How to completely remove Yandex Zen from the main screen of Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

The Yandex Zen widget on the home screen of Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco smartphones appears after installing the company’s proprietary applications or updating the MIUI firmware. For many users, this recommendation tape becomes a source of irritation: it takes place, slows the system and shows unnecessary content. Unfortunately, simply removing the Yandex application through the menu does not always solve the problem - the widget can remain on the screen as a “zombie element”.

In this article, we will explore all the possible ways to get rid of Yandex Zen on Xiaomi, including hidden MIUI settings, disabling through ADB, and even radical methods for advanced users. We will focus on the nuances for different versions of the shell (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14) and smartphone models. If you are tired of the annoying news feed, read on.

Why Yandex Zen is coming to Xiaomi and can it be removed forever?

Yandex Zen Widget is integrated into MIUI firmware at the system services level. It is part of the partnership agreement between Xiaomi and Yandex, so simply removing the Yandex app through Settings → Applications often doesn’t help. Here are the key reasons for its emergence:

• 📱 Pre-installed software: On new Xiaomi smartphones for the Russian market, the widget is installed by default along with the firmware.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI: After the shell update, the widget can return even if you have previously deleted it.
• 🎯 Personalized advertising: Yandex Zen collects data about your interests to show “relevant” content (which annoys many people).
• 📦 Hidden integration: The widget can be part of the com.yandex.browser or com.miui.home system application, making it difficult to remove.

Can it be permanently removed? Technically, yes, but it would require root rights or ADB commands. Without it, the widget would return after a reboot or update, but even without root, there are ways to turn off display or replace it with an alternative launcher.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or Poco) X3 Pro) Yandex Zen widget is tied to system application MIUI Launcher: Deleting it can cause a failure of the main screen. In such cases, it is better to use methods of camouflage (see section 4).

Method 1: Disable the widget through MIUI settings (without root)

The easiest method is to remove the widget from the home screen manually.It works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-14, but does not guarantee complete removal (the widget can return after the update).

Instructions:

1. Press and hold your finger in the free seat of the main screen until the settings menu appears.
2. Select Widgets (or Add a Widget, depending on the version of MIUI).
3. Find the Yandex Zen widget (usually called Yandex or Zen).
4. Drag it up to the Remove (or click on the basket icon).
5. Confirm the action if a request appears.

If the widget doesn't disappear:

• 🔧 Try disabling it in the app settings: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Yandex and select Disable.
• 📵 Remove updates for Yandex application (if the button Disable is inactive).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – sometimes the widget disappears after a reboot.

Make sure the widget isn't attached to the folder

Check for updates for MIUI Launcher

Disable auto-update of Yandex application in Google Play

Backup of the main screen (optional)-->

This is a good way for most users, but it's not a radical way to do it. If the widget comes back, move on to the next method.

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)

If manual removal does not help, you can use debugging on ADB. This method does not require root rights, but you will need a computer and USB-Advantage: The widget will be removed at the system level and won’t return after the reboot (until the next update). MIUI).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on the Developer Mode on your smartphone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Press 7 times on the MIUI Version until the notification "You've become a developer" appears.
2. Activate USB Debugging: Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Turn on the USB Debugging Switch and confirm the action.

command-line

Terminal

adb devices

If the device is displayed, you can continue.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.yandex.zen

If the package is not found, try alternative commands:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.yandex.browser

or

adb shell pm hide com.yandex.zen

After the commands are executed, the widget will disappear from the main screen. DELETE_FAILED_DEVICE_POLICY_MANAGER — So the widget is protected by politicians. MIUI, A different approach will be required (see section). 5).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI In the Russian market, uninstall commands can be blocked. In this case, use the pm hide command - it hides the application, but does not remove it completely. ADB Xiaomi.

Manual removal through settings

Disabling in the application menu

Used ADB.

Set up another launcher.

I've tried nothing.-->

Method 3: Replacement of the standard launcher (radical solution)

If previous methods have not worked, the shell can be completely replaced. MIUI This will not only remove Yandex Zen, but also add new customization capabilities. MIUI (For example, Dual Apps or Game Mode may become less accessible.

The best alternatives to MIUI Launcher are:

How to install and configure:

1. Download the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. After installation, click the Home button and select the new launcher as the main one.
3. In the launcher settings, disable all widgets from Yandex (if they remain).
4. If necessary, return to MIUI Launcher via Settings → Applications → By Default → Launcher.

💡

If after installing a new launcher, some MIUI system functions (such as Quick Answers or Smart Assistant) stop working, try returning MIUI Launcher and using the methods in Section 2 or 4.

Method 4: Hiding the widget through MIUI settings (alternative method)

If Yandex Zen widget is not removed but can be hidden, use the hidden MIUI options. This method works on MIUI 13/14 firmware and does not require root or ADB rights.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings. → Main screen screen.
2. Select the widget settings (or additional settings, depending on the version).
3. Find the Recommended Content section or Yandex Zen.
4. Turn off the slider Show on the main screen.
5. If you don’t have an option, try another way: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Yandex → Notifications and disable all notifications.

On some devices (such as Xiaomi 12T or Redmi K50), the widget can be hidden through the editing mode of the home screen:

• 📱 Press your finger in the free screen space and select Screen Settings.
• 🔍 Find the Widgets tab and swipe the Yandex Zen widget to the Hidden section to the left.
• 🔒 Confirm the action by pressing Ready.

This method does not remove the widget completely, but makes it invisible. If it still appears, check if the Yandex application is installed as a system (see section 5).

Method 5: Radical methods (for advanced users)

If none of the previous methods worked, radical measures remain:

• 🔧 Getting root rights and removing Yandex system packets via Root Explorer or Titanium Backup.
• 📦 Install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), where there are no pre-installed applications Yandex.
• 🛠️ Reverse the firmware to an earlier version MIUI (for example, MIUI 14 on MIUI 12.5) where the widget has not yet been integrated.

Step-by-step instructions for removal from root:

1. Get root rights with Magisk (see the XDA Developers forum for instructions for your Xiaomi model).
2. Install a file manager with root support (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
3. Go to /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/.
4. Find and delete folders: Yandex YandexBrowser Zen

Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Removal of system packages may lead to unstable shell operation or service errors MIUI. Before that, make a full backup through TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery. Also note that after the firmware update, packets may return.

For custom firmware installation:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires waiting 7-15 days for new Mi accounts).
• 📥 Download firmware without GApps and Yandex services (for example, LineageOS for MicroG).
• 🛠️ Flow through TWRP or Fastboot.

These techniques require technical skills and can be insecure, and only use them if other methods have failed.

💡

If you are not prepared to risk system stability, the best option is to replace the launcher (method 3) or regularly remove the widget through ADB (method 2).

Additional tips: how to prevent the return of Yandex Zen

Even after removal, the widget can return.

• 🚫 Turn off auto-update apps in Google Play: Go to Settings → Network settings → Auto-Update Apps. Select Never or Only via Wi-Fi (so that updates don't download in the background).
• 🔒 Block Yandex domains through the hosts file: Use the AdAway application (root required) or Blokada (no root). Add to the blacklist the domains: zen.yandex.ru yandex.ru browser.yandex.net
• 📵 Delete Yandex account (if it is linked): Go to Settings → Accounts. → Yandex, click Delete your account.
• 🔄 Check system applications regularly: After each update MIUI launch ADB Use App Inspector (from Google Play) to track new packages from Yandex.

If you use Xiaomi with global firmware (MIUI Global), but the widget still appears - most likely it was installed via cloud recovery (when transferring data from another device).

1. Reset your smartphone to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Resetting).
2. When you first set up, skip the recovery from the backup.
3. Remove the widget immediately via ADB (Section 2).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Yandex Zen on Xiaomi