How to Remove the Sidebar on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide for All Devices

The sidebar on Xiaomi devices is a convenient tool for quick access to apps and settings, but not everyone likes it. Some find it distracting, some accidentally touch when watching a video, and some just take up precious space on the screen. If you want to get rid of this feature, you've come to the right place.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can disable the sidebar on different Xiaomi devices, from MIUI smartphones to Android TVs and Mi TV Sticks. You’ll learn not only standard methods through settings, but also hidden tricks for devices where the option is hidden deep in the system.

We warn you right away: on some models (especially budget ones), the manufacturer limits the possibility of completely disabling the sidebar, in such cases we will offer alternative solutions - for example, how to minimize its impact on the user experience.

Why does the sidebar appear and can it be removed forever?

The sidebar (also called the Edge Panel or Side Toolbar) is a Xiaomi-branded feature designed to speed up access to frequently used features. On smartphones, it is activated by swiping from the edge of the screen, on TVs, it appears when getting stuck the cursor on the left or right side, but here's the paradox: what should save time often annoys users.

The main reasons why users want to disable it:

• 🎯 Random positives – especially relevant for large TV screens where the panel interferes with watching movies.
• 📱 Takes up space – on smartphones with narrow frames, the panel covers part of the content.
• ⚡ Slows down the system – on weak devices, panel animation can cause lags.
• 🔄 Unnecessary feature – many prefer the classic menu or gestures.

Can we take it away forever? Yes, but with the caveats:

• ✅ On most Xiaomi smartphones (Redmi series, POCO, Mi) the panel is deactivated through settings MIUI.
• ⚠️ On Mi TVs. TV redmi TV The option may be blocked in some regional firmware.
• 🔧 On Android devices TV (For example, the Mi Box will need to be used. ADB-team.
• 🛠️ On the most budget models (for example, Redmi). A1) Full shutdown is possible only through editing system files.

If you are not sure what model you have, check the settings in the About Phone or About System section, which will help you choose the right way to turn off.

Method 1: Disable the sidebar on Xiaomi smartphones (MIUI 12-14)

On MIUI-enclosed smartphones, the sidebar is called "Fast Tools" or "Side Curtain," which shuts down in a few taps -- if you know where to look -- and is relevant to all modern firmware versions (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to Additional Settings → Quick Tools (on some models, the path may be Settings → Screen → Side Curtain).
3. Move the slider "Side curtain" to the off position.
4. If you have the option “Show at lockdown” – turn it off too.

On some devices (e.g., POCO F3 or Redmi Note 11), the panel may be called "Edge Gestures".

1. Go to Settings → Display → Movements on the edges.
2. Select the "Sidebar" and deactivate it.

Important! After you turn off, check if other gestures (such as a swipe to return) have disappeared with the panel. If so, return the settings to their original state and use alternative methods from this article.

Check out the MIUI version (Settings → About the phone)

Make a backup copy of important data

Close all applications before changing settings

Reboot your phone after disconnecting-->

Method 2: Remove the sidebar on Mi TV and Redmi TV

On Xiaomi TVs, the sidebar behaves differently than on smartphones, it appears when you hover your cursor over the edge of the screen and contains app shortcuts, audio settings and signal sources, and it is more difficult to turn off — especially on models with PatchWall (the Xiaomi branded shell for TV).

The standard method (works on most models):

1. On the remote, press the Settings button.
2. Go to Settings → Personal settings → Home screen.
3. Find the option "Sidebar" or "Fast Access Panel" and turn it off.
4. Save the changes and restart the TV (power button for 10 seconds).

If there is no such item, try an alternative method:

• 🔌 Resetting: Return the TV to factory settings via Settings → On TV. → Reset.This will delete all installed apps and accounts!
• 🖥️ Developer Mode: Activate it (click 7 times on the Software Version in Settings) and try to disable the panel through Developer Settings → Debugging by USB.

Attention! On Mi TV 4S and Redmi Smart TV X with firmware for the Russian market, the option to disable the sidebar can be blocked, in which case only the firmware of the international version of the software will help (but this makes it impossible to guarantee!).

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work, you'll have to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is a good way to do it for Mi Box S, Mi TV Stick and smartphones where the bar is locked at the firmware level, and you need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and USB debugging enabled.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: On Smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 Times). On TV: Settings → About TV → Android TV Version (Tap 7 Times).

USB debugging

Connect the device to the computer and confirm the debugging permission.

Win + R

cmd

adb devices

(Your device should appear)

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

(for smartphones)

or

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.mitv.sidepanel

(for TVs)

Reset the device.

Warning! Incorrect use of ADB can cause system failures. If after executing commands, the device starts to glittle, return the settings with the command:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.systemAdSolution

For Mi TVs with PatchWall, an additional command may be required:

adb shell settings put global miui_side_panel_enabled 0

Method 4: Hiding the panel through third-party applications

If the system's methods don't work, third-party utilities will come to the rescue, and they don't remove the panel completely, but they make it invisible or block it. Let's look at the options that we've tried.

For smartphones:

• 📱 Nacho Notch (from Google Play) - hides side interface elements, including the panel. MIUI 12–14.
• 🔧 Edge Gestures – allows you to reassign swipes from the edge of the screen to other actions, blocking the panel call.
• 🚫 App Ops – disables permissions for the system application of the panel (root rights required).

For TVs:

• 📺 TV App Hider – hides unnecessary interface elements, including the sidebar (does not work on all models).
• 🖱️ Mouse Toggle – allows you to control TV with the mouse, bypassing the panel call through the remote.

Important! Third-party apps may contain malicious code. Install them only from official stores (Google Play, Mi App Store) and check reviews. On TVs, before installing APK, turn on the "Unknown Sources" option in the security settings.

💡

If you're using a POCO Launcher or Nova Launcher, try disabling the sidebar through the launcher settings, often solving the problem without additional apps.

Method 5: Edit system files (power users only)

This is an extreme method that should be used if everyone else has failed: it requires root rights on a smartphone or an unlocked bootloader on a TV. Wrong actions can lead to a device blink (completely inoperable)!

Instructions for smartphones:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/MiuiSystemAdSolution/
3. Find the file MiuiSystemAdSolution.apk and rename it to MiuiSystemAdSolution.apk.bak.
4. Reset the device.

For Mi TVs:

1. Connect to TV through ADB and perform: adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system mv /system/priv-app/MiTVSidePanel /system/priv-app/MiTVSidePanel_bak reboot

Attention, after this manipulation:

• ❌ Some system functions may stop working (e.g., air updates).
• ⚠️ The warranty on the device will be cancelled.
• 🔄 To return everything back, just rename the files back or restore the firmware through Fastboot.

Compatibility table: what methods work on your device

1 Mi flagships may require an additional command adb shell settings put global miui_side_panel_style 0. 2 On firmware for Russia / Europe, the option is hidden. 3 It only works. TV App Hider with manual selection of elements for concealment.

What to do if the sidebar does not disappear?

If you have tried all the methods, and the panel stubbornly returns - here is a checklist for diagnosing the problem:

1. Check for updates: Sometimes the panel appears after the software update. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update and roll back to the previous version (if available).
2. Reset: Return the device to factory settings via Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset. Don’t forget to back up!
3. Check the launcher: If you use a third-party launcher (like Nova or Apex), try returning the standard MIUI Launcher.
4. Delete the cache: For smartphones — Settings → Applications → Application management → System applications → Quick tools → Clear the cache.
5. Contact for support: Write to the official Xiaomi chat (via Settings → About Phone → Feedback) describing the problem. Sometimes the panel is turned on due to a firmware failure, and support may offer a patch.

If nothing works, your model may have hardware limitations, and you may need to get used to it or consider alternative controls (such as voice commands or an external keyboard for TV).

💡

On Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall, the sidebar is often tied to system services, and its complete removal can disrupt the remote or voice assistant XiaoAI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi sidebar