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

Why Xiaomi has an extra desktop on the left and how to fix it

Many Xiaomi smartphone owners are facing the unexpected appearance of an additional desktop to the left of the home screen.This screen, often referred to as a “minus screen” or “left desktop,” typically contains weather widgets, app recommendations, news feeds, or quick settings. While some users find it useful, most consider it an extra element that takes up space and slows navigation.

The reason for the appearance of this screen lies in the corporate shell MIUI, which will activate it by default on new devices or after updates. MIUI 12 to MIUI 14) and smartphone models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 et al.) the ways to remove it may vary.It is important to understand that this screen is not a virus or a system failure - it is a standard feature that can be disabled or customized to your needs.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove the left desktop, including hidden settings, disabling through ADB, and even radical methods for those who are willing to sacrifice some functions for the sake of clean interface.

Method 1: Disconnect via launcher settings (for MIUI 12–14)

The easiest and safest method is to use the launcher's built-in settings, which is suitable for most MIUI 12-14 devices and does not require superuser rights or PC connectivity.

  1. Go to the main screen and make a long press in any free place.
  2. At the bottom of the screen will appear the toolbar – tap the icon Settings (cog).
  3. In the menu that opens, select Additional Settings (or Extended, depending on the version).
  4. Find the left screen option (sometimes called the recommendation screen or the Minus screen) and move the slider to the off position.

After these manipulations, the left screen will disappear, but it is important to consider a few nuances:

  • 🔄 In some models (POCO F4, Redmi K50) This item may be called the Search Screen – it should also be turned off.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global sometimes doesn't have the ability to completely turn off the left screen, so it's empty, but it's still flipping to the left.

Method 2: Manual removal of widgets (partial solution)

If you can't completely turn off the left screen, you can at least clean it out of unnecessary widgets, and this method won't remove the screen itself, but it will make it empty and less visible.

  1. Flick the main screen to the left to open the problem screen.
  2. Press and hold any widget (such as weather or calendar) until the menu appears.
  3. At the top of the screen will appear basket - drag widget there.
  4. Repeat the action for all elements, including Google Search and Recommended Apps.

After removing all widgets, the screen will become empty, but will still swipe. To return it back, just add any widget through the Widget menu (long press on the home screen → Widgets).

Make sure you have the latest version of MIUI|Reboot your smartphone |Try removing widgets in Safe Mode |Update the launcher via Google Play (if you use a third-party)

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This is a good way for users who need to keep the screen functional (for example, to quickly access notes), but also to get rid of unnecessary content.

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a deep-tuning tool that requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge, but it's 100% effective even on HyperOS.

Here's what you're gonna need:

  • 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
  • 📱 Smartphone with enabled debugging USB (is in the settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap the version number → return to additional settings → For developers).
  • 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Follow the instructions:

  1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (cmd in Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
  2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
  3. Use the command to turn off the left screen: adb shell settings put secure sysui_qqs_count 0 For HyperOS, use: adb shell settings put secure sysui_qqs_panels ""
  4. Reboot your smartphone: adb reboot

If the screen is left after the reboot, try the alternative command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.home

Then immediately return the launcher back:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.home

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB If after the commands the smartphone started to brake or the launcher stopped opening, reset the settings through Settings. → Memory. → Resetting settings.

Through launcher settings|Removal of widgets|ADB-team|Resetting settings|Nothing helped.-->

Method 4: Resetting the launcher settings (radical solution)

If previous methods didn't work, you can return the launcher to factory settings, which will remove all your widgets, folders and icon locations on the home screen, but also reset the left screen settings.

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  2. Find the Launcher app (or MIUI Launcher) and tap it.
  3. Select Warehouse → Clear the data and confirm the action.
  4. Reboot your smartphone.

Once reset, the left screen should disappear, but you'll have to reconfigure the home screen, a method that's particularly effective for HyperOS devices, where standard methods often don't work.

Important: Before resetting, take screenshots of the current location of the icons or write down important settings to restore them later, and note that the launcher reset does not affect application data or files in the device memory.

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If the left screen appears again after reset, try installing a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher) and disabling the system through Settings → Default Apps.

Method 5: Use of third-party launchers (alternative solution)

If none of these methods worked, you can completely replace the standard launcher with a third-party one, which not only removes the left screen, but also gives you additional customization options.

  • 🌟 Nova Launcher – Supports gestures, icon themes and hiding unnecessary screens.
  • 🎨 Lawnchair is an open source lightweight launcher optimized for Xiaomi.
  • ⚡ Hyperion Launcher – imitates Google’s Pixel Launcher, without unnecessary screens.

To install a third-party launcher:

  1. Download the selected application from Google Play.
  2. After installation, click the Home button and select the new launcher as the default application.
  3. In the launcher settings, turn off all additional screens (usually an option called Desktop or Desktop).

The advantage of this method is that you get not only a clean interface, but also additional features such as backup screen settings, adaptive icons and gestures. However, note that some system widgets (such as Xiaomi’s Smart Assistant) may not work on third-party launchers.

Compatibility table with MIUI versions and models

To simplify the choice of method, we have compiled a compatibility table for popular devices and firmware versions:

Model of the deviceMIUI/HyperOS versionMethod 1 (Starter settings)Method 2 (Delete widgets)Method 3(ADB)Method 4 (Resetting the launcher)
Xiaomi 13/13 ProHyperOS 1.0❌✅✅✅
Redmi Note 12MIUI 14✅✅✅✅
POCO X5 ProMIUI 14 (Global)❌✅✅✅
Xiaomi 12TMIUI 13✅✅✅✅
Redmi 10CMIUI 12.5✅✅❌✅

On HyperOS (Xiaomi 13/14 series) devices, standard shutdown via launcher settings is often blocked, so it is recommended to use ADB or third-party launchers.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you try to remove the left desktop, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

  • 🔧 "There is no left screen option in the settings, which means your version MIUI It doesn't support direct shutdown. ADB launcher.
  • 🔄 "After the update, the screen reappeared" - Xiaomi sometimes resets after the updates. Check the launcher settings after each update.
  • 📵 "ADB not seeing the device – make sure that the debugging is enabled USB And you have drivers installed. Try another cable or port. USB.
  • 🚫 "The launcher reset didn't help, because if the screen is still there after the reset, it's hard-stitched into the firmware.

Another common mistake is to try to turn off the screen through Developer Mode, and despite popular belief, there are no options like Turn off the mini screen in the developer menu, a myth that is common on forums.

Why Xiaomi doesn’t make it easy to turn off the left screen?
Xiaomi integrates ad modules and affiliate services (such as app recommendations from the Mi App Store) into the left screen, removing them deprives the company of some of the revenue from impressions, so the shutdown function is often hidden or blocked, and on Chinese firmware, this screen contains local service widgets (such as Xiaomi Pay or Mi Home), which makes it more useful for the main audience of the brand.

Can I remove the left screen without root rights?
Yes, all of the methods described in this article (except for deep modifications of the system) work without root. For most devices, standard settings or ADB are sufficient.
Why does the screen return after the ADB shutdown?
This is because of the automatic resetting of the system services Xiaomi. ADB-Disable automatic update of the launcher in Google Play (if installed there) and avoid resetting settings.
Will the ADB work on the POCO F5?
Yes, POCO F5 on MIUI 14 supportive ADB-Use the command adb shell settings put secure sysui_qqs_count 0.
Can I return the screen if I need it?
You just need to add any widget to the blank screen. 2) Or perform a reverse command to ADB: adb shell settings delete secure sysui_qqs_count After the reboot, the screen will return.
Is it true that the left screen slows down the smartphone?
No, the screen itself doesn't affect performance, as it only loads when you flip through it, but widgets on it (like animated weather) can consume additional resources. If you notice lags, try removing dynamic widgets.