Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to change the standard appearance of the interface. In the MIUI system or the new HyperOS, the concept of “desktop” is inextricably linked to the system launcher, which is responsible for displaying icons, widgets and application menus. Sometimes there is a situation when you need not just change the wallpaper, but completely reset the screen settings or even remove the standard launcher to install an alternative solution.
The process of how to uninstall the desktop on Xiaomi technically means resetting the desktop app or removing a third-party launcher. The standard system interface cannot be removed completely without deep flashing the device, as it is a critical component of the Android operating system. However, cleaning the cache, data or replacing the main screen are standard procedures available to every smartphone owner.
In this article, we will discuss all available desktop management methods in detail: you will learn how to safely clean the system of garbage, return the factory appearance of widgets or install a completely new interface from third-party developers. Removing the system component of the Desktop through ADB is only possible for advanced users and requires root or unlocked bootloader rights.
Desktop concept in the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem
In a Chinese smartphone maker, the desktop is not just a picture in the background, but a complex system application that manages a grid of icons, folders, widget tape, and is often integrated with system services like Wallpaper Carousel. Understanding the MIUI architecture helps avoid errors when trying to modify the interface. The standard launcher has a batch name com.miui.home, and it is the operating system that interacts with when launched.
Many users confuse deleting shortcuts with deleting the desktop itself. It is important to distinguish between these concepts: removing the shortcut only hides access to the application, but does not affect system files. If your goal is to radically change the behavior of the smartphone, you will need access to advanced settings or third-party software.
⚠️ Warning: Attempting to forcefully stop or remove the system launcher without a pre-set alternative will cause the smartphone screen to go out or only display a black background.Before any action, make sure you have another way to control the device.
The HyperOS shell, which replaced MIUI, has integrated the desktop even more deeply with other services, now a single visual language linking the phone, tablet and smart home. So interfering with this component requires more caution than with Android's stock. Any changes in the structure of system applications can affect the stability of the gadget.
Resetting the settings of the standard Xiaomi launcher
If your desktop is not working properly, is bugging, or you just want to get it back to its original appearance, the best solution is to reset your settings. This procedure does not delete your photos or contacts, but returns the location of icons and widgets to factory status. It is a safe way to remove all your personalizations and start with a clean slate.
To do this, you need to go to the application management menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the general logic remains the same for all Xiaomi devices. You will need to find the hidden menu of all installed programs where the service data is stored.
Follow the following steps to reset:
- 📱 Open your smartphone settings and go to the "Apps" section».
- 🔍 Click on “All Apps” and search for “Desktop” or find it in the list.
- 🗑️ Select the “Clean” option (Bullet icon) and confirm the “Clean everything” action».
- 🔄 After that, the desktop will restart, and the icons will return to the standard position.
After the reset, the system may suggest selecting default actions for certain types of files or actions if adjacent settings have been affected. Don't be alarmed if the weather widgets or news feed disappear, they will have to be added again manually. This is normal behavior after cleaning the application data.
☑️ Pre-reset check
Removal of a third-party launcher to return to the factory
Often, when users ask how to delete a desktop, they mean they want to get rid of a third-party launcher that was installed earlier and now interferes with work. Unlike the system, third-party applications like Nova Launcher or Apex are removed by standard methods. However, if the third-party interface is removed, the phone does not return to its native interface, then the default settings are lost.
To remove the third-party interface correctly, you first need to deactivate it as the main one. Go to the settings and find the Desktop Desktop by Default. From the list, select the System Launcher option, and then you can safely remove the unnecessary application through the program management menu.
| Action. | System launcher | Third-party launcher |
|---|---|---|
| Removal | Impossible without root. | Standard removal |
| Resetting settings | Through the app menu | Inside the app's settings |
| Impact on the system | Critical | Minimum |
| Claims ADB rights | Yes (for deletion) | No. |
Sometimes, after removing the third-party launcher, there are “tails” in the form of widgets or changed fonts, in which case it is recommended to restart the device. If the problem persists, check the theme: some themes may force the appearance of the desktop, and they must be removed separately through the Themes app.
Using ADB to remove system components
For advanced users who want to get rid of the standard MIUI, there is a method using USB debugging, which allows you to remove system applications that are usually hidden from the user, the process requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and the presence of Android Debug Bridge tools installed.
Before you start, you need to activate the developer mode. To do this, click seven times on the build number in the About Phone section. Then, in the Developer menu, turn on USB Debugging. Connect the phone to your PC and enter a command to delete the package:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.homeThis command will remove the desktop for the current user. The screen of the smartphone will turn black, and you will have to use ADB commands or a pre-installed alter launcher to control it. To return everything as it was, you use the command:
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.home⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB To remove system packets can cause a cyclic bootloop or a complete interface failure, only if you understand how to restore access to the device's file system.
The pm uninstall method actually hides the application, making it invisible to the system, but does not physically remove it from the /system partition. This allows you to return everything back without flashing it over. However, inexperienced users should refrain from such experiments, since the risk of losing access to the menu is too great.
What to do if the interface is lost after ADB?
Alternative solutions and interface replacement
Rather than trying to "remove" a standard desktop, it's often more sensible to replace it with a more functional counterpart.The Google Play Store offers hundreds of options, from minimalist to animation-driven.Replacing the launcher is the safest way to fundamentally change the look of Xiaomi without risking the system.
Popular alternatives include Nova Launcher for maximum customization, Microsoft Launcher for integration with the PC or Niagara for minimalism. Once installed, the system itself will suggest using it by default, you can remove the third-party launcher at any time and return to the drain.
Advantages of Interface Replacement:
- 🚀 Performance: Third-party launchers often run smoother than heavy MIUI.
- 🎨 Design: Ability to change fonts, icons and swipe animation.
- 🛡️ Privacy: Some launchers don’t collect data as actively as system launchers.
When choosing a new interface, pay attention to support for Android 12/13/14 widgets, as older versions may not display elements correctly on HyperOS screens. Also check the permissions that the application requests to avoid giving access to personal information to unnecessary programs.
💡
Keep a backup of your icon layout in the third-party launcher settings, which will allow you to quickly restore the familiar environment after a phone reset or system update.
Frequent problems and their solution
When you manipulate your desktop, you may encounter a variety of errors, such as when you update your firmware, you may drive icons or stop swiping, often by cleaning the cache you mentioned above, but there are times when the problem goes deeper.
If your desktop is constantly flying out or your phone is hanging on the screensaver, you may have a conflict with your installed theme or widget. Try entering Safe Mode by pressing the off button and selecting the appropriate item on the menu, and only system applications are downloaded in this mode, which helps identify the culprit.
It’s also worth checking for updates to the desktop app itself through the GetApps store or Play Market. Developers regularly release patches to fix compatibility bugs. Ignoring updates can lead to unstable interfaces.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone goes into cyclical reboot after installing a new launcher, press the volume button down and power to log into Recovery Mode. From there you can try to make Wipe Data, but this will delete all personal files.
Remember, the standard Xiaomi launcher is optimized for specific hardware and shell features. By dropping it, you can lose some of the native functionality, such as quick access gestures or sidebar integration.
💡
The safest thing is not to remove the system desktop, but simply change the application by default to a third-party, retaining the possibility of rollback at any time.