How to turn off the left desktop on Xiaomi: all ways for MIUI

The left-hand desktop on Xiaomi’s MIUI-enclosed smartphones is a special screen that appears when swiping to the right of the home screen. It’s designed to provide quick access to the weather widget, calendar, notes and other Mi services. However, many users find this screen redundant: it takes up space, accidentally opens when navigating and doesn’t always contain useful information. If you want to remove the left desktop on Xiaomi, this article will help you understand all the available methods, from standard settings to hidden MIUI features.

It's important to understand that the method of disabling depends on the firmware version and device model. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14, the process may be different from the Poco X5 Pro with MIUI 15. We'll look at universal solutions, as well as nuances for specific lines. If you've previously tried to remove this screen through the theme or launcher settings, but without success, don't worry: there are alternative options in this article, including using ADB for power users.

Before you start, make sure your device has the latest firmware installed. MIUI updates often bring changes to the interface, and some options may move or disappear. Check the relevance of the software in the Settings menu → About phone → System Update.

Why is the left desktop coming to Xiaomi and can it be removed forever?

The left screen in MIUI is not just a widget, it's part of the Mi Launcher system launcher, and it's integrated into the shell at the firmware level, so standard removal like a conventional widget won't work here.

• 📱 Corporate functionality MIUI: Xiaomi is positioning this screen as a “smart page” with personalized content (weather, news, reminders).
• 🔄 Automatic Content Update: Data is uploaded from Mi Account services, which can consume traffic and battery power.
• 🎯 Marketing tool: Some models display banner ads or offers from Xiaomi partners.

Can it be permanently removed? Technically yes, but with reservations:

• ✅ On most devices, the screen is turned off through the launcher settings (a temporary solution, can reset after the update).
• ⚙️ Some firmware requires editing system files through ADB root-access.
• ❌ Complete removal without recovery is possible only when replacing the launcher with a third-party one (for example, Nova Launcher).

If you are using a MIUI device for POCO (e.g. Poco F5), the left screen may be missing by default, which is a feature of the customized version of the shell, in which case all the methods described below will not be required.

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Before you change your system settings, back up your data through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will help you recover information if something goes wrong.

Method 1: Disconnect via launcher settings (without root)

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI options. It works on most devices with MIUI 12-15, including the Redmi Note 11, Xiaomi 12T and other popular models.

1. On the home screen, make a long tap in any free place (not on the icon!).
2. In the menu that opens, select Screen Settings (or Launcher Settings, depending on the version).
3. Scroll down and find the left screen option (may be called the smart screen or the left screen).
4. Turn the slider to the off position. or uncheck the tick.
5. Confirm the action if the system request appears.

After that, the left desktop will disappear, but there are nuances:

• 🔄 Update MIUI The setting may reset - you will have to repeat the procedure.
• 📵 On some models (Black Shark 5), the option is hidden in another section: Settings → Screen. → Home screen.
• 🚫 If there is no left screen, then your version MIUI does not support the shutdown through GUI (graphical).

Long tap on the main screen|Search for "Screen settings"|Disabling the option "Left screen"|Rebooting the device (optional)-->

Method 2: Using ADB to Deep Shut Down

If the standard method didn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a low-level device management tool that is suitable for power users and requires a computer, with the advantage that the changes will persist even after the MIUI updates (unless you reset).

First, prepare the device:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable (original or high quality).
4. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.

Now run commands in the terminal (or Command Prompt):

adb devices

(Your device should show up – if not, check the drivers and cable.)

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

This command disables the system service that controls the left screen, and then restart the device.

Warning: Disabling system services through ADB can lead to:

• 🔴 Unstable operation of certain functions MIUI (for example, weather widgets).
• 🔴 Loss of ability to receive updates "over the air" (OTA).
• 🔴 Automatic recovery of the service after resetting settings.

If there are problems after the shutdown, return everything back to the team:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.miservice

Method 3: Replacement of the standard launcher with a third-party

A radical but effective method is to install an alternative launcher, such as a Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Hyperion Launcher, which will completely remove the left screen, since third-party shells do not use MIUI system widgets.

• ✅ 100% Deletion of the left screen.
• ✅ Additional customization options (themes, gestures, animations).
• ✅ No risk of damaging system files.

Cons:

• ⚠️ Certain functions MIUI (Game Turbo or Second Space may not work properly.
• ⚠️ Weather widgets and other Xiaomi services will be unavailable.

Installation instructions:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play (like Nova Launcher).
2. After installation, click the Home button and select the new launcher as the main one.
3. In the launcher settings, disable all unnecessary screens (usually this is done in the Desktop → Screen layout section).

Important: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi K50 Gaming) may lose access to the performance settings for games when using a third-party launcher, in which case it is recommended to return the standard launcher before launching resource-intensive applications.

Table of compatibility of methods with popular models Xiaomi

Not all methods work equally well across devices, and here is a compatibility table for popular models (relevant for MIUI 14-15):

If your model is not in the table, focus on the MIUI version. For MIUI 12 and older, most methods should work. On devices with MIUI for POCO, the left screen is usually absent initially.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you try to turn off the left desktop, users often face some problems, and let's look at the most common ones and the ways to solve them:

⚠️ Attention, if after the shutdown ADB System updates have stopped working, return the service com.miui.miservice to its original state with the command adb shell pm enable com.miui.miservice. MIUI depend on this component.

Problem 1: The left screen option is not in the launcher settings.

• 🔍 Reason: Your version MIUI does not support the shutdown through GUI, or customized firmware is used (for example, Xiaomi.EU).
• 🛠 Solution: Try the method with ADB or install a third-party launcher.

Problem 2: After the reboot, the left screen appears again.

• 🔍 Reason: The system automatically restores disabled services (typically for the system). MIUI 14+).
• 🛠 Solution: Use ADB flag-headed --user 0 or replace the launcher.

Problem 3: ADB is a device unauthorized error.

• 🔍 Reason: The device has not confirmed the debugging request USB.
• 🛠 Solution: Disconnect and reconnect the cable, then confirm the resolution on the smartphone screen.

Problem 4: The third-party launcher is slowing down or flying out.

• 🔍 Reason: Conflict with optimization MIUI play-play.
• 🛠 Solution: In battery settings, disable optimization for launcher and add it to exceptions Without limitation.

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If you use Xiaomi.EU or other customized firmware, the standard methods may not work, in which case the only reliable way is to replace the launcher or edit system files through Magisk (requires root).

Additional tips for optimizing the desktop

If you managed to remove the left screen, but the MIUI interface still seems overloaded, use these tips to further customize:

• 📱 Remove unnecessary widgets: Long tap on widget → Remove or Resize.
• 🎨 Apply a Minimalist Theme: Go to Topics → Mine. → Local and select a theme without animations (e.g. Classic).
• 🔒 Turn off the adverts in MIUI: B Settings → Memory. → Cleaning Disable Recommendations and Personalized Ads.
• ⚡ Speed up animations: In the Settings for developers set the animation speed on 0.5x or off.

For users who want to return the left screen (for example, after resetting settings), it is enough:

1. Go to the launcher settings (long tap on the home screen).
2. Find the left screen option and turn it on.
3. If you don’t have an option, run the command in ADB: adb shell pm enable com.miui.miservice.

Remember that MIUI is constantly updated and the location of options may change. If the instruction stopped working after the update, check the current guides on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions