Since the introduction of Google Discover, Xiaomi smartphone screens have been divided into two camps: some people value personalized news and quick search access, others see it as an intrusive ad that eats up battery power and traffic. If you're in the second group, this article is for you.
The problem is, MIUI (Xiaomi's firmware is deeply integrated with Google's services, and simply removing Google's app through menus often doesn't work: the tape returns after a reboot or update. 5 current methods of removal (including hidden settings and ADB-and assembled them in one hand, taking into account the characteristics of MIUI 14/15 HyperOS.
Important: Some methods require superuser rights or system files, and if you’re a beginner, start with the safe options (sections 1-3) and then move on to the radical ones (sections 4-5).
1. Disable Google Tapes through Launcher Settings
The easiest way to do this, which works on most Xiaomi devices (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and later), does not require root rights and does not affect the stability of the system.
Instructions:
- 📱 Long pressing in the free place of the main screen → Select Screen Settings (or Home Screen Settings in English firmware).
- 🔍 Scroll down to the Google App block (may be called Google Tape or Discover).
- 🚫 Switch the slider Show tape (or Show Discover feed) to the off position.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone (required!) to make the changes take effect.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI If you don't have one, try updating the Google app through the Play Market or move on to the next method.
☑️ Preparation before tape is turned off
This way, not removing the tape completely, but only hiding it from the home screen. If you swipe to the left of the Google search bar, the tape can stay. To remove it completely, read on.
2.Removal of Google App Updates
Google Discover comes along with updates to the standard Google app (com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox package). If you roll it back to the factory version, the tape will disappear, but you will lose some search features.
How to do this:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the Google app (an icon with the letter G on a colored background).
- Slip on the three-point menu in the upper right corner → Remove updates.
- Confirm the action and restart the device.
| Advantages of the method | Deficiencies of the method |
|---|---|
| Doesn't require root rights | The tape will return after the automatic update of Google |
| Maintains the stability of the system | Voice search and Google widgets may be missing |
| It works on all versions of MIUI. | You need to block updates manually regularly |
🔹 How to block auto-updates:
- Open Play Market → Find the Google App.
- Slip on three points → uncheck the checkmark with Auto Update.
- In Play Market settings, disable Auto Update apps completely.
💡
If the tape still appears after rollback, clear the cache and data of the Google app in the settings, this will reset personal recommendations, but will not delete important account data.
3.Use of ADB to deactivate tape (without root)
If previous methods didn’t work, you can turn off the tape via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method does not require root rights, but it is necessary. USB-debug.
Step-by-step:
- Enable Developer Mode on Xiaomi: Go to Settings → About the phone, tap 7 times on the version MIUI. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers. Activate. USB-debugging.
Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm access to debugging.
ADB-tools
cmd
adb shell pm hide com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox🔹 What the team does: hides the Google app for the current user, but doesn't delete it completely.The tape will disappear from the home screen and from the swipe to the left.
⚠️ Note: After restarting or updating MIUI The tape can come back. To get it back, use the command:
adb shell pm unhide com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox4. Removal of tape via Magisk (root required)
For users with an unlocked bootloader and Magisk installed, there is a radical way to remove the GoogleQuickSearchBox system package. This will completely remove the tape, but may disrupt some Google services (for example, voice assistant).
Instructions:
- Install Magisk Manager and App Systemizer.
- Download the APK of the Google app (the tapeless version, for example, 12.45.16).
- Using App Systemizer, convert GoogleQuickSearchBox to a custom application.
- Remove it through Settings → Apps.
- Install the downloaded APK and disable auto updates.
🔹 How to install:
- Download the launcher from Play Market.
- Open it and follow the setup instructions.
- B Settings → Annexes → By default, select a new launcher as the main one.
✅ Pros: tape will disappear forever, there will be more opportunities for customization.
❌ Cons: Some functions MIUI (Second Space or App Lock may not work properly.
💡
Alternative launchers are the only way to remove tape without risk to the system.Suitable for users who don't want to mess with ADB or root.
6. Risks and Consequences of Deleting Google Tapes
Before you start radical methods, assess the possible problems:
| Action. | Possible consequences | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Rejection of Google Updates | Loss of voice search, weather widgets | Use alternatives (e.g. Yandex Weather) |
| ADB-team | The tape is back after the MIUI update | Repeat commands or block updates regularly |
| Removal via Magisk | Bootloop, errors in Google services | Do Nandroid backup before changes |
| Change of launcher | MIUI's branded functions are not working | Choose supportive launchers MIUI-gesture |
🔹 What else could go wrong:
- 📵 Loss of functionality: Some apps (like Google Pay) require an up-to-date version of Google services.
- 🔄 Automatic recovery: MIUI Can return the tape after resetting settings or updating.
- 🛡️ Security issues: Disabling system components may weaken protection against malware.
⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14, Redmi) K70) Some methods (especially root-related) can lead to bootloader locking. XDA Developers or 4PDA.