Widgets on Xiaomi smartphones can be useful, but they often take up space on the home screen, slow down the system or just annoy with constant notifications. If you want to free up space, speed up the interface or just get the desktop in order – this article will help you understand how to completely remove widgets on devices with MIUI 12, 13 and 14, including models Redmi, POCO and Black Shark.
We’ll look at all the possible methods, from standard removal via long press to hidden developer settings and even manual editing of system files for advanced users. It’s important to understand that some widgets (such as system ones from Google or Mi Fit) can behave differently – removing them will require a separate approach. At the end of the article, you will find an FAQ with answers to frequent questions and a method compatibility table for different versions of MIUI.
1. Standard removal of widgets through long press
The easiest way to do this, which works on 90% of widgets, is to remove directly from the home screen, and it works for most custom widgets (weather, calendar, notes) and some system widgets.
How to do this:
- 📱 Find the widget on the main screen that you want to remove.
- 👆 Press it and hold it with your finger. 1-2 seconds.
- 🗑️ At the top of the screen will appear basket (or the inscription Delete) – drag widget there.
- ✅ Confirm the action if required.
⚠️ Note: This method does not work for widgets built into the MIUI system-level (e.g. Google Search or Mi Home) will require other methods described below.
2. disabling widgets in the launcher settings
If the long press didn’t work, try disabling widgets through the settings of the standard MIUI launcher.This method is suitable for system widgets that can’t be removed in the usual way.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- In the search bar, type in the Launcher (or MIUI Launcher) and select it.
- Go to Warehouse → Clear the data (this will reset the screen settings, but won’t delete the apps!).
- Return to the main screen, press the empty space and select Screen Settings → Widgets.
- Uncheck the unneeded widgets or disable them completely.
💡 Useful tip: If widgets returned after clearing the launcher data, try turning off automatic addition of widgets in the settings MIUI Optimization (not available on all models).
☑️ Preparation for widget removal
3. Remove via application settings (for third-party widgets)
Many widgets are installed with third-party applications (for example, Yandex.Weather or AliExpress), and to get rid of them, sometimes it is enough to remove or disable the application itself.
Step-by-step:
- 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 📌 Find the application to which the widget relates (e.g. Google for the search widget).
- 🚫 Click Disable (if the Remove button is inactive).
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – the widget should disappear.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling system applications (such as Mi Browser or Mi Video) can cause the phone to run in an unstable way!
| Type of widget | Can I remove it in the standard way? | Does the application need to be disabled? | Risk to the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weather (Mi Weather) | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | Low. |
| Google Search Search | ❌ No. | ⚠️ Partially (required) ADB) | Medium. |
| Calendar (Mi Calendar) | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | Absent. |
| Mi Home (Smart Home) | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | High (may break device management) |
4.Use ADB to remove system widgets
For advanced users who want to completely remove system widgets (such as Google Discover or Mi Game Center), the ADB method is suitable.
Instructions:
- Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Settings → About Phone → Press 7 times on the MIUI version.
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
- Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB Tools and execute the command:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.weather2 # example for weather widget
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox # for Google DiscoverImportant: Not all widgets can be removed this way without consequences, for example, deleting com.miui.home will lead to the launcher crash!
List of safe packet removal
5.Resetting launcher settings to factory
If widgets continue to appear after removal, the problem may be the launcher settings: a full reset will return the main screen to factory status, but will delete all your personal settings (wallpaper, folders, icon location).
How to reset:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔍 Find it. MIUI Launcher (or just a launcher).
- 🗑️ Press Warehouse. → Clear all data.
- 🔄 Reboot the phone.
⚠️ Note: After reset, all widgets will disappear, but they can return after the update. MIUI. To avoid this, immediately after reset, turn off the automatic addition of widgets in the launcher settings.
💡
Before resetting the launcher, take screenshots of the main screen - so you will quickly restore the location of the icons after cleaning.
6.Alternative launchers: a radical solution
If none of these methods worked, consider installing a side launcher (like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Hyperion Launcher) that lets you completely disable MIUI system widgets and customize the main screen for yourself.
The advantages of alternative launchers:
- 🎨 Full customization of the main screen.
- 🚫 Ability to disable all system widgets.
- 🔧 Additional functions (gestures, animations, themes).
Cons:
- ⚠️ Certain functions MIUI (Super Wallpapers may not work.
- 🔋 Small increase in battery consumption.
💡 Tip: Before installing a third-party launcher, check its compatibility with your version MIUI. Some launchers (like Nova Launcher) have special settings for Xiaomi.
💡
Alternative launchers are the only way to completely get rid of system widgets without root rights.