How to Remove Xiaomi Tab from TV Screen: The Complete Guide

Why does the Xiaomi tab appear and can it be removed?

Xiaomi’s tab on the brand’s home screen is a pre-installed section with content recommendations, advertising and quick access to the company’s services. It appears automatically after the device is first turned on and often interferes with users by ranking among their favorite apps. Unlike third-party apps, system tabs cannot be removed in the standard way through the App Management menu.

The reasons users want to get rid of this tab range from aesthetic discomfort to the desire to free up the TV’s RAM. For example, on Mi TV 4S and Mi TV Q1 models, the tab can load data in the background, which slows down the interface. It is important to understand that complete removal is not possible on all firmware – some versions of PatchWall (Xiaomi’s shell for TV) block such changes.

In this article, we’ll look at all the working methods, from simple interface settings to deep changes in system files. If you’re using a TV older than 2020, some of the methods may not work because of outdated software versions. For new models (such as the Xiaomi TV A Pro 2023), all the steps below are relevant.

Method 1: Hiding tabs through interface settings

The safest and most recommended method is to temporarily hide the tab without deleting system files, which is suitable for most PatchWall 3.0 and later models. You do not need root rights or a PC connection.

Instructions:

• 📺 Press the Home button on the remote (3-5 seconds) to open the editing menu of the main screen.
• 🔍 Find the Xiaomi tab (usually located first or second on the left).
• ➖ Click on the icon. − (minus) in the top corner of the tab. In some firmwares, you need to hold the button OK on the remote, pointing the cursor over the tab.
• ✅ Confirm the action in the window that appears. The tab will disappear, but will remain in the list of hidden items.

Limitations of the method:

• ⚠️ After updating the firmware tab may appear again.
• ⚠️ On PatchWall 2.0 models (e.g. Mi) TV 4A 2018: This method does not work.

Make sure the TV is connected to the internet.

Update the firmware to the latest version

Remember the location of other tabs

Do not click the Reset button in the editing menu-->

Method 2: Disconnection through Developer Mode

If the standard concealment fails, you can try disabling the tab through the developer mode, which requires activation of additional settings and works on PatchWall 3.5+ firmware.

Steps to activate the mode:

1. Go to Settings → About TV → The version of the software.
2. Click 7 times in a row on the line with the build number (the notification “You became a developer” will appear).
3. Go back to the main settings menu and find a new section for developers.

Next:

• 🔧 Enable the debugging option USB (If you plan to connect the TV to the PC).
• 📱 Find the Interface Settings or System Applications parameter.
• 🔍 In the list, find Xiaomi Recommendation (or similar name) and turn it off.

Warning:

⚠️ Note: Do not disable system services with the names com.droidlogic or android.tv – this can lead to a failure of the interface and the need to reset settings.

Method 3: Remove via ADB (for power users)

If previous methods failed, you can remove the tab completely using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the TV to your computer and basic command line knowledge, and is suitable for all Android TV models, including the Xiaomi TV A2 43" and Mi TV Q2 55".

Tools required:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (Type-A – Type-A or Type-A – MicroUSB depending on the model TV).
• 📦 Utility. ADB Tools by Google.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Developer Mode (see Method 2).
2. Connect the TV to your PC with a cable. On the TV screen, confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the command prompt (or Terminal) and type: Adb devices Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).
4. Follow the command to remove the tab: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.mitv.recommendation For 2023 models, use the com.xiaomi.mitv.appstore package instead of com.mitv.recommendation.
5. Reboot the TV with the command: adb shell reboot

Hiding through the menu

Developer mode

ADB-team

I've tried nothing.-->

Possible errors and solutions:

⚠️ Warning: Removing system packages may disrupt air updates (OTA). Before executing commands, create a backup of settings in Settings → System system → Backup.

Method 4: Resetting the TV to factory settings

If the tab appeared after the firmware update or it cannot be removed by other means, a complete reset will help.This method will return the TV to the state of "out of the box" by removing all installed applications and settings. TV 5 Pro and Redmi Smart TV X.

How to perform the reset:

1. Go to Settings → Device → Reset and Recovery.
2. Select Settings Reset (not to be confused with Network Reset!).
3. Enter. PIN-code (by default 0000 or 1234 if not changed).
4. Confirm the action. The TV will restart and start the cleaning process (it will take 5-10 minutes).

What to do after the discharge:

• 🔄 Don’t connect your Mi Account immediately – check if the tab has disappeared first.
• 📥 Refuse to automatically download recommendations in the setup wizard.
• 🔧 If the tab is back, repeat Method 1 before connecting to the Internet.

💡

Before reset, write down the image settings (brightness, contrast, color temperature) — you have to adjust them again. Use Movie Mode for quick calibration.

Method 5: Locking through the file system (root)

For users who are prepared for radical measures, there is a method of blocking tabs by editing system files, which requires root rights and is only suitable for experienced users, and improper actions can lead to a device being broken.

Algorithm of action:

1. Get root access using the Magisk utility (see the XDA Developers forum for specific model instructions).
2. Connect to the TV via ADB (see Method 3) and type in: adb shell su mount -o rw, remount /system
3. Go to the folder with system applications: cd /system/priv-app/MiTvRecommendation (the path may be different – check for your model).
4. Rename the application folder: mv MiTvRecommendation MiTvRecommendation_bak
5. Reboot the TV: reboot

Risks of the method:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• ⚠️ Impossibility to obtain OTA-update.
• ⚠️ Potential failures in other system applications.

💡

Before editing system files, make sure to create a full backup through TWRP or a similar utility.This is the only way to restore the TV if you make a mistake.

What if the tab returned after the update?

Many users are faced with the fact that the Xiaomi tab appears again after an automatic firmware update, due to the company's policy of forcibly restoring system components, to prevent the tab from returning:

Ways to block updates:

• 🚫 Turn off automatic updates in Settings → System system → Update of the PO → Settings (⚙️) → Auto-update.
• 🔕 Use a packet blocker (such as Package Disabler Pro) to disable update services (com.xiaomi.updater).
• 📵 For root-righted models, manually delete the update file: adb shell su rm /cache/ota/update.zip

If the tab has already returned:

1. Repeat Method 3 (ADB), but instead of removing, use the lock command: adb shell pm hide com.mitv.recommendation
2. For PatchWall 4.0+, try the alternative package: adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.mitv.appstore.plugin

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Xiaomi tab