How to Remove Xiaomi Launcher from Android: Safe Methods for All Models

The standard MIUI launcher on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often causes users to complain about intrusive advertising, limited customization and unnecessary widgets. Many want to replace it with Google Launcher, Nova Launcher or Hyperion, but they face a problem: even after installing an alternative launcher, the system continues to return the standard interface after rebooting or updating. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to remove the Xiaomi launcher from simple to radical, including methods for devices without rights and with an unlocked root bootloader.

It's important to understand that the term "deletion" is a convention here. On most Xiaomi devices, it's impossible to completely erase the com.miui.home system application without consequences - it will lead to a critical system failure or a looped reboot. However, there are legal workarounds: disabling, replacing by default and blocking autostart. For advanced users, consider methods using ADB and Magisk.

This article is relevant for all modern Xiaomi models (including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5) based on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS. If your device is running on an older version of the firmware (for example, MIUI 12), some methods may require adaptation – we will warn about this separately.

1.Why you can’t just uninstall Xiaomi launcher as a regular app

The MIUI launcher is a system application that is deeply integrated into the shell, and it cannot be uninstalled with standard Android tools for three reasons:

• 🔒 System protection: MIUI Blocks the removal of critical components, including the launcher, to prevent the device from “bricking.
• 🔄 Auto-Repair: Even if you delete APK-manual launcher file (for example, through ADB), The system will restore it the next time it is updated or reset.
• 📱 Dependencies: Launcher is linked to services MIUI, Deleting it can disrupt notifications, gestures or themes.

In practice, this means that instead of completely removing it, you'll have to use workarounds, and the safest option is to disable the launcher and assign another launcher to the default application, and more radical solutions are available to root-right users, but they require caution.

⚠️ Note: If you see instructions on the Internet to remove the launcher via Titanium Backup or manual file editing /system/priv-app/MiuiHome/MiuiHome.apk — Ignore them. MIUI 14+ HyperOS will result in loss of system performance without the possibility of recovery through Recovery.

2. Method 1: Disable the launcher through settings (without root)

This method is suitable for most users and requires no special knowledge. The point is to deactivate the standard launcher and assign another launcher to the main one. MIUI The launcher may be activated again.

Steps:

1. Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) from Google Play.
2. Open Android Settings: Go to Settings → Apps → App Management.
3. Find the MIUI Launcher (or com.miui.home) and tap it.
4. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, click Stop first).
5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.
6. Return to the home screen and select the new launcher as the default app when the system offers a choice.

If there is no disable button, then your version of MIUI is blocking this option, in which case move on to the next method.

Download an alternative launcher|Make a backup copy of the data|Check the version. MIUI (Settings → The phone)|Disable automatic updates MIUI (Settings → The phone. → Updating the system)-->

Method 2: Locking the launcher auto-start (for MIUI 12-15)

Even after shutdown, the MIUI launcher can spontaneously start after restarting or updating, and to avoid this, you need to block its auto-start and background activity.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → MIUI Launcher.
2. Select Battery and Background Activity (or Auto Run in older versions of MIUI).
3. Turn off all switches: 🔋 Auto-start 🔄 Background activity 📶 Mobile data and Wi-Fi (if available)

Limitations

This method does not physically remove the launcher, but minimizes its activity. After applying the changes, restart the device and check that the alternative launcher remains active.

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If the launcher still appears after blocking auto-run, try clearing its cache and data in the Warehouse menu (Settings → Applications → MIUI Launcher → Storage → Clear Data).

Method 3: Remove the launcher via ADB (without root, but with PC)

For users who are ready to connect a smartphone to a computer, there is a more reliable method – disabling the launcher via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This does not require root rights, but requires the inclusion of a developer mode and USB-debugging.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI until the notification “You’ve become a developer” appears.
2. Turn it on. USB-Debugging: Return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers, activate the debugging switch. USB.

Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the trusted device on your phone screen.

ADB Tools

Terminal

ADB

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed)

adb shell pm hide com.miui.home

(This hides the launcher from the system)

After completing the commands, the launcher will disappear from the list of applications, and the system will prompt you to select an alternative launcher at the next click on the Home button.

adb shell pm unhide com.miui.home

⚠️ Note: On some HyperOS devices, the pm hide command may not work due to changes in security policy. In this case, try the alternative command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.home

5. Method 4: Complete removal of root-rights launcher

If your device is unlocked and has root access (e.g., via Magisk), you can physically remove the launcher, which is the most radical method, but it requires caution: wrong actions can lead to a system failure.

Instructions for Magisk:

1. Install Magisk Manager and check root status.
2. Download a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
3. Go to /system/priv-app/MiuiHome/ or (for newer MIUI versions): /system/system/priv-app/MiuiHome/
4. Delete or rename files: MiuiHome.apk → MiuiHome.apk.bak MiuiHome.odex (if any)

Reset the device.

After the reboot, the launcher will be uninstalled, but the system may start to issue errors when trying to open some MIUI features (such as theme settings or gestures).To avoid problems, install an alternative launcher before removing it and assign it to the main one.

Nova Launcher|Lawnchair|Google Launcher (Pixel Launcher)|Hyperion Launcher|Other-->

6. Method 5: Install custom firmware (for advanced)

If you’re tired of the limitations of MIUI, the most drastic way is to install custom firmware based on Android (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or ArrowOS), in which case the MIUI launcher will be removed along with the entire shell, and you will get a pure Android with the option of choosing any launcher.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (the official utility from Xiaomi).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Download the right firmware for your model (check compatibility on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forum).
4. Flush the firmware through recovery by running Wipe Dalvik/Cache and Format Data.

Advantages of this method:

• 🧹 Complete removal MIUI and all its components.
• 🚀 The ability to use any launcher without restrictions.
• 🔄 Regular updates from the community (without waiting for official patches from Xiaomi).

⚠️ Note: Installing custom firmware voids the warranty and may result in data loss.On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro) unlocking the bootloader blocks access to banking applications due to SafetyNet triggering.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When you delete or disable the MIUI launcher, users encounter common errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: After the reboot, the MIUI launcher opens again.

• 🔹 Solution: Repeat the steps from Method 2 (Block Autostart) and further disable automatic updates MIUI customized.

Problem 2: The navigation gestures are not working.

• 🔹 Solution: Gestures are tied to the system launcher.Install an alternative launcher with gesture support (e.g. Nova Launcher with TeslaCoil module for Magisk).

Problem 3: Weather or calendar widgets are gone.

• 🔹 Solution: Widgets MIUI Use alternatives from Google Play (e.g. Chronus or Another Widget).

Problem 4: After removing the launcher through root, the themes stopped working.

• 🔹 Solution: Topics MIUI If you are interested in customization, return the launcher back or use third-party themes for your alternative launcher.

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If you are not sure about your actions, start with the safest methods (disable via settings → ADB → root).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions