How to permanently remove the widget Google from the home screen Xiaomi Mi A2: detailed instructions

Google search widget on the home screen Xiaomi Mi A2 often annoys users — it takes up space, interferes with the placement of icons and is not always convenient. This is especially true for owners of the Mi A2 model, which runs on a “pure” Android One without a branded MIUI shell. Unlike other Xiaomi smartphones, there are no standard options for hiding the widget through the theme settings.

Many people try to just drag the widget into the cart, but this does not always work — the system can automatically restore it after a reboot. Others look for a solution to turn off the Google App app, but this is fraught with disruptions in Google Play services and sync. In this article, we will discuss three working ways, including hidden launcher settings and alternative shells, which will help get rid of the intrusive widget forever.

It’s important to understand that the Xiaomi Mi A2 has a unique configuration because of the Android One program, which means that the standard methods for Redmi or POCO don’t work here.

Why does Google widget appear again after deletion?

The main problem is that the Google search widget is integrated into the Pixel Launcher system launcher (or a modified version of it for Android One).Even if you manually remove it, the launcher can restore the widget the next time you upgrade or reboot the device.

Here are the key reasons for the widget’s “return”:

• 🔄 Automatic Launcher Update via Google Play – Newer versions often reset custom settings.
• 📱 Google system services that force widgets to “improve user experience".
• ⚙️ Resetting launcher settings after clearing the cache or Google App data.
• 🔧 Android One Policy that Limits Customization Depth Compared to MIUI.

Interestingly, some Mi A2 firmware only has a widget when it's connected to the Internet, which is because Google Services Framework synchronizes screen settings with the company's servers, and if you notice this pattern, one of the ways you can get around this limitation is bypassing this restriction.

Method 1: Remove by long pressing (basic method)

The easiest way to do that, which works 60 percent of the time, is to do the classic interface removal, but there are nuances on the Mi A2 that few people know about.

Follow the following steps:

1. Press and hold the Google widget on the home screen.
2. In the menu that appears, select Remove from the screen (or the basket icon).
3. If the option is not available, drag the widget up the screen to the inscription Delete.

If the widget doesn’t get deleted or comes back after a reboot, try the extra trick:

• 🔄 Restart your smartphone in safe mode (press the power button). → Restarting in Safe Mode).
• 🧹 In Safe Mode, re-delete the widget – Google’s background processes are disabled here, which can block the action.
• 📱 After removal, restart back to normal mode.

Important! Some versions of the firmware for the Mi A2 may miss the search bar in the notification bar after removing the widget. If it's critical, use Method 2.

Method 2: Disconnecting through Google App Settings

If physical deletion doesn’t work, you can block the widget at the system level, which doesn’t require root rights, but it will require caution – wrong actions can disrupt other Google services.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications and notifications → Show all applications.
2. Find Google (or Google App) in the list and tap it.
3. Select Additional → Disable (on some firmwares the option is called Remove Updates).
4. Confirm the action. The widget will disappear, but the search bar at the bottom of the screen may remain.

To completely remove the search bar:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Google → Notifications.
• 🔔 Disable all notifications related to Search and Discovery.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache and data of the Google app (Warning: This will reset your personal search settings!).

⚠️ Note: If Google Play Services stopped working after disabling the Google App, return the settings back and use Method 3. A2 This leads to account synchronization error.

Method 3: Installation of an alternative launcher (radical solution)

If the first two methods don't work, the most reliable way to do this is to replace the standard launcher, which not only removes the Google widget, but also adds new customization capabilities.

Best launchers for Xiaomi Mi A2:

How to install and configure:

1. Download the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. After installation, click the Home button and select the new launcher as standard.
3. In the launcher settings (Long tap on the home screen → Settings), turn off the option to Show Google widget (the name may differ).
4. If necessary, hide the search bar in the dock panel through Settings → Doc → Hide the search.

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If after installing an alternative launcher on the Mi A2, application icons disappear, restart the device or clear the launcher cache in the application settings.

⚠️ Note: Some Android One firmware may lose access to Google Feed after changing the launcher. If you need this feature, select a launcher with Google Discover support (for example, Lawnchair).

Additional settings: how to prevent the return of the widget

Even after successful removal, the widget may return after updating the Google App or resetting settings. To avoid this, follow the following steps:

1. Freeze the Google App updates:

• 🛑 Go to Google Play. → Menus. → Settings → Auto-update of applications.
• 🔍 Find Google in the list and turn off auto updates.
• 📵 In the Google app settings, disable internet access (in the Mobile Data and Wi-Fi section).

2.Use. ADB-command to disable the widget (requires PC):

adb shell pm hide com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

This command hides the Google app at the system level without deleting it. To get it back, use:

adb shell pm unhide com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

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ADB-The command is the most reliable way to remove the widget forever, but requires a connection to the computer and enabled debugging. USB.

3. Set limits for Google Services:

• 🔧 B Settings → Annexes → Google Play Services → Battery select Limit background activity.
• 🚫 B Settings → Accounts. → Google Disables Sync for App Data and Device Information.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you remove the Google widget, users of the Xiaomi Mi A2 often face typical problems.

1.The widget is removed but returned after the reboot

• 🔄 Before deleting, turn off the Internet (airplane mode) – this will prevent synchronization with Google servers.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache and data of Google apps after removing the widget.

2. The search bar in the notification bar disappears

• 🔍 Install an alternative search widget (e.g., Sesame Search or QuickSearchBox).
• ⚙️ Enable search in the launcher settings (Nova Settings) → Search → Enable Search Bar).

3.The launcher starts to brake after shift

• 🧹 Clear the launcher cache in Settings → Annexes.
• 🔄 Turn off animations in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Assembly number (7 taps) → Animation. = 0.5x).

⚠️ Note: On the firmware Android One for Mi A2 You can’t completely remove Google App through ADB or root, this will lead to critical errors in the operation of Google Play services and loss of functionality of the smartphone!

Alternative search widgets for Xiaomi Mi A2

If you’ve removed the Google widget but want to keep your search quick, consider these alternatives:

1. Sesame Search

• 🔍 Searches not only on the Internet, but also in applications, contacts, messages.
• 🎨 Complete customization of appearance.
• 🔒 No forced advertising.

2. QuickSearchBox

• 📱 Lightweight widget with minimalistic design.
• 🔄 Supports voice search.
• 🌐 Integration with Google, DuckDuckGo and other search engines.

3. Microsoft Bing Search

• 💰 Daily search bonuses (can be exchanged for gift cards).
• 📈 Good integration with office applications.
• ⚠️ Less privacy than alternatives.

To install an alternative widget:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Add the widget to the main screen through a long press → Widgets.
3. Configure the search options in the application (language, sources, appearance).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions