Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often encounter intrusive interface elements that the company adds to increase user engagement. One of the most annoying factors is the search bar, or recommendation widget, located to the left of the first desktop screen. Swipe to the right instead of opening widgets or quick access leads to the opening of a news and search aggregator, which many feel redundant.
Fortunately, MIUI and the new HyperOS provide flexible customization tools to eliminate this feature completely.The shutdown process does not require root rights or third-party launchers, all settings are in the standard menu. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to clean your desktop of excess junk and return to normal management.
It's worth noting that the name of the function and the location of the switches may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and the region for which the smartphone is released. However, the general logic of action remains the same for all current models. We will consider both standard methods and additional settings that will help to remove not only search, but also related recommendations.
Disabling the search bar through desktop settings
The easiest and most obvious way to remove the search for applications is to use the built-in launcher settings, which works on most devices with the shell MIUI 12, MIUI 13, MIUI 14 and HyperOS. You do not need to download additional utilities, just find the desired item in the system menu.
To start, unlock your smartphone and go to the home screen. Make a long swipe (push) with two fingers on the screen, or tap and hold your finger on an empty area of the desktop until the edit menu appears. In the lower right corner, you will see the gear icon — this is the input to the desktop settings.
In the list of parameters that opens, you need to find a item that can be called Search, Google, or Search Prompt. In some versions of the firmware, this switch is at the top of the list, in others, in the "Additional" section, move the slider to an inactive position so that the string disappears.
⚠️ Note: Some global firmware versions may call it Google Search and when you turn off, the voice assistant called by the Home button may stop working.
If the standard path didn't work, maybe your launcher has a slightly different menu structure, so it's worth checking the "More" section inside the desktop settings. Sometimes developers hide options deeper so users don't change them. Once you turn off the function, just tap on the blank area of the screen to exit the editing mode.
Removal of the widget “Carousel of wallpaper” and tape recommendations
Often, users confuse the search bar with what's called the wallpaper carousel or recommendation tape, which also swipes to the right. These are different functions, but both can be annoying. If the swipe still opens a news or picture feed after turning off the search, it's the one that you need to turn off.
Go to your smartphone Settings through the standard app. Search for the settings, type in the word "Carousel" or search for the Lock Screen section. This is the dynamic wallpaper and news feed management. Turn off the wallpaper carousel switch.
It's also worth checking the widget settings. Sometimes the search bar is part of a widget that you can just delete. Hold your finger on the search area and drag it to the top of the screen where you'll see a basket icon or a "Delete" cross, which doesn't remove the search app, but it will remove the visual display from the desktop.
For owners of new HyperOS devices, the process can be combined into a single widget management center, in which case a swipe to the right can open the My Apps or News widget. To change this, click on the settings icon (cogs) directly in the widget or desktop editing menu and select No or turn off the recommendation display.
Setting up the search bar in the Google app
Even if you remove the widget from the desktop, the Google app can continue to offer its services. Deep customization of the search engine allows you to limit its activity and data collection, which also positively affects the autonomy of the device.
Open the Google app (G icon) or go to Settings on your smartphone, search the Apps section and select Google. From the app menu, look for Settings (often in the “More” section or called through your user profile) and you are interested in General or Search and Now.
- 📱 Discover tape: Find a Google Tape or Discover switch and turn it off.This will remove the news feed that is often loaded along with the search.
- 🎤 Voice control: In the Voice control section, you can turn off the activation by the phrase “OK, Google” if you do not use this feature.
- 🔍 Device Search: Turn off the on-device search option to prevent Google from indexing the content of your local files and apps.
It is important to understand that completely removing the Google app on global firmware versions is impossible without using ADB or superuser rights, as it is system-based. However, it can be “freezed” or disabled so that it does not appear in the interface.
Can I delete Google completely without a computer?
After making changes to the settings of the Google application, it is recommended to restart the device, which will allow the system to completely rebuild the launcher cache and apply new rules for displaying the services of the search giant.
Using third-party launchers for complete freedom
If the built-in MIUI feels too limited, the best solution is to install a third-party launcher, a radical but highly effective method that completely changes the interface of the smartphone, making it look like a pure Android.
The most popular options are Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher. After installing such a launcher and selecting its main one (via Settings). → Annexes → Application management → Three dots in a corner → Default applications → Desktop, you will have full control of the desktop.
| Launcher | Difficulty | Flexibility | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | Medium | Maximum | Low. |
| Lawnchair | Low. | Tall. | Minimum |
| Microsoft Launcher | Low. | Medium | Average. |
Third-party launchers by default don’t have a search bar on the left or intrusive widgets unless you add them yourself.This is ideal for those who want a minimalist interface. However, be prepared for the fact that some features specific to Xiaomi (such as control gestures or a second space) may not work correctly or require additional customization.
When you first launch a third-party launcher, the system may insist on returning to the standard interface. Just ignore these notifications or select Always for a new launcher. In a couple of days, you'll get used to the new management, which will be devoid of advertising integrations.
Hiding through Safe Mode and ADB (for Advanced)
For users who are not afraid of the command line, there is a method of hiding system components through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to remove or disable even those elements that are not disabled through settings, such as the system search widget, which can return after updates.
To start, activate Developer Mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on either MIUI Version or OS Version. Then, in the advanced settings, turn on “Debugging USB.” Connect your phone to your computer and execute a command to delete the search package.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchboxThis command will remove the Google Search widget for the current user without affecting the system partition, which is safe to warranty. However, if you decide to reset your phone to factory settings, the widget will return. Be careful: removing critical system components can lead to unstable device operation.
☑️ Preparation for use ADB
⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB Removing the wrong package (e.g., system launcher) can lead to a “brickle” interface when you can’t get into the settings menu.
If the interface is weird after using ADB, you can always return everything back with the command adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox.
Solving the problems with returning search after updates
A common problem for Xiaomi users is returning the search bar after an automatic system update. The company regularly changes component identifiers or resets the launcher settings to return its services to the user's screen.
To minimize the risks, disable automatic updates to system applications via GetApps (Xiaomi App Store). Go to the settings of this store and select to update the applications only via Wi-Fi or manually. This will give you time to check if the search bar is back before the system updates itself.
You can also back up your launcher settings if your model allows it. In some custom firmware or through special utilities, you can save the desktop configuration. Once you update and return the search bar, restoring the backup often returns your element visibility settings.
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If the search bar appears after the update, don’t rush to reset your phone. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find Desktop or System Launcher and click Clear Cache (not data!), then reconfigure visibility.
As a last resort, if updates are constantly breaking your interface setting, it makes sense to lock in the system version. To do this, in the update settings, disable Autoboot and AutoInstall. Only update when you know for sure that the new version does not contain unwanted changes to the interface, after reading the forum reviews.
Outcomes and impact on productivity
By removing the search bar and recommendation feed, you not only make the interface cleaner, but also potentially improve the smartphone experience. Background processes that are responsible for downloading news, geolocation and personalized offers consume RAM and battery power.
This is especially evident on low-end Redmi and POCO models with little RAM. Disabling Google Discover and system widgets frees up CPU resources, making desktop swipes smoother, an easy way to optimize that many users forget.
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Turning off visual debris on the desktop is not only aesthetics, but also a real way to extend the smartphone’s life from a single charge and speed up its response.
To sum up, the arsenal of methods to combat intrusive search on Xiaomi is large: from simple switches in settings to advanced methods through ADB. Choose one that matches your level of confidence in handling the technique, and enjoy a clean Android interface.