Xiaomi smartphone owners, including the popular Redmi Note 8, often face intrusive content in standard applications. Especially annoying is the Zen recommendation tape, which is built into Yandex.Browser by default. This feature consumes Internet traffic, takes up space in RAM and distracts from finding the right information.
Fortunately, MIUI allows you to flexibly configure the software, removing unnecessary interface elements, so you don't have to have super-user rights or install complex firmware modifications, but you just need to do a few things in the browser and operating system settings menu in sequence.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods, from a simple switch to completely removing system updates, and you will learn to clean the start page and get rid of the endless stream of news.
Why Zen is Built Into Your Browser and Can It Be Disabled?
Zen tape is part of the Yandex ecosystem and is integrated by default into their Android browser’s homepage. Developers position it as a personalized news service, but for many users it’s just intrusive content that’s hard to ignore.
Completely remove the built-in Zen component as a standalone application through a standard file manager or application configuration is often impossible, since it is a system part of Yandex.Browser.However, it can be completely deactivated, making it invisible and idle.
Turning off the tape does not disrupt the basic functions of the browser. You will still be able to use search, bookmarks and sync, but the interface will be clean and minimalist, this is especially true for devices with a smaller amount of RAM, such as the basic versions of the Redmi Note 8.
Technical reference on the Zen component
Disabling the recommendation feed through the browser settings
The easiest and safest way to remove annoying tape is to use browser internal settings, which do not require deleting files and can be reversed at any time if you decide to return it as it was.
To start, run the Yandex.Browser app on your Redmi Note 8. Click on the menu button, which is usually represented by three dots or stripes at the bottom or top of the screen (depending on the interface version).
In the list that opens, select Settings. Next, look for the section that controls the appearance of the start page, and in different versions it can be called Settings, Recommendations Tape, or simply Zen.
- 🔍 Find the switch “Show Zen tape” or “Recommendations».
- 🔘 Transfer the slider to the position Off (grey).
- ✅ Return to the browser’s main screen to make sure the tape is missing.
After these actions, the start page should become clean, displaying only the search bar and your most visited sites.If the feed is left, you may need to update the application or check for system updates to MIUI.
Removal of Yandex.Browser updates for resetting settings
Sometimes a standard shutdown in the menu doesn’t help, or the settings interface is changed in a new version of the application, in which case the effective solution is to reset the application to the factory version. On Xiaomi smartphones, the browser often comes pre-installed and updated via Google Play or GetApps.
To reset, go to the system settings of your Redmi Note 8. Find the Applications → All Apps. In the list, find Yandex.Browser.
From the app menu (three dots in the top corner), select Remove Updates. Confirm action. After that, the browser will return to the version that was installed in the factory, where new aggressive interface elements are often absent or easier to disable.
⚠️ Note: After removing updates, the browser can automatically start downloading the new version in the background. To avoid this, disable auto-update for this application in the Google Play Store settings.
☑️ Procedure for discharge
Cleaning up the data and the app cache
If the Zen tape continues to appear or is not working properly, a complete cleanup of the accumulated data may be required, which will return the browser to a post-installing state by deleting temporary files, cookies and saved feed settings.
Go to Settings → Applications → All Applications → Yandex.Browser. Select Storage (or Memory) and you will see two buttons here: Clear Cache and Clear Everything (or Clear Data).
Try to clear the cache first. If the problem is not solved, use a complete data cleanup. Remember, after that, you will have to re-sign in to your Yandex account and set up synchronization of passwords and history.
This method is especially useful if the browser is running slowly on your Redmi Note 8.Cleaning up junk files frees up space and can speed up the program's launch.
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Before completely clearing the data, make sure that you remember the login and password from your Yandex account, so as not to lose access to the saved passwords and history.
Comparison of Zen Disconnection Methods
Various ways to combat obsessive tape have their pros and cons. The choice of method depends on your goal: whether you want to simply hide the tape or completely get rid of the browser functions associated with content.
Below is a table that will help you compare the effectiveness and complexity of each method for Xiaomi smartphone owners.
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | Impact on data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switch in settings | Low. | Tall. | Data is retained |
| Removal of updates | Medium | Medium | Settings reset |
| Clearing the data | Medium | Tall. | Total reset |
| Using a different version | Tall. | Maximum | Depends on the version. |
As you can see from the table, the way to do this is to use a switch, but if you run into a bug, a comprehensive approach to cleaning up the data is going to be more reliable.
For users who appreciate the stability of the MIUI system, it is recommended not to remove system components forcibly, but to use regular disablers.
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The most secure and effective method for most users is to simply turn off the switch in the browser’s scoreboard settings.
Use of alternative versions of the browser
If Zen is not eliminated by regular means, you can consider installing an alternative version of the browser, and there are so-called Lite versions or builds for other regions where Zen may not be available by default.
Also, many Redmi Note 8 users are switching to other browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox or Vivaldi, which do not have this type of built-in news feed.
When installing third-party APK-Be careful to download software only from proven resources so that you don't infect your device with malware. MIUI It has a built-in virus scanner that warns you of the dangers.
Alternative browsers often run faster on mid-range devices because they are less demanding on processor and RAM resources.
Blocking through MIUI settings and restrictions
MIUI has features to limit the background activity of applications, which won’t remove Zen, but will prevent it from downloading content while the browser is closed, saving battery life.
Go to Settings → Battery and Performance. Find Yandex.Browser in the list and select Unlimited mode (for background work) or, conversely, limit background activity if you want to stop preloading news.
MIUI also has a “Disable Ads” feature in system applications. Go to Settings → Passwords & Security → Access to Personal Data (or search for settings to find “msa”). Disabling the msa service (MIUI System Ads) will reduce the amount of advertising throughout the system, including some browser elements.
⚠️ Attention: Disconnection of system services MIUI, Some shell functions can be unstable, such as msa, and only do this if you understand the consequences.
The integrated use of the settings of the browser itself and the limitations of the Xiaomi operating system allows you to achieve maximum comfort when using a smartphone.