Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which run on Android and the MIUI or HyperOS shell, offer users a variety of personalization features. However, one of the most intrusive features is the integration of Google’s newsfeed, known as Google Discover. It automatically appears when swiped left on the home screen, filled with articles, videos and promotional offers that are often of no interest to the owner of the device.
Many users are faced with a situation where a casual touch opens this tape, consuming traffic and distracting attention. Fortunately, the developers have provided several ways to solve this problem, allowing you to completely remove the information flow or replace it with more useful widgets. The process of disconnecting does not require the rights of the Root superuser and is performed by standard means of the system in a couple of minutes.
In this detailed guide, we will discuss all the current methods of deactivating the news feed on Xiaomi smartphones. We will look at the launcher settings, the parameters of the Google widget and the system restrictions that can prevent the complete removal of the service. Follow the instructions to return the cleanliness of the interface and improve the performance of the gadget.
Why does the news feed appear and can it be removed?
News Feed, or Google Discover, is an integral part of Google’s ecosystem pre-installed on certified Android devices. On Xiaomi smartphones, it is integrated into the system launcher as a separate desktop located to the left of the main one. Algorithms analyze search history, location and user preferences, forming personalized content delivery.
Deleting the service at the system level without losing Google search functionality is often impossible and not recommended, as it can disrupt voice assistant and widgets. However, disabling the display on the home screen is a regular feature available to every user, which allows you to hide the visual interface while keeping the search algorithms in the background.
⚠️ Note: Attempts to remove system APK-Google files through third-party file managers can lead to unstable device operation, SystemUI errors and loss of warranty.
It's important to understand the difference between a search widget and a recommendation tape. A widget is a static string or icon, and a tape is dynamic content that's downloaded from the Internet. If you turn off the feed, you stop seeing an endless stream of articles, but the search will still be accessible through a button or widget on your desktop.
Disconnecting through Xiaomi’s Home Screen Settings
The easiest and safest way to remove your news feed is to use the system launcher settings. In the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS, this option is hidden in the desktop control menu. First, unlock your smartphone and go to the main screen where the application icons are located.
Push two fingers into the center of the screen (finger mixing), or tap and hold an empty area to call the edit menu. In the interface that appears, find the Settings button (usually as a gear in the lower right corner). In the list that opens, look for the item associated with "Additional Screens" or "Desktops."
You'll need to find a switch that's called Google, Google Discover, or Widget Ribbon, and the exact name depends on the firmware version and regional settings. Turn the switch to "Switched Off," and then when you swipe to the left, the news feed will no longer appear, and the screen will remain empty or the search widget will open.
☑️ Checking the launcher settings
If the standard path didn't work, try the alternative through the system settings. Go to Settings → Desktop. In some versions of the software, the left-screen control option is displayed here. Find the Google Screen and deaktivirujte it. Changes take effect instantly, no reboot is required.
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Changing the launcher settings is the most reliable method that does not require installing third-party software and is safe for the system.
Managing Google widget on the desktop
Often, users confuse the news feed itself with the Google search widget, which can be placed on the desktop. If your goal is not only to remove the swipe to the left, but also to clean the screen of unnecessary elements, you need to properly manage the widgets. On Xiaomi, this is done through the editing menu.
Press your finger on the Google widget (search bar or square icon) before the vibration and action menu appear. Select the option to Remove or simply drag the item to the top of the screen where a cart or "Delete" appears. This action does not remove the Google app from memory, but only removes its visual representation from the current screen.
For those who want to replace the news feed with something more functional, the system offers a “Recommendations” widget from Xiaomi. It displays news from partner sources, weather and quick links. To activate it, go to the widget menu (two finger pinch) and select Widgets → Recommendations. This will leave the left screen useful but controlled.
⚠️ Warning: Removing Google Search widget from your desktop doesn't disable the voice assistant.You can all activate Google Assistant with the Home button or voice command if it's configured.
It is important to note that in some regions or on global firmware, the Google widget may be secured by the system and not be removed by standard drag and drop, in which case temporarily disabling Google app updates in settings helps, but this is an extreme measure that can affect the operation of other services.
Personalization and advertising identifiers
Even after turning off the news feed, Google continues to collect your interests to create an advertising profile, so you can go to the settings of the Google app itself to minimize surveillance and make it less intrusive.
Open the Google app (the "G" icon), click on the profile avatar in the corner, and select Settings → General. This is the Discover Ribbon switch. Disabling it hides the tape inside the app itself, but doesn't necessarily remove it from the left screen of the smartphone, so this step is an addition to the previous instructions.
Next, go to Settings → Privacy and Personalization → Ad personalization. Here you can turn off personalization or reset your advertising ID. This will not remove the ads completely, but will make them less relevant to your queries, which indirectly affects the content of news blocks.
| Parameter | Where to find out. | Shutdown effect |
|---|---|---|
| Discover tape | Google Appendix → Settings | Hiding news inside the search app |
| Google screen | Desktop settings | Remove the swipe to the left on the main screen |
| Personalization | Google Account → Data | Reduces the relevance of advertising and news |
| History of applications | Play Market → Profile | Clears the list of recommended applications |
Regularly cleaning up your search history and location also helps to “reset” the recommendation algorithms. Go to Google Settings → Data Management → History and select deletion of all-time data. This will return the tape (if you choose to turn it back on) to the default state without considering your past preferences.
Using third-party launchers for complete cleaning
If standard MIUI methods don’t seem flexible enough, or you want to drastically change the look of your smartphone, the best solution is to install a third-party launcher. Popular options like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Lawnchair completely replace the system interface and don’t have Google Discover’s built-in tape by default.
Once you install a third-party launcher from Google Play, the system will suggest you select the default home screen app. Select the launcher installed. Now the swipe to the left will either be empty or open widgets that you set up yourself, which gives you full control over each pixel of the screen.
However, this method has its own peculiarities: Third-party launchers can consume a little more RAM, and some Xiaomi features (such as gestures of control or double tapping to turn on the screen) may work differently or require additional customization.
Can I remove the Google app completely?
When choosing a launcher, pay attention to its compatibility with your version of Android. For modern versions of MIUI 13/14 and HyperOS, launchers that are actively updated by developers are best suited, since Xiaomi often changes internal APIs, which can cause display bugs.
Possible problems and solutions
Users may experience a number of typical problems when turning off news, such as switching in settings that can be active (grey) and not changeable, often on devices released for specific carriers or when using corporate profiles.
Another common situation is that the tape disappears after the reboot, but then reappears, which may indicate that the system or the Google application itself has restored the default settings, in which case the disabling procedure will have to be repeated, and it is also worth checking whether the synchronization of settings through the Google account is enabled, which can return old configurations.
If the swipe to the left still opens a page after turning off, check if it has a news aggregator app from Xiaomi (Mi Browser or GetApps). In the desktop settings, there is sometimes a separate option “Swig to the left” where you can select “Nothing” instead of a specific application.
⚠️ Warning: If after all the manipulations the phone began to behave strangely (icons disappear, search does not work), reset the launcher settings. → Annexes → All applications → Desktop and press Clear Data, which will return the icons to factory status.
In rare cases, the problem may be caused by a version conflict: Make sure you have the latest version of the Google and Google Play Services app installed. Go to the Play Store, find those apps and click Update if the button is active.
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Check the Digital Well-Being section in your phone settings periodically, and you can see how much time you spend on your news feed, which is a great motivator to keep it offline.