How to Remove Google Widget from Home Screen on Xiaomi: Working Techniques for 2026

The Google Discover widget (formerly known as Google Feed) automatically appears on the home screen of most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones after upgrading to MIUI 12 and later.This element takes up valuable space, consumes traffic in the background and is not always user-friendly. Despite the fact that Xiaomi integrates Google services at the system level, there are several ways to disable it - from simple settings to deep changes to ADB.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods, including hidden MIUI settings, using Nova Launcher, disconnecting via ADB, as well as a radical solution for advanced users. We will pay special attention to the nuances for different versions of the shell (MIUI 12/13/14) and models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.). If you are tired of the unnecessary widget that eats battery power and prevents customization, read on.

Why does Google widget appear on Xiaomi and can it be removed forever?

The Google Discover widget is installed on Xiaomi smartphones under an agreement between the company and Google under the Mobile Services (GMS) program.

• 🔍 Google Search on the Main Screen
• 📰 Discover News Feed (left of the main screen)
• 🔄 Automatic content updates in the background

Technically, the widget is part of the com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox system application, which cannot be removed without root rights. However, it can be disabled, hidden or replaced with alternative solutions. It is important to understand that after a reset or major update to the MIUI, the widget can return - so some methods require reuse.

Xiaomi doesn’t provide a direct option to remove the widget in the settings, but workarounds do exist, and we’ll go from the simplest to the most complex, taking into account the risks and limitations of each method.

Method 1: Disable Google feed through MIUI settings (without root)

The most secure method that works on most devices with MIUI 12-14 is that it doesn’t remove the widget completely, but it removes the news feed and search bar from the home screen:

1. Long tap on the free seat of the home screen → select “Screen settings”** (or Home → Settings in some versions).
2. Go to Screen Style → Additional settings.
3. Find the Google Tape* option (or Google App) and turn off the slider.
4. Confirm the action if a warning appears.

After that, the news feed on the left and the search bar will disappear, but the Google app itself will remain in the system, which is reversible, the widget can be returned at any time.

Add an alternative weather widget to the screen|Save important bookmarks from Google feed|Check the version. MIUI In Settings → The phone.|Turn off auto-update apps in the Play Market-->

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 13 for POCO F4, Redmi K50) This option might be called something else, like Google Feed or Google Assistant. If you don't have one, try updating it. MIUI last-minute.

Method 2: Using Nova Launcher to replace the standard launcher

If standard MIUI settings don’t allow you to remove the widget, you can install a third-party launcher, such as Nova Launcher, which gives you full control over the main screen, including the ability to hide the system widgets:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Play Market.
2. Launch the application and select it as the default launcher (a system request will appear).
3. Long press on the screen → Settings → Widgets.
4. Find the Google widget in the list and drag it to the cart (or turn off the display).

Nova Launcher also allows you to:

• 🎨 Customize icons, animations and gestures.
• 🔒 Block system widgets from reappearing.
• 📱 Create backup copies of screen settings.

The downside: Nova Launcher consumes additional RAM (~100-150 MB), but this is offset by the flexibility of the configuration. For budget models (Redmi 10A, POCO M4), it is better to use a lightweight version of Nova Launcher Prime.

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)

If previous methods didn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a deep-tuning tool that completely disables Google’s OS-level widget, but requires a PC connection and command knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB
2. Connect your phone to your PC and install ADB Tools.
3. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with adb.exe and type: adb shell pm hide com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
4. Reset the device.

This command hides the Google app for the current user, but does not remove it. To return the widget, use:

adb shell pm unhide com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

⚠️ Note: On some devices (Xiaomi 12 Pro, POCO F5) after-out ADB Voice search and other Google Assistant features may stop working. Make a backup before you execute commands!

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

This will disable the application for the current user without completely removing it.-->

Method 4: Delete via De-bloater (requires unlocking the bootloader)

For users willing to take drastic measures, it is possible to completely remove unnecessary Google apps using tools like Universal Android De-bloater (UAD).

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 💻 Established ADB and Fastboot.
• 🛠️ Backup of data (risk of loss of information!).

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool.
2. Set UAD on the PC.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (Off → Hold Power + Vol−).
4. In UAD, select com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox and click Uninstall.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Complete removal of the widget without the possibility of recovery.
• ✅ Liberation. ~200-300 MB of memory.
• ✅ Disabling Google Background Activity.

Risks:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (when unlocking the bootloader).
• ❌ Possible malfunctions in Google Play Services.
• ❌ The need for manual firmware updates.

💡

Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the phone! Before the procedure, save contacts, photos and applications to the cloud or on your PC.

Method 5: Reset the launcher settings (if the widget returned after the update)

After updating MIUI or resetting the Google widget can appear again, in which case, resetting the settings of the standard launcher will help:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find MIUI Launcher (or com.miui.home).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

After discharge:

• 🔄 The main screen will return to factory settings (apps will remain).
• 📱 Google widget will disappear, but it can be added again manually.
• ⚙️ Wallpaper and folder settings will reset.

This method doesn’t remove the widget permanently, but it allows you to quickly remove it after auto-restore.For a permanent solution, combine it with Nova Launcher or ADB.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

For most users, the best solution would be a combination of Nova Launcher + disabling through the MIUI settings. If you're ready to experiment, try ADB, but only after you've created a backup. The De-bloater method is only suitable for enthusiasts who understand the risks.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Google widget on Xiaomi