Xiaomi’s modern Android shells offer users many functional elements to speed up access to apps and settings. However, not all innovations are perceived positively: the Shortcuts widget, which often appears on the desktop by default, can be annoying and occupy useful space. Many owners of Redmi and Poco smartphones face the desire to return a classic, clean interface without unnecessary graphic elements.
Removing this component isn’t always a trivial task, as system widgets are often deeply integrated into the MIUI or HyperOS shell. Standard drag and drop-in to the cart doesn’t work in all firmware versions, and sometimes the icon just comes back after the device is restarted. In this article, we’ll go through all the known ways to get rid of unnecessary interface elements.
We'll look at both the standard setup tools and the more advanced methods that require a computer connection. It's important to understand that the interface may vary depending on the Android version and the regional firmware build, so having multiple options to solve the problem will allow you to find a working method for your device model.
Analysis of the widget Labels in the shell of MIUI
Before we start deleting, we need to understand what exactly we are dealing with. The Yarylki widget in the Xiaomi ecosystem is not just an app folder, but a dynamic element that can offer content based on your usage habits or ad integrations. It often occupies the top or bottom of the screen, breaking the symmetry of the icons.
In the latest updates to HyperOS, developers have changed the logic of the desktop, making some widgets undeleteable standard methods, part of a strategy to keep users focused on the company’s services, but the system still leaves loopholes for those who prefer minimalism.
⚠️ Note: Before making any changes to system settings or launching debugging commands, it is strongly recommended to back up important data. Although the risk of system damage is minimal, caution is never superfluous.
It is also worth noting that in some cases this widget may be part of the theme, and if you use a third-party theme from the Themes store, removing the widget may be blocked by the designer, in which case returning to a standard theme often resolves the problem automatically.
Standard methods of removal through screen editing
The most obvious and safe way to remove an extra element is to try to remove it by the operating system itself, which works on most devices where the widget is not fixed by rigid system constraints. The algorithm is simple, but requires attention to the details of the interface.
To start, unlock your smartphone and go to the home screen. Find the area where the interfering widget is located. Depending on the version of the shell, the actions may vary slightly, but the general logic remains the same for all Android devices.
- 📱 Press and hold your finger on the empty area of the screen to go into editing mode.
- 🗑️ Tap the shortcut widget itself and drag it to the top of the screen where the Remove zone or basket will appear.
- 🔄 If the widget is not removed, try clicking on the gear of the desktop settings in the corner of the screen and disable the widget display option.
Some versions of MIUI have a separate widget management menu, and to get there, you swipe to the right (Google Discover or Mi Vision) and click on the settings, and you can find a switch that displays quick shortcuts.
If standard deletion didn't work, and the widget comes back after the reboot, or just doesn't respond to drag and drop, then it's secured by system rights, and then we move on to deeper settings.
Set up the parameters of the desktop and launcher
Xiaomi’s shell has an extended launcher settings menu that is hidden from the eyes of the average user, and this is where the keys to managing desktop behavior lie, and these settings are accessed through the device’s Settings menu.
Go to Settings → Desktop (or Home) and you are interested in “Add Shortcuts to Desktop Widget” or a similar wording that depends on translation. Disabling this switch should prevent the item from appearing in the future.
☑️ Checking the launcher settings
Also worth paying attention to is the settings for Wallpaper Carousel Mode or Widget Tapes. Often shortcuts are part of these services. Disabling the widget tape to the left of the home screen can automatically remove the associated interface elements.
So if the problem returned after the next HyperOS update, you will have to recheck the launcher settings. This is a feature of Xiaomi’s proprietary software.
Use of Developer Mode and ADB
For advanced users who haven't been helped by standard methods, there's a more powerful tool called ADB (Android Debug Bridge) debugging, which allows you to remove or disable system components that aren't available through a conventional interface, and it requires you to connect your smartphone to your computer.
The first step is to activate the developer mode. → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the item "Version" MIUI» or "Version" OS». After the message “You became a developer” you can move on to the next stage.
In the menu "Additional" or "Extended settings" find the item "Developers". Turn on the switchboard "Debugging by" USB». Now, connect your phone to your PC with a cable. SDK Platform-Tools.
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.personalassistantThe above command disables the personal assistant, who is often responsible for widgets and news feeds. If the shortcut widget is part of the com.miui.home system application, the command may differ. Be careful: disabling critical system components can lead to unstable interface operation.
⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB Only enter validated commands, and disabling system packages can cause a cyclic bootloop or the disappearance of important phone functions.
Once you have completed the command, the widget should disappear instantly. If that hasn't happened, try restarting the device. To return the changes, use the command adb shell pm enable, where instead of using the command adb shell pm enable. package_name You need to name the disabled package.
Third-party launchers as a radical solution
If the built-in MIUI and HyperOS tools don't work, or if the shortcut widget is an integral part of your firmware version, there's a radical solution: installing a third-party launcher, which completely changes the look of the desktop.
Popular alternatives like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, or Microsoft Launcher allow you to flexibly customize every pixel of the screen. They don't have intrusive widgets from the manufacturer unless you add them yourself. Installing such an app is the best way to customize Android.
| Launcher | Difficulty setting up | Resource consumption | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | Medium | Low. | Very high. |
| Lawnchair | Low. | Minimum | Tall. |
| Smart Launcher | Low. | Average. | Medium |
| Microsoft Launcher | Low. | Average. | Tall. |
Once you install a third-party launcher, the system will ask which application to use as default for the home screen. Select the app installed. After that, the standard Xiaomi desktop will stop showing, and with it all system widgets will disappear.
Can a third-party launcher slow down the phone?
It’s worth noting that some features specific to Xiaomi (like swiping down for search or double-enabled to turn off the screen) may stop working or require additional customization through third-party assistant apps.
Possible problems and solutions
Users may encounter a number of difficulties in removing widgets, such as disappearing the widget but reappearing after a while, often involving automatic updates to system components or synchronization with the Mi Account cloud profile.
Another common problem is the appearance of interface artifacts, which can leave empty space or broken pixels when you remove the system widget, and you can change the desktop grid by going into the settings, changing the number of columns and rows, and then returning the values.
- 🔄 Resetting launcher settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → All applications → Desktop and click "Clear Data" and it will return the icons to the factory, killing the extra widgets.
- 📉 Version Conflict: If you have updated with MIUI 13 by 14 or HyperOS, old settings can conflict.Full reset of the phone (Hard Reset) often solves the problem.
- 🔒 Theme-blocking: Make sure the standard theme is active.Third-party themes from the Themes store can force widgets back.
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If the widget comes back after every phone turn on, try turning off the internet before you load your desktop, removing the widget, and then turning on the network. Sometimes this bypasses synchronizing settings.
In rare cases, the widget may be part of malware installed bypassing the app store. Check the list of installed apps for suspicious names without icons or strange permissions.
Final recommendations for cleaning the interface
The struggle to get a clean interface on Xiaomi smartphones is a process that requires patience, developers are constantly changing the layout of settings, but the basic principles remain unchanged, the main thing is not to be afraid to experiment within safe limits.
We've looked at ways from simple drag and drop to use the command line. For most users, settings inside the launcher or disabling the widget tape will be enough. Use ADB is reserved for extreme cases where other methods have exhausted themselves.
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The most reliable way to get rid of system widgets forever is to install a third-party launcher that completely ignores the design rules imposed by the manufacturer.
Remember that every remote interface element is not only aesthetic, but also the preservation of RAM and battery power. A clean desktop contributes to more productive work with the smartphone and reduces visual noise.