How to completely remove the widget tape on Xiaomi Redmi 8: disable, hide and remove

The widget tape on Xiaomi Redmi 8 is both a useful tool and an annoying interface element. For some users, it makes it easier to access the weather, calendar or quick settings, for others, takes up space on the screen, slows down the system or distracts with unnecessary information. Especially the problem on Redmi 8 with its modest by modern standards 4 GB of RAM and MIUI 12/13, where every unnecessary process affects performance.

In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to get rid of the widget tape, from standard settings to hidden features and radical measures. It is important to understand that MIUI does not always allow you to completely remove widgets with a single button, but the combination of methods gives 100% result, and also find out why the tape can spontaneously return after updates and how to prevent this.

1. Standard shutdown via MIUI settings

The most obvious and safe way to do this is to take advantage of the built-in MIUI options. On Redmi 8, the widget tape is controlled via the desktop menu, but not everyone knows where to look for the right options.

Go to Settings → Desktop. Here you are interested in two sections:

• 📱 Desktop style – select the “No applets” option (if available). On some firmware, this item may be called “Apps Only".
• ⚙️ Applet Settings – Turn off the slider “Show Widget Ribbon” or “Recommended Content".
• 🔄 Reset desktop settings – if the previous items did not work, return the settings to factory (does not affect application data).

After you make the changes, reboot the device, which will help the system to apply the settings correctly, and if the widget tape is still there, then your version of MIUI is blocking the standard shutdown, in which case you move on to the following methods.

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On Redmi 8 with MIUI 12.5 and later, the widget tape can be turned off by long-clicking on the free desktop area → Home Screen Settings → Style → Standard.

2. Remove widgets via Launcher (alternative launcher)

If the built-in MIUI settings don't work, the radical solution is to switch from the standard launcher to a third-party one, not only removing the widget tape, but also adding new customization features. Popular options for Redmi 8:

• 🚀 Nova Launcher – lightweight, with gesture support and hiding unnecessary elements.
• 🎨 Microsoft Launcher – Windows integration, minimalist design.
• 🔧 Apex Launcher – flexible widget and transition settings.

Installation of an alternative launcher:

1. Download the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. Launch the app and follow the setup wizard.
3. In the launcher settings, find the "Widgets" or "Home Screen" section and turn off all applets.
4. Set the default launcher in Settings → Apps → By default → Launcher.

⚠️ Note: Some launchers (for example, POCO Launcher may conflict with MIUI Redmi 8, causing slowdowns. Before installing, check user reviews with your model.

3. Disconnection of system services (for advanced)

The widget tape on Redmi 8 is controlled by the system processes com.miui.home and com.miui.miservice. their disabling or restriction can remove applets, but requires caution – wrong actions will lead to unstable system operation.

Ways to limit services:

For the use of ADB:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Additional → For Developers.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: Adb devices (the device should appear).
3. Enter the shutdown command: adb shell pm hide com.miui.miservice or for complete removal (requires root): adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.miservice

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Disabling system services through ADB is a reversible process. To return the widget tape, use the adb shell pm enable com.miui.miservice command.

4. Reset desktop settings (without data loss)

If the widget feed came after updating MIUI or changing the theme, resetting the desktop settings will help, which does not affect user data, photos or applications, but will return the standard layout of icons and folders.

Instructions:

1. Long press on the free area of the desktop.
2. Select "Home Screen Settings" (or "Desktop Settings").
3. Scroll down and click "Reset settings."
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 14+ Reset can return not only the widget tape, but also standard applications (Mi Browser, Mi Music) that were previously removed. To avoid this, block the removal of system applications through Settings before resetting. → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Blocking removal.

5. Manual deletion of widget files (for users with root)

The most radical way is to physically delete the files that are responsible for the widgets. This requires root rights and is only suitable for advanced users. On Redmi 8 with firmware older than MIUI 12.5, this method can lead to a reboot cycle if the wrong files are deleted.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Root Explorer or FX File Manager with root support.
2. Go to /system/priv-app/MiuiSystemUI/.
3. Find files with names: MiuiSystemUI.apk (main file) MiuiSystemUI.odex (optimized cache)

.bak

MiuiSystemUI.apk.bak

Reset the device.

If you have errors after the reboot (e.g., persistent system interface crashes), return the original file names. Reflashing through Fastboot may be necessary to restore the workflow.

Backup via TWRP| Check the MIUI version (not suitable for MIUI 14+) | Install an alternative launcher in case of failure | Prepare firmware for recovery-->

6.Why does the widget tape return after updates?

Many Redmi 8 users are facing the widget tape reappearing after a MIUI update or reset, which is due to Xiaomi’s policy of forcibly turning on system services to “improve the user experience.”

The main reasons for return are:

• 🔄 Automatic update MIUI — New firmware versions reset launcher settings.
• 📦 Recovery of system applications — MIUI periodically check the integrity of the system APK.
• ☁️ Sync with Mi Account – if you are logged in to Xiaomi account, desktop settings can be pulled up from the cloud.

How to prevent return:

1. Turn off automatic MIUI update in Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Points → Settings → Turn off “Downloading”.
2. Block system application updates through Settings → Applications → Application management → Three points → Block updates.
3. Turn off desktop sync in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sync → Desktop.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing widgets on Redmi 8