Many Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone users are faced with an intrusive feature that appears when swiping to the right of the home screen, called widget tape, or “Google Discover,” which developers believe should make it easier to access news and popular queries. However, in practice, it often only clutters the interface, consumes Internet traffic and battery power while operating in the background.
Fortunately, MIUI and its current version of HyperOS provide built-in tools to manage this element, so you don't have to install third-party launchers or get super-user rights to get rid of the visual noise, but you just have to change a couple of settings in the system menu to get back to the classic desktop look.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all known ways to deactivate tape on different versions of firmware. We will examine the differences between the global and Chinese versions of shells, and also touch on the nuances of Google widgets and its own MIUI system. Follow the instructions to optimize the operation of your device.
Why do you need a widget tape and can you remove it?
The widget tape, to the left of the first screen, is part of Google's strategy to keep users focused, and it aggregates information from a variety of sources: weather, currency rates, latest news and recommendations based on your search history. For some users, it's a really handy tool to quickly access content without having to open a browser.
However, for those who prefer minimalism and speed, having a constantly updated widget becomes a problem. Background data synchronization can significantly affect power consumption, especially on low-end Redmi models with the least capacious battery.
⚠️ Attention: The complete removal of Google system components may lead to unstable operation of the Play Market store.We are only considering the regular disabling of the display of tape, which is safe for the system.
Disabling this feature doesn’t disrupt other services, you can still use Google Search, Voice Assistant, and other ecosystem apps, and the only difference is that when you swipe to the right, you either see a blank screen or you get to the desktop, depending on the configuration method you choose.
Disabling Google feed on MIUI global firmware
Owners of devices purchased officially in Europe or Russia, most often deal with a global version of the shell, in the interface MIUI and the new HyperOS deactivation process is as simple as possible and does not require a deep dive into the engineering menu.
First, you need to unlock the screen and go to the main desktop. Swipe from right to left to open the very tape you want to get rid of. In the upper right corner of the screen, you will see the gear icon or menu button (three dots) responsible for setting up this particular widget.
Clicking on this element, you'll be taken to the content management menu, where you'll find a switch called "Widget Ribbon" or "Google Discover" and put it in an inactive state, and the system can request confirmation of action, because it finds this feature useful.
☑️ Shutdown algorithm
Once you do this, if you swipe again to the left, you'll either see an empty screen asking you to add widgets, or you'll immediately go to the home screen. This depends on the launcher version. It's important to note that Google app updates can sometimes reset these settings, so it makes sense to check them after a major system update.
Launcher settings and system parameters
If the fast gear approach didn’t work or the interface looks different, you should refer to the main system settings. In Xiaomi shells, the System Launcher component is responsible for the appearance of the desktop, and its parameters allow you to flexibly adjust the behavior of the main screen.
Go to the Settings menu of your smartphone and find the Desktop section, which in some versions of the firmware may be called Home or built into the Additional section, and this is where key switches that control navigation and additional panels are hidden.
Inside the desktop settings menu, look for “Widget Tape” or “Additional Screens,” where you can not only turn off the news feed, but also choose which content source to use if you decide to turn it on in the future. Options from Google, Yandex or standard widgets are available MIUI.
| Parameter | Where to find out. | Value for disconnection |
|---|---|---|
| Widget tape | Settings → Desktop | Off |
| Additional screen | Settings → Home. | No. |
| Google Discover | The gear in the ribbon | Shut down. |
The changes are effective immediately, and if there are no visual changes after switching the switch, try restarting the device, which will help the MIUI system completely rebuild the desktop cache and apply new navigation rules.
What to do if the item is not on the menu?
Specificity of Chinese versions of firmware and methods of bypassing
Users who import smartphones from China or reflash the device to the Chinese version of MIUI CN face more aggressive integration of services, often preinstalling a POCO Launcher launcher or a specific version of MIUI Home, where standard switches may be missing or not work correctly.
In Chinese versions, Xiaomi’s own news feed is often used instead of Google Discover, which is even more intrusive, and it may require you to log into your Mi Account or use special codes in the Security app to deactivate it, sometimes by changing the region of your phone to India or Singapore, which changes the set of system applications.
There is also a method through hidden launcher settings, available through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and having basic command line knowledge, and allows you to force-disable components that are invisible in the normal interface.
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.personalassistantExecuting this command disables the personal assistant who is responsible for the formation of the tape. Use this method only if you are confident in your actions, since an erroneous disabling of system packages can lead to a cyclical reboot. To return the functionality, the command changes to enable.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-commands may cancel the warranty in case of software failures.
Alternative launchers as a radical solution
If the standard methods do not give the desired result or you want to completely change the look of your Redmi, a great solution is to install a third-party launcher, these are programs that completely replace the standard desktop, providing a new interface and advanced customization capabilities.
Popular options such as Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher do not have a left-hand news feed by default, or allow you to configure it as you wish, and after installing such an application, the system will prompt you to choose its main default.
- 🚀 Nova Launcher – a classic genre that provides maximum performance and flexibility of settings.
- 📱 Microsoft Launcher – perfectly integrates with Windows services and has a clean, modern design.
- 🎨 Smart Launcher 6 – automatically sorts applications and offers a unique interface without unnecessary elements.
Installing an alternative launcher is a safe process that can be reversed at any time.You can always go back to the standard MIUI through system settings.It's a great way to breathe new life into older smartphone models that can run slower with a standard shell.
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When installing a new launcher, immediately set up a grid of icons and gestures to get used to the new interface was as comfortable as possible.
The effect of tape on performance and battery
Many users are wondering if it's worth the time to turn it off. The answer lies in the architecture of Android. The news feed is not just a static picture, but an active process that constantly polls servers, updates weather widgets and analyzes your actions to generate personalized results.
On today’s flagship Xiaomi models with powerful processors and more RAM, this effect may be invisible. However, on budget devices of the Redmi Note series or older models, background activity can lead to micro-freezes of the interface and faster battery discharge in standby mode.
By disabling the tape, you free up system resources. RAM is no longer reserved for Google processes, and the processor does not waste cycles rendering animations every time you unlock the screen, which is especially true for devices that have been in use for several years.
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Disabling unnecessary system widgets is one of the easiest ways to extend the battery life of an old smartphone without losing functionality.
Also, the lack of a steady flow of information reduces digital noise, so you're less distracted by news headlines and more focused on the tasks you originally bought the device for.