How to remove the icon from the screen Xiaomi: from a simple swipe to hidden settings MIUI

Did you accidentally add an unnecessary widget to Xiaomi's home screen? Or did you get extra icons after the MIUI update that you can't get rid of in the standard way? In this article, we'll look at all the working methods, from basic actions to hidden shell features that aren't written about in the official documentation. It's important to understand that deleting the icon and deleting the application are different processes: in the first case, you just remove the shortcut from the screen, in the second, you uninstall the program completely.

The problem with unnecessary icons is especially relevant for users of Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi on MIUI 14/15, where the manufacturer is actively implementing advertising widgets and system applications. We tested all methods on current firmware (including MIUI Global 15.0.4) and weededed out outdated methods that stopped working after the updates. If the standard swipe up does not work, read on.

1. Basic method: Swipe removal

The most obvious method that works for most custom icons and widgets is suitable for apps installed via Google Play or APK, as well as some system shortcuts.

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 Touch the icon and hold it. 1-2 A few seconds before the menu appears.
• 🗑️ Drag the icon to the top of the screen to the "Delete" (or basket) label).
• 🔄 If instead of removing the option appears "Application Information", it means that it is system software - read the section about hiding icons.

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On some POCO models (e.g. POCO F5) instead of swiping up, drag the icon left or right – the direction depends on the version of MIUI.

This method will not work for:

• 🔒 System Applications (Security, Themes, Mi Video).
• 📊 Weather, calendar or Mi Fit widgets built into the shell.
• 🔄 Labels added through "Additional screen settings".

2. Hiding system icons through MIUI settings

If the swipe doesn’t work, and the icon is for system applications (such as Mi Community or GetApps), it can be hidden through the personalization menu, which does not remove the app itself, but removes its shortcut from the home screen and menu.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → Main screen screen.
2. Select Hide Apps (some versions of MIUI refer to this as Application Management).
3. Tick the unnecessary icons and click "Done".

Turn off sync with Mi Account (if enabled)| Check that the application is not in the background | Backup data (for system applications) |Reboot your phone after changes

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Limitations of the method:

• ⚠️ Not working for widgets (such as Weather or Mi Fit Steps).
• ⚠️ After resetting the settings, hidden icons may appear again.
• ⚠️ Some system applications (e.g., Security) cannot be hidden in this way.

Mi Video|GetApps|Mi Community|Topics|other-->

3. Remove via Launcher (switching to third-party shell)

If standard methods don’t work, you can temporarily switch to a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher), where icon management is more flexible, and this is true for users who have MIUI blocking deletion even for user applications.

Step-by-step:

1. Install an alternative launcher from Google Play.
2. In the phone settings, select Settings → Applications → By default → Launcher and install downloaded.
3. In the new launcher, hold the unnecessary icon and select "Delete" or "Hide".
4. Return to the standard MIUI launcher through the same settings.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works even for “unremovable” icons.
• ✅ Allows you to adjust the appearance of the screen more flexible.
• ✅ Doesn't require root rights.

4. disable widgets through "Additional settings"

Widgets (such as Weather, Calendar or Mi Fit) are removed differently than regular icons, and there is a separate menu in the MIUI settings for them that many users overlook.

How to remove the widget:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the main screen.
2. Select "Widgets" in the lower menu.
3. Find the unnecessary widget, swipe left and click "Delete".

If the widget is not deleted:

• 🔄 Try first removing it from the screen and then disabling it in Settings. → Annexes → Application management → [Name of the widget] → Shut down.
• 🔄 Mi Fit or Xiaomi Health widgets may need to untie the device in the app itself.

5. Removal via ADB (for power users)

If all the previous methods didn't work, and the icon gets in the way so much that you're willing to take drastic measures, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Warnings:

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause phone malfunctions. Before executing commands, back up your data via Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12) after disabling system applications via the ADB Mi Account or Google Services may stop working. Check compatibility for your model.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.package.name (replace com.xiaomi.package.name with the real name of the package, which can be found through App Inspector).

List of popular concealment packages:

• 📦 com.miui.weather2 — Weather widget.
• 📦 com.xiaomi.midrop - Mi Drop (file transfer).
• 📦 com.miui.videoplayer — Mi Video.

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ADB-The pm hide command does not remove the app completely, but only hides it from the system. To return the icon, use adb shell pm unhide com.xiaomi.package.name.

6.Reset the launcher settings (if nothing helps)

In the rare cases where icons get stuck on the screen due to a MIUI launcher malfunction, resetting the launcher can help, bringing the home screen back to its factory appearance but not erasing user data.

How to drop the launcher:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Launcher (or MIUI Launcher) and select Storage.
3. Click on "Clear Data" and "Clear Cache".
4. Reboot the phone.

Effects of discharge:

• ✅ All icons will return to the standard location.
• ✅ User folders and widgets will disappear.
• ⚠️ The wallpaper and transition settings will reset.

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If the icons reappear after the launcher is reset, check if sync with Mi Account is enabled in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sync. Disable it for the home screen.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users experience the same problems when trying to remove icons, and here are the most common errors and solutions:

Error 1: The icon returns after the reboot.

• 🔹 Reason: Synchronization with Mi Account is enabled.
• 🔹 Solution: Turn off the synchronization of the main screen in the account settings.

Error 2: Instead of deleting, the app menu opens.

• 🔹 Reason: This is system software that cannot be removed by swipe.
• 🔹 Solution: Use the method of hiding through settings or ADB.

Error 3: You can’t remove the weather widget or calendar.

• 🔹 Reason: Widget is embedded in the shell MIUI.
• 🔹 Solution: Remove it via the widget menu (see Section 4) or turn off the widget update in the Weather app settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions