How to turn off the widget tape on Xiaomi MIUI 12

Users of Xiaomi’s MIUI 12-enclosed smartphones often face intrusive behavior from a system that compulsively offers additional services, one of which is the so-called widget tape, or “Google Discover,” which sits to the left of the first desktop screen, and many device owners accidentally swipe it or find it already on after updating the firmware, which causes irritation due to excessive traffic and visual noise.

Fortunately, the developers have provided the possibility of completely disabling this functionality, although the path to the desired option is not always obvious for a beginner. Deactivating the tape does not require root rights or installing third-party software, just change the settings in the system menu correctly, which will return the usual look to the interface and speed up the device, as background processes will cease to constantly load news content.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for eliminating the extra element of the interface. We will look at the standard launcher settings, work with the Mi Account and the nuances that can occur on different versions of the software. Follow the step-by-step instructions to make your smartphone as convenient as possible for you.

Why Users Need to Turn Off Widget Ribbon

The main reason Xiaomi owners are looking for a way to remove the left screen is to minimize distractions. Newsfeeds are often overflowing with promotional offers, app recommendations and content that may not interest a particular user. Cleaning up the workspace helps you focus on tasks and avoid wasting time scrolling through unnecessary information every morning.

Also, continually synchronizing data to update widgets consumes device resources. Even if you rarely look into this tape, MIUI background services can use Internet connection and CPU time to download previews of articles and weather. Disabling this feature has a positive effect on battery autonomy, especially on models with the least capacity of the battery.

Another important aspect is privacy: The widget tape collects your interests, location and search queries to personalize your search results, and by removing this element, you limit telemetry collection by Google and Xiaomi, especially for those who value their digital privacy and prefer to keep personal data under control.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system widgets completely can affect the weather widget if it is tied to the same service. After the changes, check if the temperature on the desktop is displayed correctly.

Configure through the desktop settings

The easiest and fastest way to get rid of excess tape is to use the launcher's built-in settings, which works on most MIUI 12 devices and doesn't require deep immersion into the system menus, but you just need to do a few simple things to make the interface cleaner.

To start, unlock your smartphone and go to the home screen. Push two fingers together (put them together) or press and hold your finger in the free space of the screen until the edit menu appears. At the bottom of the display, you'll see a series of icons that we're interested in, like, the Settings button or the gear, and you'll be taken to the desktop configuration menu by clicking on it.

In the list of options that opens, you need to find the item responsible for displaying additional screens. It can be called "Widget Tape", "Google Discover" or "OneFeed" depending on the regional version of the firmware. Switch the corresponding switch to the "Switched off" position. After that, the swipe to the left will stop opening the news feed.

It’s worth noting that some global firmware versions may have slightly different paths. Sometimes you need to go to Settings → Desktop via the main app menu. If the standard path didn’t help, try updating system application components through the GetApps store, as older versions of the launcher may have a different settings interface.

Use of Mi Account and Regional Settings

In some cases, especially on devices purchased in China or with global firmware, the widget feed settings can be tightly tied to the region and Mi Account.The system can force services to be enabled if the region is set, for example, in India or China, where aggressive marketing is built into the interface.

To get around this limitation, many users change the region of the device. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Region and select a country where Google and Xiaomi services are less intrusive, such as Singapore or any European country. After changing the region, the phone may require a reboot, and the launcher settings are often reset to a cleaner default view.

It also makes sense to check your Mi Account settings. Sign in to the Security or Mi Services app, find the Ads or Recommendations section, and turn off personalized offers, which won't remove the tape completely, but will clear it of advertising junk if you decide to keep the widgets active.

It's important to understand that region change is a system change that affects many applications, that can change the date and time formats, and the list of available frequency bands for some network operators, and use this method if other methods have not worked.

Alternative launchers as a radical solution

If standard methods don’t help or the built-in MIUI launcher seems too overloaded, there’s always the option of installing a third-party desktop, a radical but effective way to completely change the smartphone’s interface, getting rid of not only the widget tape, but other shell limitations.

Popular alternatives like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher offer flexible customization of each element, you decide which swipes are responsible for what, and you can completely turn off the left screen or assign a call to a particular application instead of a news feed.

• 🚀 Nova Launcher – the benchmark of speed and minimalism, allows you to customize literally every pixel of the screen.
• 📦 Microsoft Launcher - excellent integration with the company's services and a convenient task tape that can be customized for yourself.
• 🎨 Smart Launcher – automatically sorts applications and offers a unique, clean interface without unnecessary noise.

When installing a third-party launcher, Android will ask permission to use it as its primary. Once confirmed, the old Xiaomi interface will no longer be active. However, it is worth remembering that some branded features, such as one-hand gestures or specific design themes, may not work properly or be available.

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Before installing a new launcher, export the current icon arrangement if your old launcher supports this feature so as not to waste time organizing the workspace anew.

Problems after disconnection and their solution

Once you have turned off the widget tape, you may experience situations where the system is not responding as it is, such as when you update the firmware, the settings may reset and the tape will reappear, in which case you will have to repeat the procedure, and sometimes you will see a "dead" swipe to the left, when the screen simply does not respond, which can confuse users who are accustomed to a certain control rhythm.

If the home screen weather widget stops working after the shutdown, try removing it and adding it back from the widget menu. Sometimes the old news service cache conflicts with the new weather widget. Cleaning the cache of the Google or Google Play services app through the app management menu can also help solve the problem.

In rare cases, MIUI 12 has a bug where disabling the tape causes the Google Search button to disappear in the dock bar. To return functionality, you can try to clear the data of the com.mi.android.globalpersonalassistant application in the "All Apps" section, which will reset the personal assistant settings to factory ones.

Optimizing the interface after changes

When you remove the extra tape, you have room for more useful elements, and you can redesign your desktop, and you can add the widgets of a clock, calendar, or pedometer to where you started the news feed, making the first screen more informative and functional.

And you also have to look at the application folders, and without always having to flip through the tapes, the folder structure becomes more important, and then you group the applications in a logical way: "Social Networks," "Work," "Entertainment," which will make it easier to find the right programs and make your smartphone more comfortable.

Don’t forget to check system updates periodically. Xiaomi often makes changes to the interface logic, and newer versions of MIUI may have more subtle content display settings.

⚠️ Note: When cleaning system application data, make sure you understand the consequences.Resetting Personal Assistant settings can delete stored transport cards or pass cards if they were tied to this service.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Disabling the widget tape is a safe operation that does not violate the warranty and significantly improves the user experience, making the interface cleaner and faster.