How to completely remove Zen from Yandex Browser on Xiaomi Redmi 7A: a detailed guide

Yandex Zen’s blog post on the same browser often annoys Xiaomi Redmi 7A users with intrusive recommendations, unnecessary notifications and traffic consumption. Despite the fact that the service is positioned as a “personalized news feed”, many want to disable or remove it — especially on budget smartphones like Redmi 7A, where every megabyte of memory is on the account. The problem is that the standard browser settings do not always allow you to completely get rid of Zen: after restarting the application, the tape can appear again, and some menu items are simply absent in older versions of the program.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to remove Zen from the home screen of Yandex Browser on Xiaomi Redmi 7A – from simple disconnection in settings to radical methods such as resetting an application or using alternative browsers. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances associated with MIUI 10/11 (the current version for Redmi 7A) and the restrictions that Xiaomi firmware imposes on the work of third-party applications. If you are tired of intrusive tape, but do not want to lose bookmarks or history – read on.

Why is Zen not removed by standard methods on Redmi 7A?

Xiaomi Redmi 7A users often find that even after disabling Zen in the browser settings, the tape returns after updating the application or rebooting the smartphone.

• 🔄 Automatic Updates: Yandex Browser on MIUI is often updated in the background via Google Play or Mi App Store, resetting user settings.
• 📱 Limitations MIUI: Xiaomi’s firmware blocks some Android features, including completely removing preinstalled apps (if the browser has been sewn into the system).
• 🔗 Integration with Yandex services: Zen is tightly tied to a Yandex account. If you are logged in, the tape will be restored when synchronized.
• 🗃️ Cash and data: Incomplete cache cleaning leaves "tails" that return Zen after restarting.

In addition, Redmi 7A with MIUI 10 or MIUI 11 may not have the option to “Remove Updates” in the app menu – this is a restriction of older versions of Android (based on Android 9 Pie), in such cases you have to use workarounds, which we will discuss below.

Method 1: Disconnect Zen through the settings of Yandex Browser

The most obvious and safe method is to disable the tape directly in the browser interface. However, on Redmi 7A, the path to this option may differ from current versions of the application.

1. Open Yandex Browser and tap the icon "☰" (menu) in the lower right corner.
2. Select the "Settings" (cog icon).
3. Scroll down to the Home Page section (or the Start Page in older versions).
4. Click on “Set up the main page”.
5. Uncheck the box from the item "Show Zen tape" (or switch the slider to the position "Off.").
6. Save the changes and restart the browser.

If Zen continues to appear after these actions, check:

• 🔄 Browser Update: Perhaps the new version has changed the way to setup. Update the app via Google Play.
• 🔒 Account Sync: If you are logged in to Yandex, the feed can be restored. Try logging out in your browser settings.

⚠️ Warning: Some versions of MIUI for Redmi 7A may not have the option to set up a homepage.

Method 2: Resetting the settings of Yandex Browser to factory

If Zen isn't removed through the menu, you can reset your browser settings to default, which will delete your history, bookmarks and saved passwords, but it will return the standard start page without the tape.

1. Open Android Settings on Redmi 7A (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the "Applications" section → "Application Management".
3. Find in the list “Yandex Browser” and tap it.
4. Select "Storage" (or "Memory").
5. Click on “Clear Data” and confirm the action.
6. Return to the previous menu and select Settings Reset (if the option is available).

After reset, the browser will open with a clean start page.

• 📌 Bookmarks and history will be deleted without recovery.
• 🔄 Automatic sync can bring back Zen if you log in to Yandex again.

⚠️ Warning: On Redmi 7A with MIUI 10, the Reset option may not be available. In this case, use Method 3 (remove updates).

Method 3: Removing Yandex Browser Updates

If the browser was pre-installed on Redmi 7A, you can't completely remove it, but you can roll back to the factory version, where Zen may be absent or less intrusive.

1. Open Settings → “Applications” → “Application Management”.
2. Find the Yandex Browser and tap it.
3. In the upper right corner, click on "⋮" (three dots) and select "Delete Updates."
4. Confirm the action. The browser will return to the version that was installed on the smartphone originally.

On the Redmi 7A with MIUI 10/11 firmware, the factory version of Yandex Browser often does not contain Zen or allows you to turn it off without further manipulation.

• 🚫 Auto Update: Turn off browser updates in Google Play, otherwise Zen will return.
• 🔒 Security: Older versions may contain vulnerabilities, and only use this method if others have failed.

💡

To block the automatic update of Yandex Browser, open its page in Google Play, click on three dots in the upper right corner and uncheck the checkmark from Auto Update.

Method 4: Use of alternative browsers

If all attempts to remove Zen have failed, the most radical solution would be to install a different browser. 7A They work well.

• 🦊 Mozilla Firefox: No built-in news feed, supports ad-blocking extensions.
• 🌍 Google Chrome: Minimalist interface, but consumes more memory.
• 🛡️ Brave Browser: Blocks trackers and ads by default, saves traffic.
• 🔍 DuckDuckGo Browser: Focuses on privacy, no personalized feeds.

To make the alternative browser the primary:

1. Install the selected browser from Google Play.
2. Open Settings → “Applications” → “Default Apps”.
3. Select “Browser” and specify a new application.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Complete absence of Zen and other imposed services.
• ✅ The ability to choose the browser with the best optimization for Redmi 7A (e.g. Firefox Lite for memory savings).
• ✅ Additional features: Ad blocking, PC sync, dark theme.

⚠️ Warning: Some sites (e.g., Yandex.Mail or Public Services) may not work properly in alternative browsers. Check compatibility before fully transitioning.

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

This is a method that works for those who are willing to edit system files, and it allows you to block Zen loading at the network level by adding the service domains to the blacklist.

1. Install a file manager with root access (like Root Explorer or Solid Explorer) or use ADB.
2. Go to /system/etc/hosts (root or ADB rights required).
3. Open the hosts 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 reboot the Redmi 7A.

This method will permanently block the download of Zen, but has risks:

• 🔧 Requires root rights or skills to work with ADB.
• 🚨 Incorrect editing of hosts can disrupt the internet.
• 🔄 After updating the firmware, the changes may reset.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to remove Zen from the Redmi 7A, users often face typical problems.

If none of the methods did not help, it remains to disable Yandex Browser completely:

1. Go to Settings → “Applications” → “Yandex Browser”.
2. Click on “Disable” (if the option is active).
3. Install another browser by default.

💡

On Xiaomi Redmi 7A with MIUI 10/11, the most reliable way to get rid of Zen is by combining disabling sync, resetting your browser, and using an alternative application (like Firefox).

FAQ: Frequent questions