How to completely remove the side menu on Xiaomi devices: from TVs to smartphones

Why Xiaomi’s side menu annoys users and when to turn it off

The sidebar (or “sidebar”) in Xiaomi firmware is an interface element that should make it easier to access frequently used features. On Mi TVs and Redmi Smart TVs, it appears when you hover over the left edge of the screen, and on smartphones running MIUI it can pop up when you swipe from the edge of the display. However, many users find it intrusive: it overlaps content, accidentally activates during games or watching videos, and sometimes just takes up precious space on small screens.

According to surveys on the 4PDA and Mi Community forums, up to 68% of Xiaomi TV owners want to turn off the side menu completely, and among smartphone users this figure reaches 42%.The reasons vary from aesthetic preferences to technical problems (for example, interface freezes when frequent panel calls). In this article, we will discuss all official and hidden ways to remove side menus, including methods for devices with MIUI 14/15 shells and PatchWall TVs (including models from 2023-2026).

It is important to understand that not all methods are universal. For example, on Xiaomi TV A2 43" and Redmi Smart Fire TVs, the side menu is disabled through system settings, whereas on smartphones (Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) configuration files may need to be edited. We will separately consider the risks of each method and give security recommendations.

Method 1: Disable the side menu on Xiaomi TVs via PatchWall settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in PatchWall shell options, which are suitable for most Mi TV and Redmi Smart TV models released after 2020 (including Xiaomi TV Q2 55, Redmi Smart TV X50 and newer ones).

1. Turn on the TV and go to the main screen (PatchWall homepage).
2. Press the Settings (cog) button on the remote.
3. Select General settings → Interface and sound.
4. Scroll down to Sidebar (or Side Menu in English firmware).
5. Move the slider to the off position.

If you don’t have a Sidebar on the menu, your TV model is using an outdated version of PatchWall (until 2021), in which case try updating the firmware through Settings → About TV → Software Update or using alternative methods from the following sections.

Check the TV model (on the box or in Settings → About TV)

Update PatchWall to the latest version

Connect the remote to the TV (some options are not available from the mobile app)

Take a screenshot of the current settings (in case of resetting)-->

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with Google firmware TV (for example, Xiaomi TV A Pro 2023) side menu is disabled differently - through Android settings TV. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Special facilities → PatchWall Services and reset your settings.

Method 2: Hiding the sidebar on Xiaomi smartphones (MIUI 14/15)

On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, the side menu can appear in two forms: 1) Quick Settings Panel (swipe from right to left of the edge of the screen), 2) MIUI Control Center Panel (swipe from left to right).

To disable the first option:

1. Open the Settings → Display.
2. Select the Control Panel (or Control Center).
3. Turn off the Swipe option to call the panel.

If we are talking about MIUI Control Center (left panel with application shortcuts), it can be removed as follows:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Full-screen mode.
2. Activate Full-screen gestures (if it is turned off).
3. Return to Settings → Home screen and turn off Show Control Center panel.

On some models (such as the Xiaomi 12S Ultra), these options may be hidden, in which case resetting the launcher settings will help:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Clear data

On Xiaomi TV

On a smartphone (MIUI)

On a tablet (Pad 6 Pro)

It's not annoying, I like it.-->

Method 3: Use ADB-Deep Shutdown Commands (for Advanced Devices)

If standard settings don't work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that works for Android TVs and smartphones, but requires you to connect the device to your computer.

Steps for smartphones:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global edge_gestures_enabled 0

For Xiaomi TVs on Android TV (e.g. Mi TV 4S with Google TV):

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → Device → About TV → Android TV OS Build (click 7 times).
2. Connect the TV to your PC via USB and execute: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.tv.overseas (this will disable PatchWall services, including side menus).

⚠️ Note: After disabling com.miui.tv.overseas, some PatchWall features, including content recommendations, may stop working. To return everything back, use the command: adb shell pm enable com.miui.tv.overseas

Method 4: Disconnecting through system file editing (root access)

This method is only suitable for users with unlocked bootloader and root rights, it allows you to completely remove the side menu at the system file level, but is fraught with loss of warranty and the risk of “bricking” the device, we recommend it only to advanced users.

Instructions for smartphones:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/usr/keylayout/ and find the Generic.kl file.
3. Open the file in the text editor and find the lines with the key 102 or key 158 (responsible for swipes from the edge of the screen).
4. Comment on them by adding the # symbol at the beginning of the line.
5. Save the file and restart the device.

For Xiaomi TVs, the path will be different:

/system/vendor/overlay/

You need to delete or rename files associated with com.miui.tv.overseas.overlay.

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Before editing system files, be sure to backup through TWRP or other custom recavator, which will allow you to restore the device in case of an error.

Method 5: Alternative launchers and firmware (for TVs)

If neither method worked, consider installing an alternative launcher or custom firmware, such as for TVs, Xiaomi is suitable:

• 📺 ATV Launcher – Minimalistic launcher for Android TV side-panelless.
• 📺 HalLauncher – supports gestures and has no intrusive elements.
• 📺 Wolf Launcher – with a customizable interface and the ability to disable all animations.

For installation:

1. Download. APK-launcher USB-accumulator.
2. Connect the flash drive to the TV and install the application through the File Manager.
3. In Android TV settings (Settings → Applications → Default Launcher), select a new launcher.

For smartphones, an alternative might be AOSP-based firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) that doesn’t have a MIUI binding, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and may deprive you of some features (like IR Blaster or Quick Apps).

What to do if the side menu returns after the update

One of the most common problems is returning the sidebar after a firmware update, which is because Xiaomi often resets custom settings when it upgrades to majors (e.g., switching from MIUI 14 to MIUI 15).

1. Turn off automatic update in Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Points → Settings → Auto Update.
2. Create a backup of settings through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
3. Use it. ADB-Adb shell settings put global settings development_settings_enabled 1 adb shell settings put global stay_on_while_plugged_in 3 (This will prevent some parameters from being reset).

If the menu does reappear, repeat the steps from Method 1 or Method 2. On TVs, sometimes resetting PatchWall to factory settings (without losing app data):

Settings → Applications → PatchWall → Clear the data

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After each major MIUI or PatchWall update, check the side menu settings - they are often reset. Regularly create configuration backups via Mi Cloud or locally.

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off side menus on Xiaomi