How to remove the icon of the widget tape from the Xiaomi desktop

The interface of the MIUI shell, and now its successor HyperOS, offers users many visual elements designed to improve the interaction with the smartphone. However, not all functions are perceived as useful, especially if they occupy precious space on the screen or consume resources in the background. One such controversial element has become the Widget Ribbon, which often appears to the left of the main screen, causing irritation to those who are used to pure Android or simply do not need news feed.

Many Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO users are faced with a situation where, after updating the firmware or resetting the settings, this icon or the whole panel appears on the desktop again. You can’t remove it with a standard drag and drop in the cart, since this is a system component. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available methods to permanently get rid of intrusive tape, returning the phone to its usual appearance.

It is important to understand that the deactivation process may vary depending on the version of the shell MIUI 12, MIUI 13, MIUI 14 or the new HyperOS. We will look at both simple ways through the settings menu, and more advanced options for cases where standard options are hidden by developers.

What is a widget tape and why it annoys users

The widget tape, often referred to as Google Discover or Yandex.News depending on the region and version of the firmware, is a content aggregator that loads news, weather, currency rates and app recommendations that algorithms think may be of interest to you. It's technically a useful tool, but in practice it often becomes a source of information noise.

The problem is that this interface element occupies a separate workspace, and if you swipe sloppyly to the left, instead of the folder or widget you want, you get caught up in an endless stream of news, and it disrupts the ergonomics of using a smartphone with one hand, especially on devices with large screen diagonals.

In addition, the Widget Ribbon consumes the device’s resources: It requires a constant Internet connection to update content, uses GPS to locate (to show local news), and consumes battery power in the background, and for owners of older models or devices with a small battery, this becomes a tangible disadvantage.

⚠️ Note: Complete removal of system components through ADB This can cause an unstable launcher. If you're not sure what you're doing, limit yourself to shutting down through the settings.

Another aspect is privacy: news aggregators collect your interests, location and search queries to create personalized results, and for users who value privacy, having such a tracker on the home screen is unacceptable.

Disconnecting via desktop settings in MIUI and HyperOS

The easiest and safest way to remove the Widget Ribbon is to use the launcher’s built-in settings, which are available by default on most current Xiaomi shells, although the location may change with each update, a method that does not require root rights or a computer connection.

You can get to the desktop settings menu in two ways: either through the general settings of the system or through the screen editing menu, the first option is more reliable, since it guarantees you to go to the desired section regardless of the topic of the design.

You need to perform the following sequence of actions:

• 📱 Open the Settings app on your smartphone.
• 🔍 In the search bar, type the word “worker” or find the Desktop item in the list.
• 🔄 Find the Widget Ribbon or Google Discover switch and turn it to the “Off” position».

If you don't find a direct switch in the settings menu, try an alternative method through gestures. Push two fingers on the home screen to call the edit menu. The bottom corner usually has a Settings button or gear button, and there may also be an option to manage the additional screens.

In some versions of HyperOS, settings may be hidden deeper. Try to follow the Settings path → Home and Lock screen → Desktop. If there is a "Add Screen -1" option on it that removes the tape, you're in luck. However, in global firmware versions, this item is often renamed or replaced by a search engine choice.

Removal through search engine selection

Often, the widget tape is rigidly tied to the selected search engine. In global versions it is Google Discover, in Chinese and some regional builds - Yandex or built-in Mi search. Changing the search engine can automatically turn off the news feed.

Try changing your search settings in the launcher. To do this, swipe down the desktop (if search is activated) or go to the search widget settings. In the menu that appears, select the option “Search engine” or “News Provider”.

The options available may include:

• 🔍 Google (often activated by Discover).
• 🌐 Yandex (activates Zen/News).
• ❌ No or None (completely disables tape).

Choosing No is the most effective solution. If you don't, try picking a search engine that you don't use and then force it to stop working in the application settings, which can break the connection between the launcher and the news module.

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If switching the search engine didn’t help, try clearing the cache of the Google or Yandex app and then checking your desktop settings again.

It is worth noting that after the system update, the settings may reset. Check this setting periodically, especially if you notice new icons or panels appearing to the left of the first screen.

Using third-party launchers as a radical solution

If the Widget Ribbon is not removed by built-in tools, or if it returns after each update, the most reliable solution is to install a third-party launcher, which completely replaces the desktop interface, giving you complete control over the appearance.

Popular alternatives to the standard MIUI launcher include Nova Launcher, Lawnchair and Microsoft Launcher.They feature high speed, flexibility of customization and lack of intrusive elements such as news feeds or advertising widgets.

The process of installing a third-party launcher is as follows:

1. Download the selected launcher from the Google Play store.
2. Launch the application and follow the initial setup instructions.
3. Press the home button on your smartphone, and the system will ask which application to use by default.
4. Select a new launcher and click "Always".

Using a third-party launcher offers another benefit: you get access to thousands of icons and themes in stores like Icon Pack Studio, which allows you to fully personalize the device, making it unique.

⚠️ Note: When installing a third-party launcher, some Xiaomi branded features, such as Second Space gestures or specific animations, may stop working correctly.

Advanced Method: Disconnecting via ADB

For power users who want to securely remove the Widget Ribbon without installing third-party software, there is a method of using USB debugging (ADB), which allows you to remove or freeze the system applications responsible for the operation of the news feed.

Before starting the procedure, you need to activate the developer mode. → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the item "Version" MIUI» or "Version" OS». Then in the advanced settings, turn on the debugging by USB.

You'll need a computer with a set of Platform-tools installed. Connect your smartphone with a cable to your PC and allow debugging on your phone screen. Next, enter a command to search for packets associated with the tape at the computer's command line:

adb shell pm list packages | grep google

You'll find the package that's responsible for Discover, which is usually called com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox, and it's the package that's responsible for the Google widget and the news feed, and to turn it off (without removing it completely, which is safer), use the command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

Once you run the Tape command, the widgets disappear instantly. If you want to get back to where they were, use the pm enable command with the same packet name, which is the most effective method for global firmware versions.

Frequent problems and their solution

Even following the instructions, users may encounter difficulties. For example, the Widget Tape Switch may be active but sulphur (untapable) This often happens on devices purchased for the Chinese market but stitched with global firmware, or vice versa.

In this situation, try to clear the Settings and Security app data, which will reset some system flags and the switch may become active, but beware: resetting security settings may require re-authorization to Mi Account.

Another common problem is that the tape will automatically turn on after rebooting, which can be caused by malware or aggressive system optimization, which restores the “recommended” settings, in which case only the use of an ADB or a third-party launcher will help.

• 🔧 Check for system updates in new versions MIUI bugs are often corrected.
• 🧹 Clear the launcher cache through the Apps menu».
• 🚫 Remove newly installed apps that may have permissions to modify the desktop.

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If standard methods don’t work, the combination of a third-party launcher and disabling Google services through ADB gives 100% of the result.

Comparison of removal methods

To sum up, the choice of method depends on your skills and goals. For the average user, the launcher settings are enough. For enthusiasts who want maximum performance, ADB will suit. And for those who want to completely change the appearance of a smartphone, a third-party launcher is ideal.

Remember, the Widget Ribbon is just one element of the ecosystem, and by turning it off, you're not only removing visual noise, but you're potentially extending the device's lifetime from a single charge, and a clean desktop is conducive to better concentration and productivity.

⚠️ Attention: Before using methods with ADB You should make sure you back up your sensitive data. Interference with system processes always carries minimal risks.

Now you know how to remove the Widget Ribbon icon from your Xiaomi desktop. Choose the right way and enjoy the clean interface of your smartphone.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions