How to completely disable the widget tape on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: 5 working methods

Why Redmi Note 8 widgets are annoying

MIUI widgets are one of the most controversial interface elements on Xiaomi smartphones. On the Redmi Note 8, it appears when swiped to the left of the home screen, offering weather, calendar, quick contacts and app recommendations. For some, it is a convenient tool, for others – an extra element that eats resources and distracts from basic tasks.

The main claims of users to the widget tape on Redmi Note 8:

• 📱 Lags and slowdowns – especially on memory-filled devices
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption due to background widget activity
• 📊 Inappropriate App and News Recommendations
• 🎨 Inconsistency with the style of the user interface

Unfortunately, Xiaomi does not provide a direct option to “Disable Widget Ribbon” in the standard settings MIUI 10/11/12 for Redmi Note 8. But there are workarounds – from hiding through system settings to radical methods using ADB. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, including nuances for different versions of firmware.

Method 1: Disconnect via launcher settings (without root)

The safest way to hide the widget tape is to use the built-in MIUI launcher capabilities, which works on the Redmi Note 8 with MIUI 10-12.5 firmware and does not require superuser rights.

Step instructions:

1. Long press on the free seat of the main screen → select Screen settings.
2. Go to the Additional Settings section (or Extended depending on the version).
3. Find the option of the Widget Ribbon (may be called Minus Screen or Swipe left).
4. Switch the slider to the off position.

An important nuance: some versions of MIUI for Redmi Note 8 are hidden. If the item on the Widget Ribbon is not on the menu, try an alternative way:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI (or System Launcher) application.
3. Select Warehouse → Clear the data (this will reset the screen settings!).
4. After restarting the launcher, check for the option to turn off the tape.

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If after cleaning the launcher data, the tape disappeared, but returned after the update - try rolling back the version of the application "Lowncher" MIUI" via APKMirror.

Method 2: Using ADB to Deep Shut Down

For users who are ready for more complex manipulations, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to completely deactivate the system-level widget tape.This method works on the Redmi Note 8 regardless of the MIUI version, but requires a connection to a PC.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect the Redmi Note 8 to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a folder.
5. Open the command line in this folder and type:

adb shell pm hide com.miui.miservice

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

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

Warning: Disabling com.miui.miservice may affect other features, such as weather or sync your Mi Account.

adb shell pm enable com.miui.miservice

Method 3: Installation of a third-party launcher

If system methods didn't work, a radical solution is to replace the standard MIUI launcher with an alternative one, which not only removes the widget tape, but completely changes the Redmi Note 8 interface.

Top.-3 launcher:

• 🏆 Nova Launcher – flexible configuration, gesture support, no advertising.
• 🎨 Lawnchair – Minimalist, Open Source Design.
• ⚡ Hyperion Launcher – Optimized for performance, adaptive icons.

How to install and configure:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play.
2. When you first start, select it as the default launcher.
3. In the new launcher settings, turn off all widgets and swipe gestures to the left.
4. If necessary, hide system icons through Settings → Hidden applications.

Important: Once a third-party launcher is installed, the MIUI system widget tape will remain active but will not be available without returning to the standard launcher. To fully deactivate it, combine this method with ADB (Method 2).

Method 4: Disconnecting through system file editing (root)

For advanced root users, there is a way to remove the widget tape by editing system files, which is irreversible and requires caution!

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/MiuiSystemUI.
3. Find the file MiuiSystemUI.apk and make a backup copy of it.
4. Open the file in a text editor (such as MT Manager).
5. Find the lines associated with com.miui.miservice or minus_screen, And comment on them.
6. Save the changes, restart the device.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop ( looped boot) or loss of functionality. TWRP beforehand.

Alternatively, root users can freeze the service via Titanium Backup or Lucky Patcher.

• Open the freezer app.
• Find com.miui.miservice.
• Select the option to Freeze.
• Reboot the phone.

Method 5: Resetting the launcher settings to factory

If the widget tape appears after an update or crash, sometimes resetting the launcher settings helps, this method does not delete user data, but returns the screen to the “out of the box” state.

How to perform the reset:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI (or System Launcher) launcher.
3. Press Warehouse. → Delete the data.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

After discharge:

• 🔄 The widget tape may disappear temporarily.
• 📱 All shortcuts and folders on the home screen will be removed.
• ⚙️ Display settings (icon size, grid) will reset.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 12.5+ Resetting the launcher automatically restores the widget tape after synchronization with the Mi Account. To avoid this, turn off sync in Settings → Mi Account → Synchronization before reset.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after successfully disabling the widget tape, Redmi Note 8 users face typical problems, and let's look at the most common and ways to fix them.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔍 Version MIUI — on MIUI 13+ Widget tape is turned off through Settings → Screen. → Minus screen.
• 📦 Regional firmware – Global versions may not have options (try switching to the new version). EU-firmware).
• 🛠️ System File Integrity – If your phone has been modified before, restore the firmware via the Mi Flash Tool.

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On MIUI 12.5 Enhanced Edition and later, the widget tape is integrated into the com.miui.home system process. Disabling it can lead to the main screen inoperability!

FAQ: Answers to popular questions