How to remove the left desktop on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

You turned on a Xiaomi smartphone and found that a second desktop appeared on the screen, a left-hand desktop with unnecessary widgets, empty folders or advertising? This problem is familiar to many users of devices based on MIUI. Most often it occurs after updating the firmware, resetting settings or installing third-party launchers. In some cases, system bugs are to blame, in others, the actions of the users themselves.

In this article, we will look at all the possible causes of an extra desktop on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, and provide step-by-step instructions for removing it. You will learn how to return the standard view of the screen without losing data, which settings are responsible for the number of desktops, and what to do if the problem returns after a reboot. From simple solutions to radical ones, choose the right way!

Why is Xiaomi getting a left-hand desktop?

Before you remove the extra screen, it's important to understand why it came about.

• 🔄 Update MIUI. After installing a new firmware version, the system can reset the launcher settings by adding an additional desktop.
• 📱 Reset to factory settings. Even partial reset (e.g., through Settings) → Annexes → Resetting application settings) sometimes results in duplicate screens.
• 🛠️ Third-party launchers: Installation of alternative shells (Nova Launcher, Apex, Microsoft Launcher) may conflict with the system launcher MIUI.
• 📦 Viruses or Adware: Some apps (especially from unverified sources) add their screens to ads.
• 🤖 System bug: In rare cases, the error occurs on its own, for example, after prolonged use without rebooting.

If an extra desktop appeared after the update, most likely, the fault of the reset of the launcher settings. In this case, just remove it manually (for this in the next section). If the problem occurred after installing a third-party application, first try to remove this software.

Method 1: Remove the excess desktop through the launcher settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI Launcher tools, which works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices (except POCO Launcher models).

Instructions:

1. Go to the main screen (swipe left or right if you see an extra table).
2. Touch and hold the blank space on the screen (not on the icon!).
3. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a toolbar, and you'll tap the Settings icon.
4. Select Desktop Settings (or Home Screen in newer versions of MIUI).
5. Scroll down and find the option to Delete Desktop (or Edit Screens).
6. Press the cross (×) next to the unnecessary screen and confirm the action.

If that doesn't work, you may have a POCO Launcher or some other shell installed, in which case you can move on to the next method.

Close all open applications

Make sure there are no important widgets on the extra screen

Make a backup copy of the data (just in case)

Check the version. MIUI In Settings → The phone.-->

Method 2: Reset the launcher settings (without data loss)

If you can’t delete the screen through the settings, try resetting the launcher settings, which will return the standard desktop configuration without removing applications or files.

How to do this:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, type “Luncher” (or MIUI Launcher).
3. Slip on the app, then select Warehouse.
4. Click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
5. Confirm the action and restart the device.

Once you restart, the system will restore the standard desktop settings, and note that this method will remove all your widgets and icon locations, and you will have to reconfigure them.

Method 3: Remove via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods do not work, you can try to remove the extra desktop through the ADB-This is a way for advanced users, because it requires a computer connection.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging on your smartphone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

command-line

Terminal

adb devices

(Your device serial number should appear).

adb shell pm clear com.miui.home

Reboot your smartphone.

If after this procedure, the extra screen disappeared, but other bugs returned (for example, the theme of the design was lost), try to update the MIUI to the latest version.

💡

Before using ADB, make sure that your Xiaomi model has drivers installed on your PC, and you can download them on the official website in the MIUI Downloads section (select your model in the list).

Method 4: Disable widgets and applications that create extra screens

Sometimes the left-hand desktop is created by widgets or apps that automatically add their pages, for example, some banking apps, games or services (such as Mi Video or Mi Browser) can create additional screens with ads or quick access.

How to find and remove these applications:

• 🔍 Check which widgets are installed on the extra screen. If there are suspicious items (for example, News, Weather from an unknown developer), remove them with a long tap. → Remove the widget.
• 📌 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Manage applications and sort the list by installation date.Remove newly installed programs.
• 🛡️ Check your device for viruses with Google Play Protect (Settings) → Google → Security).

If you find an app that adds extra screens but can’t remove it (like system), try turning it off:

1. Open the application information in Settings → Applications.
2. Click Disable (if the button is active).
3. Confirm the action and restart the device.

💡

Most often, extra screens add applications from unverified sources (APK-Install programs only from Google Play or the official Xiaomi store (GetApps).

Method 5: Complete factory reset (extreme case)

If none of the previous methods worked, the last resort is to reset the device to factory settings, which will delete all data, including apps, photos and settings, so only use this method if other options are exhausted.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup copy of important data (contacts, photos, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select Reset all settings (or Delete all data in new MIUI versions).
4. Enter a password (if required) and confirm the action.
5. Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once reset, the device will turn on in its original state, as after purchase. You will need to reconfigure Xiaomi, but the problem with the extra desktop should disappear.

⚠️ Note: If the extra screen appears again after reset, this may indicate a hardware problem (such as memory damage) or a virus in the firmware.

Comparison of methods: which way to choose?

To make it easier for you to decide, we have compiled a table with the pros and cons of each method:

Start with the simplest method (Method 1) and move on to the more complex one if the problem doesn't work out. The first two help 95% of the time.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you delete an extra desktop, users often make mistakes that can make the problem worse.

• 🚫 Remove system applications through root access, which can cause a device to crash.
• 🚫 Use unofficial firmware (castom) ROM) The wrong firmware often adds bugs.
• 🚫 Ignore updates MIUI. In new versions of firmware often correct errors with desktops.
• 🚫 Install launchers from unverified sources, which may contain malicious code.

If you do decide to use root rights or custom firmware, pre-examine the instructions in thematic forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA Developers).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 Pro) after removing the extra screen, you may not be able to add new desktops. To return this feature, reset the launcher settings (Method 2).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions