How to remove the desktop on Xiaomi Redmi 5: replacement launcher and setup

Many budget smartphone owners, such as Xiaomi Redmi 5, are faced with the desire to radically change the appearance of the interface. The standard shell of MIUI, of course, is functional, but its visual style and logic of work are not popular with all users. Often the phrase “delete desktop” does not mean the physical erasure of the system component, which is impossible without root rights, but its replacement with a more convenient analogue.

In Android, the desktop and launcher are the same app that displays icons, widgets and navigation bars. Xiaomi’s standard launcher is deeply integrated into the system, so simply uninstalling through the settings menu is not available. However, there are proven methods to deactivate it or reassign priority in favor of a third-party solution.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances of working with the system interface on the Redmi 5 model. You will learn how to safely install an alternative launcher, how to forcefully change the default application and what to do if after experiments the phone stopped responding to touch. This guide will help you make your smartphone unique and convenient for you.

Understanding Desktop Architecture in MIUI

Before we start taking action, we need to be clear about what we are going to change. In the Xiaomi Redmi 5 smartphone, the system application is responsible for the graphical interface, which is often hidden from the eyes of the average user in the list of installed programs. The launcher is the foundation on which all human interaction with the gadget is built.

Trying to simply “delete” this component through the file manager without special preparation will lead to a critical system error: the phone will be in a state where, after downloading, you will only see a black screen or the Android logo, but you will not be able to get into the menu.

The MIUI shell has its own security features, which can automatically restore a standard launcher after a reboot if the alternative application was not properly configured as the main one, and understanding this mechanics will help avoid many errors and waste time reconfiguring the device.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to delete the launcher system files through root rights unless you are an experienced user.This can lead to a “bootloop” (cyclic reboot) and require the device to be flashed over.

It's also important to note that the paths to settings may vary slightly across MIUI (Global, China, Stable, Developer) firmware, but the default general application approach remains the same across the Android ecosystem, so your goal is not to disrupt the integrity of the system, but to redirect it correctly.

Preparation for the installation of an alternative interface

Successful replacement of the standard desktop depends on the quality of preparation. On Xiaomi Redmi 5, which runs on the basis of relatively old versions of Android, it is important to choose a launcher that will work quickly and not overload RAM. First, you need to find and download the right application from the Google Play store.

There are many great options that completely overlap the functionality of the standard table, some are focused on minimalism, others are focused on maximum customization, the choice depends solely on your personal preferences and the tasks that you set for your smartphone.

After downloading, do not rush to activate the new launcher immediately. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with its settings before launching the application. Many modern launchers themselves offer to become the main one at the first start, but on MIUI this process may require manual confirmation in system settings.

• 📲 Nova Launcher is a legendary classic, known for its incredible speed and flexibility of animation settings.
• 🎨 Microsoft Launcher is a great choice for those who appreciate integration with Windows services and beautiful live wallpaper.
• 🚀 Smart Launcher 6 – smart app sorting and a unique interface that saves space on the screen.
• 🧹 Niagara Launcher – Minimalism for those who want to get rid of visual noise.

Make sure your device is enabled to install applications from unknown sources if you plan to download the launcher not from an official store, but, for example, from a proven 4PDA forum.

Step-by-step: Replace the launcher with Redmi 5

The safest and most appropriate way to “remove” an old desktop is to assign a new one as the default app. Android cannot have two active launchers at the same time, so activating a new one automatically deactivates the old one in the background.

To start, open the settings of your Xiaomi Redmi 5. You'll need to find the section responsible for managing applications. It may be called differently in different versions of MIUI, but the search logic remains the same. Follow the algorithm described below.

Go to Settings → Apps → Settings → Default Apps. In this list, you will see either Launer or Desktop. By clicking on it, the system will prompt you to select from the list of installed applications the one that will be responsible for the main screen.

Select the launcher you installed earlier (like Nova Launcher) and then click the Home button on the navigation bar or use a gesture (bottom-up swipe) to return to the home screen.

⚠️ Warning: If after selecting a new launcher, the screen blinks or returns the old interface, try clearing the cache of the new application in the settings and repeat the default selection procedure.

Sometimes MIUI can aggressively close the background applications to save battery. To keep your new desktop from crashing, find it in the list of running applications, click on the lock or select No Limits mode in the battery settings, which will lock the launcher into memory.

Method of disabling system application via ADB

For advanced users who want to completely remove the standard Xiaomi launcher from the list of available, there is a method using USB debugging. This method does not require superuser rights, but requires a computer and a cable. It allows you to hide the system application so that the phone will “think” that it does not exist.

The essence of the method is to send a special command to the Android package manager. This action is deeper than just changing the settings, so it requires caution. Make sure you have an alternative launcher installed, otherwise you will be left without an interface.

Connect Redmi 5 to your computer in debugging mode. Open the command line on your PC and enter a command to deactivate the package. A standard MIUI launcher usually has an identifier com.miui.home.

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.home

Once you do this, the standard desktop will disappear from the application list and stop running. If you want to return it to the same way, use the adb shell pm enable com.miui.home command. This is effective, but remember that when you reset to the factory settings (Hard Reset), the system application will return.

Using ADB gives you complete control over hidden system processes, however, you should not disable other system services if you are not sure about their purpose, as this can disrupt the stability of Redmi 5.

Comparison of methods of changing the interface

The choice of method depends on your goals and level of training. Simple installation through Google Play is suitable for 95% of users, whereas using ADB is only necessary for enthusiasts. Below is a table that will help determine the best way to solve your situation.

As you can see from the table, the ADB method balances security with depth of intervention, allowing you to “remove” a standard launcher while remaining within the safe zone without breaking the software’s warranty seals.

The usual replacement through settings is a regular Android mechanism, which is provided by the developer of the system. In most cases, this approach is quite enough for comfortable use of the Xiaomi Redmi 5.

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For 90% of users, it is enough to simply install a new launcher and select it in the Default Apps settings, without resorting to complex technical manipulations.

Typical problems and their solution

Experimenting with the interface on Redmi 5 can lead to unexpected situations, and users are more likely to experience the phone rebooting its old desktop, due to aggressive memory optimization in MIUI.

To solve this problem, you need to go to the new launcher settings, find the Advanced Settings option, and allow autoboot, and you also need to turn off the energy savings for that particular application, which will give the system a signal that the launcher should be running constantly.

Another common problem is that widgets or fonts are not displayed correctly. Some heavy launchers may not work well on the Snapdragon 425 processor installed in Redmi 5. If you notice twitching interfaces, try switching to a lighter option, such as Niagara or Smart Launcher.

• 🔄 Screen Blinks: Check the screen refresh rate in the new launcher settings.
• 🔋 Fast discharge: Turn off live wallpaper and complex transition animations.
• ❌ Not set by default: Clear the cache and data of the old com.miui.home launcher before trying again.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is stuck on the logo after manipulating system files, press the volume and power button to enter Recovery mode and perform a data reset (Wipe Data).

Remember that Xiaomi Redmi 5 is a device with limited RAM. Excessive craze for heavy graphics shells can lead to general instability of the smartphone.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions