Owners of modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often encounter intrusive content that appears immediately after unlocking the device, such as the so-called “widget tape” or “Google Discover”, which is filled with news articles, promotional offers and app recommendations. While for some users it is a convenient way to keep up with events, many consider this functionality unnecessary, as it slows down the interface and consumes traffic.
The MIUI interface and the new HyperOS shell are built in such a way that the news feed is often turned on by default, it is located to the left of the main desktop, and it is accessed by swipe to the right. Disabling this feature does not require root rights or complex technical manipulations, but menu algorithms can vary depending on the firmware version and region.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways to eliminate the news feed. We will look at the standard methods through the system settings, and also touch on the nuances of working with launchers that can affect the display of content. Full disabling of the tape is possible only through the launcher system settings, hiding the icon does not remove the consumption of resources.
The reasons for the appearance of the news feed and its impact on the system
News feeds on the lock screen or desktop are part of Google’s ecosystem and Xiaomi’s own services, which are designed to keep users’ attention and personalized content, but constant data synchronization, geolocation, and feed feed feed updates can have a negative impact on device autonomy.
Background processes that load news consume RAM; on low-end models with little RAM, this can lead to more frequent closure of background applications; and, in addition, feed-forming data collection algorithms can address digital privacy issues by collecting information about your preferences.
⚠️ Note: Disabling Google System Services through ADB or third-party utilities can lead to unstable operation of the Play Market store and other dependent applications.
Users often confuse widgets, Google feed and MIUI recommendations. It's important to understand the difference: widgets are static or dynamic elements on the desktop, and the newsfeed is a separate virtual page. Deleting the weather widget will not turn off the news stream, since these are different system processes.
Disabling Google feed through launcher settings
The most effective and safe way to remove news is to use the built-in desktop settings. Most current firmware versions have standardized the path to the right switch, although item names may vary slightly. You don't need to install additional software.
You need to go to the desktop control menu first, by long tapping on an empty area of the screen or pinching two fingers (finger mixing), and then select Settings or Add, and then find the section responsible for Left Screen or Google Discover.
☑️ Tape-off algorithm
After switching the switch to the "Off" or "No" position, the swipe to the right will stop opening the news feed. Instead, the system can suggest choosing another widget for the left screen, such as "Yandex" or simply leave it empty. The changes take effect instantly, rebooting the device is not required.
If the standard path doesn't work, try the alternative via general system settings. Go to Settings → Desktop (or Home). This can also include a Widget Ribbon switch. In newer versions of HyperOS, this item is sometimes hidden in the Recommendations sub-menument.
Managing widgets and setting up the left screen
In MIUI, the left screen is often called the "Assistant," and even if you turn off Google news, there might be "Quick Notes," "Stepher," or "Weather" widgets left, and cleaning that space completely makes swiping right a useless action, which makes navigation faster.
To fine-tune it, go to Settings → Desktop → Assistant. Not only can you turn off the tape, but you can also choose which widgets will be displayed if you choose to keep it active, for example, you can only leave the calendar by removing news blocks.
| Interface element | Location on the menu | Impact on the system | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Discover | Settings → Desktop | High (traffic, RAM) | Shut down. |
| Weather widget | Assistant/Widgets | Average (GPS, network) | Leave it when necessary |
| MIUI Recommendations | Safety → Cleanup | Low (notifications) | Disable in the cleaning settings |
| Wallpaper carousel | Settings → Lock screen | Average (data, battery) | Turn it off for savings |
It is worth noting that on global versions of firmware (Global ROM), the settings may differ from the Chinese versions (CN ROM), in Chinese firmware, Baidu or Yahoo tape can be integrated instead of Google, the principle of disabling which is similar.
Why did the updates drop?
Specificity of the shutdown in different versions of MIUI and HyperOS
With the release of the HyperOS shell, Xiaomi has slightly changed the logic of the grouping of settings, items previously in the Desktop section could move to “Additional Features” or be combined with the settings of widgets, which causes confusion among users who are accustomed to the old interface.
In MIUI 14 and later, there is a common dual recommendation system, one from Google, the other one from Xiaomi. To be completely clean, you need to check both settings. Often they are in adjacent menus: Settings → Desktop → Widget Ribbon and Settings → Password and Security → Special features.
On devices with a “clean” Android (Xiaomi Civi series or some models for the European market), the interface may be closer to the stock Android. Here, the disconnection occurs through a long tap on the desktop → Settings → Google Tape. The absence of the “Desktop” item in the general system settings is the norm for such versions.
If you use custom themes, they may hide or modify standard menu items. In rare cases, the theme blocks access to the left screen setting, in which case it is recommended to temporarily switch to the standard theme "Classic" or "No restrictions" to make changes.
Alternative methods and third-party launchers
If you can’t get news out of the box, or you want to drastically change the look of your smartphone, you can install a third-party launcher. Popular options like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Lawnchair completely replace the standard interface and don’t have built-in news feeds by default.
Installing an alternative launcher gives you complete control over the desktop, you decide which widgets to add and where to place them, but it is worth remembering that third-party launchers can consume more battery life due to less deep optimization for specific Xiaomi hardware.
⚠️ Note: When installing a third-party launcher, the system may insistently suggest returning the default settings. MIUI Optimization or in the section "Default applications" you need to fix a new launcher.
Another method is to use the Simple Mode (for older people), where the interface is simplified and news feeds are often absent. However, this option is not suitable for everyone due to the resized fonts and icons. For advanced users, the option of disabling the com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox package via ADB is available, but this requires caution.
Cleaning the system from advertising recommendations
In addition to the desktop feed, news and advertising can pop up elsewhere in the system: in the Security menu, in Downloads, or as push notifications from system applications.
For example, in the Security app (green shield icon), you need to click on the gear in the corner and turn off the "Receive recommendations" and "Receive news" items, similar actions should be done in the Music, Video and Files apps.
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To quickly clear out ads, turn on Flight Mode before entering system applications, which will prevent banner ads from being loaded when settings are opened.
It is also recommended to disable personalization of ads in your Google account.This will not remove ads completely, but will make them less intrusive and tied to your search queries. → Google → Advertising → Disable personalization.
Regularly cleaning the browser cache and Google app also helps reduce the amount of content offered.Algorithms will less "remember" your interests, which indirectly affects the frequency of news blocks in system widgets.
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The comprehensive approach to setup includes not only turning off the left screen, but also banning recommendations inside Xiaomi system applications.