when other methods are powerless.It allows you to control the behavior of the search bar and related services at the account and application level.
Open the Google app on your POCO smartphone. Click on the profile avatar in the top right corner of the screen. In the drop-down menu, select Settings and then go to General. Here you need to find an option called Google Screen or Discover. Turn the switch to the Off position. The system can request confirmation of action, warning that some features will become unavailable.
| Parameter | Standard value | Recommended value | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Discover | Included. | Off. | Reducing traffic consumption |
| Notifications | Actively. | Disconnected. | Less distractions |
| Background synchronization | On. | Limited. | Battery savings |
| Personalization | Complete. | Minimum | Enhancing privacy |
What to do if the switch is grey?
After making the changes, it is recommended to completely restart the device, which is necessary to clear the launcher cache and the new settings take effect. If after the reboot the news feed still appears when the swipe, try clearing the data of the Google application. To do this, go to the Settings. → Annexes → All applications → Google → Warehouse → Clear. Don't worry, your personal data and search history won't be affected, only temporary files and interface settings will be reset.
Using ADB for Advanced Users
For those who are not afraid to work with the command line, there is the most reliable way to remove or disable system components – using a tool. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method hides the tape packet at the system level, and it requires you to connect your smartphone to your computer through a computer. USB-cable and availability of installed drivers.
The first step is to activate the developer mode on your POCO. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the MIUI build number seven times. You will notice that you have become a developer. Next go to Additional → For developers and turn on Debugging over USB. When you connect to the PC on the phone screen, you will see a request for debugging permission - confirm it.
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchboxThe disables command that we introduced above (disables) the main Google search package, which is often responsible for the feed, too. However, to be accurate and not break the entire search, it is better to target the launcher component specifically. Modern versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14 often use a separate feed package. If the standard command didn't help, you can try a more radical but effective way to hide the tape update process.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-Commands require attention. Enter commands exactly as they are specified. A syntax error can cause system applications to function in an unstable manner, although deleting user data by this method is not a threat.
To get things back to normal if something goes wrong, use the command: adb shell pm enable com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox. This method is good because it doesn't require superuser rights and is reversible at any time. It's perfect for users who want a clean Android experience without flashing the device. Once you execute the command, the tape will disappear instantly, even without rebooting.
Alternative launchers as a solution to the problem
If Xiaomi and Google’s built-in tools don’t completely eliminate intrusive elements, or if you just want to radically change the look of the interface, the best solution is to install a third-party launcher, programs that completely replace the standard desktop, providing new customization options and depriving the vendor of the ability to implement their services.
Popular options are Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher. Once you install such an application and choose its main default, the left panel with Google Now will disappear automatically, since third-party launchers by default do not have integration with this service unless the user himself configures it. You get a completely clean screen and the ability to configure swipes as convenient for you.
The advantage of using alternative shells is not only the lack of advertising and news. You get access to an expanded number of animation settings, desktop grid, icon size and fonts. For POCO owners, who often face restrictions in stock firmware customization, it's a real breath of fresh air. In addition, third-party launchers are often optimized better and consume less RAM.
However, it is worth considering that some features specific to MIUI, such as one-hand gestures or certain types of widgets, may not work correctly or be available. Before a full migration, it is recommended to test the selected launcher within a couple of days.
Possible problems and solutions
When you turn off Google Now, you may encounter a number of technical difficulties, such as resetting your settings after you update the system and resetting your news feed, which is normal for some versions of MIUI that force you to return Google services in major updates, and then you have to reset the shutdown.
Another common problem is that there is an empty white screen or black background instead of a tape after it is turned off, which suggests that the launcher process is getting stuck on trying to download non-existent content, which is solved by clearing the cache of the Google application and the System Launcher through the application management menu, and simple rebooting of the device also helps.
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If the swipe to the right still opens the browser or search after turning off the feed, check the gesture settings in the Google app itself, sometimes leaving the swipe to the right to open the search, which must be manually removed.
Some users complain that weather or search widgets stop working with the tape if they were built into this panel. It's important to understand the difference: desktop widgets and Google Discover tape are different entities. By disabling the tape, you don't delete the widgets that you can add to any free screen manually. If the weather widget is missing, just add it again through the desktop editing menu.