How to completely remove the sidebar on the Xiaomi phone: all ways

The sidebar on Xiaomi smartphones (also known as Quick Ball or Shortcut Menu) is a handy tool for quick access to apps and functions. However, many users consider it an extra element that takes up space on the screen, accidentally activates gestures or simply interferes with, especially for owners of devices with small displays or those who are accustomed to a clean interface.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can disable the sidebar on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones running MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions of firmware), learn how to remove it forever, temporarily hide or reconfigure it for your needs, and we’ll look at the nuances for different models – from the budget Redmi Note to the flagship Xiaomi 13/14.

What is a sidebar on Xiaomi and why to turn it off

A sidebar (or Quick Ball) is a floating round or vertical interface element that appears when swiped from the edge of the screen. It was introduced in MIUI 8 as an alternative to physical navigation buttons and has since undergone several changes. In recent firmware versions, the panel can contain:

• 🔄 Fast switches (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, flashlight)
• 📱 Frequently used app shortcuts
• 🔧 Tools (screenshot, screen recording, Do Not Disturb mode")
• 🎵 Multimedia panel (playback control)

Despite the convenience, the side panel has disadvantages:

• ❌ Accidental positives when playing or watching video
• ❌ Takes up useful space on the screen (especially on smartphones with a cutout)
• ❌ Can conflict with gestures from other apps (e.g. TikTok or Instagram)
• ❌ Slows down interface animation on weak devices

According to a survey of Xiaomi users, about 40% turn off the sidebar in the first days after buying a phone, while in MIUI 14 developers made it less intrusive, but you can still remove the element completely through the settings.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in system options, which is suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions).

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Additional Settings section (or Special features in English).
3. Select the Sidebar (or Quick Ball) option.
4. Move the slider to the Off position (or uncheck next to the Sidebar).

If you have a MIUI 14 on Xiaomi 13/14 or a Redmi Note 12, the path may be slightly different.

Settings → Display → Sidebar (or “Floating Ball”)

Once turned off, the panel will disappear immediately, but it can be activated again at any time. If the option is inactive (grey), then your device uses alternative firmware (for example, Xiaomi.EU or custom), and you will need another method.

Method 2: Remove via ADB (for power users)

If the standard method did not work (for example, due to custom firmware or restrictions of the regional version) MIUI), You can turn off the side panel through ADB-This method requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic knowledge of working with Android Debug Bridge.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This may cause system failures. Follow the instructions carefully and do not change other parameters.

Steps to shut down:

1. Enable Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Activate USB Debugging: Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open Command Prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux).
4. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
5. Execute the command to disable the sidebar: adb shell settings put secure sysui_qs_tiles_default null For MIUI 14 Additional command may be required: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.quickball

Once you've done the commands, restart the phone. The sidebar should disappear. If it comes back after you upgrade, you'll have to repeat the procedure.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications

If you don't want to mess with settings or ADB, you can use third-party utilities that not only disable the sidebar, but also fine-tune its behavior.

• 🛠️ QuickShortcutMaker – Creates shortcuts for hidden functions MIUI, including the Quick Ball shutdown.
• 🔧 MIUI Hidden Settings – Reveals additional firmware options (requires root rights).
• 🚫 App Quarantine – Temporarily freezes system components, including the sidebar.

Example of QuickShortcutMaker:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. In the search, type Quick Ball.
3. Select the Disable Quick Ball action and create a shortcut.
4. Run the shortcut – the panel will be disabled until the next reboot.

⚠️ Attention: Apps like MIUI Hidden Settings require root access, which can void warranty and create security vulnerabilities. Use them only if you understand the risks.

Method 4: Disconnecting through the theme editor (MIUI 14)

MIUI 14 offers the ability to customize the interface through the Theme Editor, which doesn’t work on all devices, but can be useful for owners of Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5.

Instructions:

1. Open the Themes app (brush icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the Editor (or DIY) section.
3. Select the interface settings → Sidebar.
4. Turn off the option to show the panel or set transparency to 0%.

If you don't have an option, try using the standard Default theme first, and then go back to the editor. On some firmware, this method only works after you reset the themes to the factory.

💡

If navigation gestures have disappeared after the sidebar is turned off (for example, swipe up to return to the main screen), check the gesture settings in Settings → Display → Navigation on the system.

Method 5: Reset the launcher settings (if the panel does not disappear)

Sometimes the sidebar keeps popping up even after the settings are turned off (MIUI Launcher) or conflict with updates:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI (or MIUI Home) launcher and open it.
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
4. Go back and select Reset preferences.

After resetting, all the shortcuts on the home screen will return to the standard view, but the sidebar should disappear. If the problem persists, try restarting the phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → Restart in Safe Mode). If there is no safe panel mode, then one of the installed applications is to blame.

Table: Compatibility of methods with different versions of MIUI

Important: On devices with Xiaomi.EU firmware or custom ROMs (such as LineageOS), the sidebar may be missing initially or disabled through other menus (for example, Settings → Buttons → Edge gestures).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after the shutdown, the sidebar can reappear, and let's look at typical situations and how to fix them:

• 🔄 The panel returns after the update: This is because MIUI It resets some of the settings when you install the patches. ADB or use Tasker to automatically execute a command after a reboot.
• 🎮 In some games (such as Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) Sidebar can block controls. The solution is to enable Game Mode in the settings or disable the panel via Game Turbo.
• 🔒 Gray slider in settings: If the shutdown option is inactive, then the device has a corporate or test firmware installed. Try changing the region in the settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Region) to India or Russia.

If none of these methods worked, check if the phone has a duplicate app (e.g. Second Space or Dual Apps) that can be controlled separately for each profile.

💡

On devices with MIUI for POCO (such as the POCO F4 or X3 Pro), the sidebar is often called the POCO Launcher Assistant and is disabled in the launcher settings rather than the system.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions