How to completely turn off the app menu on Xiaomi: all ways

The app menu (or launcher) on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often annoys users with their uncomfortable interface, unnecessary animations or forced icon sorting. Especially for owners of devices with a MIUI 14/15 shell, where the manufacturer actively implements advertising and smart hints directly into the menu. Fortunately, you can turn off or modify this menu in several ways, from standard settings to deep system changes.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from simply hiding unnecessary items to completely removing menus through ADB or third-party launchers. It is important to understand that some methods require super-user rights (root) or can lead to resetting — so make a backup of data before experimenting. Also note that after updating MIUI, some methods may stop working: the manufacturer regularly “closes” life hacks in new versions of the firmware.

If you’re looking for a way to get rid of automatic sorting of icons alphabetically in the app menu on Xiaomi after upgrading to MIUI 15.1.3, this guide will help you regain control of your desktop. And for those who want drastic changes, at the end of this article there is a guide to install an alternative launcher with full customization.

Why is the app menu on Xiaomi annoying users?

The MIUI shell is known for its aggressive approach to interface personalization, and the app menu is one of the most controversial elements.

• 🔄 Compulsory sorting: after updating to MIUI 14+ The system automatically orders the icons alphabetically, ignoring manual placement.
• 📢 Advertising and promotional blocks: banners with suggestions to install Xiaomi games or services (for example, Mi Video or Mi Browser) may appear on the menu).
• ⏳ Lags and delays: on budget models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) menu animations are slowed down, especially with a large number of installed applications.
• 🔍 No Search: Unlike Android, the Internet MIUI There is no built-in search on the application menu (you have to use the Google Search widget).
• 🎨 Limited Customization: You can’t change the size of icons, background color, or disable folders in the menu without third-party tools.

According to a survey by XDA Developers (2023), 68 percent of Xiaomi users have tried to disable or modify the app menu at least once, while 42 percent have experienced a problem returning standard settings after a firmware update.

Method 1: Disable the application menu via MIUI settings (without root)

The easiest and safest method is to use built-in options. MIUI. Unfortunately, it doesn't work on all models and versions of firmware, but it's worth a try. MIUI 12–15:

1. Open the Settings. → Desktop (or Home).
2. Select the Desktop Style item.
3. Switch to No App Menu (or Desktop Only) mode.
4. Confirm the changes and restart the device.

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

1. Hold your finger on the free space on the desktop.
2. In the menu that appears, select Desktop Settings.
3. Find the option to Hide the app menu or Disable the application folder.

On some devices (POCO F3, Xiaomi 11T) this setting can be hidden to unlock it:

| Make sure the MIUI version is at least 12.5

| Connect your device to Wi-Fi (to synchronize settings)

| Turn off the power saving mode in the battery settings

|Reboot your phone before changing the settings-->

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 15.1.2+ When you turn off the app menu, you may not be able to add new icons to your desktop. To return the function, you will have to reset the launcher settings through Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data.

Method 2: Use of the ADB-commands (without root, but with PC)

If there is no option in the settings to turn off the menu, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method doesn't require superuser rights, but you'll need a computer and a computer. USB-The instructions are suitable for MIUI 13–15:

Step 1. Enable debugging over USB:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Press the MIUI version 7 times to activate the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate Debugging on USB.

Step 2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands:

adb shell


settings put secure launcher_hide_apps_list 1

To return the standard menu, use:

settings put secure launcher_hide_apps_list 0

If the command fails, try the alternative (for MIUI 14+):

adb shell cmd overlay enable-exclusive com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.gestural_extra_wide_back

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Before using ADB, check if drivers are installed for your Xiaomi model.If the commands don't apply, try restarting your phone in Fastboot mode and repeating the process.

Method 3: Install a third-party launcher (complete menu replacement)

If the built-in methods didn't work, the best solution is to install an alternative launcher, which will not only remove the application menu, but also completely customize the interface.

To set up the launcher:

1. Download. APK-file from official source (avoid third-party sites!).
2. Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install Unknown Applications).
3. After installation, click Home and select the new launcher as the main one.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) After installing a third-party launcher, system gestures (for example, swipe up for return) may disappear. → System system → Gestures → System Navigation and select Button Mode.

Method 4: Disable through the system settings editor (requires root)

If you have root rights, you can manually edit the system files that display the app menu, a method that is suitable for power users and requires caution – incorrect changes can lead to a bootloop.

Instructions for MIUI 13-15:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /data/system/users/0/.
3. Find the file. launcher_preferences.xml Open it in the text editor.
4. Add or change the line: <boolean name="hide_apps_list" value="true" />
5. Save the file and restart the device.

An alternative is to use the MIUI Hidden Settings app (available on 4PDA), which allows you to manage hidden shell settings without manually editing files.

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Before editing system files, make sure to back up via TWRP or other recovery.This will help restore the phone in case of an error.

Method 5: Reset the launcher settings (if the menu is broken)

Sometimes, after experimenting with the settings of the application menu, it starts to work incorrectly: icons disappear, folders do not open, or the error “Luncher stopped” appears, in which case resetting the settings will help:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Launcher app (or MIUI Launcher).
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

If the reset didn’t help, try reinstalling the launcher via ADB:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.mi.android.globalFileexplorer


adb shell pm install -r /path/to/launcher.apk

On MIUI 15, you may need to re-activate navigation gestures after reset.

1. Go to Settings → Display → System Navigation.
2. Choose Gesture Navigation or Buttons (depending on your preferences).
3. Save the settings.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to disable the app menu on Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🔧 Error "No access to" ADB»: Make sure that Xiaomi drivers are installed on the PC and debugging is enabled USB. Try using another one. USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔄 Settings reset after update: This feature MIUI — After major updates, some parameters return to standard. Solution: Reconfigure or use Tasker to automatically apply commands after the update.
• 📱 App icons disappear: If after disabling the menu icons do not appear on the desktop, drag them manually from the All Apps folder (it can be hidden - swipe up on the desktop).
• 🔒 Third-party launcher not working: Check if it is blocking MIUI Optimization. Turn off optimization in Settings → Special facilities → MIUI Optimization.

If neither of these methods worked, your Xiaomi model may have unique limitations, such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Redmi K60 Pro, which have some settings locked at the firmware level, leaving two options:

1. Install custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
2. Wait for the official update with the fix (watch out for news on miui.com).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions