How to remove the app menu on Xiaomi POCO X3

Owners of smartphones brand POCO running the shell MIUI, often face with the non-standard logic of organizing the workspace. Unlike the classic Android, where all programs are put in a separate list, here by default the concept of “zero screen”, where shortcuts are scattered across desktops. Many users are annoyed by the need to flip through the extra pages or look for the right utility among widgets, so the question of how to change this order or remove unnecessary elements of the interface becomes extremely relevant.

Immediately it is worth noting an important technical nuance: standard means of the system to completely eliminate the menu button of all applications or to prohibit its appearance is impossible, since this is a fundamental part of the logic of MIUI. However, there are effective workarounds that allow you to hide unnecessary icons, change the sorting algorithm or replace the standard shell with a more convenient analog. In this material, we will discuss in detail all available methods for customizing the interface of your POCO X3 to make the use of the gadget as comfortable as possible.

Features of the MIUI interface on POCO X3

Xiaomi’s front-end shell is fundamentally different from what you’d see on pure Android devices, missing the usual “All Apps” button at the bottom of the screen unless you have the appropriate display mode on. Instead, it offers dynamic content distribution, where folders and widgets can occupy a significant portion of the usable area of the display, a structure that is essential to properly customize the device to your needs.

The main problem is that the standard POCO Launcher or System Launcher launcher is tightly regulated, you can’t just take and remove the application system folder, as it is a critical element of navigation. Any attempts to implement third-party code to remove system components without root rights can lead to unstable system operation or cyclical reboot.

However, engineers have provided multiple levels of access to display settings, so you can control the visibility of items, hide rarely used utilities in special protected areas, or change the order of sorting, which gives you enough functionality to visually clear the space, even if the menu is technically there.

Setting up the display of the desktop

The first step to optimizing space is to fine-tune the settings of the desktop itself, go to the settings and find the interface interface interface interface section, and you can resize the grid so you can put more elements on one screen, or you can zoom in for better readability, and often users are unaware of the hidden scaling capabilities.

So, you need to pay attention to the sorting parameter. In standard mode, new programs are automatically added to the home screen, creating chaos. By changing the setting to Apps Only, you can leave only the most important shortcuts on your desktop, and everything else is neatly stored in a shared list. This doesn't remove the menu, but makes it the only place to store programs, which visually cleans the main pages.

To access these settings, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Press and hold your finger on an empty area of your desktop.
• ⚙️ In the bottom menu that appears, select the "Settings" item (cogs).
• 🔍 Find the section “More” or “More».
• 🔄 Switch the sorting mode to "In the application menu».

Once the changes are applied, the interface will reboot, and all shortcuts that are not system widgets or user-assigned will move to a common database, which is the first step towards the minimalism you want, and now your desktop looks neat, and all functions are accessed through a single entry point.

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Use Memory or Stepmer widgets on your desktop to take up a blank space with useful information, distracting attention from the lack of shortcuts.

How to hide applications from a general list

If your goal is not just to organize, but to remove certain programs from view, the MIUI feature offers a feature called Hidden Applications. It doesn't remove software from the device, but makes it invisible in the standard menu and when you search, and access these programs through a special gesture or entering secret code, which also increases privacy.

To activate this feature, you need to go to security settings. Unlike regular folders, hidden apps don't show up even in your recent task list until you unlock them. This is the perfect way to remove the extra while keeping the system intact functional. Note that system services won't hide because it will disrupt Android.

The process of concealment is as follows:

• 🔒 Open the Safety app (green lightning icon).
• 👇 Scroll down to the section “Hide Apps».
• ➕ Click the “Add” button and select the programs you want.
• 👁️ To view the hidden, swipe up from the bottom of the screen in the app menu (if a gesture is configured) or use the code.

Keep in mind that removing the label from the desktop doesn't hide the app completely; it stays accessible through global search or in a shared list, and the concealment feature is the only regular way to make the program completely invisible to prying eyes without using third-party software.

Use of third-party launchers

The radical but most effective solution is to replace the standard shell with a third-party launcher. Google Play offers dozens of options, from minimalist to overloaded features. By installing an alternative launcher, you have complete control over the logic of the menu, the ability to completely disable it or change it beyond recognition.

Popular options like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher allow you to completely remove the call button of all applications or reassign its action. You can configure the system so that swipe up opens the search, not the list of programs. This gives the same freedom that is lacking in stock firmware POCO.

A comparison of popular launchers is presented in the table below:

When you install a new launcher, the system can request confirmation of rights to change the home screen. Agree with this, so that the new interface works correctly. In the settings of the new launcher, be sure to turn off animations or reduce their duration if you want to achieve maximum responsiveness of the system, characteristic of pure Android.

Removing system components through ADB

For advanced users who are not afraid to work with code, there is a method of removing system components through the ADB debugging bridge (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to forcibly “saw” the package responsible for the application menu, replacing its behavior or simply removing it.

Before any manipulations begin, you need to activate the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI version seven times. After that, a new “Developers” item will appear on the menu, where you need to turn on “Debugging on USB.” Without this step, the computer will not see your POCO X3.

The following steps to work with ADB:

• 💻 Connect your smartphone to your PC through quality USB-cable.
• 🛠️ Launch the console. ADB on your computer and enter the adb device command to check the connection.
• 📦 Use the adb shell pm list packages command to search for the launcher package name.
• 🗑️ To remove (freeze) enter adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 packet.

⚠️ Warning: Removing the system launcher (com.miui.home) without pre-installed alternative can cause the phone to display a black screen!

This is the most powerful tool in the model's arsenal, and it removes not only the menu, but also any other system debris that is not normally possible to remove with standard means, but use it with extreme caution to avoid turning the device into a brick.

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The ADB method allows you to remove system applications without root rights, but requires caution and the presence of a computer.

Frequent problems and their solution

In the process of setting up, users often find that after installing a new launcher, the system periodically resets the default settings, which is a MIUI security mechanism that tries to return the user to the “native” ecosystem, and to avoid this, you need to prevent the system from closing the background processes of the new launcher.

You can also experience icon desynchronization or widget displays that are incorrect, whether you clean up the new launcher's cache or reinstall the latest version of it, and don't ignore the updates as developers are constantly improving compatibility with new versions of Android and manufacturers' shells.

If you notice that the phone has started to run slower after installing a heavy launcher, try reducing the number of animations in the developer settings. Find the options "Scale of window animation", "Scale of transition animation" and set them to 0.5x or turn them off altogether. This will return the former sharpness of the interface.

Optimizing productivity after changes

Any changes to the system, especially those involving replacing the graphics shell, require resources. Once a new launcher or deep setup is installed, a full reboot of the device is recommended, allowing the system to redistribute resources and re-index files, which will positively affect the response rate.

Remember to clean the launcher cache regularly, especially if you use live wallpaper or real-time widgets. Accumulation of temporary files can cause you to slow down when you open menus or fold apps. Keep at least 15-20% of internal memory free for comfortable operation.

In conclusion, tweaking the POCO X3 interface is a creative process that allows you to make your smartphone truly yours, whether it's using hidden MIUI features or completely replacing the shell, the result is worth it. Experiment, but always remember the possibility of rollback changes.

⚠️ Note: Before making major changes to system files ADB Make sure to back up your data completely, as recovering remote system components can be difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)