The widget tape on Xiaomi smartphones is both a convenient tool and a source of annoyance for many users. On the one hand, it provides quick access to the weather, calendar, notes and other MIUI services. On the other, it takes up space on the home screen, slows down the system and often shows unnecessary advertising. If you are wondering how to remove it forever or at least minimize it, this article is for you.
Depending on the firmware version (MIUI 12, 13, 14 or 15) and the smartphone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11, etc.), the ways to turn off may differ. We have collected all the current methods, from standard settings to hidden functions that work even without root rights.
Before you start, check your firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI. This will help you choose the most appropriate way. Also, note that after the MIUI updates, the location of some menu items may change - we have updated the instructions for 2026.
1. Standard shutdown via MIUI settings
The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the built-in options, which is suitable for most MIUI 12-15 devices, but has limitations: the widget tape is not removed completely, but only hidden from the home screen.
Instructions:
- 📱 Long pressing in the free place of the main screen → Select Screen Settings (or Screen Settings in older versions).
- ⚙️ Go to the section Widget Ribbon (may be called Smart Assistant or Minus screen).
- 🔄 Turn off the slider Show the widget tape or Enable the smart screen.
- 🔙 Return to the main screen – the tape should disappear when swipe to the left.
Limitations of the method:
- ❌ The tape remains in the system and may appear again after the update.
- ❌ Some widgets (such as Mi Fit or Xiaomi Cloud) continue to run in the background.
- ❌ On devices with POCO Launcher path may be different.
Check out the MIUI version.
Make a backup copy of the main screen
Close all background applications
Turn off the mobile internet (for stability)
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⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi 10, POCO M4 Pro) once the widget tape is turned off, Google Discover may be lost, and you'll have to reset your launcher settings to get it back.
2. Remove through launcher settings (for advanced)
If the standard method didn’t work, you can try to turn off the tape through the hidden settings of the launcher, which requires care, since improper actions can lead to a failure of the interface.
Step-by-step:
- Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##6484## (some devices run ##64663###).
- You will be taken to the MIUI testing menu. Select Launcher (or Home Screen).
- Find the Widget Panel or Smart Panel option and turn it off.
- Reboot your smartphone (Power → Reboot).
Important nuances:
- 🔧 Nana MIUI 14/15 This method may not work – Xiaomi has restricted access to the engineering menu.
- 🔄 After updating the firmware settings can be reset.
- 📱 On devices with POCO Launcher or Mi Launcher Global Ways are Different.
| Xiaomi model | Does the method work? | Alternative code |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 11/12 | ✅ Yes. | ##64663## |
| POCO X4/X5 | ⚠️ Partially. | ##4636## → Usage Stats |
| Mi 11/12/13 | ❌ No. | ADB is required |
| Black Shark 5 | ✅ Yes. | Same code. |
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If the engineering menu does not open, try entering the code in the Calculator application (type the sequence of numbers and press "=").
3. Disconnection via ADB (no root)
For users willing to take more drastic measures, there's a way to turn off widget tape via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This does not require superuser rights, but requires a computer and USB-cable.
What you need:
- 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to press the version → return to → For developers → Debugging by USB).
- 🛠️ Utility. ADB Tools (download from the official website).
Instructions:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
- Open the command line (or Terminal) in the ADB folder.
- Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
- Run the command to disable the tape: adb shell pm hide com.miui.miwallpaper or (for newer versions): adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.home.launcher
- Reset the device.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
⚠️ Note: pm hide and pm disable-user commands can cause unstable launcher operation. If after the reboot there are problems (black screen, no icons), follow the command: adb shell pm enable com.miui.home and return the settings to the factory.
4.Use of third-party launchers
If built-in methods don't work, the most reliable way to get rid of the widget tape is to install an alternative launcher, which will completely replace the standard MIUI interface, removing all unnecessary elements.
The best options for Xiaomi:
- 🏆 Nova Launcher — flexible setup, gesture support, no advertising.
- 🎨 Lawnchair – open source, minimalist design, support for Android 12+.
- ⚡ POCO Launcher (yes, it can be installed on any device) – optimized for Xiaomi, there is built-in memory cleanup.
- 🔄 Microsoft Launcher – Windows integration, cloud backup.
How to install and configure:
- Download the launcher from Google Play.
- When you first start, select it as the default launcher.
- In the new launcher settings, disable all options related to Xiaomi Smart Panel or Widget Feed.
- If necessary, transfer data from the standard launcher (Nova Launcher has an import option).
Important: After installing a third-party launcher, some MIUI system features (such as Second Space or App Lock) may not work properly. Check compatibility on forums (such as 4PDA) before switching.
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The side launchers not only remove the tape of widgets, but also accelerate the work of the smartphone due to the optimization of animations and background processes.
5. Manual removal of system applets (for experienced)
This method is only suitable for users with root rights or an unlocked bootloader, and allows you to completely remove the widget tape from the system, but risks "bricking" the device.
Which files are responsible for the tape:
- /system/priv-app/MiuiSystemUI/MiuiSystemUI.apk is the main interface module.
- /system/app/WidgetPanel/WidgetPanel.apk is the widget tape itself.
- /data/app/com.miui.home-*/base.apk is the launcher's cache.
Instructions (requires Root Explorer or ADB root):
- Make a backup of the system partition (TWRP or OrangeFox).
- Rename (do not delete!) files by adding the.bak extension: adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system mv /system/priv-app/MiuiSystemUI/MiuiSystemUI.apk /system/priv-app/MiuiSystemUI/MiuiSystemUI.apk.bak
- Reset the device.
⚠️ Note: Removal of system applets may result in: Loss of Always-on Display functionality. MIUI. Navigational gestures are broken, and you can only restore the workflow through a clean firmware. ROM.
6. Alternative ways: what to do if nothing helps
If none of the methods worked, less radical but effective solutions remain:
- 📵 Shutting down the Internet for tape: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Widget tape and ban access to mobile data and Wi-Fi. The tape will remain, but will cease to update and show ads.
- 🔕 Resetting launcher settings: In launcher settings (Long press) → Screen settings → Additionally, select Settings Reset. This will return the standard screen view, but the widget tape may disappear.
- 📥 Install custom firmware: Firmware like Pixel Experience or LineageOS completely replace MIUI, Removing all branded chips (including tape) minus: the warranty and some features (for example, lost, IR Blaster).
Tip for POCO owners: On POCO Launcher devices, the widget tape is often called the POCO Smart Panel. To turn it off, go to POCO Launcher Settings → Smart Panel → Disable.
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If you're afraid of experimentation, but you want to get rid of ads in your feed, install Blokada, which will cut off most of the banners in your widgets.