How to permanently remove the widget tape on the left on Xiaomi: 4 working methods

The left panel with the Google Discover widget or MIUI-Xiaomi is one of the most controversial features of the shell, for some users it is a convenient source of news and quick access to the weather, calendar or notes, for others it is an annoying element that eats battery power and takes up space on the screen. Unfortunately, the manufacturer did not add an obvious “Delete” button to the settings, but hid the possibility of disconnecting in the depths of the system.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove the left panel on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices running MIUI 12/13/14 (including global and Chinese versions of firmware), learn how to completely hide the tape without root rights, what settings are responsible for its display, and what to do if the widgets return after a reboot, and how to return the panel if you suddenly need it.

Why widget tape appears on Xiaomi and can it be removed forever

The left panel on Xiaomi is part of the MIUI branded shell, integrated at the launcher level (the program responsible for the desktop), which can look different depending on the firmware version and region:

• 📰 Google Discover – News, Weather and Recommendations from Google (in global firmware).
• 📱 MIUI-tape - a corporate panel with a weather widget, calendar, steps and fast actions (in Chinese versions).
• 🔄 Hybrid panel – a combination of both options (in some regional assemblies).

By default, the tape is activated on all Xiaomi devices, but it can be turned off without losing functionality. The main thing is to understand that this is not a separate application, but part of the system launcher. → Applications won't work.

Since MIUI 12, the manufacturer has been actively implementing Google Discover in global firmware, which has caused a wave of discontent: the tape consumes traffic, slows down when scrolling and shows irrelevant news. In the Chinese versions of MIUI instead uses its own panel, which is less voracious, but also not everyone likes.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F3 Redmi Note 11 after updating to MIUI 14 tape can come back on its own, and this is due to automatic updates to Google Play Services.

Method 1: Disconnect via launcher settings (without root rights)

The easiest and safest method is to use the hidden settings of the standard MIUI launcher.It works on most devices with MIUI 12-14, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12 and other models.

Instructions:

1. Open the main screen (desktop) and make a long press in any free place.
2. In the menu that appears, select Desktop Settings (or Home screen settings in English firmware).
3. Scroll down and find the News Feed (or App Vault, Google Discover) section.
4. Switch the slider to the position Off (Off).
5. Restart the device so that the changes take effect.

If the news item is not on the menu, try an alternative route:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three Points (⋮) → Default settings → Launcher → Launcher Resetting

After reset, the tape should disappear, but standard desktop settings (including the location of the icons) will return.

Add the desired widgets to the main screen (weather, clock, etc.)

Backup the location of the icons (via Settings → Additional → Backup)

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Turn off Auto Update for Google Play Services (if Google Discover is used)

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Method 2: Remove via ADB (for power users)

If the standard settings did not help, you can turn off the tape using ADB-Android Debug Bridge, which requires you to connect your smartphone to your computer, but you don't need root rights. MIUI 13/14 Global Firmware with Google Discover.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 📦 Utility. ADB Tools (download from the official Google website).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the smartphone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission (a request will appear on the phone screen).
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Run the command to disable Google Discover: adb shell pm hide com.google.android.apps.magazines To disable MIUI-Use the tapes: adb shell pm hide com.miui.miservice
5. Reboot your smartphone.

If the tape is not gone, try an alternative command:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.apps.magazines

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 14 after updating the system applications, the tape may return.To avoid this, freeze the application com.google.android.apps.magazines through ADB: adb shell pm disable-user com.google.android.apps.magazines

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If ADB does not recognize the device, install Xiaomi USB Drivers from the official website or use the universal Google USB Driver drivers.

Method 3: Using a third-party launcher (radical solution)

If none of the previous methods worked, you can completely replace the standard MIUI launcher with an alternative one, which is a radical solution, but it is guaranteed to remove the widget tape and provide additional customization options.

Popular launchers for Xiaomi:

• 🚀 Nova Launcher – flexible settings, gesture support, no advertising.
• 🎨 Lawnchair – open source, minimalist design.
• 🔄 Microsoft Launcher – Windows integration, quick access to files.
• 📱 POCO Launcher – optimized for devices POCO, But it works for all Xiaomis.

How to determine:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play (like Nova Launcher).
2. After installation, click the Home button and select the new launcher as the main one.
3. In the launcher settings, disable all unnecessary panels and widgets.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Complete removal of the left panel without the possibility of returning.
• ✅ Additional features (gestures, themes, adaptive icons).
• ✅ No dependency on updates MIUI.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Some system functions MIUI (For example, pop-up notifications or Second Space mode may not work properly.
• ❌ It consumes a little more RAM.

Standard MIUI

Nova Launcher

Lawnchair

POCO Launcher

Other

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Method 4: Manual removal of system APKs (root only)

If you have root rights, you can completely delete the files that are responsible for the widget tape, which permanently removes system components, so it is only suitable for advanced users.

Which files are responsible for the tape:

Instructions for Root Explorer or Total Commander:

1. Open a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
2. Follow one of the paths from the table above.
3. Delete or rename the file (e.g. add at the end of.bak).
4. Clear the cache and data of the com.miui.home application (launcher).
5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Removal of system APK It can lead to unstable firmware, update errors, or even a breeze (if you delete a critical file). TWRP or MIUI Backup.

What to do if the widget tape returns after the update

One of the most common problems is that the tape automatically returns after a MIUI or Google Play Services update, which happens because system applications restore their components.

• 🔄 Turn off Auto Update for Google Play Services and Google App: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Google Play Services → Auto-update → Not update
• 📵 Freeze applications through ADB (as in Method 2).
• 🛡️ Use Firewall (like NetGuard) to block internet access for com.google.android.apps.magazines.
• 🔧 Install the Disabler for Magisk Module MIUI (Requires root, which blocks unnecessary system components.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14 for Redmi Note 12), the tape returns because of System Restore.

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn off the synchronization of the launcher settings.
3. Reset the launcher settings (as in Method 1).

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If the tape returns after each MIUI update, the only reliable solution is to use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher) or roll back to an older firmware version.

How to return the widget tape if you suddenly need it

If you change your mind and want to return the left panel, do the following:

• 🔙 For Standard Launcher: Settings → Desktop settings → News feed → On.
• 🔧 If it's been cut off ADB: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.magazines adb shell pm enable com.google.android.apps.magazines
• 📱 For root users: Restore the remote APK from the backup or reinstall the firmware.

If the tape does not return, try:

1. Clear the cache and launcher data (com.miui.home).
2. Reset the device.
3. Update Google Play Services through the Play Market.

On some devices (such as the POCO X5 Pro) you may need to re-register to Google Discover after returning the tape.

1. Open the left panel.
2. Scroll down to the bottom and press the settings (cog).
3. Choose Reset settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the widget tape on Xiaomi