Owners of budget but reliable smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 7A often face intrusive functionality that not only takes up precious screen space but consumes system resources. One of the most common irritants is a news feed integrated into the search bar or desktop known as Yandex.Zen. This newsfeed can significantly slow down interface scrolling and distract from the main work with the device, especially on models with limited RAM.
The process of getting rid of this service is not always obvious, as app developers try to integrate their products into the Android system as deeply as possible. Depending on the version of the MIUI firmware and how the browser or searcher is installed, the ways to solve the problem may differ, and some users do not even realize that a widget that occupies half the screen can easily be transformed into a regular search bar or completely removed.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all existing methods of disabling Zen tape on the Redmi 7A. We will look at the settings of the browser itself, the system parameters of the desktop and even deeper methods of managing applications. A unique feature of the Redmi 7A is the ability to completely remove Yandex system components through ADB without root rights, which is not available on many other budget-funded devices. Follow the instructions carefully to return your smartphone to a clean and fast interface.
Analysis of the source of the news feed on Redmi 7A
Before you take decisive action, you need to determine exactly which component of the Android operating system broadcasts news content. On Xiaomi smartphones, the most common three main sources are: the Yandex browser widget, the built-in Google search bar with the connected tape, or the MIUI system aggregator. Understanding the source is critical, since disabling one does not guarantee the disappearance of the other.
Redmi 7A owners often install Yandex as their primary browser, and it is their default widget that pulls up personalized feed. However, even if you use Chrome, Google Discover can be activated on the system, which is visually very similar to Zen and also consumes traffic. Differentiating these services will avoid confusion and unnecessary manipulation of settings.
- 📱 Yandex widget: usually has the company logo on the left and the search bar, when scrolling down, the article tape opens.
- 🔍 Google Discover: located to the left of the first screen of the desktop, contains news cards from various publications.
- ⚙️ System widget MIUI: can display news in the tool folder or on the lock screen if the appropriate option is enabled.
It’s also important to note that on the Redmi 7A, with its 2 or 3 gigabytes of RAM, the background work of heavy news widgets can cause noticeable interface friezes.Switching off these services will not only remove visual noise, but also potentially extend the battery life of the device, as it will stop constantly synchronizing content in the background.
⚠️ Warning: Before removing or disabling system applications, make sure you have an alternative browser installed by default so you don’t get left without internet access.
Disabling the tape in the application Yandex.Browser
The most common culprit for the appearance of Zen tape is the official Yandex.Browser application. If the widget on your desktop belongs to this application, then the settings should be searched inside the browser itself. The interface of the mobile application is quite overloaded, but the necessary options are hidden in the settings menu, accessible through a button with three dots or stripes.
To start, open the app and go to the settings menu. You'll need to find the section that controls the look of the start page. Different versions of Android on Redmi 7A, this path may be called "Settings scoreboard" or "Home screen," and that's where the switch that activates or deactivates the recommendation display hides.
Once you find the right item, "Show Reference Feed," simply put the slider in an inactive state. The browser interface will instantly change, and instead of an endless stream of articles, you will only see frequently visited sites and the search bar. This action does not delete the application, but only changes its behavior on the start page.
If you don’t want to completely disable the tape, but want to clear it of certain content, you can use the personalization feature, but for Redmi 7A owners, the most effective way is to completely disable the visual element, which is guaranteed to free up the processor’s resources.
- 🔘 Open the browser settings menu (three dots in the corner).
- 📉 Select "Settings scoreboard" or "Main screen».
- ❌ Find the “Show Zen Ribbon” switch and turn it off.
- 💾 Check the changes on the desktop – the widget should update.
☑️ Checking browser settings
Setting up Google Search widget on your desktop
Many Xiaomi users mistakenly confuse Yandex’s feed with Google Discover, which is also built into the Android operating system. If your Redmi 7A swipes right, they’re Google services. Fortunately, they can also be easily disabled without using third-party software.
To do this, you need to call the desktop editing menu. On MIUI, this is done by a long tap over the free space on the screen or pinch (mixing two fingers). In the menu that appears, select Settings or immediately go to the settings of the Google widget, if it is displayed separately.
In the window that opens, find a switch that is often called Google Tape or Google Discover. Once it is turned off, a swipe left or right (depending on the launcher version) will stop opening the news feed, and you will simply move between desktops. This is standard procedure for all Android devices.
| Parameter | Status before setup | Status after setup | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Tape | Included. | Off. | Reducing traffic consumption |
| Search widget | With tape. | Just searching. | Accelerating scrolling |
| Background update | Actively. | Stopped. | Battery savings |
| Personalization | Active. | Disconnected. | Enhancing privacy |
It’s worth noting that disabling this service doesn’t affect voice assistant or basic Google search.You’ll still be able to use voice input and search queries, but you won’t automatically download news cards, which is the preferred option for many Redmi 7A users.
Removal and disabling of system components
If simple settings don’t help, or if the Yandex app was preinstalled by the manufacturer and isn’t removed in the standard way, you’ll have to resort to more radical measures. On the Xiaomi Redmi 7A, there is the option of forcibly stopping or disabling system applications through the Android settings menu.
Go to Settings → Applications → All Apps. Find Yandex, Yandex.Browser or Google. Click on the app name and select the option to Disable or Remove Updates and then Remove. If the delete button is inactive, use the option to Disable, which will hide the app from the menu and stop its processes.
In some cases, especially on global firmware versions, it may be necessary to remove security or launcher updates to access full removal. However, on Redmi 7A, standard user rights are usually sufficient. If the application continues to return after a reboot, then it is protected by system rights and root rights or ADB use will be required to completely remove it.
- 🗑️ Go to the application settings through the main menu.
- 📂 Find the Yandex application in the list of installed.
- 🛑 Click the “Disable” button to block background work.
- 🔄 Restart the device to apply changes.
⚠️ Attention: Disabling Google system components could cause maps, the Play Market store and contact syncs to malfunction.Be selective.
Using third-party launchers for complete cleaning
The most effective and safest way to permanently get rid of any built-in advertising and news feeds on the Xiaomi Redmi 7A is to install an alternative launcher.The standard MIUI shell is tightly integrated with Xiaomi and partners services, while third-party launchers provide a clean Android interface.
Popular options like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher allow you to have full control over the contents of your desktop. Once you install such a launcher, you can customize the widgets as you wish, leaving only a blank search bar without any newsfeeds.
The installation process is simple: download the selected launcher from Google Play, launch it and click the Home button when the system asks which application to use by default. Choose a new launcher and select the Always option. Now your Redmi 7A will look and work completely differently, becoming significantly lighter and faster.
In addition, third-party launchers often have more flexible animation and gesture settings, which can further speed up the device. For budget models with a Snapdragon 439 processor, this can be a real breath of fresh air, extending the life of a smartphone for a year or two.
Cleaning through ADB for advanced users
For those who are not afraid of the command line and want to achieve the perfect result, there is a method of removing system applications through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to remove even those applications that are not deleted through the standard settings interface Redmi 7A.
First, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the build number seven times. Then, in the Developer menu, turn on "Debugging on USB." Connect the phone to your computer, install the drivers and the ADB utility.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 ru.yandex.searchclientThis command will remove the Yandex search client for the current user without affecting the system partition, which is safe for warranty. Similarly, you can remove other inflating components. Once you execute the commands, the phone will become cleaner and the memory will be freer.
However, for everyday use, this is an ideal option for cleaning the interface from intrusive software.