Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face intrusive functionality that is pre-installed in the default system: This is the Yandex Zen recommendation tape integrated into the desktop shell of MIUI or HyperOS. It takes up space, consumes traffic and can slow down the device, especially on entry-level models.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to get rid of this element: removing Zen does not require superuser rights (Root) or complex code manipulations. In most cases, it is enough to simply change the system settings or use standard Android application management tools.
In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of disabling the widget, removing the system package and cleaning the residual files. You will learn how to return a clean desktop and improve the performance of the gadget without the risk of damaging the software.
Disabling the widget on the desktop
The easiest and safest way to get rid of intrusive tape is to turn it off directly on the desktop, a method that doesn't remove the app itself from the phone's memory, but completely hides its interface from the user's eyes.
First, you need to switch to screen editing mode, swipe right to the main screen, or pinch the screen with two fingers. In the settings menu that opens, find the item responsible for the left page (often called Google or Yandex).
You need to switch the switch to off or select the No option from the list of available content sources, and then swipe to the left will open either an empty page or a standard Google search, depending on your version of the firmware.
- 📱 Swipe right on the home screen to enter edit mode.
- ⚙️ Find the left page settings in the top or bottom menu.
- 🚫 Select the option "Unplug" or "No widget".
⚠️ Warning: After the system update, the settings may be lost and the tape will appear again. MIUI.
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Disabling the widget is the fastest way, but it doesn’t remove the app from the device’s memory.
Removal through application settings
If simply hiding the widget isn’t enough, you can try to remove or disable the system application itself. Depending on the version of the Xiaomi shell, the component may be called Yandex, Zen, Mi Video (sometimes containing Zen modules) or GetApps.
Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Search for suspicious system services from Yandex. If the Remove button is active, feel free to press it. If only the Disable button is available, use it, it will prevent the application from running and running in the background.
☑️ Verification of system applications
In some cases, the system blocks the deletion, claiming that it is a critical component, in which case the forced deletion can lead to errors in the launcher's operation, and it is better to limit yourself to cleaning the data.
To clean up the data, go to the app menu and select Memory → Clear. This will delete all uploaded articles, picture cache and temporary files, freeing up space in the storage.
- 🗑️ Open the application manager in the system settings.
- 🔍 Find services related to Yandex or news.
- 🛑 Click "Stop" before deleting or disabling.
Using ADB for deep cleaning
For advanced users who want to completely cut Zen from the system, there is a method using USB debugging and a computer, which allows you to remove even those system packages that are hidden from the average user.
You'll need to turn on Developer Mode. Go to About Phone and quickly click on the build number (MIUI version) seven times. Then activate Debugging on USB from the Developer Menu.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.yandex.newsThis command will remove the news packet for the current user. Note that the name of the package may differ. Often there are packages com.yandex.browser (if Zen is built into the browser) or com.miui.dazn (in old firmware).
⚠️ Be careful when removing system packets through ADB. Removing critical components can lead to a cyclic reboot).
List of safe packet removal
If you want to return everything as it was after deleting, use the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.yandex.news. This reinstallite remote package without the need for flashing.
Comparison of cleaning methods
The choice of method depends on your goals and level of training. Simply turning off the widget is safe for anyone, whereas using ADB requires care. Below is a table comparing the effectiveness of different approaches.
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | Risk of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disabling the widget | Low. | Medium | No. |
| Disconnection in settings | Low. | Tall. | Minimum |
| ADB team | Tall. | Maximum | Medium. |
| Third-party launchers | Medium | Tall. | Low. |
For most users, the best option is to combine disabling the widget and cleaning the app cache, which ensures the stability of the system without unnecessary debris.
- 📊 The table shows that ADB It gives the best result, but it is more difficult to perform.
- 🛡️ Data security is more important than cleaning system files.
- ⚖️ Choose a method that suits your technical skills.
Alternative methods and launchers
If standard methods don't help or the built-in POCO Launcher/MIUI Launcher launcher is too intrusive, you can install a third-party shell.This will radically change the look of the interface and is guaranteed to remove any embedded news feeds.
Popular options like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher completely replace the standard desktop. Once you install a new launcher, the system will suggest choosing the main one - agree.
This solution also allows you to flexibly customize gestures, icons and animations, but it is worth considering that third-party launchers can consume more battery life if they are not optimized for a specific Xiaomi model.
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Use lightweight launchers like Niagara or Smart Launcher on older Redmi models to boost your speed.
After installing the alternative interface, make sure that the battery settings for it are set to autostart and work in the background, otherwise the system may force it to close.
Cleaning of residual files and cache
Even after deleting or disabling an application, temporary files can remain in the phone’s memory, taking up precious space and slowing down the file system.
Use the built-in Security app. Run the garbage scan and cleanup. It's also helpful to go to the Cleanup section and manually check folders associated with Yandex if they haven't been deleted automatically.
You can use a file manager to clean it up, go to the Android/data root folder and look for directories called yandex or news, and it's safe to delete those folders if you're no longer using the company's services.
- 🧹 Run the standard cleaning through the Security app.
- 📂 Manually check the Download folder for downloaded articles.
- 🔄 Restart the phone after cleaning for changes.
⚠️ Note: Do not delete folders that you do not know the purpose of, especially in Android system directories.