How to completely remove the left widget on Xiaomi: disable, hide and alternatives

The left-handed MIUI widget is one of the most controversial features among Xiaomi users, with some providing easy access to quick settings and favorite contacts, others an annoying element that eats up useful screen space, and a particularly pressing problem on small-sized devices like the Redmi Note 10 or Poco X3 Pro, where every pixel counts.

The problem is that the manufacturer didn't have an obvious "remove" button, the widget is integrated into the system launcher, but there are both official ways to hide it and workarounds to completely remove it. In this article, we'll look at all the current methods for MIUI 14/13/12.5, including solutions for older models on MIUI 11-12.

⚠️ Note: Some methods require superuser rights (root) or installing third-party software. This can disrupt the warranty and stability of the device. → The phone. → Backup.

1. Official method: disabling through MIUI settings

The safest method, which does not require additional software, is suitable for most devices on MIUI 12.5 and later, including Xiaomi 13/12, Redmi Note 11/12 and Poco F4/F5.

Algorithm of action:

1. Unlock the screen and swipe to the left of the main screen to open the widget.
2. In the upper right corner, tap the icon. ⚙️ "Settings" (or "Edit").
3. In the menu that opens, find the Show left screen (or Sidebar) switch and turn it off.
4. Confirm the action if a warning appears.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 13 for the global version), this switch may not be available. In this case, try an alternative path: Settings → Main screen screen → Additional settings → Left screen.

If after turning off the widget still appears when a random swipe, check the gesture settings:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Display. → Gestures.
• 🔍 Find the Swipe to the left of the main screen.
• 🚫 Select No Action or Disabled.

2. Hiding through system applications (without root)

If the standard shutdown doesn’t work, you can try deactivating the system application that controls the widget, a method that doesn’t require superuser rights, but can reset once the MIUI is updated.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type MiuiSystemUI (or System UI for global firmware).
3. Slip on the app, then select Warehouse.
4. Click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
5. Go back and select Disable (if the button is active).

🔹 Important: Disabling MiuiSystemUI can cause the interface to crash (for example, the notification panel will disappear). If this happens, restart the device or turn the application back on.

Alternatively, disable MiuiHome (launcher) MIUI), But it will reset all widgets and wallpapers on the home screen, and when you turn them off, you'll be asked to select another launcher (like Nova Launcher or Hyperion).

3.Use of ADB for complete removal (advanced method)

For users willing to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), there is a way to completely remove the widget from the system without root rights.This method is suitable for MIUI 12-14 and requires a computer with ADB drivers installed.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to unlock Developer Mode), then go back to Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging on USB.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.miservice

If the command fails, try an alternative package:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution

⚠️ Note: Removing system packages can lead to unstable operation MIUI. If errors occur after executing commands (for example, the camera or settings do not open), restore the packet by the command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.miservice

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Before working with ADB, check if the system partition is blocked on your device. To do this, type the command adb shell mount | grep system. If the answer is ro (read-only), then changes are impossible without unlocking the bootloader.

4. Installation of a third-party launcher (the most reliable way)

If all previous methods have failed or you are afraid of "breaking" system files, installing an alternative launcher is the most reliable solution, and it will completely replace the MIUI interface, including the left widget.

The best launchers for Xiaomi:

• 🏆 Nova Launcher - flexible gesture settings, support for themes and icons. Allows you to disable all unnecessary interface elements.
• 🎨 Hyperion Launcher – optimized for Xiaomi, retains branded chips MIUI left-wadgetless.
• ⚡ Lawnchair is a lightweight open source launcher that supports Android 10 gestures+.
• 🔄 Microsoft Launcher – Windows integration, minimalist design.

How to install and configure:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play (like Nova Launcher).
2. After installation, click the Home button and select the new launcher as the main one.
3. In the launcher settings (Long tap → Settings), find the Gestures and Navigation section.
4. Turn off the swipe left or reassign it to another action (such as opening Google Discover).

🔹 Advantage of the method: In addition to removing the widget, you will get additional features - support for dark themes, adaptive icons, hiding application names, etc. The disadvantage is some chips MIUI (Game Turbo or Second Space may not be available.

💡

The side launchers not only remove the left widget, but also speed up the interface on weak devices (for example, Redmi 9A or Poco C31).

5. editing system files (root only)

If you have a bootloader unlocked and you have Magisk installed (or another root manager), you can remove the widget by editing system files, which is irreversible and requires experience with Android.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/MiuiHome.
3. Find the file MiuiHome.apk and rename it to MiuiHome.apk.bak.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: After this action, the standard launcher MIUI Install an alternative launcher in advance (see previous section), otherwise you will not be able to use your phone after the restart!

An alternative way is to edit the build.prop file:

1. Open /system/build.prop in a text editor (e.g. BuildProp Editor).
2. Add a line:

ro.miui.has_left_screen=false

1. Save the changes and restart the device.

🔹 Important: Editing build.prop can lead to bootloop.Before changes, create a full backup through TWRP Or OrangeFox.

6.What to do if the widget returned after the update

One of the most common problems is that the left widget reappears after the MIUI update, which is because system applications are restored to the default state.

Solutions:

• 🔄 Update rollback: If the widget returned after the update, try rolling back to the previous version MIUI through settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⋮ → Select a Service Package.
• 🛠️ Re-disconnect: Follow the instructions in the first section – sometimes it helps to re-disable through the settings.
• 📱 Launcher reset: Clear MiuiHome data (Settings) → Annexes → MiuiHome → Warehouse → Clear the data. This will drop all the widgets and wallpaper, but it will remove the left panel.
• 🚫 Block Updates: If the widget returns due to automatic updates of system applications, disable them: Settings → Annexes → ⋮ → Special access → Updating apps in the background.

🔹 For users MIUI 14: In the latest firmware versions, the widget may be part of the MiuiSystemUI, which cannot be turned off without root. MIUI 13.

7. Left-hand widget alternatives: what to use instead

If you’ve removed the widget but want to keep quick access to frequently used features, consider these alternatives:

🔹 Tip: If you are missing contacts on the home screen, use the Contacts widget (4×2 or 4×1). It can be added by long press on the main screen. → Widgets → Contacts.

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you remove the widget, users often face typical problems.

• 🔧 "No left screen in the settings" → Check the version. MIUI. Nana MIUI 12.5 Enhanced Edition and MIUI 13 for China, this item may not be available. ADB side-launcher.
• 📵 "After the shutdown, notifications disappeared" → Clear the MiuiSystemUI cache and restart the device. If it doesn't work, return the default settings.
• 🔄 "The widget returns after the reboot" → This means that the system application is automatically restored, and the solution is to disable automatic updates of system applications (see section 6).
• 🚨 "phone got stuck after teams ADB" → Connect the device to your PC and follow the command adb reboot. If it doesn't work, go to Fastboot (Power). + Vol Down and run fastboot reboot.

⚠️ Note: If after manipulation of system files (root or ADB) The phone stopped turning on, try to go to Recovery (Power) + Vol Up) and make Wipe Cache Partition. If that doesn't work, you'll need to flash it over the Fastboot.

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Before any experiment with the system, check if you have a bootloader blocked. To do this, type in the terminal command fastboot oem device-info. If Device unlocked: false, then changes to system files are impossible without unlocking.