Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often notice an extra screen on the desktop to the left of the main screen, which is filled with news, app recommendations and quick action shortcuts. Many users confuse this functionality with a separate application, but in fact it is a system widget called App Vault (or “Wallpaper Carousel” in some versions of the firmware), which is part of the shell of MIUI and HyperOS, designed to speed up access to frequently used features and content.
The appearance of this interface element can be unexpected, especially after a major system update, when settings are reset or new company standards are applied. App Vault is not a virus or malware, however, its obsession and traffic consumption to update the news feed can annoy those who prefer minimalism. Understanding how this mechanism works will allow you to either effectively use its capabilities or completely get rid of it.
In this article, we will discuss the purpose of this service, analyze its impact on the performance of the device and provide step-by-step instructions for managing its visibility, you will learn how a standard widget differs from third-party launchers and why completely removing system components can be a risky step for an inexperienced user.
App Vault Functionality and Purpose in MIUI
App Vault is a content aggregator developed by Xiaomi engineers to provide instant access to information without having to open individual applications. In fact, it is a personalized panel that collects in one place shortcuts of frequently used programs, weather widgets, pedometer, scanner. QR-The idea is to create a smart space that anticipates the user's actions.
The widget’s functionality is highly dependent on the region chosen in the smartphone settings and the operating system version. In global firmware versions, it is often integrated with Google services, offering news from Google Discover, while in Chinese builds, local Baidu or UC Browser services dominate. A key feature of App Vault is the ability to output quick action widgets, such as turning on a flashlight or voice recorder, even if the screen is locked (with appropriate security settings).
Users can customize the contents of the tape by adding or removing cards, such as bringing up shipping information, a physical activity tracker or a list of recent photos, but keep in mind that active data synchronization requires a constant connection to the Internet, which can increase battery consumption in the background.
- 📱 Quick access to frequently used applications and system functions.
- 📰 Aggregation of news feeds and content recommendations in real time.
- 🔦 Availability of quick action widgets (lantern, calculator, scanner).
- 📊 Displaying health statistics and steps with fitness trackers.
⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI Newsfeeds can consume a significant amount of mobile traffic. If you have a tariffed Internet, it is recommended to limit background data transfer for system services or turn off automatic updates of news in the widget settings.
Differences between App Vault and Third-Party Launchers
It is important to clearly distinguish between the App Vault system widget and third-party launchers such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher. App Vault is an embedded MIUI shell component that runs on top of a standard desktop and does not replace it completely. It occupies only one specific position (usually the left-handmost screen) and depends on the system resolutions of the main firmware.
Third-party launchers, in turn, completely replace the smartphone management interface, changing the appearance of icons, app menus and swipe logic. Installing a third-party launcher can conflict with the work of the system App Vault, leading to its disappearance or incorrect display. Xiaomi optimized its widget to work with the native shell, providing better energy efficiency compared to heavy third-party counterparts.
Another significant difference is the level of access to the system. App Vault has deep privileges that allow it to display system information (headphone charge, delivery status, calendar reminders) without complex permission settings. Third-party applications often require multiple permissions to access files, location and battery use, which increases privacy risks.
The impact of the widget on performance and battery
The issue of the impact of App Vault on the autonomy of the smartphone remains a debate among Redmi users. On the one hand, the widget is optimized by developers and should not critically load the processor. On the other hand, a constant survey of servers to update the news feed, weather data and social network widgets creates background activity, which can total a tangible load.
On older smartphones with a small amount of RAM (3-4 GB), having active widgets can lead to more frequent downloading of applications from memory. This means that when switching between programs, the system will have to restart them, which increases response time and energy consumption. HyperOS tries to solve this problem with more aggressive management of background processes, but it is impossible to completely eliminate the impact of widgets.
If you notice that your smartphone is running out faster or heating up in standby mode, it’s worth checking the battery usage statistics. Often, the Wallpaper Carousel or App Vault system process can occupy the top of the consumption list, especially if you configure frequent content updates.
| Parameter | With App Vault enabled | With App Vault off |
|---|---|---|
| RAM consumption (at rest) | High (150-300MB) | Low (50-100MB) |
| Content updates | Permanent (requires networking) | Absent. |
| CPU loading | Periodic spikes | Minimum |
| Personalization | Tall. | Absent. |
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Turning off the widget is the easiest way to save battery power on older Redmi models without losing functionality to the main applications.
How to disable App Vault through system settings
The safest and most appropriate way to remove the extra screen is to use the standard shell settings, which do not require superuser rights (Root) and does not violate the device warranty. The process may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the general logic remains the same for all Xiaomi devices.
To start, you need to go to the desktop settings menu. Usually the path is as follows: go to Settings, select Desktop (or Home), and then find Additional or Desktop Settings. In some versions of the firmware, this item may be immediately in the main settings menu called Desktop.
In the menu that opens, you'll find a switch called App Vault, Wallpaper Carousel, or Left Screen. If you turn the slider to "Off," you'll instantly remove the extra screen. Changes apply immediately, and when you swipe to the right, the main desktop will no longer move.
☑️ Checklist for disabling widget
Removing the system package via ADB (for advanced)
For users who want not just to hide, but completely remove the component from the system, there is a method using debugging. USB tooling ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method allows you to deactivate the system package responsible for the widget, making its physical presence in the system impossible until the moment of re-activation.
Before you start, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the build number seven times (MIUI Version). Once you have the message "You became a developer", a new section will appear in the settings menu Advanced Settings → For developers. There you need to turn on the debugging option on USB.
Connect your smartphone to your computer, install drivers and the SDK Platform Tools platform. Open the command line in the ADB folder and enter a command to log in to the device shell. Once you successfully connect, execute a command to disable the package:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.personalassistantThis command will force you to stop and hide the Personal Assistant app, which is the technical basis of App Vault. If you need to return functionality back, use the adb shell pm enable com.miui.personalassistant command. Be careful: removing critical system components can lead to unstable interface operation.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-Disabling system packages not associated with the App Vault (for example, the system launcher) can lead to a “bootloop” (cyclic reboot) and the inability to load the smartphone interface without flashing it over.