How to remove the widget tape on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: the complete guide

Modern Android shells like MIUI are often oversaturated with elements that not all users find useful. Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi 9T smartphone often face a situation where swiping to the right of the main screen opens an endless feed of news and widgets. This functionality, designed to simplify access to information, in practice often only clutters the interface and consumes the resources of the device.

For many users, it's important to have a clean and minimalist desktop where every shortcut is controlled. Deleting or, more precisely, disabling this tape is not an obvious process, because there is no standard "Delete" button in the interface, but there are proven methods to return the system to its original appearance and improve the speed of the launcher.

In this guide, we will discuss all the current ways to deactivate the widget tape on Redmi 9T. You will learn how to change the settings through the standard menu, use hidden system functions and optimize the operation of the device for maximum comfort. Disabling the tape does not remove the widgets themselves from the system, but only hides their automatic display when swiping.

Why the tape widgets can interfere with the smartphone

At first glance, it seems that having an extra screen with news and widgets is an exceptionally positive feature. However, for Xiaomi Redmi 9T owners, especially those who value performance, this element can be a source of problems. The tape is constantly updated in the background, consuming Internet traffic and battery power, even if you do not use it.

In addition, the constant presence of a news aggregator creates information noise. Instead of quickly finding the right application, the user may accidentally open a news or advertisement, which distracts from the main tasks. For a device with a Snapdragon 662 processor, saving RAM resources is critical for smooth interface operation.

Turning off the extra elements of the interface allows you to focus on the main thing, which is especially true for those who use a smartphone for work or games where concentration is important, and by removing visual debris, you make navigation more logical and faster.

There are several reasons why you should consider disabling this feature:

  • πŸ“‰ Reduced battery consumption: Background content loading stops, prolonging battery life.
  • πŸš€ Increased performance: launcher spends less resources on rendering unnecessary graphics and animations.
  • 🧘 Digital hygiene: Lack of constant notifications and news headlines helps keep focus.
  • 🎨 Clean interface: the desktop becomes exactly what the user intended it to be, without intrusive elements.
πŸ“Š How annoying you are with the default widget tape?
Very much, intruding.
I don't notice her.
I use it sometimes.
I want more widgets.

Standard way to disconnect through launcher settings

The easiest and safest method that most Redmi 9T users can use is to use the standard settings of the system. You don't need root access or install third-party software. All the necessary switches are already built into the MIUI shell, they just don't always catch the eye.

To start, you need to go to the settings menu of your device. Find the section that is responsible for the appearance and organization of the desktop. The names may differ slightly in different versions of the firmware, but the logic remains the same. Usually the path looks like Settings β†’ Desktop.

Inside this menu, you should look for a item associated with the Widget Tape or Google Discover, and that's where the switch controls the left screen, and when you turn off the tumbler, the swipe to the right stops calling the news feed, and the screen just rests on the first desktop.

If the standard path didn't work, your version of MIUI might have a slightly different menu structure, so try searching by settings, type the word "widget" or "ribbon" into the search bar, and the system will tell you the section you want.

β˜‘οΈ Pre-switch check

Done: 0 / 4

Use of hidden settings and engineering menu

Sometimes standard methods are not effective enough, especially if the carrier or firmware region rigidly fixes the presence of the news feed, in such cases, the hidden settings of the Xiaomi Redmi 9T come to the rescue.

One way to do this is to use an engineering menu, and to do this, you need to type in the Phone app a special code ##6484##. However, be careful: changing the parameters in this menu without understanding their purpose can lead to unstable operation of the device, and we are only interested in turning off services related to the news aggregator.

A safer option is to activate advanced features through developer mode, which requires multiple clicks on the MIUI version number in the About Phone section, and when you notice that you have become a developer, a new option will appear in the settings menu.

In advanced settings, you can often find options related to the behavior of the system and launcher. Look for items containing the words "Debug", "Launcher" or "Aggregator." Disabling the relevant services can completely remove the tape, even if it was imposed by the operator.

⚠️ Warning: Making changes to the engineering menu or system files may result in a loss of warranty or disruption of the smartphone.

Comparison of Widget Ribbon Disconnection Methods

The right method depends on your technical background and the version of the firmware installed. Below is a table that will help you compare the methods and their implications for the Redmi 9T.

MethodDifficultyEfficiencyRisks.
Launcher settingsLow.Tall.Absent.
Hidden MIUI settingsMediumMediumMinimum
Third-party launcherLow.MaximumChanging habits
ADB teamTall.MaximumHigh (code error)

As you can see from the table, standard settings are the safest option. However, if you're ready for experimentation, using a third-party launcher gives you complete control over the look and feel of the interface. The choice is yours, but keep in mind the balance between functionality and stability.

What is ADB and is it worth using?
ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a developer tool that allows you to control a device from a computer. Using ADB to remove system components efficiently, but requires a PC, cable and minimal command line knowledge. For the average user, the risk of accidentally removing a critical component of the system is too great, so this method is recommended only for experienced enthusiasts.

Alternative: Installation of a third-party launcher

If the built-in MIUI feel too limited, an alternative launcher is a great solution, which is a special application that completely replaces the standard desktop, providing flexible settings and no intrusive tape of widgets by default.

Popular options like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher allow you to customize swipe behavior, the appearance of icons and animations. In these launchers, the widget tape is either missing or customized by the user from scratch, without being tied to Google or Xiaomi services.

Installation of a third-party launcher on Redmi 9T occurs through the Google Play store. After installation, you need to launch the application and select it as the default main screen, and the system itself will prompt you to make this choice when you first swipe or click the home button.

The advantage of this method is that you can create your own unique style, change your desktop grid, add gestures and completely forget about the standard tape. In addition, modern launchers are often optimized better than stock solutions, which has a positive effect on autonomy.

  • 🎨 Design flexibility: the ability to change fonts, colors, icon shapes and animation transitions.
  • 🚫 Lack of advertising: Many third-party launchers do not contain built-in advertising and recommendations.
  • βš™οΈ Extended functionality: support for plugins, design themes and complex use cases.
  • πŸ”„ Independence from updates MIUI: The interface will not change after the system update.

Optimizing the system after disabling widgets

After you have got rid of excess tape, it is recommended to carry out a small optimization of the system. This will help to consolidate the result and ensure stable operation of the Xiaomi Redmi 9T. First of all, it is worth clearing the launcher cache to remove the remnants of data from the disabled module.

To do this, go to Settings β†’ Apps β†’ All apps. Find Desktop or System Launcher. Go to Memory and click Clear Cache. Don't confuse it with Clear Everything, as this will reset your icons.

It's also useful to check the boot list. The tape that's turned off might have associated services that keep hanging in your memory. Go through the list of auto-run apps and turn off anything you don't use regularly, which will free up RAM and speed up loading.

Remember to reboot the device periodically. After making changes to the system, rebooting helps to reset temporary files and apply the new settings correctly. For the Redmi 9T, this is a standard maintenance procedure that prolongs the life of the battery.

πŸ’‘

Check system updates periodically. Sometimes Xiaomi returns remote features or changes the interface logic in new versions of MIUI, so keeping up with the software is important to maintain the desired state of the system.

Possible problems and solutions

Users may encounter a number of difficulties in setting up the system, such as resetting the settings after updating the firmware and resetting the widget tape, in which case the disabling procedure will have to be repeated, a feature of MIUI's update policy that seeks to bring the user back into the service ecosystem.

Another common problem is the appearance of ad units instead of news feeds, which can occur if one module is disabled but another is activated, such as Security Widget or Wallpaper Carousel, the solution is to consistently disable all suspicious functions in the desktop settings.

If after all the manipulations, the smartphone began to work unstable, artifacts or lags appeared, it makes sense to reset the launcher to the factory settings. This will return the standard state of the system, after which you can try an alternative method, for example, installing a third-party launcher.

⚠️ Note: If you use weather or currency widgets, they may stop updating after the tape is turned off. MIUI manually.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will the widget tape return after the MIUI update?
Yes, with major system updates (e.g., switching from MIUI 12 to 13), the launcher settings can be reset to factory ones.
Is it safe to remove components through ADB?
This is a method for advanced users, and a team error can lead to a phone building or data loss, and if you're not sure what you're doing, you'd better use standard settings or third-party launchers.
Does turning off the tape affect the work of widgets on the desktop?
No, the widgets you put directly on your desktops will continue to function normally, and only the swipe panel on the left will turn off.
Can I replace the Google Discover tape with Yandex.Zen?
In standard MIUI build, replacement is not possible, but by installing a launcher from Yandex or using widgets, you can get similar functionality with other content.

πŸ’‘

Disabling the widget tape is a safe procedure that does not affect the warranty, but greatly improves the user experience, making the interface cleaner and faster.