Many Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone users are faced with the same situation: accidentally moving your finger to the left of the home screen opens up an obscure dashboard with news or an assistant. This can be annoying, especially if you are used to pure Android or just appreciate minimalism. In the shell of MIUI and the new HyperOS, this feature is built-in by default, but it is easy to deactivate, regaining full control over navigation.
Developers are adding these elements to keep users focused, but not everyone needs constant access to news feeds or voice assistants via a side swipe. Fortunately, the system allows you to flexibly adjust desktop behavior. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to remove the swipe left on Xiaomi so that your interface becomes exactly what you want it to be, without unnecessary distractions.
The process of disabling may vary slightly depending on the operating system version and regional settings. We will look at all the current methods, including standard launcher settings and the use of third-party solutions for advanced users. Full swipe disabling is possible only through the desktop settings menu, hidden Google options or a change of launcher. Let's start with the basic methods that work on most devices.
Disable Mi Assistant and Google Discover via Settings
The most common scenario is that you have a built-in Mi Assistant or Google Discover newsfeed, and to swipe left on Xiaomi, you first need to look at the settings of the desktop itself, which is a standard method that requires no additional software installation and is safe to guarantee the device.
Go to the settings menu on your smartphone. Find a section that might just be called "Desktop" or "Main and Recent." This is where the key switches that control the behavior of the interface are hidden. You need to find "Mi Assistant" and put the slider inactive, and this action will instantly remove the empty or information panel on the left.
If you have a global firmware version, Google Discover can be activated instead of Mi Assistant, and then the logic is similar, but you should look for Google Discover or Google Tape, and turning off this option will also prevent you from going to the left of the far left icon, and it is worth noting that after the system update, the settings may reset, so it makes sense to check them again.
Some versions of the shell may have slightly different paths, for example, HyperOS often groups settings more compactly. If you don't find the right switch right away, search the settings by typing in the word "assistant" or "discover." The system will tell you where the switch is.
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If the switch in the settings is inactive (gray), try temporarily shutting down the internet, performing the action and turning the network back on – sometimes this helps activate the launcher settings menu.
Launcher setting and widget management
In addition to system assistants, a swipe to the left can be reserved for a One Screen widget or specific Xiaomi security widgets, and these elements are also managed through the launcher settings. It is important to understand the difference between a system assistant and a widget attached to a separate page.
To set up in detail, press and hold your finger on the empty desktop space. In the bottom menu that appears, select Settings (the gear icon). Here you will see a list of all active features. Look for the option "One screen" or "Device card." Disabling this item will free up space on the left.
Often users confuse swipe left with widget bar, which is called swipe down or right, but in older versions of MIUI there was the option of fixing widgets on the left. Make sure you do not have a widget "Security" or "News" in the first position if you use third-party themes.
- 📱 Click the empty area on the home screen to call the edit menu.
- ⚙️ Go to the launcher settings via the gear icon at the bottom.
- 🔍 Find the "Additional" or "Extended Settings" section".
- ❌ Turn off switches associated with Assistant, Discover or One Screen".
After making changes, it is recommended to restart the device so that the launcher cache is updated and the new settings are applied correctly, which is especially important for models with a large amount of RAM, where processes can stay in the background for a long time.
☑️ Checking the launcher settings
Use of third-party launchers for full control
If standard methods do not give the desired result or you want to radically change the appearance of the interface, the best solution is to install a third-party launcher. Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher allow you to completely ignore Xiaomi’s system limitations regarding swipes.
Once you have an alternative launcher, the system will suggest you select the default one. Select Always to replace the standard one. Most third-party launchers have Gestures or Inputs settings where you can reassign the swipe action left to launch a particular application or leave it blank.
Using third-party software provides another advantage: the absence of intrusive advertising and news that are often embedded in standard Xiaomi widgets. You get a clean Android experience even on a budget Redmi or POCO. However, it is worth considering that some system features, such as MIUI design themes, may stop working.
⚠️ Note: When installing a third-party launcher, some Xiaomi system widgets (calendar, weather style) MIUI) You may not display correctly or stop updating. Use standard Google widgets or analogues.
For advanced users, an ADB setting is available, allowing the system component in charge of the left panel to be disabled without installing a new launcher, requiring a computer connection and executing commands, but giving them deep control over the system.
Comparison of methods of turning off the left panel
The choice of method depends on your goals: whether you want to simply remove the annoying element or completely redesign the navigation.
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launcher settings | Low. | Tall. | Safe, full-time function |
| Third-party launcher | Medium | Maximum | Replaces the interface, possible conflicts |
| ADB team | Tall. | Tall. | Requires caution, risk of error |
| Tablet mode | Low. | Low. | Changes the logic of the entire device |
As you can see from the table, for most users, the best option is to use built-in settings, which is fast, safe and reversible at any time, and third-party launchers are worth considering for those who want to customize their smartphone.
Specifics of working in the mode of the tablet and split screen
Newer versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14 have a feature that turns a smartphone into a tablet in horizontal orientation or on large screens, in which the left panel can perform the function of a multitasking or quick access panel, and its behavior is governed by separate rules.
If you're using a smartphone in split-screen or landscape mode, swipe to the left can open a list of running apps. This is a system behavior that's difficult to turn off completely without root rights, but you can minimize the impact. In the "About special features" or "One finger control" settings, you can find the appropriate switches.
Also worth mentioning is the Sidebar feature, which is often confused with a swipe to the left, called by a swipe from the edge of the screen, but not necessarily the left. Check the Side menu settings in the "Additional" section to make sure you don't turn off the functionality you want while trying to remove the news feed.
For flexible screen devices or foldable Xiaomi smartphones, the left panel can be part of the shell interface optimized for large displays. In such cases, the complete removal of the element can disrupt the layout of the interface, so manufacturers often hide this option.
What to do if the settings are reset by themselves?
Problem Solving and Frequent User Errors
Sometimes users complain that the swipe left won't be removed despite the instructions being followed. Often the problem lies in the cache of the Security app or the launcher itself. Try clearing the cache of these system components through the Apps menu" → "All applications" → "Security" → "Clear the data".
Another common mistake is the confusion between swiping to the left of the screen (which opens the side menu) and swiping to the left of the center of the screen (which opens Google Discover).
If you upgraded to HyperOS, the settings interface might have changed. Look for items related to Smart Assistant or Screen Rec, as newer versions often regroup. Remember that in different regions (China, Global, Europe) the item names may differ.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to remove system applications through root-righted file managers unless you are sure of their purpose. Deleting Google Discover or Mi Daemon may result in system instability or cyclical restarts.
If nothing works, you can reset the launcher to factory settings, which will return the desktop to its original state, but will save your personal data and photos. After the reset, reset the left panel.
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The most reliable way to remove the swipe is to combine disabling the Mi Assistant in settings and clearing the launcher cache if the changes don’t apply immediately.