How to turn off the MIUI desktop on Xiaomi phone: the complete guide

The MIUI desktop on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a background with icons, but an entire ecosystem with widgets, themes and branded features. But what if you don't like the standard interface? You might want to install a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, but the system stubbornly returns its native MIUI Launcher after a reboot or update. Or you get annoyed by the constant banner ads in the search box that don't go off through the settings.

In this article, we’ll look at all the working ways to disable a standard desktop, from simple (no root rights) to radical (with changing system files), learn what methods are suitable for Xiaomi Redmi, POCO and Mi on different versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS), and also how to avoid the typical errors that cause the phone to stop booting.

Beginning with MIUI 12, Xiaomi has been actively blocking the possibility of completely removing the system launcher without root rights, due to security policies and integration of Xiaomi Cloud services.

Why you can’t just delete MIUI Launcher through settings

Many users are trying to uninstall MIUI Launcher just like a regular app – through Settings → But here they're going to be disappointed: the Delete button is not there, and the Disable option is often inactive. MIUI It is a system component that is closely related to:

• 🔄 Core shell – manages animations, gestures and multitasking.
• 📱 Xiaomi Services – synchronization of themes, widgets and Mi Account.
• 🔒 Security – some features (e.g. Second Space) only work with native launcher.

Moreover, since MIUI 13, Xiaomi has implemented a system application autorecovery mechanism, which means that even if you manage to deactivate MIUI Launcher through ADB, it will come back again after another update or reset.

• 🛠️ Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader Unlock).
• 📱 Installation of custom recaveri (TWRP).
• 🔧 Superuser rights (Root).

⚠️ Attention: Disabling the system launcher without preparation can lead to a "bootloop" ( looped boot). POCO F3 s MIUI 14 after deleting com.miui.home via ADB The phone stops responding to touching the screen. Always backup through Mi Cloud or TWRP!

Method 1: Disconnect via ADB (no root rights)

The most secure method that works on most Xiaomi devices (including the Redmi Note 11, POCO X4 Pro, Mi 11 – Disable the launcher via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method does not require root rights, but requires a computer and USB-Important: after rebooting or updating MIUI The launcher may be activated again.

Instructions:

1. Turn on the developer mode on your phone: go to Settings → About phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version.
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB drivers (for example, via Mi PC Suite) and open the command prompt in the adb.exe folder.
4. Follow the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is displayed, type: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.home

After you execute the command, the phone screen will turn black for a second, and then a message will appear that the launcher is disabled, and you can now install any third-party launcher from Google Play (for example, Nova Launcher) and assign it to the default.

Install drivers ADB PC-only|Enable the developer mode on Xiaomi|Activate debugging by USB|Download the package ADB Tools (platform-tools)|Make a data backup-->

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T With HyperOS, the pm disable-user command can return the Operation not allowed error. In this case, try the alternative command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.home But remember: this will remove the launcher updates, not the upk file itself.

Method 2: Use a third-party launcher with priority

If you don’t have to completely remove the MIUI Launcher, but simply hide it, you can use the default launcher assignment function.This method works on all Xiaomi devices without restrictions, but has one drawback: when you press the Home button, your native launcher can sometimes open.

How to set up:

1. Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) from Google Play.
2. Open the app and follow the setup instructions.
3. When the Open by Default window appears, select your launcher and click Always.
4. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, find MIUI Launcher and click Clear Cache.

For reliability, it is also recommended:

• 🔧 Disable updates MIUI Launcher on Google Play (if it is displayed there).
• 📵 Remove widgets MIUI from the desktop (they can automatically return the system launcher).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone and reassign a third-party launcher by default.

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If some system application icons (such as Phone or Messages) are missing after the launcher change, add them manually through the alternative launcher settings, usually through the Application Shortcuts section.

Method 3: Remove via TWRP (unlocked bootloader required)

For users willing to take drastic measures, there is the possibility of completely removing MIUI Launcher through the custom TWRP receivers. This method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader and installed TWRP. The advantage: the launcher will not return even after the MIUI update (if you do not reflash the system completely).

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account binding and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install TWRP for your model (download the image from twrp.me).
3. Download Magisk (for root rights) and any root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer).
4. Download to TWRP (Power + Vol Up buttons), swipe Magisk and reboot.
5. With Root Explorer, go to /system/priv-app/MiuiHome and delete the MiuiHome folder or rename it to MiuiHome.bak.
6. Reboot the device. The system launcher will be deactivated.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (e.g. HyperOS for Xiaomi 13), deleting MiuiHome causes the system interface to crash. In this case, back up the folder through the TWRP!

Method 4: Disconnecting via Magisk and modules

If you already have root rights (installed by Magisk), you can use special modules that block the launch of MIUI Launcher at the system level, which is more reliable than ADB, since the modules are automatically applied after rebooting.

The best modules for this task:

• 🔧 Disable MIUI Launcher – a specialized module that completely deactivates the system launcher.
• 🧩 Universal Launcher Disabler – runs on most firmware, including HyperOS.
• 🛡️ MIUI Blocker – blocks not only the launcher, but also other system applications (for example, Mi Browser or GetApps).

How to install the module:

1. Download the module file (.zip extension) from the XDA Developers or 4PDA forum.
2. Open Magisk Manager, go to the Modules section and click “Install from Storage”.
3. Select the downloaded file and confirm the installation.
4. Reset the device.

After the module is applied, the system launcher will be locked, and you can use any alternative launcher without the risk of MIUI returning.

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Modules for Magisk are the most reliable way to disable MIUI Launcher permanently, but require root rights. If after installing the module, the phone stopped loading, remove it via TWRP (folder /magisk/modules/).

Method 5: Switching to custom firmware (for advanced)

If you're annoyed not only by the launcher, but also by other aspects of MIUI (advertising, restrictions, no updates), the most radical solution is to install custom firmware.

• 📱 LineageOS - pure Android without unnecessary bells and whistles.
• 🔥 Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel interface.
• ⚡ ArrowOS – Balance between performance and functionality.
• 🧩 MIUI EU — modified MIUI Advertising-free and Chinese-based.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• 🚀 No system launcher. MIUI — Any alternative can be used.
• 🔄 Regular security updates (as opposed to official firmware for older models).
• 🛡️ No built-in advertising and unnecessary services.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Requires unlocking the loader and installation TWRP.
• 📵 Camera bugs are possible, NFC or sensors (depending on the model).
• 🔋 The warranty may be lost (if the device is new).

Look for firmware instructions in thematic forums (such as 4PDA or XDA) for your particular model. note that the process may differ for Redmi, POCO and Mi.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you disable or delete MIUI Launcher, users often encounter common errors, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📋 Version MIUI/HyperOS — There may be additional restrictions on new firmware.
• 🔍 Availability of updates for an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher regularly adds support for new devices).
• 🛠️ Correctness of execution of commands - a typo in ADB may lead to errors.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions