Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have powerful functionality, but the shell of MIUI or HyperOS is often overloaded with visual elements. Users face the need to clear the desktop of unnecessary widgets, system shortcuts or intrusive advertising that appears in the form of notification icons. Remove icons from the screen of the android xiaomi redmi is a solvable task, but requires understanding the logic of the system. In this article, we will discuss all methods of cleaning the interface, from basic settings to advanced manipulation.
Before you start any action, it’s important to realize that removing some items can affect the speed or availability of features. System shortcuts provide fast navigation, but their excess creates visual noise. We’ll look at ways to hide apps, disable recommendations and remove notification icons that interfere with the comfort of the gadget. Each step will be described in as much detail as possible so that you can safely optimize your device.
⚠️ Before removing system components or changing developer settings, make sure you understand the consequences of your actions, as this can lead to unstable interface operation.
Removing and Hiding Application Shortcuts on the Desktop
The most obvious way to clean up space is to remove unnecessary shortcuts. However, there are nuances in the Xiaomi ecosystem. Simply dragging an icon into the cart removes only the shortcut, but not the app itself if it is system-based. To completely remove third-party software, you need to pinch the icon and select Delete from the menu that appears. If there is no delete button, then the application is built into the firmware and requires deeper intervention to uninstall.
App Hide feature is a great way to remove icons from the screen without removing the programs themselves. This is especially true for bank customers or personal photo galleries. To activate this mode, you need to go to desktop settings via Settings → Desktop menu. There you will find the “Hide Apps” option, which will require you to set a password or fingerprint to access hidden content.
- 📱 Press the blank area of the screen to call the edit menu.
- 🔒 Use the “Hide Apps” feature for privacy.
- 🗑️ Remove shortcuts by swiping up or dragging into the basket.
- ⚙️ Disable Desktop Auto Supplement in Launcher Settings.
⚠️ Warning: Hidden apps won’t display notifications on the lock screen, which can cause important messages to be missed.
Importantly, the launcher can have its own display settings. In some versions of MIUI, you can change the screen grid to make the cells larger, which will visually reduce the number of visible icons. It's also worth checking the Tools folder, where the system automatically collects standard utilities. You can't take this folder apart, but you can move it to the end of the list or to the second page of the desktop so that it doesn't horn your eyes.
Configure widgets and widget "Ribbon" (App Vault)
Users often complain about a swipe to the left that opens the Tape or App Vault. This section is full of news, recommendations and widgets that many consider garbage. Removing icons from the Android xiaomi redmi screen in this context means turning off the tape itself or clearing it of widgets. To do this, swipe left, click on the settings button (usually a gear or plus in the corner) and switch the App Tape to the Off position.
If you use weather widgets or pedometers, but you want to change their appearance, it's done through a long press on the widget. You'll see a menu where you can choose style (Classic, Modern) or size. Some widgets, like Horizon or News, can stream advertising content. You'll better remove them by replacing them with a static watch or calendar. This will not only remove visual noise, but also save battery power, because the widgets are constantly updating data.
The table below shows the main types of widgets and how to manage them in the Xiaomi interface:
| Type of widget | Management method | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|
| Weather. | Long pressing → Settings | High (GPS, network) |
| News feed | Settings → Apps Tape | Average (traffic) |
| Calendar | Size editing | Low. |
| Managing music | Desktop removal | Low. |
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Disabling the weather widget on the desktop can significantly extend battery life, as the constant request for GPS coordinates will stop.
Disabling Advertising and Intrusive MSA Badges
One of the main reasons for the appearance of unnecessary icons and pop-up windows is the service MSA (MIUI System Ads. This is the system component that handles advertising. To effectively remove the icons from the xiaomi redmi screen associated with the promotional offers, you need to turn off recommendation receipt. Go to Settings. → Passwords and security → Authorization and cancellation. Search the msa list and turn off the slider. The system will warn you of an error, you need to wait 10 seconds and click Cancel».
It's also worth checking the settings of specific applications. For example, in Downloads or Music, recommendations are often included. Open the application, click on three dots or a gear, find "Get recommendations" and turn it off. This will remove the "Hot" or "New" icons from the application icons. In the Mi Browser browser, you need to separately disable (push) notifications in the news feed settings to clear the top curtain from debris.
- 🚫 Disable msa in the authorization section.
- 📉 Remove the “Receive recommendations” box in system applications.
- 🔔 Check notification settings for each application separately.
- 🛡️ Use antivirus to search for advertising software.
⚠️ Attention: After disconnection MSA Advertising may not disappear instantly, requiring a device reboot and waiting up to 24 hours for a complete update of the system policies.
There's another hidden option to reduce visual noise: In the notification settings, you can select No Sound mode for certain applications, which will hide their icons in the curtain, but save the notification history inside the application. This is useful for games or stores that constantly send discount notifications. A full MSA shutdown requires a re-try 10 seconds after the first system failure.
☑️ Checklist for anti-advertising
Managing Notification Badges and Status Bar
The top of the screen, or status bar, is often filled with icons that interfere with viewing. To remove icons from the xiaomi redmi Android screen in this area, you need to properly set notifications. Go to Settings → Notifications and status bar. Here you can turn off the display of icons for specific applications. For example, the NFC icon can be hidden if you do not use payment constantly, and the alarm icon will disappear if you turn off its display in the clock settings.
Special attention should be paid to the “Hearbursts” or “USB” icon, which can hang constantly due to connector contamination or software failure. If the icon does not disappear after removing the accessories, try rebooting the system interface. For advanced users, the method of cleaning through the engineering menu is available, but ordinary users just need to clean the Settings app cache or reset the network settings. This often solves the problem of stuck connection icons.
HyperOS and newer versions of MIUI have the ability to group notifications, which allows you to hide many small icons from one application (e.g., an email client) under one icon. Activate this feature in notification settings by selecting the Group style, which will make the curtain cleaner and more informative, and you can completely prevent the application from displaying the icon in the status bar, leaving only pop-ups.
Hidden battery icon
Use of “Simplicity” modes and third-party launchers
If the standard methods of removing icons from the screen of the android xiaomi redmi is not possible or the interface seems too complicated, it is worth considering the mode “Simple”. It drastically changes the appearance: it increases fonts, enlarges icons and leaves only the most necessary minimum of applications. Switching occurs through Settings → Advanced Settings → Simplicity Mode. This is ideal for the elderly or those who want the most minimalist phone.
The alternative is to install a third-party launcher, such as Nova Launcher or Launcher 10. Third-party shells give full control of every pixel of the screen. You can hide any system icons, change the grid to the smallest detail and remove all standard Xiaomi widgets. However, it is worth remembering that third-party launchers can consume more battery resources and sometimes conflict with MIUI control gestures.
- 👴 The simplicity mode leaves only calls and messages.
- 🎨 Third-party launchers allow you to hide any icons.
- 🔋 Launchers can increase battery consumption.
- ⚙️ A third-party application may be required to work the gestures.
When using a third-party launcher, the system may periodically suggest returning the standard interface. To remove this reminder, select the option “Always” or “Default” when switching. Also, in the launcher settings, you can turn off Google or Yandex search at the top of the screen, which is often a source of unnecessary visual noise, which gives the feeling of a clean Android, free of add-ons from the manufacturer.
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Simplicity mode is not only a visual change, but also a limitation of function, which can be useful for concentration or helping older relatives.
Cache cleaning and resetting interface settings
Sometimes icons don’t get deleted or reappear because of accumulated debris in the cache of system applications. To fix this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find the Desktop app (or System Launcher) and click Clear → Clear Everything. Important: this will reset the layout of icons on desktops to factory state, so pre-take screenshots to avoid losing the folder structure.
If the problem is global and the icons appear even after the launcher flash, you may need to reset all settings. This is an extreme measure. Before you remove the icons from the screen of the android xiaomi redmi radical method, make sure you back up the data. Reset will return the phone to the state "out of the box" by removing all user data, settings and, of course, unnecessary icons caused by software errors.
To prevent the appearance of excess software and icons, it is recommended to disable the installation of applications from unknown sources and carefully read the conditions when installing new programs. Often, “affiliate” applications are installed along with useful software that create shortcuts on the desktop. Regularly checking the list of installed applications and timely removing unnecessary ones are the best protection against cluttering the interface.