How to turn off Google feed on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, which run MIUI and HyperOS shells, offer users a variety of features but are often overloaded with pre-installed content. One of the most annoying elements for many owners is the so-called Google Tape, or Google Discover, which appears when swiped to the right on the home screen, a feature that consumes Internet traffic, takes up RAM, and can slow down desktop openings.

Users often look for ways to turn off Google feed on Xiaomi to free up space and speed up the system response. Unfortunately, standard system tools do not always do this, as the company actively promotes its services. However, there are several proven methods to solve this problem without obtaining superuser rights (Root).

In this article, we will look at all the current ways, from simple launcher settings to more advanced methods using a computer, you will learn how to permanently get rid of intrusive news and widgets, returning your device to the purity of the interface. Follow the instructions carefully to avoid errors when working with system settings.

Why you should turn off the news feed

Google Discover is a news aggregator that analyzes your search queries and browsing history to offer relevant content. While for some users it is a convenient way to stay up-to-date, for many it is a source of unnecessary noise. The main inconvenience is that the tape automatically loads heavy images and text, consuming mobile traffic and battery power even in the background.

Also, having extra widgets on the home screen often leads to random taps and lower interface performance. When you swipe to the right, the system takes time to render the page, which creates micro-latency. When you remove this element, you will notice that navigation between desktops has become smoother and more instantaneous.

Another important aspect is privacy: The tape collects data about your interests, location and reading habits, transmitting it to the servers of the corporation. By turning off the service, you limit telemetry collection and improve your digital hygiene, which is especially true for devices used by children or the elderly, who may be confused by bright headlines.

⚠️ Note: Before making any changes to system settings or removing components, it is recommended to back up important data to avoid accidental loss of information.

It’s also worth noting that different firmware versions (Global, China, EEA) may have different settings. With newer versions of HyperOS, Xiaomi has begun to more aggressively integrate its own news feeds (Mi Video, Glance), which work on a similar principle, so the methods described below will help you fight not only Google services, but also similar products of Xiaomi itself.

Standard method of disconnection through launcher settings

The easiest and safest way to disable Google feed on Xiaomi is to use the built-in desktop settings, which require no connection to a computer and works on most current versions of MIUI. However, in recent updates, developers often hide this option or change its name to make it harder for users to do so.

You need to get to the desktop editing menu first, pinch your two fingers on the home screen, or just swipe your finger from the bottom up (depending on the type of navigation) to open the widget menu. In the upper right corner of the screen, you'll see the gear icon or three dots — this is the entrance to the launcher settings.

The menu that opens should look for "Advanced" or "More," and that's where the switch that displays the left end screen usually hides, which can be called "Google," "Ribbon," "OneTap," or "Slide to the left," and when you find the switch, just put it in an inactive position.

If the swipe to the right still opens a news page after you turn it off, you may have your own Xiaomi feed activated, so in the same settings menu, look for the option "Widget Ribbon" or "Mi Video" and turn it off. Sometimes the system requires a launcher reboot to apply changes, which happens automatically when you exit the menu.

It's important to understand that some global firmware versions may have this switch locked or missing, and that's when the standard method doesn't work, and you'll have to resort to more radical measures, which we'll talk about later, and don't despair if you don't find the right option the first time, because the interface is always changing.

Using third-party launchers for complete cleaning

If the built-in tools don’t allow you to remove the intrusive tape, the most effective solution is to install an alternative launcher. Third-party launcher completely replaces the standard Xiaomi interface, giving you full control of the desktop, icons and gestures. This not only removes Google tape, but also significantly speeds up the smartphone.

One of the most popular and easy options is Nova Launcher. Once you install the app from Play Market, you will need to designate it as the default launcher. Xiaomi’s system can warn you several times about possible security risks and try to return the standard launcher – show persistence and confirm your choice.

The advantage of using third-party shells is their flexibility: you can customize the icon grid, change the animation of opening apps and most importantly, completely eliminate any unnecessary screens. Unlike the standard MIUI shell, there are no hidden switches that you can not find.

It’s worth noting that when you switch to a third-party launcher, you may lose some specific Xiaomi features, such as “second space” gestures or specific animations. However, for most users, losing Google feed and improving performance are more significant factors.

Disconnecting through Google Settings (Basic Level)

Before we get to the complicated technical methods, it makes sense to try to limit the functionality of the feed itself through the Google account settings.This will not remove the empty screen when swiping completely, but will stop downloading news and personalized content, making the feed useless and empty.

To do this, open the Google app on your smartphone, click on the profile avatar in the upper right corner and select Settings. Then go to General or Tape, where you can turn off notifications, disable autoplay of video and clear activity history, which will deprive the algorithms of the ability to generate personalized results.

Also, in the phone settings, under the Apps section, you can find the Google app and limit its background activity. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Google → Battery and select No Limits mode or, conversely, Energy Saving mode so that the system less often wakes up the process for updating the tape.

⚠️ Warning: Completely disabling or freezing the Google system application may cause the voice assistant and search widgets to work incorrectly on the desktop.

It's a compromise. It doesn't remove the swipe capability, it makes the content inside it sterile. If your goal is to just stop seeing the news, that might be enough, but it will require deeper interventions to completely remove the interface element.

Removal via ADB: a method for advanced users

The most effective way to disable Google tape on Xiaomi at the system level is to use debugging on the Internet. USB tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method allows you to remove or freeze system packages that display the left screen without the need for a Root right.

To start, activate Developer Mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on either MIUI Version or OS Version until the message appears “You’re a developer.” Then, in the “Additional” or “Extended Settings” menu, turn on “Debugging over USB.”

Connect your smartphone to your computer through high-quality USB-The computer must have a minimum set of drivers installed. ADB. Open the command line or terminal in the folder with ADB And you type in the adb device command. You'll see a request for debugging permission on your phone screen -- make sure you tick "Always Allow" and click "OK».

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

The above command disables the Google QuickSearchBox package, which is most often responsible for the tape. If you want to remove Xiaomi tape (Mi Video or Glance), the commands will differ (for example, for Glance it is often com.miui.miwallpaper.glance).

If you turn off the wrong package, the phone may start to run unstable or go into a cyclical reboot. Always check the name of the package before you type in the command.

Possible problems and solutions

Users may encounter a number of difficulties when they turn off the tape, and it is often the case that after a phone restarts, the settings are reset and the tape reappears, due to MIUI's aggressive policy of preserving its services, in which case it helps to repeat the procedure or use more stringent locking methods through ADB.

Another common problem is the introduction of Xiaomi’s new “smart” tape instead of Google, which is constantly changing the names and packages responsible for this functionality. If you disabled Google, but the swipe still works, look for packages on the list of applications with the words “Daemon”, “Slide”, “Feed” or “News” and experiment with turning them off.

Also worth mentioning is the impact of system updates. After a major Android or MIUI update, all your settings can be reset to factory, so it's helpful to save the ADB command list in a text file on your computer to quickly restore the cleanliness of the interface after the update.

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Save a list of disabled packages in notes or on the cloud so that after resetting settings or updating the firmware, you can quickly restore the optimal system configuration.

Some users report that when the tape is turned off, the weather or desktop search widgets stop working, because widgets often depend on the same system component, in which case you will have to choose between putting up with the tape or abandoning the widgets, replacing them with alternatives from the Play Market.

⚠️ Note: Using third-party applications to freeze (e.g. FreezeIt) may require special permissions to be granted via a computer, which repeats the logic of the method. ADB, but in a more convenient interface.

Comparison of methods and final recommendations

To sum up, the choice of method depends on your technical background and goals. If you just need to remove visual noise, you will have enough launcher settings. If you want to squeeze the maximum performance and are willing to take risks, use ADB. Third-party launchers are ideal for the balance between convenience and functionality.

Don’t forget that it’s hard to get a completely “clean” Android on Xiaomi without flashing on a custom build (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), but the methods described allow you to approach this ideal. Regular cleaning of the system from garbage and unnecessary services prolongs the life of the device.

Ultimately, your smartphone should be the one that works for you, and if you don't care about Google feed, leave it, but if it's annoying and slowing down, remove it, and it should be the user's control, not the software manufacturer's.

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The safest and most reversible way is to use a third-party launcher, and the most radical and effective way is to disable packets via ADB.

Now you know how to turn off Google feed on Xiaomi in a variety of ways. Experiment with settings, but do it carefully, creating recovery points before major changes. A clean interface is key to a productive smartphone experience.