How to permanently remove Zen from the homepage of Yandex on Xiaomi Redmi: 5 working methods

Yandex.Zen’s homepage feed irritates many users — especially Xiaomi Redmi smartphone owners, where the default browser is often integrated with Yandex services. Endless recommendations, clickbait titles, and unnecessary content distract from search, slow down page load, and eat up traffic. Fortunately, there are several ways to completely remove Zen — both through Yandex’s own settings and through MIUI system tools.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for Android on Xiaomi Redmi (including models on MIUI 12-14), from simple changes in the browser to radical solutions like changing the default search engine. Importantly, some methods may differ depending on the firmware version and regional settings - so we will specify alternatives for each case.

Why Zen Appears on the Main Yandex and Can It Be Shut Down Forever?

Yandex.Zen feed is embedded in the default search engine home page for users from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries. It is part of Yandex’s personalized ecosystem, which analyzes your queries, browsing history and even data from other services (e.g. Yandex.Mail or Yandex.Maps) to form recommendations.

On Xiaomi Redmi smartphones, the problem is exacerbated by the fact that:

• 📱 By default, Yandex.Browser or Yandex is installed with the main page as the home page.
• 🔄 System system MIUI can automatically reset browser settings after updates.
• 🛠️ Some firmware versions block the default search engine change without additional manipulation.

Can Zen be removed forever? Technically, yes, but Yandex periodically returns the feed through updates. So the most reliable solution is to completely abandon Yandex services in favor of alternatives (Google, DuckDuckGo).

Method 1: Disconnect Zen through the settings of Yandex.Browser

The easiest method is to hide the tape directly in the browser. It works if you use the official Yandex.Browser or Yandex with the main page as the home page.

Instructions:

1. Open Yandex.Browser on your Redmi.
2. Slap the icon. ⚙️ Settings (three dots in the lower right corner).
3. Select Settings → Main page.
4. Turn off the slider Show Zen tape.
5. Save the changes and restart the browser.

If the Home page item is not on the menu, try an alternative path:

• 🔍 Enter in the browser address bar browser://settings.
• 📱 Scroll to Appearance and find the Zen Ribbon option.

⚠️ Note: After updating the browser, Yandex may turn on the tape again. To avoid this, disable the automatic update for Yandex.Browser in Google Play or remove it altogether (see Method 4).

Method 2: Change the main page in MIUI Browser

Many Xiaomi Redmi users do not even suspect that instead of Yandex you can use the standard MIUI Browser (formerly Mi Browser), it does not have a built-in Zen tape, but by default can redirect to Yandex.

How to set up:

1. Open MIUI Browser (Blue Globe icon)
2. Go to Settings. → Main page.
3. Choose Empty Page or Quick Access (without Yandex).
4. In the Search Engine section, change Yandex to Google or DuckDuckGo.

If MIUI Browser is not on your Redmi, you can download it from the Mi App Store (pre-deleting Yandex.Browser), the main advantage of this method is the complete absence of Zen and other unnecessary widgets.

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MIUI Browser allows you to enable ad blocking in settings (Privacy → Ad blocking) and this will further speed up the loading of pages.

Method 3: Remove Yandex Services through MIUI settings

If you want to get rid of Yandex completely on your Xiaomi Redmi, you can remove or disable related apps through system settings.This is a radical method, but it is guaranteed to solve the Zen problem.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find it on the list: 🔍 Yandex (search engine) 🌐 Yandex.Browser 📱 Yandex with the main (widget)

Delete

Shut down.

Clear the cache and data for the remaining Yandex services.

After that:

• 🔄 Install Google Chrome or Firefox as the default browser.
• 🔍 Change the search engine in the settings of the new browser.

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications can lead to unstable work MIUI. Before doing this, back up your data through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup.

Method 4: Use of alternative launchers

If Zen appears not only in the browser, but also on the home screen (in the form of a widget), the problem will help to solve the change of the launcher. the Standard launcher MIUI sometimes integrates Yandex widgets, but third-party shells (for example, Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) allow you to fully customize the desktop.

How to install an alternative launcher:

1. Download Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Open the app and select it as the default launcher.
3. Remove all Yandex widgets (long press → Delete).
4. In the Nova settings, turn off the Yandex Offerings Show (Settings → Home Screen).

Advantages of this method:

• 🎨 Full control over widgets and icons.
• 🚀 Speed up the interface (Nova Launcher is lighter than standard) MIUI Launcher).
• 🔒 Lack of Forced Yandex Content.

Disadvantages: Some MIUI features (such as Second Space or App Lock) may not work properly with third-party launchers.

Method 5: Block Zen through hosts file (for advanced)

For users willing to dive into the technical details, there is a way to block Zen at the system level, and this is done through editing the hosts file, which redirects Zen queries to "nowhere."

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with access to root folders (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/etc/hosts.
3. Open the file in the text editor and add the lines: 127.0.0.1 zen.yandex.ru 127.0.0.1 mc.yandex.ru
4. Save the changes and restart the smartphone.

⚠️ Note: Hosts Editing Requires Root Rights or Use ADB. Without them, the file will be read-only. MIUI change may be reset.

Alternatives for users without root:

• 🛡️ Use apps like Blokada or AdGuard that block Zen domains through the use of Zen domains. VPN.
• 🌐 Set up a lock on the router (if you have access to its admin panel).

What to do if Zen returns after updates

Yandex is actively promoting its services, so after updating the browser or MIUI firmware, the Zen tape can appear again.

1. Turn off automatic updates for Yandex.Browser: 📱 Go to Google Play. → My profile. → Application management. 🔍 Find Yandex.Browser and disable auto-update.

Use alternative browsers

default

Check your settings regularly

MIUI

If Zen is back on the home screen as a widget:

• 🔄 Hold your finger on the widget. → Delete.
• 🔒 In the launcher settings, disable Yandex offers (Settings) → Widgets → Recommendations).

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The surest way to avoid Zen’s return is to abandon Yandex services altogether in favor of Google or DuckDuckGo, which requires initial setup, but eliminates the problem forever.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Zen on Xiaomi Redmi