Replacing Xiaomi Widget Ribbon with Google: A Complete Guide with Proven Ways

The widget tape to the left of the main screen is one of the business cards of the MIUI shell, but not everyone likes it. Unlike the standard Google Feed (formerly known as Google Discover), Xiaomi’s tape is often overloaded with unnecessary advertising, Chinese news and duplicate content. Fortunately, you can replace it with the usual feed from Google in several ways, both official and using workarounds.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of replacing the widget tape on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, including devices on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS. You will learn how to completely remove the left panel, integrate Google Feed into the system or even return the classic Google Now on older versions of Android. Importantly, some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights - we will separately note such cases and warn about the risks.

Why users want to replace Xiaomi tape with Google Feed

The main reason is the difference in functionality and quality of content, and the MIUI tape is often criticized for:

• 📢 Intrusive advertising (including banners in Chinese even on global firmware).
• 🌍 Low quality news that is not relevant to the user’s region (e.g. Chinese trends for European users).
• 🔄 Duplicate information from other widgets (weather, calendar).
• 🚫 No personalization – you can’t disable individual blocks or select sources.

For comparison, Google Feed offers:

• 🎯 Personalized news based on your interests and search history.
• 🌐 Support for all languages and regions without “junk".
• 🔍 Quick access to Google search, weather, currency rates and other widgets.
• 🔄 Ability to hide unnecessary topics or sources.

In addition, on some Xiaomi models, the MIUI tape consumes up to 5-7% of battery power per day due to background activity, while Google Feed is better optimized, which is especially critical for devices with small batteries (for example, Xiaomi 13 Lite or POCO X5).

Method 1: Turn off MIUI tape without replacement (the easiest method)

If you don’t need Google Feed, you just want to remove the left panel, you can do it in 30 seconds.

1. Click on the free space on the main screen for a long time.
2. Select Home Screen Settings (or Home Screen Settings).
3. Find the left-handed (or left-handed) option and turn it off.

After that, swipe left on the home screen will stop opening the tape.

💡

On some MIUI firmware, the option to turn off the tape is hidden. Try first to upgrade to the latest version or change the theme to the standard one.

Method 2: Install Google Feed via Nova Launcher

It’s the most versatile and secure method, without root rights. The bottom line: you replace the standard MIUI launcher with Nova Launcher, which supports integration with Google Feed.

Instructions:

1. Download Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Set it as the default launcher (the system will prompt you to do so when you first start).
3. Go to the Nova Launcher settings (Long tap → Settings → Home screen).
4. Find the Google App (or Google Feed) option and turn it on.
5. Swipe left on the home screen — now there will be Google Feed.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require root or unlocking the bootloader.
• ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI HyperOS.
• ✅ You can return the standard launcher at any time.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Some widgets MIUI (For example, weather or footsteps may not work in Nova Launcher.
• ⚠️ The design of icons and animations will be different from the standard MIUI.

Method 3: Manually add Google Feed via ADB (for advanced)

This method is suitable for those who do not want to use third-party launchers, but are ready to tinker with the settings a little, and works by changing the standard system settings through ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Steps:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm install -r "com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox"


adb shell cmd overlay enable com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox.overlay

1. Reset the device.
2. After switching on, swipe left – the Google Feed feed should appear.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 14+ And HyperOS, this method may not work because of the manufacturer's limitations, so try a Nova Launcher or root solution.

Method 4: Complete tape replacement via Magisk (requires root)

If you’re willing to take drastic measures, you can completely replace MIUI system tape with Google Feed using the Magisk module, which is suitable for users with an unlocked bootloader and root installed.

Instructions:

1. Install Magisk and get root rights.
2. Download the MIUI Google Feed Enabler (check compatibility with your version of MIUI).
3. Install the module via Magisk Manager and restart the device.

After the reboot:

• Swipe left will open Google Feed instead of MIUI tape.
• All system widgets (weather, calendar) will remain operational.
• You can customize the content directly in the Google app.

⚠️ Note: Installing root and modifying system files voids the warranty on the device. In addition, on HyperOS, some Magisk modules can cause bootloop. TWRP or MIUI Backup.

Method 5: Alternative launchers with Google Feed support

If Nova Launcher doesn’t work for you, you can try other launchers that support Google Feed:

• 📱 Lawnchair 2 is a lightweight open source launcher, supports gestures and Google Feed.
• 🎨 Action Launcher – Advanced Customization with Google Discover Integration.
• ⚡ Hyperion Launcher – Optimized for performance, there is built-in Google Feed.

How to determine:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play.
2. Set it as the main (Settings → Home Screen → Change Launcher).
3. In the launcher settings, find the Google Feed or Discover option and activate it.

Launcher comparison:

| Launcher | Free version | Google Feed | Customization | Support for MIUI widgets |

|------------------|-------------------|-------------|--------------|-------------------------|

| Nova Launcher | Yes (with limitations) | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Partially. |

| Lawnchair 2 | Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | No. |

| Action Launcher | No (paid) | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | No. |

| Hyperion | Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐ | No. |

⚠️ Note: Some functions are disabled when using third-party launchers MIUI, such as:

• Quick notes (Notes) on a locked screen.
• System gestures (e.g., double touching to lock).
• Integration with Xiaomi Cloud (widget synchronization).

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you replace MIUI with Google Feed, users experience common errors.

1 Google Feed does not appear after installing Nova Launcher

Decision:

• Update the Google app in the Play Market.
• Go to the Nova Launcher settings → Home Screen → Google App and select Enable Google Discover.
• Clear the Google cache (Settings → Apps → Google → Storage → Clear the cache).

2. MIUI tape is returned after system update

Decision:

• If you have used ADB, repeat the commands after the update.
• For Magisk modules, upgrade to the latest version.
• If you used a launcher, check if the default settings have reset.

3. Google Feed is not showing news in my language

Decision:

• Open the Google app → More → Settings → General → Language and Region.
• Set the desired language and region (e.g. Russian (Russia)).
• Clear your search history and restart the device.

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If none of the methods worked, check if Google Feed is locked at the firmware level. On some devices for China (models with the C suffix in the title), this feature is disabled hardware.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions