How to completely disable the widget tape on Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro: all ways

Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro is a popular smartphone with a MIUI shell that includes a proprietary “widget tape” (or “mil-tape”) to the left of the home screen. This interface element displays weather, calendar, quick notes and recommendations, but for many users it seems intrusive, slows down the system or just takes up extra space. In this article, we will examine all the current ways to turn off the tape of widgets – from standard settings to advanced methods using ADB and alternative launchers.

It's important to understand that the Poco M3 Pro runs on MIUI for POCO, a modified version of the shell where some options are hidden or renamed. So the classic instructions for a clean MIUI may not work. We've tested all methods on MIUI 12.5-14 firmware and ensure they work, and if you run into brakes after an upgrade or just want to free up RAM, this guide is for you.

Why the widget tape interferes: the main problems

At first glance, the tape seems useful: it aggregates information from different applications and saves time. M3 Pro complain:

  • 🐢 Slowing down animations when swiping left - especially noticeable on the budget MediaTek Helio processor G96, which is installed in this model.
  • 🔋 Increased battery consumption: tape constantly updates data in the background (weather, currency rates, news).
  • 📱 Accidental taps – with a sloppy swipe, you can open an unnecessary widget or advertisement (in some regions).
  • 🚫 Inability to customize: unlike the main screen, the tape can not be customized for yourself - only turn off completely.

According to tests, after turning off the Poco M3 Pro tape, it shows an increase in free RAM by 150-200 MB (by stopping the background processes of com.miui.home). Also, there are no slowdowns when switching between screens. If you notice that the smartphone began to “lay” after the update, first of all check whether the widget tape is to blame.

📊 How often do you use the widget tape on Xiaomi?
Constantly.
Sometimes.
I used to, but I turned it off.
Never used it.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in shell options. In the Poco M3 Pro, the path to the tape settings may be different from other Xiaomi models, so follow the instructions carefully:

  1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
  2. Go to the Home Screen (or Desktop in some firmware versions).
  3. Click on the settings of the home screen → tape widgets.
  4. Translate the slider Show the tape of widgets to the off position.
  5. Confirm the action by pressing Ready.

If your version of MIUI does not have a widget tape item, try an alternative path:

  1. Hold your finger on the empty spot on the main screen.
  2. A menu will appear at the bottom – select Home Screen Settings.
  3. Follow steps 3-5 from the first instruction.

☑️ Preparation for tape shutdown

Done: 0 / 4

One important thing is that once you shut down, the tape will disappear, but the function will remain in the system, which means that once you reset the settings or update the firmware, it may reappear again, and you will need 2 or 3 methods to remove the tape completely.

What to do if the "Widget Tape" item is missing?
In some regional firmware (e.g. India or Europe), the option is hidden. Try changing the region in the Mi Account settings. → Mi Account → Region, then restart the phone.

Method 2: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If the standard method didn’t work or the tape returns after a reboot, it will help. ADB-This requires you to connect your smartphone to your computer, but it gives you a guaranteed result even on blocked firmware.

You'll need:

  • 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
  • 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or qualitative analogue).
  • 📱 Included debugging by USB smartphone.
  • 🛠️ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website).

Step-by-step:

  1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Press 7 times on MIUI Version until the notification “You are a developer” appears.

USB-debugging

  • Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
  • Activate the debugging slider over USB.
  • Connect Poco M3 Pro to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
  • Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices If the device is determined (serial number will appear), continue. If not, check the drivers or cable.
  • Follow the command to turn off the tape: adb shell pm hide com.miui.home After that, the tape will disappear, but will not be completely removed - just stops showing.
  • To return the tape back, use: adb shell pm unhide com.miui.home
adb shell settings put secure sysui_qqs_count 0

This command will hide the tape through system settings.-->

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB can cause some settings to reset (e.g. live wallpaper or weather widgets).Before executing commands, make a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Method 3: Installation of a third-party launcher

If the first two methods didn't work, or if you want to not only remove the tape, but also completely change the interface, install an alternative launcher. MIUI It's lighter and more flexible. M3 Pro's fine:

LauncherAdvantagesDeficienciesDownload link
Nova LauncherMinimalist design gesture support No Widget RibbonPremium version for advanced functionsGoogle Play
LawnchairOpen source Dark Theme Support Quick work on weak devicesLess customization than NovaGoogle Play
Hyperion LauncherOptimized for Xiaomi Built-in icons in the style of MIUI No advertisingRare updatesOfficial website

How to install and configure the launcher:

  1. Download the selected launcher from Google Play or from the official website.
  2. After installation, click Home and select a new launcher as your primary.
  3. In the launcher settings (Long-click on the screen → Settings), disable all options associated with widget panels or side screens.
  4. If necessary, import icons and wallpaper from a standard shell.

Third-party launchers not only remove the widget tape, but also speed up the smartphone, and according to tests, Nova Launcher reduces the load on the Helio G96 processor by 20-30% compared to the standard MIUI.

💡

Using a third-party launcher is the only way to completely replace the MIUI without root rights, but some features (such as navigation gestures) may not work properly.

What to do if the widget tape returns after the update

One of the most common problems is that you automatically turn on the tape after you update MIUI, and that's because the system resets some of the settings to the standard settings, to prevent the tape from returning:

  • 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update system. Click on three dots in the upper right corner and select Update Settings. Turn off Auto-Download Updates option.
  • 📥 Block updates through ADB (Adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.updater This command will disable the system app Update, but may disrupt other features.
  • 🔧 Use Magisk modules (requires root rights): Install the module MIUI Debloater via Magisk Manager. In the module settings, tick Disable MiuiHome.

⚠️ Attention: Blocking updates MIUI This method can lead to security issues, as you will not receive critical patches. Use this method only if you are ready to manually monitor the release of important updates.

Alternatives to the widget tape: what to use instead

If you have disabled the widget feed but want to keep quick access to important information, consider these options:

  • 📌 Home screen widgets: Add weather, calendar or notes widgets directly to your desktop (long press) → Use Google widgets (Google Assistant, Google Keep) — they are lighter than standard Xiaomi widgets.
  • ⚡ Quick panels in the curtain: Set up the notification bar (Settings) → Notification curtain. Add switches for flashlight, mobile data, Wi-Fi and other commonly used features.
  • 🔍 Device Search: Use Google Search or Mi Search (if it doesn't slow down) to quickly access apps and contacts. Set up voice search: say "OK, Google" to open the desired app.

For users who are used to tape, but want a more productive analogue, Microsoft Launcher will do.

  • Easy "ribbon" with calendar and tasks (does not load the system).
  • Integration with Office 365 and OneDrive
  • Support for gestures and dark theme.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling widget tape

❓ Can I turn off the widget tape without a computer?
Yes, most of the time, standard settings (Settings → Home Screen → Widget Ribbon) are enough. If this doesn’t work, try installing a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher) – it doesn’t require a PC connection.
❓ Will the tape return after resetting the settings?
Yes, when you reset completely, all settings are reset to factory, including the widget tape. To avoid this, before reset: Back up through Settings → Additional → Backup. Disable the tape through ADB (mode 2) – this will give a more durable result.
❓ Why After Turning Off the Tape, Swipe Left Opens an Empty Screen?
This is normal behavior — the system simply hides the contents of the tape, but leaves a swipe gesture. To remove the blank screen: Use a third-party launcher (it completely removes the sidebar). or install the Xposed Framework with the MIUI Extra Settings module (requires root).
❓ How to return the tape back if you need it?
Depending on the method of disabling: If you used standard settings, just turn the slider back on to Settings → Home Screen → Widget Ribbon. If you used ADB, follow the command: adb shell pm unhide com.miui.home If you set a third-party launcher, go back to the standard MIUI launcher in the application settings.
❓ Is there a risk of “bricking” the phone when using ADB?
No, pm hide and pm unhide don't affect the system's performance; they only hide or show interface elements. However: Don't interrupt commands (launcher may fail). Don't use unknown commands. ADB-In the worst case scenario, the tape just won't shut down, the phone won't fail.