How to Clean Your Desktop on Xiaomi: 5 Ways to Work

Why Xiaomi can’t remove all icons from the desktop?

If you tried to remove all icons from the home screen Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, you probably faced a problem: the system does not allow you to remove system applications (for example, “Phone”, “Messages” or “Camera”). This is not a bug, but a feature of the MIUI shell. The manufacturer believes that the user necessarily needs basic functions in plain sight – even if you do not use them.

In this article, we will discuss all legal ways to make the desktop on Xiaomi as clean as possible, including hiding unnecessary icons, disabling recommendations. MIUI And even radical methods for advanced users. MIUI 12/13/14 All the latest models from Redmi Note 12 before Xiaomi's flagships 14.

Before you start, consider that some methods require developer or third-party rights. If you’re a beginner, start with simple methods (sections 2–3), and experienced users can jump to advanced techniques immediately.

Method 1: Remove all custom icons manually

To start with, the obvious thing is to remove unnecessary shortcuts, which is a method that requires no additional adjustments and is suitable for all versions of MIUI.

To remove the icon from the desktop:

• 📱 Hold your finger on any icon or widget.
• 🗑️ At the top of the screen will appear basket – drag there unnecessary element.
• 🔄 If the icon is system (for example, “Camera”), the basket will be crossed out – such applications cannot be removed (solution in the next section).
• 📁 Folders are removed similarly: pinch → drag in the basket.

After cleaning, check the dock panel (the bottom line with frequently used apps) to remove the icons:

1. Press the icon in the dock panel.
2. Select “Delete from the dock panel” (not “Delete the app!”).
3. Replace the empty space with empty space (dragging the empty area of the screen there).

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If you have empty cells left on the screen after removing the icons, squeeze your fingers on the desktop (scaling gesture) and select Reset layout. This will organize the remaining elements.

Method 2: Hiding system applications without root rights

System applications (com.android.contacts, com.miui.camera, etc.) cannot be removed by standard means, but they can be hidden.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the right app (like Camera) and tap it.
3. Select “Disable” (if the button is inactive, the application is critical to the system).
4. Confirm the action. The icon will disappear from the desktop, but the application will remain on the menu of all programs.

⚠️ Attention: Disabling system applications can cause crashes. For example, if you turn off the phone, you will not be able to receive calls. Do not turn off: Settings, Security, Google Play Services and System Interface. MIUI».

List of safe applications to disable (checked on MIUI 14):

Check the name of the package in Settings

Create a backup copy of the data

Don’t turn off critical services

Reboot your phone after the changes-->

Method 3: Disabling MIUI recommendations and widgets

Even after removing all icons on the desktop can remain:

• 📊 Weather and Clock Widget (left of the main screen).
• 🔍 Search lines Google or Mi Search.
• 📱 App pop-up recommendations ("May be interesting»).

To get them out:

1.Weather and clock widget

Go to the left screen (swipe to the right of the main screen) → press the widget → select “Delete the widget”. If the option is not available:

1. Open the Settings. → Desktop.
2. Turn off the "Weather and Clock on -1 screen" option.

2. Search strings

The Google line can be removed as a regular widget (click → drag to the cart). To delete Mi Search:

1. Press the search bar.
2. Select “Widget Settings” → “Disable”.
3. If there is no option, update. MIUI last-minute.

3. Recommendations of annexes

Go to Settings → Desktop → Application recommendations and disable all sliders. If the section is missing:

• 🔧 Enable the Developer Mode (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → tap 7 times).
• Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• Find the option “Disable MIUI recommendations” and activate it.

Method 4: Advanced Methods (ADB, Third Party Launchers)

If standard methods don't work, try radical solutions. They require technical skills, but they give you maximum control over your desktop.

1.Using ADB to Hide System Icons

With Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can disable any system components, including those that are not removed through the menu.

• 🖥️ Computer installed ADB.
• 📱 Initiated debugging mode USB phone-on.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: Adb devices (you should display your device).
2. To hide the Camera icon, type in: adb shell pm hide com.miui.camera
3. To return the icon, use: adb shell pm unhide com.miui.camera

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause a device to blink. Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Installation of a third-party launcher

Launchers like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair allow you to:

• 🚫 Completely hide the dock panel.
• 📱 Disable all system icons.
• 🎨 Set up gestures and animations.

How to set up:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. In the launcher settings, select “Hide app icons”.
3. Turn off the dock panel in the "Dock" section.
4. Set an empty icon theme (e.g. Blank Icons).

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Third-party launchers are the safest way to get a naked desktop without risk to the system, but some MIUI features (such as navigation gestures) may not work properly.

Method 5: Resetting launcher settings to factory

If after all the manipulations on the desktop there are “artifacts” (empty cells, undeletable widgets), reset the launcher:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the “Luncher” (or “MIUI Launcher”) and tap it.
3. Select “Storage” → “Clear Data” and “Clear Cache”.
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: This will remove all your desktop settings (Icons, folders, widgets) before reset, take screenshots of the current layout to restore it later.

After discharge:

• 🔄 Don’t set up your desktop right away – wait for the system to load fully (5-10 minutes).
• 📵 Turn off mobile internet and Wi-Fi during initial setup MIUI I did not automatically download recommendations.
• 🔧 Turn off App Recommendations in Launcher Settings Immediately.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after cleaning the desktop, users face typical problems.

1.Icons return after rebooting

Reason: MIUI automatically restores system shortcuts.

• 🔧 Use it. ADB-command for forced shutdown: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.home (Warning: This Will Disable the Standard Launcher!).
• 📱 Install a third-party launcher and disable updates MIUI.
• 🔄 Clean the launcher cache regularly (once a week).

2.You can't remove the Weather widget

In some versions of MIUI (e.g. Redmi Note 11), the weather widget is linked to the system app.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → Weather.
2. Select “Disable” (if the button is active).
3. If you can't turn it off, use ADB: adb shell pm hide com.miui.weather2

3.The empty desktop lays

Sometimes, after cleaning the screen, there are delays in swipes.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions