Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often face an intrusive interface that appears immediately after waking up the device. Instead of a clean screen with a watch, users see news widgets, links to apps and banner ads, this is the result of the MIUI branded shell or its new version of HyperOS, which are set by default to maximize user involvement in the service ecosystem.
The annoying elements can be part of the wallpaper carousel function, system recommendations or third-party applications installed by the manufacturer. Fortunately, the Android system allows you to flexibly adjust these settings, returning the device to a concise look. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to deactivate various types of links and widgets so that the lock screen becomes a purely functional tool, rather than a source of information noise.
The process of disabling may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and model of your gadget. We will look at universal methods that work on most of the current devices of the company. Understanding what mechanism generates links will help you choose the right way to solve the problem without installing third-party software.
The Nature of Links and Widgets on Lock Screen
Before you start removing them, it is important to understand the source of their origin. Most often, the Glance system service or the wallpaper carousel module is responsible for displaying additional content, these services are designed to personalize the device, tailoring the content to the user’s interests, but in practice they often become a source of advertising and links to app stores or news articles.
Another source could be widgets that you or the system accidentally added to the lock screen. In recent versions of MIUI, the interface allows you to place quick access shortcuts, a calendar, or even direct links to web resources.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling system services can lead to the disappearance of not only advertising, but also useful features, such as automatic change of beautiful wallpaper or weather widget.
Sometimes links are part of the theme, and if you install a third-party theme from Themes, it may contain built-in navigation elements that cannot be removed through standard system settings, in which case the only solution is to change the theme to a standard or more minimalist one.
Disconnecting Wallpaper Carousel and Glance
The most common link source is a feature that changes wallpaper every time you lock a screen, and in different regions it can be called Wallpaper Carousel, Glance, or Wallpaper Carousel, which is the service that most often loads banner ads and news feeds with click-through options.
To turn off, you need to go to the device settings. Find the Wallpaper section or the Always on screen and lock. Inside the menu, you will see the item responsible for changing images. The switch should be put inactive. This action will instantly clear the screen of dynamic content.
If the standard path doesn't work, try finding the Wallpaper Carousel app in the list of all programs, which can often be simply removed or disabled through the Application Manager, and then the system will stop downloading new images and the links that accompany them.
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After turning off the wallpaper carousel, it is recommended to manually set a static image so that the screen does not remain black or a standard gray background.
In some cases, the settings may be hidden, and then the settings search will help: type in the search box the word "carousel" or "Glance", and the system will tell you the desired switch, this is especially true for new versions of HyperOS, where the menu has been significantly revised.
Configure widgets and shortcuts for quick access
In addition to background services, links can be added manually as widgets. The lock screen in MIUI allows you to place useful items there, but sometimes there are forgotten store or browser shortcuts. You can remove them directly from the lock screen.
Press your finger on the lock screen or swipe to the right to open the edit menu. Here you will see a list of active widgets. By clicking on the edit button (usually a pencil or cross), you can delete unnecessary items. Pay special attention to widgets like "Recommendations" or "News".
- 📱 Camera and flashlight labels: often located in corners, can not be removed, but can be replaced functionality in some themes.
- 📅 Calendar widget: may contain links to events, check the settings of the calendar application itself.
- 🎵 Music player: displays cover and links to streaming services, turns off in the sound or notification settings.
It’s also worth checking the Notifications section in the lock screen settings. Some apps have permission to show advanced notifications with action buttons that are actually links. Restricting the display of such notifications will help clean the interface.
☑️ Checking widgets
Management of notifications and advertising in the system
Often, links come as part of push notifications from Xiaomi system applications, such as Security, Cleanup, or Music, which may look like system messages but contain ad integrations, and to remove them, you need to configure each application separately.
Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification management. Go through the list of system applications. Find items related to Recommendations, Promotions or Marketing and turn them off. This won’t disrupt the basic functions, but it will remove information noise.
| Annex | Type of notification | Action. |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Cleaning recommendations | Turn off "Receive recommendations" |
| Downloads. | File advertising | Remove the “Show recommendations” box |
| Music. | New and promo | Disable push notifications |
| Topics | New themes | Prohibit notifications |
Pay special attention to the Downloads app, which is where banner ads often accumulate, which can pop up as notifications, and there is a hidden setting inside the app (usually in a three-dot menu) that allows you to disable the display of recommendations.
⚠️ Warning: Do not disable notifications from messengers and emails, otherwise you will stop receiving important messages.
Use of third-party launchers and applications
If you can't get all the links out of the box, you can use third-party solutions, and installing an alternative lock screen is a radical but effective way to completely control what you see when you turn on your phone, and apps like Hi Locker or AcDisplay are replacing the system interface.
These apps offer flexible settings: you choose which widgets to display and have full control over the links, but it’s worth remembering that installing third-party software to work with the lock screen can increase battery consumption, since the application needs to constantly run in the background.
Risks of using third-party blockers
You can also consider installing custom themes that don't have built-in widgets. In Themes, look for screenshots when you search: if they show news feeds or icons on the lock screen, you'd better choose another theme. Minimalist themes usually don't have these drawbacks.
For advanced users, it is possible to use ADB commands to disable system packages responsible for advertising.This requires a connection to a computer and knowledge of specific commands, but allows you to remove advertising modules at the system level, making them impossible to reappear.
Frequent problems and their solution
Sometimes, after all the manipulation, links can come back, and this often happens after a major firmware update, when MIUI resets some user settings to factory values, in which case the deactivation procedure will have to be repeated.
Another problem may be the presence of viruses or malware that masquerade as system processes. If you notice that links lead to suspicious sites or ads appear even outside the lock screen, conduct a full antivirus check.
- 🔄 Resetting: Resetting all settings to factory settings helps in extreme cases, but be sure to back up the data.
- 🔒 Safe Mode: Enable Safe Mode to check if a third-party app is causing the problem.
- 🌐 Region of device: changing region in settings (e.g. Netherlands or India) sometimes changes the amount of advertising as advertising laws vary from country to country.
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Changing your device region to a country with strict laws (e.g., an EU country) often automatically reduces the amount of advertising content in the system interfaces.
Remember that complete sterility of the interface is possible only with the use of “pure” Android, which is found in the Xiaomi Mi A line (Android One) or on devices with custom firmware installed (LineageOS, Pixel Experience). MIUI The elements of monetization are conceptually laid.
Final recommendations for setting up
Customizing the lock screen is a balance between functionality and cleanliness. Deleting all elements completely can deprive you of convenient weather widgets or pedometers that many find useful. It is recommended to disable only those links that are openly advertising in nature.
Check system updates regularly. Xiaomi engineers sometimes listen to users, and newer versions of HyperOS provide more subtle tools to manage content on the lock screen. Keep an eye out for new items in the settings menu after each update.
⚠️ Note: When you update your firmware from the global version to the Chinese (or vice versa), the lock screen settings may change dramatically, as the Chinese version MIUI Traditionally contains more built-in services and widgets.
Competent notification settings and disabling intrusive services make it possible to turn your smartphone into a convenient tool that does not distract you from trifles. Take 10-15 minutes to initially set up to enjoy the clean and fast interface of your device in the future.