How to remove Main Menu on Xiaomi TV: the complete guide

The main menu of Xiaomi Mi TV (known as Main Menu) is a built-in launcher that appears when you press the Home button on the remote. For many users, it seems redundant: takes up space on the screen, slows down navigation and duplicates the functions of third-party shells like Google TV or PatchWall. Unfortunately, the manufacturer has not added a standard option to turn it off, but there are several workarounds – from simple settings to technical manipulations with the system.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to remove Main Menu on Xiaomi TVs (including Mi TV 4A/4S/4X/5 Pro, Redmi Smart TV and others). Some methods are suitable for beginners, some require knowledge of working with ADB or editing system files. Importantly, some actions can lead to resetting or blocking the TV, so make a backup copy of the data before experimenting.

If you use a TV on Android TV 9/10/11, note that the interface and options available may differ. For accuracy, follow the firmware version in the Settings menu → About TV. Ready to get started? Choose the appropriate method below.

1. Method: Hide Main Menu through launcher settings

The safest method is to use the built-in launcher options, which works on most Xiaomi models with MIUI TV firmware (before version 3.0).The point is to assign another default launcher, after which Main Menu will cease to appear when you press Home.

Instructions:

• 📺 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Default launcher.
• 🔄 In the list, select an alternative launcher (e.g. Google). TV Home or PatchWall if installed).
• 🔙 Return to the home screen and press Home – the menu you select should open.

⚠️ Note: If there are no alternatives on the launcher list, this will not work, then move on to the following methods. Also note that after updating the firmware settings may reset, and Main Menu will return.

Method: Disconnect via ADB (without root)

If the standard settings do not help, you can use ADB-This method does not require root rights, but it requires the TV to be connected to a computer.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux and installed Android SDK Platform-Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original) or Wi-Fi connection (for advanced).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the TV (Settings) → On TV. → Software version – click 7 times on the line with the version, then return to Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the TV to your computer and open the terminal (cmd for Windows).
2. Check the connection command: Adb devices should appear serial number of the device.
3. Run the command to disable Main Menu: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.mitv.tvhome
4. Reboot TV: Adb shell reboot

To return Main Menu, use the command:

adb shell pm enable com.mitv.tvhome

3. Method: Removal through system settings (for MIUI TV 2.0 firmware and below)

On older firmware versions (MIUI TV 1.0-2.0), you could completely remove Main Menu from the app menu, which is the current method for Xiaomi Mi TV 3/4 (2016-2018), and it doesn’t work on newer models.

How to check firmware version: Settings → About TV → MIUI TV version.

Instructions for old firmware:

1. Open Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Find the TV Home (or Main Menu) list.
3. Select Remove Updates, then Disable.
4. Confirm the action and restart the TV.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware is newer MIUI TV 3.0, this method will result in the error "The application cannot be disabled." Do not try to circumvent the restriction through ADB with the command pm uninstall – this will cause the collapse of the system interface!

4. Method: Use of a third-party launcher (ATV Launcher, Sideload Launcher)

If you don't like Main Menu, but don't want to risk system files, install an alternative launcher.

• 🎯 ATV Launcher – minimalistic launcher with support for widgets.
• 📱 Sideload Launcher – Shows all installed applications, including hidden ones.
• 🌐 Wolf Launcher – customized interface with support for themes.

How to determine:

1. Download. APK-launcher USB-drive (for example, from the APKMirror website).
2. Connect the flash drive to the TV and open the File Manager.
3. Start the APK installation by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Security → Unknown sources).
4. After installation, assign a new default launcher (see Method 1).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require rooting or ADB.
• ✅ It's easy to get Main Menu back.
• ✅ You can customize the interface for yourself.

💡

If the Home button on the remote does not work after installing a third-party launcher, try reconnecting the remote: press Home + Menu for 5 seconds. This will reset its settings.

5. Method: Editing system files (for experienced ones only)

This method involves changing the configuration files of Android TV and requires root rights. It is suitable for advanced users, ready for possible consequences (up to the "brick" of the TV). On models with a locked bootloader (for example, Xiaomi Mi TV 5 Pro 2022), you can not get root without risking losing the warranty.

What you need:

• 🔧 Root rights (e.g. via Magisk).
• 💾 Backup of the system (required!).
• 🖥️ System file editor (e.g. Root Explorer or Mixplorer).

Instructions:

1. Open /system/build.prop file in the text editor.
2. Add at the end of the line: ro.home.app=com.google.android.tvlauncher (replace with your launcher ID).
3. Save the file and restart the TV.

Alternatively, disable Main Menu via ADB with root rights:

adb shell su -c "pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.mitv.tvhome"

💡

Editing system files is a last resort, and if you are not sure about your actions, use methods without root (ADB or third-party launchers).

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make the choice easier, we have compiled a table with the pros and cons of each method:

For most users, the best solution is a combination. ADB-So if you're a beginner, you can start with the first method or installation. ATV Launcher.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to remove Main Menu, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🔄 "After the reboot, Main Menu is back" → This happens if you turn off the app without ADB. Use the pm disable-user command for permanent effect.
• 🎮 "The remote stopped working after the launcher change" → Reconnect the remote (click Home) + Menu for 5 seconds) or reset its settings to Settings → DU remote.
• 📵 "The TV can't see. ADB-team" → Check if the debugging is included USB, And use the original cable. Some models need to allow debugging in the Developer Menu.
• 🔴 "The screen turned black after Main Menu was removed" → This means you have removed the critical system application. perform the reset to factory settings (see the instructions in the spoiler).

⚠️ Note: If you are using a TV with Google TV (for example, Xiaomi TV A2 2023), removing Main Menu may disrupt the Google Assistant voice assistant, in which case it is better to limit the installation of a third-party launcher.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions