How to Remove the Second Screen on Xiaomi Redmi: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face a situation where the device interface changes and an additional page with news or widgets appears on the desktop.This feature, known as Google Discover or MIUI News Feed, can be useful for some, but completely unnecessary for other users. If you are looking for a way to remove the second screen on your phone, this article will be your comprehensive guide to customizing personalization.

There are several reasons why an extra desktop may be incorrect or annoying, sometimes as a result of a system update, and other times as a result of accidentally enabling a feature in the launcher settings, and understanding the nature of this element will help you quickly return to the familiar interface without losing important data.

In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios, from the standard turn off of the news feed to solving problems with hanging widgets. You will receive step-by-step instructions that will help you configure Xiaomi Redmi exactly as convenient for you, eliminating any unnecessary controls.

Reasons for the appearance of an additional desktop

The second page on the home screen is often associated with the activation of Google or Yandex in the launcher settings. MIUI by default offers users access to a personalized news feed that loads content based on your interests. For many, this comes as a surprise after first turning on or resetting the settings to factory settings.

Sometimes users accidentally activate this mode by swiping their finger too far to the right; other times, it's because of system updates that change standard desktop behavior; it's important to understand the difference between a standard function and a software failure when screens don't swipe correctly or freeze.

⚠️ Warning: If the second screen appears suddenly and doesn’t disappear after standard settings, it could indicate a system application conflict or malware.

There are several types of additional screens:

  • πŸ“° Google Discover News Feed – an aggregator of articles and events.
  • 🌀 Mi widgets - panel with weather, currency rate and pedometer.
  • πŸ”„ Failure of the graphical shell - a visual system bug.

Disable Google Discover feed through settings

The easiest and safest way to remove the second screen is to turn it off via the launcher settings menu, a method that works for most Xiaomi Redmi models with the current firmware version.

First, unlock the device and go to the main screen. Push two fingers together to open the desktop editing menu. In the lower right corner, you'll see the gear icon, which is the input to the interface settings.

In the menu that opens, find the option for the extra screen, depending on the MIUI version, it can be called "Ribbon," "Google," or "-1 screen." Turn the switch to "Off," and then swipe to the right will no longer call the news feed.

β˜‘οΈ Checking the launcher settings

Done: 0 / 4

If the standard path didn’t help, try the alternative through the general settings:

  1. Open the phone settings.
  2. Go to the Desktop section (may be inside the "Addvanced").
  3. Find the Lent option and select β€œNo” or β€œDisabled”.

Removing the second screen (interface glitch)

Sometimes the second screen is not a function, but a software glitch in which the system β€œthinks” there is content but shows a black or white background. This often happens after a failed update or overflow of the launcher cache.

The first step is to force the launcher process to close. Go to Settings β†’ Apps β†’ All apps. Find the Desktop (or System Launcher) list. Click on Stop or Close, and then clear the cache. This will reset temporary files that may have caused a display error.

⚠️ Attention: Clearing the launcher data can reset the location of your icons and widgets to standard, so remember the desktop diagram beforehand.

If the problem persists, check for system updates. Often Xiaomi releases patches that fix the graphical shell bugs. Go to Settings β†’ About the phone and click on the MIUI version to check for updates.

What to do if the launcher is constantly flying out?
If the desktop continues to work unstable after cleaning the cache, try installing an alternative launcher from the Play Market, such as Nova Launcher or Lawnchair.This will completely replace the standard interface and remove the system glitches of MIUI.

Customization of widgets and panels Mi

Newer versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14 have a separate widget mechanism that can also be perceived as a second screen, and on the left of the first page you can have a panel with large widgets, which you can remove by changing the style of the desktop.

Go to the theme or desktop settings, and you’ll find a choice between Classic Mode and Widget Mode, and a classic style switch will bring back the traditional grid of icons without sidebars, especially for those who have moved from old models to the new Xiaomi Redmi Note.

For more fine-tuning, use the function matching table:

FunctionWhere to find out.How to turn off
Google DiscoverDesktop settingsThe Lenta switch
Widget panelSettings of the topicChoose a "Classic" style
Yandex.RentWidget settingsRemove the Yandex widget
Mi Pay/WalletSecurityDisable quick access
πŸ“Š Which interface do you like better?
Classic Android
MIUI with widgets
HyperOS with islets
Third-party launcher

Use of third-party launchers

If Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t allow you to completely get rid of unnecessary elements or the second screen returns on its own, the best solution is to install a third-party launcher, a radical but effective method that gives you complete control over the appearance of the smartphone.

Popular launchers like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher completely replace the standard shell. Once you install such an application and assign it to the default, all MIUI system settings, including the second screen, cease to work. You get a pure Android-like interface.

Installing a third-party launcher is the only way to guarantee the removal of the second screen on models where the manufacturer has blocked this feature in the firmware.

Once the launcher is installed, the system can suggest selecting the default home screen app. Select the launcher installed and press Always. Now the swipe left or right will only lead to your desktops, without intrusive news feeds.

Resetting and system restoration

In extreme cases, when the second screen is the result of a deep system failure or damage to configuration files, a reset may be required.This step should only be performed if other methods have not helped, as it will delete all user data.

Before starting the procedure, make sure to back up your contacts, photos and important documents. Reset can be done via the recovery menu or through your phone settings. Select Erase all data and confirm the action. Once you reboot, the phone will be as new, without a second screen.

πŸ’‘

Before you reset completely, try to enter Safe Mode, press the off button, and when the menu appears, (hold it for a long time) turn it off. If there is no second screen in Safe Mode, the problem is with the third-party app.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I delete the second screen without losing data?
Yes, disabling Google feed or widgets through the launcher settings does not affect your personal files, contacts and installed apps.
Why does the second screen reappear after the update?
When you upgrade your MIUI system, the interface settings can be reset to factory values, where the news feed is often on by default, and you need to turn it off again.
Does the second screen affect battery consumption?
Yes, an active news feed is constantly updating content in the background, which consumes traffic and battery power, and turning off this feature can slightly extend the device's life.
How do I get the second screen back if I need it again?
Just go back to your desktop settings (two finger pinch) and turn on the Tape or Google switch. The changes will take effect instantly.

πŸ’‘

Complete removal of system components responsible for the second screen is impossible without root rights, but their disabling completely solves the problem of visual presence.