How to remove the widget tape on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro

Xiaomi smartphone owners often encounter intrusive interfaces that the company implements for advertising integrations and data collection. In particular, the Redmi Note 8 Pro model, which runs the MIUI shell, activates a news feed or widgets by default, which opens with a swipe to the right of the main screen and often annoys users with its uselessness.

It's pretty easy to turn it off, but standard settings can be hidden or changed depending on the firmware version. Some users confuse the widget tape with the weather widget that sits directly on the desktop. It's important to understand the difference: tape is an endless stream of information from Google Discover or Mi services, and the widget is a static design element.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods for deactivating redundant items, and we will look at both software methods through system settings and deeper methods that require debugging, which will allow you to clean the Redmi Note 8 Pro interface and speed up the launcher.

Differences between Widget Ribbon and Weather Widget

Before you start setting up, you need to clearly identify the object you want to remove. There are two main types of elements on the Redmi Note 8 Pro. The first is the weather widget, which is usually located at the top of the first screen, and it shows temperature, humidity and forecast for several days.

The second type is what's called a left screen, or widget tape, which is activated when swiping from right to left of the far left icon of apps, and this is where news, app recommendations, and other content that consumes RAM and traffic are usually aggregated.

• 📱 The weather widget is directly on the desktop among the app icons.
• 🌐 The widget tape opens with a separate swipe and is part of the system launcher.
• ⚙️ The methods of removal for these two elements are radically different from each other.

Confusion is common, as the behavior of the system varies from one firmware region to another (Global, China, EEA) and if you remove the wrong item, the desired result will not be achieved. So check carefully what is preventing you from using your Xiaomi smartphone on a daily basis.

⚠️ Attention: Removing system widgets through third-party launchers can lead to unstable interface operation. MIUI.

Disable Google Discover feed through settings

The easiest and safest way to remove excess tape is to use the built-in launcher settings. Most MIUI versions on the Redmi Note 8 Pro have this switch available without the need for root rights.

To start, unlock your smartphone screen and go to the main desktop. Then pinch your two fingers on the screen or press and hold your finger on an empty area until the edit menu appears. At the bottom of the screen, you will see the Settings button (the gear icon).

In the menu that opens, find an item called "Widget Ribbon" or "Google Discover," and the switch next to it should be active, and your task is to deactivate it, and then the swipe to the left stops opening the news feed, and you immediately find yourself on the first desktop.

If the standard path doesn't work, you may have a specific version of the shell installed, so try an alternative route: go to Settings → Desktop. There may also be a switchboard that you want, sometimes hidden under "Advanced."

Using Developer Mode for Deep Cleaning

In some cases, especially on global firmware with aggressive service promotion policies, the standard switch may be missing or not working correctly. Then the hidden Android settings come to the rescue.

To activate this mode on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, go to Settings. → About the phone. Find the line "Version." MIUI» And press it fast. 7-10 The system will tell you that you have become a developer, and then a new section will appear in the settings menu» → «For developers».

Inside the developer menu, we're interested in the launcher or animation item. Although there's no direct command to remove the tape, resetting the launcher settings through ADB or special applications can help, but beware: inexperienced interventions in these settings can lead to a cyclical reboot of the interface.

An alternative to manually searching for hidden settings is to use optimization apps like Activity Launcher, which lets you find hidden activity in your system, find the activity that's responsible for Google Feed, and try to clear it or turn it off.

Change of region and impact on system widgets

Xiaomi’s policy is to vary the system’s behavior depending on the region it chooses, one of the most effective but not obvious ways to combat intrusive elements, and changing the region can automatically disable certain services that are deemed irrelevant to the location it chooses.

To do this, go to Settings → Settings → Region. Try to select a country where Google services are limited or where MIUI policies are less aggressive, such as India or some European countries.

When you change region, check your desktop settings again. Often, the widget tape switch appears after this procedure. If the tape is still there, try clearing the Google Search cache through the application management menu.

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When you change region, be sure to restart the device so that the changes take effect in full, and without rebooting, the settings may not apply correctly.

Removing the weather widget from the desktop

If your goal is to remove a large weather widget that occupies a half-screen, the procedure will be different. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, this element is often part of the theme of the design and is not removed by simply dragging and dropping into the basket like regular widgets.

Try to pinch the weather widget with your finger, and if you see a menu with a Remove button or a basket icon, the problem is solved, but in most cases, MIUI blocks this action, and then the only solution is to change the theme to a standard or another one where the weather widget is missing or smaller.

To change the theme, go to the Themes app, find the Profile or My Themes section, and choose the classic Classic or Default theme. Once you apply the theme, the old widget will disappear, and you can place app shortcuts or widgets to your liking.

• 🎨 Xiaomi’s standard themes often contain large weather widgets.
• 🗑️ Removal is possible through changing the theme of design in the application Topics.
• 📲 An alternative is to install a third-party launcher, such as a Nova Launcher.

⚠️ Note: When installing third-party launchers, some Xiaomi gestures may not work properly.Be prepared to compromise on the ease of management.

Problems after MIUI Update and Solutions

Redmi Note 8 Pro users often notice that after updating the firmware all settings are reset and the widget tape appears again. This is normal system behavior, as new versions of MIUI can overwrite the user's configuration files.

In some cases, the update can lead to bugs where the widget tape switch disappears from the settings menu completely, a known problem in some builds.

To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find the Work Desktop (or System Launcher) list. Click Clear → Clear All Data. Importantly, this action will reset all your icons and widgets on desktops to factory status, so it’s best to take screenshots in advance.

If that didn't work, maybe the problem is in the cache of Google services, and if you try to search Google, Google Play Services, and Google App for them, and do a complete data cleanup for them, it will force the system to re-determine regional settings and it can remove the intrusive tape.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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Completely disabling unnecessary system services and news feeds is an effective way to extend the life of the battery and speed up the work of an old smartphone.