How to permanently remove Yandex Zen from the Xiaomi phone: working methods of 2026

Yandex Zen automatically appears on the screens of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones after a firmware update or initial setup. For many users, this service becomes a source of annoyance: it consumes traffic, downloads unnecessary content and distracts with notifications. Unfortunately, standard removal through the application menu often does not work – the MIUI system protects preinstalled services.

In this guide, we’ll break down 5 proven ways to completely disable or remove Yandex Zen on Xiaomi phones, including models with MIUI 12, MIUI 13 and MIUI 14. You’ll learn how to remove the widget from the home screen, block notifications, disable auto-start and even uninstall the application via ADB — no root rights. All methods tested on current firmware in 2026.

Why does Yandex Zen appear on Xiaomi and can it be removed?

Yandex Zen is integrated into MIUI firmware under an agreement between Xiaomi and Yandex, part of a partnership program that allows the brand to monetize pre-installed software. Unlike conventional applications, Zen is a system service, so:

• 🔄 It cannot be removed in the standard way (the "Delete" button is inactive).
• 📱 It is automatically updated via Google Play or MIUI App Store.
• 🔔 Disabling notifications does not block background activity.
• 🔍 The Service may collect data on your interests even without active use.

However, there are workarounds. For example, on models with MIUI 14 (for example, Xiaomi 13 or Redmi Note 12), you can turn off autoplay through hidden settings, and on older versions, ADB will help.

Method 1: Removal of Yandex Zen widget from the main screen

If you're annoyed by a desktop widget, you can remove it in 10 seconds, and this method doesn't turn off the app itself, but it takes it out of sight.

1. Press and hold your finger on the Yandex Zen widget.
2. In the menu that appears, select Remove (basket icon).
3. Confirm the action if necessary.

On some models (e.g., POCO X5), the widget may be called "News Tape" or "Recommendations." If it reappears after deleting, go to Settings → Home Screen → Widgets and turn off the option Auto Add widgets.

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If the widget is not deleted, try dragging it to the folder first and then removing the entire folder.

Method 2: Disabling notifications and background activity

Even without the widget, Yandex Zen can send notifications and consume traffic, to block its activity completely:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Yandex Zen (or Yandex Zen) in the list.
3. Go to the Notifications section and turn off all switches.
4. Go back and select Battery → Background Activity → Limit.
5. In the Mobile Data section, disable Background traffic.

These actions will not remove the app, but will minimize its impact on the system. Xiaomi with MIUI 14 also introduced the option Deep Optimization – turn it on for a complete limitation.

Method 3: Disable Autostart via Hidden MIUI Settings

MIUI allows some applications to automatically start when you turn on your phone, and Yandex Zen often uses this feature to turn off auto-start:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → Yandex Zen.
2. Select Autostart and turn off the switch.
3. Return to the previous menu and select Permissions → disable all permissions (especially Network Access and Display on top of other windows).

On some models (e.g. Redmi 10), the path may differ: Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management → Applications → Yandex Zen → Limit.

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Disabling auto-start does not remove the application, but significantly reduces its impact on performance and battery consumption.

Method 4: Complete removal of Yandex Zen via ADB (without root rights)

If you are ready for more radical measures, you can remove Zen through Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method does not require superuser rights, but requires a computer and a computer. USB-Important: Wrong commands ADB They may disrupt the system. Follow the instructions carefully.

Steps to remove:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI until the notification "You've become a developer" appears.
2. Activate USB Debugging: Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Turn on the USB Debugging Switch.

ADB-driver

adb.exe

adb devices

The serial number of your device should appear.

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.yandex.zen

Once the phone is restarted, the app will disappear from the system. If the command does not work, try an alternative package:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 ru.yandex.zen

Install ADB drivers on PC|

Enable the developer mode on Xiaomi|

Activate debugging via USB|

Connect the phone with the original cable |

Check the connection of the team `adb devices`-->

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) post-refresh MIUI Yandex Zen can recover, in which case repeat the procedure or use the method with disabling updates (see Method 5).

Method 5: Blocking Yandex Zen updates via Google Play

Even after deleting via ADB, Yandex Zen can return after updating via Google Play.

1. Open Google Play and find Yandex Zen.
2. Click on three dots in the corner → Remove updates (if the button is active).
3. Return to the app page and click on three dots again → Disable Auto Update.

For reliability, also disable auto-update of all apps in the Google Play settings: Settings → Auto-Update apps → Do not update automatically.

If Yandex Zen has already been removed via ADB, but its page still appears in Google Play, it is normal – it will remain in the installed list, but the application will not work.

What if Yandex Zen returned after resetting?

When hard reset is done, all pre-installed applications, including Yandex Zen, are restored to avoid this:

• 📱 Immediately after reset, turn off the Internet (Wi-Fi and mobile data) and remove Zen through the ADB before the first update of the system.
• 🔄 Refuse the update. MIUI in the first days after resetting – often Zen returns with firmware updates.
• 🛡️ Use alternative firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU) where pre-installed applications are removed by default.

If you reset your phone often, consider unlocking the bootloader and installing custom firmware, a radical solution, but it will eliminate unnecessary services forever.

⚠️ Note: On phones with a locked bootloader (most of Xiaomi's newer models), custom firmware installation requires an official unlocker from Xiaomi.The process can take up to 72 hours due to account verification.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Yandex Zen on Xiaomi