How to permanently remove Google Search from the home screen Xiaomi Mi A1: from simple ways to ADB

The problem with the Google widget on Xiaomi Mi A1: why is it difficult to remove?

Xiaomi Mi A1 is the company’s first Android One smartphone to feature pure Android without the MIUI shell. However, even here, users have come across a forced Google Search widget on the home screen. Unlike standard apps, this element is often blocked from being removed: it can’t just be dragged to the cart or disabled through settings.

The reason is because Google’s policy is that on devices with Google Mobile Services (GMS), the search widget is integrated at the system level; manufacturers (including Xiaomi) cannot remove it without violating the license agreement; but there are workarounds, from replacing the launcher to editing system files via ADB.

In this article, we will discuss all working methods, including those that do not require root rights. Importantly, some ways can affect the stability of the system - on Mi A1 firmware older than Android 9.0, disabling Google Search through ADB causes a launcher failure in 15% of cases (data from 4PDA forums).

Method 1: Remove through standard launcher settings

The safest method is to try removing the widget manually. On the Mi A1 with the original Pixel Launcher (or modifications thereof), the algorithm is as follows:

1. Long click on the Google Search widget (not the app icon, but the search bar).
2. In the menu that appears, select “Delete from the screen” or “Remove the widget” (the wording depends on the Android version).
3. If there is no item, drag the widget up to the "Delete" label (usually appears at the top of the screen).

In practice, this method only works on the Mi A1 with Android firmware 8.0-8.1. On later versions (for example, Android 9 Pie), the widget can be blocked.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware, after removing the widget, the search bar returns after the reboot.This is due to Google's policy to restore system components.The solution is to disable the automatic update of the Google app in the Play Store.

Method 2: Replacement of the launcher with a third-party (Nova, Lawnchair, Rootless)

If the standard launcher doesn't allow you to remove the widget, install an alternative. A1:

• 🔹 Nova Launcher – supports deep customization, allows you to hide system widgets.
• 🔹 Lawnchair is an open source lightweight launcher optimized for Android One.
• 🔹 Rootless Launcher – It mimics Pixel Launcher, but without Google restrictions.

Instructions for setting:

1. Install the selected launcher from the Play Store.
2. Launch it and select as the default launcher (the system will prompt you to do so when you first open it).
3. In the new launcher settings, find the “Widgets” or “Home Screen” section and turn off the display of Google’s search bar.

For example, in Nova Launcher, the path would be: Long-Tap Screen → Settings → Widgets → Hide Google’s widget.

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (without root rights)

If the launcher change is not suitable, you can disable the widget via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method does not require root rights, but you need basic command line skills.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Mi A1: go to Settings → About Phone → Build Number and tap it 7 times.
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → System → For Developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install it. ADB-Drivers and open the terminal.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
5. Run the command to disable the widget: adb shell pm hide com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox If the command doesn't work, try: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

Once you reboot, the widget will disappear. To return it, use:

adb shell pm enable com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

⚠️ Attention: On Mi A1 Android 10 and later disconnected via ADB It can cause a launcher error, "Luncher App has stopped," and then it's only a reset or a flashing.

Method 4: Editing system files (requires root)

For power users who are ready to get root rights, there is a radical method: deleting the widget system files. It is risky, but guaranteed, to remove the search bar forever.

Instructions:

1. Get root rights through Magisk or SuperSU.
2. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
3. Go to /system/priv-app/GoogleQuickSearchBox or /system/app/GoogleQuickSearchBox
4. Remove or rename the folder (for example, in the GoogleQuickSearchBox_bak).
5. Clear the cache and data of Google apps in Settings → Apps.
6. Reset the device.

If errors occur after deleting (for example, “System process stopped”), restore the folder from the backup or reflash the device.

💡

Before you delete your system files, backup your phone via TWRP or adb backup -apk -shared -all -f backup.ab. This will help you recover your phone if something goes wrong.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If all methods have proved ineffective, consider the following options:

• 🔄 Resetting to factory settings - sometimes helps if the widget appears after the update.
• 📱 Install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) that doesn’t have Google widgets imposed on them.
• 🛠️ Using the Xposed Framework (Android 7–8) with GravityBox, which allows you to hide system elements.

On the Mi A1, the most stable option is the Pixel Experience firmware, which retains all the features of Android One, but without unnecessary widgets. Installation instructions are available on the XDA-Developers forum.

💡

Castom firmware solves the problem forever, but requires unlocking the bootloader. On the Mi A1, this results in a reset of all data and can void the warranty (if it is still valid).

Alternatives to Google Search on the Home Screen

If you have removed the widget but want to keep quick search access, consider alternatives:

• 🔍 DuckDuckGo – a widget with a focus on privacy.
• 🌐 Startpage – Anonymous Search with Google Results.
• 📱 Sesame Search – Smart Search by Apps and Contacts.
• 🔎 Brave Search – a search engine from the creators of the Brave browser.

To install widgets of third-party search engines:

1. Download the app from the Play Store.
2. Long tap on the main screen → “Widgets”.
3. Find the widget of the desired search engine and drag it to the screen.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Google Search on Mi A1