The Google News widget (formerly Google Discover) appears on the home screen of many Xiaomi smartphones after upgrading to MIUI 12/13/14 or installing Google services. For some users, it is a convenient source of relevant information, for others - an annoying element that eats up battery power and traffic. Unfortunately, Xiaomi does not provide an obvious "Delete" button for this service, but there are several working ways to deactivate it - from simple concealment to complete blocking by system means.
In this article, we’ll break down 5 proven methods, including disabling through MIUI settings, removing app updates, using ADB, and even a radical solution for advanced users. All the instructions are relevant for Redmi, POCO, and Xiaomi models based on Android 11-14 with the MIUI shell. If you’re tired of unnecessary news cards or want to optimize the system, read on.
Why is Google News appearing on Xiaomi?
Google News is integrated into MIUI for two main reasons:
- 📱 Google agreement: Android device makers are required to pre-install key Google services (including Discover) to access Google Play and other ecosystem features. Xiaomi is no exception - even on "naked" MIUI without GMS (For example, in Chinese firmware, a widget may appear after manual installation of services.
- 🔄 Automatic updates: com.google.android.apps.magazines (officially Google News) is updated through the Play Store and may “wake up” after resetting or updating MIUI.
- 🌍 Regional settings: In some countries (e.g. the EU), the widget is activated by default due to Google’s local partnerships with carriers.
It's important to understand that you can't completely remove an application without root rights -- it's protected as a system, but you can disable it, hide it, or lock it so that it doesn't interfere with your smartphone. Next, we'll look at all the options available, from the simplest to the most technically challenging.
Method 1: Hiding the widget from the main screen
The fastest and safest method is to simply remove the widget from the screen without touching the app itself, which will not turn off background activity from Google News, but will eliminate visual irritation.
- Press and hold your finger on the empty seat of the main screen until the edit menu appears.
- Go to the Widgets section (usually an icon in the form of a square with a plus).
- Find the Google News widget (may be called Discover or Tape).
- Drag it up to the Remove (or Remove) label that appears at the top of the screen.
If the widget doesn't disappear or returns after the reboot, it's tied to the left side of the home screen (like the Pixel Launcher).
- 🔧 Go to Settings. → Main screen screen.
- 📱 Find the left panel or Discover screen option and turn it off.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone to make changes take effect.
💡
If there is empty space in its place after hiding the widget, try changing the main screen grid in the launcher settings (for example, 5×6 instead of 4×5).
Method 2: Disabling notifications and background activity
Even if the widget is hidden, Google News can continue:
- 🔔 Send notifications about “important” news.
- 📶 Consume mobile traffic in the background.
- 🔋 Reduce the battery due to constant synchronization.
To stop this:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- In the search box, type Google News (or Discover).
- Select the app and go to the Notifications section.
- Turn off all switches (especially Important and Recommendations).
- Go back and tap on the battery → select Limit background activity.
- In the Data section, disable Background traffic and Auto Start.
On some MIUI firmware, the option to limit background activity may not be available – in this case, use method 3 or 4.
| Action. | The effect | Reversibility |
|---|---|---|
| Hiding the widget | Remove the visual element, but does not stop the background processes | Yes, we can return it. |
| Disabling notifications | Stops pop-up alerts, but the app works | Yes. |
| Background restriction | Reduces battery consumption and traffic | Yes. |
| Removal of updates | Returns the app to the factory version (less aggressive) | Yes, but updates will come back automatically. |
Method 3: Removing Google News Updates
The Google News app is initially installed in a minimal version, but over time it is updated through the Play Store, adding new features (including annoying notifications).
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find Google News (or com.google.android.apps.magazines).
- Slip on three dots in the top right corner and select Remove Updates.
- Confirm action. The app will return to the factory version (usually Google Discover 7.0-8.0).
After that:
- ✅ The widget can disappear on its own (if it was part of the update).
- ✅ Notifications will become less intrusive.
- ⚠️ But in a few days, the Play Store will update the app again, and to avoid that, you have to block the updates:
⚠️ Note: Disabling automatic updates for Google News may cause conflicts with other Google services (such as Assistant or Play Games.
To block the updates:
- Open the Play Store and search for Google News.
- Slip on three dots next to the Update button.
- Uncheck the auto update box.
☑️ Preparing to turn off Google News
Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced)
If previous methods didn't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a deep-tuning tool that doesn't require root, but requires a computer and a little bit of training.
Advantages of the method:
- 🔧 Completely disables the application at the system level.
- 📵 Stops all background processes of Google News.
- 🔄 It retains action after rebooting.
Instructions:
- Turn on Developer Mode on Smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times)
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
- Connect your phone to your computer via USB (select File Transfer mode).
- Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
- Open the command line (cmd) in the adb folder and type: adb devices (the serial number of your device should appear).
- Run the command to disable Google News: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.apps.magazines
To return the application back, use the command:
adb shell pm enable com.google.android.apps.magazines⚠️ Attention: Some firmware MIUI (Especially the global versions of the Redmi Note 10/11) can block ADB-If you get a Not allowed error, try adb shell pm uninstall first. -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.magazines.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
Method 5: Radical solution - removal via TWRP (root only)
If you’re willing to go to extremes and your smartphone has an unlocked bootloader + TWRP Recovery installed, you can completely remove Google News from the system.This method is suitable for users who:
- 🔨 They already have experience with root and custom firmware.
- 📦 Ready for possible disruptions to other Google services.
- 🔄 Agree to manual system repair in case of problems.
Instructions:
- Download the latest version of TWRP for your Xiaomi model.
- Boot in Recovery Mode (turn off the phone, then pinch Power + Volume up).
- In TWRP, select Advanced → File Manager.
- Go to /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/.
- Find the Magazines (or GoogleNews) folder and delete it.
- Reboot. The application will be removed without the possibility of recovery through normal means.
Important! Deleting system applications can lead to:
- 🚨 Errors in the work of Google Play Services.
- 🔄 Impossibility of updating MIUI "airborne".
- 📵 Problems with Google Pay, YouTube and Other Services.
💡
Before removing through TWRP Make sure to backup the section /system Recovery (Backup option) → This will allow you to restore the phone if something goes wrong.
What to do if Google News is back?
Sometimes, after a MIUI update or reset, the Google News widget reappears. Here's how to avoid it:
- 🔄 Reverse to the previous version MIUI (If the update brings the widget, use the official firmware archive.
- 📵 Block Google News domains via hosts: 127.0.0.1 news.google.com 127.0.0.1 discover.google.com (requires root or apps like AdAway).
- 🛡️ Use an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) that ignores system widgets.
- 🔧 Turn off “Personal Recommendations” in Google Settings: Settings → Google → Advertising → Disable personalization
If neither method worked, perhaps the widget is integrated at the firmware level, and then there are two options:
- Install custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience without Google services).
- Use Google News as a source of information (what if it’s useful?).