How to remove the icon from the screen of the smartphone Xiaomi

Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often face a situation where desktop or status bars are overgrown with unnecessary elements, such as app shortcuts you no longer use, intrusive widgets or system icons that interfere with viewing. MIUI and HyperOS interfaces offer flexible settings, but sometimes standard removal methods are not obvious to the beginner.

You need to clearly distinguish between the types of elements displayed on the display, as each of them has its own algorithm of actions. Deleting the application shortcut does not always mean removing the program itself, and hiding the battery icon may require entering advanced system settings. In this article, we will discuss all possible scenarios in detail so that you can bring perfect order to the interface of your device.

Before you start taking action, it is worth noting that some icons are system indicators, and their complete removal may not be possible without obtaining superuser rights, but in most cases it is about user display settings. We will consider secure methods that do not require complex software.

Removing application shortcuts from the desktop

The most common request is to clear the desktop of application icons. In the MIUI shell, the shortcut can be removed in two ways, depending on the mode of operation chosen. The standard mode involves an application dashboard where all programs are stored, and only copies of them are on the desktop.

If you want to simply remove the icon by saving the app in your phone's memory, you need to click on the icon and hold your finger until the pop-up menu appears. At the bottom of the screen, a basket that says "Delete" will appear. It's important not to confuse it with the "Delete App" option, which completely uninstalls the program. Drag the shortcut to the basket that says "Delete" will just clear the desktop.

In the classic Android mode, which many users turn on when they first run, all the apps are directly on desktops, where removing the shortcut effectively means removing the app itself.

• 📱 Clutch your finger on the app icon that you need to remove.
• 🗑️ Drag the icon to the top of the screen where the red zone “Delete” appears».
• ✅ Confirm the action in the confirmation pop-up window.

It is worth noting that some Xiaomi system applications cannot be removed by standard methods, but their shortcuts can be hidden. for this purpose, the desktop settings often include the function of hiding applications. This allows for a clean interface, leaving access to programs through search or special folders.

Setting up the display of icons in the status bar

The top bar, or status bar, is often filled with indicators like Bluetooth, alarm clock, NFC, Do Not Disturb mode. Users often want to remove those that don't carry critical information but occupy a place near the battery indicator. HyperOS and newer versions of MIUI have the ability to manage this space flexibly.

To access indicator management, go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar. Here you will find switches for most system icons. Turning off the toggle will hide the corresponding indicator even if the function is active. For example, you can leave Bluetooth on for the watch but remove its icon from the top line.

💡

If the NFC icon is on all the time but you are not using the payment, it is better to turn off the module itself in the notification curtain to save battery life.

You should pay special attention to the battery icon, and in some firmware you can choose to display interest inside or next to the icon, but if you want to completely remove the percentages, this is done through a separate menu:

• 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery.
• ⚙️ Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner.
• 👁️ Find the item “Battery percentage” and select “Hide».

⚠️ Warning: Completely hiding the battery's discharge indicator (red icon) is not recommended.You may miss the moment when the phone urgently needs to be charged, which will cause it to suddenly shut down.

Managing widgets and unnecessary interface elements

Widgets are dynamic elements that display real-time information: weather, currency rates, news. On Xiaomi smartphones, they are often installed by default when first turned on. Deleting a widget is different from removing an app shortcut.

To remove the widget, you need to go to desktop editing mode, usually by long pressing the free area of the screen or pinching two fingers, in which the widgets will have additional control buttons, pressing the cross or the "Delete" button will instantly remove the item from the screen.

Users often confuse widgets with system panels, such as the Google Discover or Mi Video, which swipes to the left of the first screen to remove this panel:

1. Make a pinch with two fingers on the desktop to enter the editing mode.
2. Click on the "Settings" button (cog) in the lower right corner.
3. Find the Widget Ribbon or Google Discover switch and turn it off.

It's also worth checking folders, sometimes they accumulate shortcuts of websites or duplicate applications, and cleaning folders is a great way to visually relieve the space, even if the number of icons on the first screen remains the same.

Hiding notification icons from apps

If by “badge” you mean a constantly hanging notification in the curtain or a small indicator circle on the app icon (badge), then the settings are in the notification menu. Badges can be annoying, constantly pointing to unread messages or updates.

To disable numerical indicators (badges) on application icons in MIUI 14 and HyperOS, you must:

Settings → Notifications and Status Line → Notification icons

In the list that opens, you'll see all the apps that are allowed to display indicators, and you can turn them off globally or selectively for each program, and that will help you remove the little dots or numbers from the corners of the icons on your desktop.

Removal of advertising icons and system debris

One of the most annoying issues for Xiaomi users is the advertising icons that can appear on the desktop, often labeled "Security," "Cleanup," or offers to install games that the system flags as important.

To get rid of intrusive recommendations, you need to disable the MSA service (MIUI System Ads). Although this does not always remove existing shortcuts instantly, it prevents new ones from appearing. It is also worth checking the Security app. It has settings that allow recommendations to be shown inside. Disabling the Receive Recommendations option in the security settings will significantly clean the interface.

If an icon appears on the screen that is not deleted in the usual way and is not system, it may be a virus or a malicious application.

• 🛡️ Run a full check through the built-in Security app».
• 📂 Check the list of installed applications in Settings → Annexes → All applications.
• 🔍 Look for apps without a name or with a transparent icon and remove them.

⚠️ Warning: If an ad icon appears as a pop-up on top of other apps, check out newly installed programs immediately. Often the culprits are "lightlights," "memory cleaners" or questionable browsers.

Advanced Methods: ADB and Hidden Settings

For power users who want to remove system icons that are not disabled in the regular menu (for example, the headset icon when connecting DAC or specific operator indicators), there is a method using ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

You can use the command line to hide the status bar icons, and you can do that by activating the developer mode by turning on the system icons. USB-Then, by connecting the phone to the PC, you can type a command to hide specific icons. Example of a command to hide all icons (requires caution):

adb shell settings put global icon_blacklist battery,bluetooth,nfc

However, using ADB commands for system modifications carries risks: An incorrect command can cause you to stop seeing critical notifications, such as low battery power or no network, and use this method only if you understand what system setting you are changing.

💡

Standard MIUI settings are enough to remove 99% of user icons, and ADB is only justified for removing undeleteable system indicators.

In conclusion, regular revision of the desktop and notification settings helps to keep the smartphone in a neat state. Xiaomi interfaces allow you to flexibly customize the visual part, removing the excess and leaving only what you really need for a comfortable work.