Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which run on MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, offer users a huge number of personalization tools. Widgets allow users to instantly receive information about the weather, currency exchange, news or battery status without opening the application. However, the abundance of elements on the desktop often leads to visual congestion and clutter, preventing them from quickly finding the right icons.
Many users are faced with a situation where the default widgets appear on the screen, or those that were added accidentally. Deleting the widget is a simple process that frees up space and makes the interface cleaner. It is important to understand that removing an item from the desktop does not remove the application itself to which it is attached, so your data will remain safe.
In this guide, we will look at all the ways to clean your desktop of unnecessary elements. We will look at the standard methods for different versions of firmware, and also touch on cases when widgets behave incorrectly or their removal is blocked by system restrictions. The flexibility of customizing the Xiaomi interface allows each user to create the perfect workspace.
Basic method of removal through the editing menu
The most common and intuitive way to get rid of the extra element on the screen is to use the built-in editing menu. In modern versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shell, this process is as simple as possible and does not require a deep dive into the system settings.
First, you need to unlock the smartphone and go to the main screen where the target widget is located. Prolonged pressing (tap and hold your finger for 1-2 seconds) on any free screen space or directly on the widget itself activates the editing mode. The screen will decrease slightly, and additional control buttons will appear on top or bottom.
Once you activate the widget, it will stand out as a frame, and at the top of the display will appear a toolbar. Here you need to find an icon that resembles a basket or crossed out square, often signed as "Delete" or "Remove." Drag the widget on this icon or just press a button will confirm the action.
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If the delete icon doesn’t appear immediately, try to slightly shift the widget to the side with your finger – sometimes the system waits for this action to activate the menu.
It's worth noting that in some design themes, standard icons can be replaced, but the logic remains the same. If you use a third-party launcher, the process may be different, but the long-pressing principle works 99% of the time. Once removed, the desktop space will be freed up, and the remaining icons can automatically move, filling the resulting void.
Removing widgets through desktop settings
Sometimes standard long-press removal fails or the interface reacts with a delay, and in such cases, deep system settings come to the rescue, a method that is especially relevant if the widget is stuck or is part of a system package that is difficult to remove in the usual ways.
To get to the menu, open your Xiaomi device’s Settings. Next, look for the look section. Depending on the firmware version, the path may look like desktop or home. In some builds, these items are hidden inside the Additional section.
In the desktop settings menu, look for widget management or a list of installed items. This displays a full map of what's on your screens. You can turn off certain system blocks, such as Google Discover or Status, which often take up space on the top or left of the first screen.
What is a Widget Ribbon?
Disabling widgets through settings is a "soft" deletion. In fact, the item is not deleted from the phone's memory, but ceases to appear on the interface. This is convenient for system components that cannot be removed completely without root permissions. After making changes, be sure to click "Apply" or "Save" to take effect.
Cleaning up negative screen and Google feed
One of the most common reasons for wanting to clear your desktop is the so-called “negative screen,” the area that swipes to the right of the homepage, usually where you have Google Discover or Xiaomi’s own news feed (Mi Vision), which can load RAM and distract you with notifications.
To disable this feature, you need to go to the desktop settings. The path usually looks like: Settings → Desktop → Widget Ribbon (or “Google Discover”). In the source list that opens, select “No” or simply turn off the switch next to the tape name. This action instantly removes the empty or news-filled page to the left of your icons.
If the standard means of disabling the tape fails (for example, in global versions of firmware), you can use the method of hiding through the Google settings. Open the Google app, go to Settings → General → Discover and turn it off. However, at the system level, the swipe may remain, just the screen will become empty.
It's important to understand the difference between a widget and a live wallpaper. If you see animations on a swipe, but there's no interactive elements, maybe the problem is the theme. Changing the theme to a standard one often solves the problem of unwanted elements on a negative screen.
Managing application and services widgets
Many apps that are installed automatically offer to add their widgets to the desktop. Social media, banking apps, delivery services all tend to be in your sight, and managing these elements requires understanding how the widget system in Android and MIUI works.
To see and manage the full list of available widgets, make a long click on the empty desktop and select the Widgets (or Add a Widget) item. Here is a catalog of all installed applications that support this format. You can scroll through the list and find the unnecessary item to understand which application it belongs to.
Removing the app widget doesn't remove the app itself. However, if you want to eliminate the possibility of such blocks completely, you may need to disable the app's notifications or delete it. Some system services, such as Security or Scanner, have widgets that can't be removed by standard methods unless you turn off the service itself.
The table below shows examples of popular apps and the ability to remove their widgets:
| Application/Service | Type of widget | Is it possible to remove | Deleting method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weather (Mi Weather) | Systemic | Yes. | Long pressing → Delete |
| Google Search Search | Systemic | Yes. | Desktop settings |
| Music (Mi Music) | Media | Yes. | Long pressing → Delete |
| Banking applications | Quick access | Yes. | Long pressing → Delete |
☑️ Pre-deletion check
Solving problems: when the widget is not removed
Users often face a situation where the widget cannot be removed in the usual way: it does not drag and drop, the delete button is inactive or disappears immediately after returning to the desktop.This can be caused by a locking of the screen layout or a software failure.
The first thing to check is the status of the layout lock. In the desktop settings (Settings → Desktop), find the Layout Lock option. If it's on, you won't be able to move or remove any items. Disable this feature to gain full control of the desktop.
The second reason could be a launcher malfunction, in which case it helps to clear the cache of the Desktop application. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find the Desktop (or Launcher) list, select Clear → Clear cache. Importantly, do not choose Clear all data unless you want to reset all icons and widgets to factory status.
⚠️ Note: If the widget is part of malware (advertising virus), it can recover after removal, in which case you need to find and remove the source application itself through the application manager or antivirus.
It's also worth checking if the problem item is part of an active design theme. Some themes (forced) set up certain widgets. Returning to the standard theme "Classic" or "Free" often solves the problem with "immortal" widgets.
Optimizing the interface after removal
After you have removed the extra widgets, it is recommended to conduct a review of the remaining elements. Too many active widgets, even if you like them, can reduce the autonomy of the smartphone.
Leave only what you actually use on your desktop, like maybe, calendar, weather, or step counter, and it's better to keep less important functions inside apps, and it'll not only make the interface work faster, it'll also make it visually easier to understand.
For users who want maximum performance, there is a Simplified or Lite mode in the theme settings that limits the number of animations and active elements. Using static wallpaper instead of live will also help to consolidate the result of optimization.
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Regularly cleaning the desktop of unused widgets prolongs battery life and speeds up the system response.
Remember, the interface of your smartphone is your work tool, and customizing it is not just a matter of aesthetics, it's also a way to increase productivity, experiment with the layout, remove the extra, and leave only the functionally necessary elements.