How to completely disable the widget tape on Xiaomi Redmi 9: a step-by-step guide

The widget tape on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most controversial elements of the MIUI interface. On the one hand, it provides quick access to the weather, calendar and frequently used applications. On the other hand, many users find it intrusive, slowing down the system and taking up extra space on the screen. If you are in the second category, this article is for you.

We'll break down three proven ways to remove tape: through standard settings, with an alternative launcher, and through hidden developer settings. Each method works on all versions of Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A/9C/9T) regardless of MIUI 12/13/14. Importantly, some methods require superuser rights (root), but we'll show you where you can do without them.

Before you start, make sure that your device has disabled all updates to system applications through Google Play, which will prevent the tape from automatically returning after resetting.

1. Disable the tape through MIUI settings (no root)

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the built-in options that are suitable for most users and don't require any additional software.

1. Open the settings on your Redmi 9.
2. Go to the Desktop section (or Home Screen in new MIUI versions).
3. Find the option of Desktop Settings → Widgets.
4. Turn off the slider Show the tape of widgets (in some firmware, this item may be called Discover tape or Smart Ribbon).
5. Confirm the changes and restart the device.

If the tape is still displayed after rebooting, try it further:

• 📱 Remove the Launcher app cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Reset the launcher settings: clamping the empty space on the desktop → Desktop settings → Reset the settings.
• 🚫 Disable Auto-Update for MIUI Launcher on Google Play (if the feed returns after updates).

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If your version of MIUI doesn’t have a “Tape Widget” option, try changing the system region to India or Europe – sometimes this reveals hidden settings.

Method limitation: on some firmware (especially global ones), the option to turn off the tape may be hidden, in which case move on to the next method.

2.Use of alternative launcher (without root)

If the standard settings don't work, you can completely replace the system launcher with a third-party one, which is a radical solution, but it's guaranteed to remove the widget tape and give you additional customization options.

Installation instructions:

1. Download the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. After installation, click Home and select a new launcher as your primary.
3. In the launcher settings, disable all options related to Discover or Smart Feed.
4. If necessary, import settings from the old launcher (the option is available in Nova Launcher).

Important: When using a third-party launcher, some MIUI features (such as Double-Tap to Waking Up or Navigation Gestures) may not work properly. Check compatibility on 4PDA or XDA Developers forums before installing.

3. Disconnection through developer parameters (advanced method)

For power users, there is a way to disable the tape through Android’s hidden settings.This method doesn’t require root, but requires care – incorrect changes can lead to interface failures.

Steps:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. 7 times click on the MIUI Version (you will be notified "You became a developer").

Additional settings → Developer parameters

USB debugging

ADB

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.miservice

This command disables the service responsible for the widget tape.

Reset the device.

If after the reboot the tape disappeared, but there were errors in the work of other system applications, return the changes to the command:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.miservice

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The ADB method is reversible — you can always return the tape with pm enable, but after the MIUI update, you may need to re-disable the tape.

⚠️ Note: On some Redmi 9 firmware (especially Chinese ones), com.miui.miservice is responsible not only for the tape, but also for push notifications.

4. Radical solution: removal through root (for experienced)

If none of the above methods worked, the last option is to physically delete the system files that control the tape, which requires an unlocked bootloader and super-user rights.

Warning: Mistakes may result in a device blink (completely inoperable).Do backup via TWRP before starting.

Instructions:

1. Install Root Explorer or Mixplorer (with root access enabled).
2. Click on /system/priv-app/MiuiSystemUI or (in newer versions of MIUI): /system/app/Launcher2
3. Find the files: MiuiSystemUI.apk MiuiSystemUI.odex (if any)

.bak

MiuiSystemUI.apk.bak

Reset the device.

If there are errors after the reboot:

• 🛠️ Restore the original file names.
• 🔧 Re-fly MiuiSystemUI through TWRP (Find a stock version for your firmware on 4PDA).
• 📱 Make a full reset via Fastboot (fastboot erase userdata).

⚠️ Attention: Removal of system APK-Files may result in the inability to obtain OTA-In this case, the updates will have to be installed manually via Fastboot or TWRP.

5.What to do if the tape returns after the update

One of the most common problems is that the widget tape reappears after the MIUI update, which is because system applications (Launcher, MiuiSystemUI) automatically update and restore standard settings.

Decisions:

• 🔄 Remove the launcher version: Download the old version MIUI Launcher with APKMirror.Remove updates for the current launcher in Settings → Apps, install downloaded APK (Allow installation from unknown sources).

Block the updates

• On Google Play, open the MIUI Launcher page.
• Press three points. → Remove from the list of updates.

Use the Magisk modules.

• Install Disable MIUI Optimization via Magisk.
• Or use the Xposed Framework with MIUI Extra Settings.

If you use Redmi 9 on Chinese firmware, the tape may come back because of Xiaomi's policy, in which case the only reliable way is to upgrade to a global or European version of MIUI.

6. Alternative ways to hide the tape (if you can not turn off)

On some versions of Redmi 9 (especially with MIUI 14+), the widget tape cannot be turned off by standard methods, in which case you can go to the trick and just hide it visually:

• 📱 Install an empty widget: Download the Empty Widget app. Add a widget to your desktop and stretch it out the entire width of the screen. Move it to the place of the tape (top or left, depending on the version). MIUI).

Use themes without tape

• In Themes, find and apply a theme with a minimalist desktop (such as Pure Black or Minimalist).
• Some themes replace the tape with empty space.

Change the direction of the swipe

• In the launcher settings (Desktop Settings → Gestures), change the swipe action left/right to No action.

These methods do not physically remove the tape, but make it invisible or inaccessible in everyday use.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling widget tape