How to turn off the widget tape on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Modern Android shells, particularly MIUI and the new HyperOS, are trying to saturate the user interface with content. One of the most intrusive elements is the widget tape, which opens when swiped to the left of the home screen. For many users, this becomes a source of irritation, as it often displays news, app recommendations or videos that interfere with quick access to the desired functions.

Fortunately, Xiaomi has made it possible to disable this interface element, although the path to the right setup is not always obvious at first glance. The deactivation process can vary depending on the version of the operating system and regional firmware. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to get rid of the excess screen and restore the cleanliness of the desktop.

Not only can you remove the standard widget tape, but you can also turn off the integration of Google services if you don't need them, which will help to slightly relieve the device's RAM and speed up the launcher. Let's look at the step-by-step instructions for different firmware versions.

The main methods of disconnection through launcher settings

The easiest and most correct way to remove the widget tape is to use the built-in desktop settings, which works on most current versions of MIUI and HyperOS. You don't need third-party apps or complex manipulations with ADB. You just need to find the appropriate switch in the settings menu.

To start, unlock your smartphone and go to the home screen. Push two fingers across the screen to call the edit menu, or tap and hold the empty area. In the lower right corner or menu that appears, find the Settings button (usually a gear), which is where the key interface design options are hidden.

In the menu that opens, you need to find an item that might be called "More," "More," or have a gear icon. Inside this section, look for the option "Widget Ribbon" or "Google Discover." The switch must be active to make the tape appear. Just put it in an inactive state, and the next swipe to the left will see a void or system widgets, but not the news feed.

Importantly, some global firmware versions may hide this item if Google Discover is not enabled, so you need to activate the service first, and then, if you want, disable its display or limit functionality. This seems strange, but this is the logic of some launcher versions.

⚠️ Note: After disabling the widget tape, the swipe to the left may stop responding or open the widgets of the system. If you need the functionality of the widgets, make sure you do not turn them off completely in the settings.

Disabling Google Discover and News Feed

Often, users want to remove the news feed from Google, which fills the first screen of widgets, a service called Google Discover, which consumes traffic and consumes battery power in the background to update information, and you can turn it off through the launcher settings, and through the settings of the Google application itself.

If you don't have a direct switch in your desktop settings, try the next way. Open the Google app (G icon). Click on the profile avatar in the upper right corner and select Settings. Then go to General or Discover, and you'll find the switch that displays the cards.

There is also a method through Google account settings. Go to Settings → Google → Settings for Google → Discover. You can turn off the card display in this menu. However, even after that, there may be an empty area or a stub in the launcher. To remove it completely, it is still better to use the desktop settings as described in the previous section.

Deactivating your newsfeed doesn't remove the Google app from your device, it just hides its content from the interface, it's a safe operation that doesn't affect the searcher or the voice assistant, you can still search, it just stops forming the feed.

• 📱 Open the launcher settings through the desktop editing menu.
• 🔍 Find the "More" or "More" section».
• 🚫 Switch the switch toggle "Tape widgets" in the position "Off».
• ✅ Check the result by swiping left.

Configure widgets in MIUI 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS

Xiaomi’s shell interface changes with each update. In MIUI versions 12 and 13, the widget settings were more disparate, while in MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the company tried to unify management. In new versions, it became possible to choose the style of widgets: classic (Android) or branded (MIUI).

In HyperOS, the process of turning off tape became more intuitive. When you call the desktop editing menu (two finger pinches), a Widget Ribbon switch often appears at the top of the screen. If it is not, you need to click on the settings gear. In the new firmware, you also have the ability to choose the source of the tape: system widgets or Google.

For older MIUI 12 devices, the path may be slightly different. Sometimes you need to go to Settings → Home Screen. There may be a separate "Swipe left" option where you can select the action "Ribbon widgets", "Nothing" or "Google." The choice of "Nothing" completely disables the response to the swipe.

It is worth considering that some Chinese firmware (CN ROM) devices may have a different interface than the global version. In Chinese versions, there is often an app tape (App Vault), which cannot be completely removed without root rights, but can be cleared of unnecessary widgets. In global versions, Google Discover is usually used.

Removal of Mi Video widgets and other system services

Beyond the news feed, the left menu often prescribes the manufacturer's own services, such as Mi Video, Mi Music or Security, which can annoy users who prefer third-party players or do not use built-in features, and can be removed by editing the contents of the tape itself.

Go to the widget feed (swipe left). At the top or bottom of the list should be an edit button or a gear. When you click on it, you'll see a list of all active widgets. Find Mi Video or other unnecessary items in the list and click on the minus or switch next to them to hide them.

If simple hiding isn’t enough and the widget keeps popping up, you can try to clear the widget app data. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Find the Widgets or Card Tech app (the name may vary). Go to Memory and click Clear.

Complete removal of system widgets is only possible with superuser rights (Root), but this is not necessary for normal use. Just hide them from the display so that they do not horn your eyes. This will not free up much space, but will improve the visual experience of the interface.

Using third-party launchers for complete freedom

If Xiaomi’s regular funds don’t get the desired result or the interface seems too overloaded, there’s always the option of installing a third-party launcher, a radical but effective solution that completely changes the look of the smartphone. Popular options are Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, Microsoft Launcher.

Third-party launchers give you complete control of the desktop grid, animations, and of course no intrusive tapes on the left. In Nova Launcher, for example, there's a Negative Screen option in the desktop settings, which is turned off by default, and you decide whether there's a Google widget or a void.

However, the transition to a third-party launcher has its nuances: animations can become less smooth than in the native MIUI, and some system functions (such as control gestures) may not work properly. In addition, there are restrictions on the use of third-party launchers on Android 12 and above, which require customization through ADB for full gesture functionality.

To install an alternative launcher download APK-You can find a file or an app on Google Play. Once you've installed it will suggest you choose the default launcher. Choose a new one. If you decide to go back to the standard interface, just delete the launcher app and the system will automatically return it. MIUI Launcher.

Solution: if the settings are not saved

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where after a smartphone reboot, the widget tape appears again, despite the disconnection, this can be caused by a launcher error or a conflict with system updates, in which cases a deeper cleaning of the settings is required.

Try clearing the launcher's cache and data. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → System → MIUI Launcher (or simply "Desktop"). Click "Clean" → "Clean All." Attention: This will reset the desktop icons to factory status, so it's best to take screenshots in advance.

If that didn't work, the problem could be updating Google's components: Go to the Play Market, find Google and try rolling back updates or upgrading to the latest version. Often, bugs in integrating Google services cause the feed to turn on cyclically.

In extreme cases, if nothing helps, you can use USB debugging and ADB command to force the packet responsible for the tape to hide, but this requires a computer and basic knowledge of working with the command line. For most users, resetting the launcher settings is enough.

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Before resetting the launcher settings, take screenshots of the icons’ location to quickly restore order on the desktop after the procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Turning off the widget tape is a matter of personal preference, but it helps minimize distractions and save a little battery life.