Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often notice that when swiping to the right of the home screen, an extra page opens up.This space is filled with news, recommendations and app shortcuts that the user may never have chosen. For many, this comes as a surprise, especially if a person moves from a different operating system or pure Android.This functional area is officially called the Widget Ribbon (or App Vault in the English version of the shell).
This page is not just a shortcut list, but a complex software module integrated into the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS. It is designed to provide quick access to frequently used features without being distracted by finding the right app on the menu. However, by default, the system offers content that can be annoying with its intrusiveness and redundancy. Understanding what it is and how to manage it will allow you to turn a chaotic dataset into a personalized productivity tool.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the architecture of this tape, how to turn it off, how to replace the standard aggregator with more functional analogues, and the subtleties of working with widgets in modern firmware versions, and learn how to adjust the information flow so that it works for you, and not consume your attention.
⚠️ Warning: Complete removal of the system component of the “Tape of Widgets” without installing an alternative can lead to “empty” swipe or interface errors if you do not follow the instructions for replacing the service provider.
What is a widget tape and why you need it
A widget tape is a separate desktop to the left of the main application grid. Unlike the normal widgets you put on your desktop, this screen is a centralized hub. Its primary purpose is to aggregate information. The system collects data about your actions, weather, currency rates, steps and news, displaying them in compact cards, which allows the user to get a brief overview of the status of the device and the outside world in one second.
The concept was originally borrowed from other manufacturers, but Xiaomi has implemented it with deep integration into its services, displaying notifications from Mi Fit, data on the charge of AirDots wireless headphones, the status of delivery of goods from the Mi Store, and even app recommendations based on your location. For users who appreciate minimalism, this approach may seem redundant, but for those who like to keep abreast of events, it is a powerful tool.
It's important to understand the difference between App Vault (old name) and current implementation in HyperOS. In newer versions of firmware, tape has become more visual and adaptive, it can change the look and feel depending on the time of day and the applications it runs, for example, in the morning it prioritizes weather and calendar, and in the evening it gives priority to step statistics and music.
And it's not just a browsing zone, many of the cards are interactive, you can set an alarm clock, turn on a timer, or start a voice recorder by just tapping on the widget, without entering the main app, and it reduces the CPU load and saves startup time, which is especially true on budget smartphones, where RAM is limited.
How to turn on or off the widget tape
The widget feed is controlled through desktop settings, and the process may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS, but the logic remains the same. If you want to clear the swipe left of the unnecessary information noise or, conversely, activate this feature, you will need to perform several sequential actions in the settings menu.
You first have to go to the desktop editing menu, and you can do this in two ways: by tapping over a blank space on the screen, or by general settings on the system, and then you open the interface control panel, and that's where the switch that displays the left screen is hidden.
☑️ Tape-off algorithm
In some regions and firmware versions, the path may look different, for example, in global versions of MIUI, the term App Vault is often used, while in Chinese builds or Russian localizations – “Tape of widgets” or “Yandex.Tape” (if integrated). If a standard switch is not found, it is worth checking the settings of the application “Security” or “Services and feedback”, since sometimes control is brought there.
⚠️ Warning: After the standard tape is turned off, the swipe left may stop working or lead on an empty screen.
If you plan to use a third-party launcher or alternative feed (e.g. from Yandex or Google), disabling the standard Xiaomi tape is a must. Conflict of two active feeds at one workplace is technically impossible - the system allows you to have only one active source of content for the left swipe.
💡
Before you turn off the tape, take a screenshot of the current widgets you use, which will help you remember what useful features (such as pedometer or currency rate) you will lose and find replacements for them.
Customization and personalization of content
Just turning on the tape isn't enough -- you have to train it to show what you're interested in. Standard settings offer a basic set, but the power lies in the configuration details. By going into the settings of the tape itself (usually through the menu button in the top or bottom of the screen when the tape is open), you get access to managing content sources.
The first step is to filter categories. The system offers dozens of types of widgets, from finance and sports to health and technology. Selective approach is critical here. If you don't follow the bitcoin rate, turn off this widget so it doesn't take up space. If you don't use the Mi Sport, remove the activity card. It will make the tape lighter and more informative.
And you should focus on the Quick Access widgets, and you can add shortcuts to this section to trigger specific actions within apps: Pay in the subway, Turn on the flashlight, Record a voice note, and this makes a widget tape a powerful automation tool, so you can create a scenario where you tap into a music service and you open the navigator.
| Type of widget | Functional | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Stepper | Activity tracking | Staying Active for Motivation |
| News | Aggregator of articles | Disable if there is a separate application |
| Notes | Quick text entry | Useful for students and office workers |
| Calendar | Event planning | Recommended for schedule control |
You can also change the font size and style of the cards, HyperOS has the ability to change the transparency of the background and the degree of blur (blur) under the widgets, which allows you to harmoniously fit the tape into the design of your wallpaper. Don't ignore these visual settings, as they affect the overall perception of the interface and the ergonomics of using a smartphone with one hand.
Hidden settings through ADB
Replacement of the standard tape with Yandex or Google
Many users in Russia and the CIS prefer to replace Xiaomi’s standard feed with more conventional and functional ones, led by Yandex.Renta (formerly Yandex.Run) and Google Discover, which offer smarter news algorithms and better integration with their developers’ ecosystems.
Google Discover often requires no complicated manipulations to install, just install the Google app and update it through the Play Market, and then in the Xiaomi desktop settings ("More" or "More"), the list of widget feed vendors will appear "Detect" or "Google Discover", and by choosing it, you will get access to personalized news results from Google.
With Yandex.Lenta, the situation is a little different, as it is often preinstalled in the Russian versions of Xiaomi smartphones. If it is not, you need to download the Yandex or Yandex.Lenta application from Mi GetApps or a third-party store. After installing and logging into the Yandex account, in the desktop settings you should select Yandex.Lent as the source, which will give access to Zen channels, weather, traffic jams and currency rates in the interface familiar to the Russian user.
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party tapes, make sure they have the necessary geolocation and notification access permissions, otherwise weather and traffic widgets may not be updated correctly.
The advantage of third-party feeds is their independence from the firmware updates MIUI. While Xiaomi can change the interface or remove features in new versions of Android, applications from Yandex and Google are developing independently, maintaining the usual functionality and design. This is especially true for older smartphone models that have stopped receiving major system updates.
💡
Replacing your standard feed with Yandex or Google is the best way to get up-to-date news and easy search if Xiaomi’s standard solutions seem overloaded or uncomfortable.
Problems with the widget tape and methods of their solution
Like any software component, the widget tape may not work properly. Users often find that the tape stops updating, freezes when scrolling or disappears from settings altogether, most often due to a crowded cache of the system application com.miui.personalassistant or conflict with the installed themes of the design.
The first step in diagnostics is to clean up the data and cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, look up the list of “Ribbon widgets” (or “App Vault”, “Personal Assistant”). In the app menu, select “Clean” → “All data”. This will reset the tape settings to factory, but will not delete your personal data in the phone. After rebooting the device, the tape should earn steadily.
If the problem persists, check for updates for system components. Go to the Services and Feedback app (or Component Update) and click three dots in the corner, selecting "Check Updates." Often, Xiaomi releases patches for system applications separately from firmware updates, and they may contain patches for tape bugs.
- 📱 Safe Mode Reboot: Helps to Identify Conflicting Third Party App.
- 🔄 Region change: Sometimes switching region in phone settings (e.g. India or the U.S.) and back updates server tape configs.
- 🗑️ Remove Updates: In the widget tape app menu, you can click “Delete Updates” to roll back to the factory version of the component.
In rare cases, especially on custom firmware or after unlocking the bootloader, the system tape file can be corrupted, in which case resetting the phone to factory settings will help, but this is an extreme measure, requiring prior backup of all important data.
The impact of widget tape on autonomy and performance
There is a widespread belief that active widget tape is a significant drain on the battery. Let's see if that's true. Widget tape is an active process that constantly updates data in the background. Weather, currency rates, news headlines require periodic access to the network and the processor. On older smartphones with a battery capacity of up to 4000 mAh, this can be noticeable.
However, in modern realities and on the processors Snapdragon or Dimensity of the latest generations, the impact is minimal. MIUI/HyperOS) It effectively controls background processes by freezing inactive widgets. The actual charge consumption only occurs when the cards are updated, which takes a fraction of a second. If you notice a sharp discharge, it is likely that the specific heavy widget is to blame, not the tape itself.
For maximum optimization, it is recommended to disable auto-update for rarely used widgets. For example, the “Shares” or “Cryptocurrencies” widget, updated every minute, will consume more resources than the “Calendar” widget, which accesses the network once an hour.