How to completely remove the widget from the desktop on Xiaomi: from standard to system

Xiaomi widgets are a convenient tool for quick access to information, but sometimes they take up too much space, slow down the system or just annoy you with constant notifications. Remove them from the desktop seems an easy task, but in practice users face nuances: some widgets are not removed in the standard way, others come back after a reboot, and the system and completely block the delete button. In this article, we will analyze all possible methods, from basic to hidden MIUI functions that work on the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T and others.

We will focus on the problems that arise when deleting: why the widget can hang during the removal process, how to deal with preinstalled widgets (for example, Mi Pei or Weather), and what to do if they appear again after the update MIUI. We also look at alternative solutions, from disabling through Settings to using ADB for power users.

1. Standard method of removing the widget

To begin with, the simplest method that works for most custom widgets (e.g., from Google, Yandex or third-party apps) is a method that requires no additional tools and is suitable for MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Press and hold your finger on the widget you want to remove until the menu appears (usually takes 1-2 seconds).
2. At the top of the screen will appear basket (the icon “Delete”) – drag the widget there.
3. Confirm the action if a pop-up appears (some firmwares skip this step).

If the cart does not appear, check:

• 🔄 Long press: Some models (e.g., POCO F4) require the widget to be held for up to 3 seconds.
• 📱 Edit Mode: Swipe down the desktop and click Edit (pencil icon), then try removing the widget again.
• 🔒 Protection against changes: in Settings → Desktop → Blocking the layout must be disabled with the option to Disable Changes.

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If the widget doesn't drag and drop, try moving it to another location on the screen first, and then re-deleting it. Sometimes this will unlock the hung element.

This method works for 90% of custom widgets, but it won’t help with system widgets (like Calendar or Steps).

2. Remove through desktop settings

If the standard method did not work, the widget can be linked to the system services MIUI, in this case, the desktop settings menu will help:

1. Press and hold the empty area on your desktop, then select Desktop Settings (or Screen Settings on some firmware).
2. Go to the Widgets or Screen Elements section.
3. Find the widget you want in the list and turn off the slider next to it. Some devices will also have a Remove button.

Please note:

• ⚙️ System widgets (such as Weather or Mi Pei) may be missing or have a gray slider, meaning they cannot be turned off via the menu.
• 🔄 Once the MIUI update is updated, some widgets return automatically. To prevent this, turn off the Restore layout option after updating in the desktop settings.

If the widget still remains, proceed to the next method - disabling through the application settings.

3. Disabling the widget through the application settings

Some widgets are part of the application (for example, the Google Search widget or Yandex.Weather widget), in which case they can be disabled through the menu of the application itself:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the app that the widget belongs to (e.g. Google, Mi Weather, Xiaomi Steps).
3. Select Notifications or Widgets (depending on the firmware) and turn off the appropriate switch.
4. If you don’t have an option, click Storage → Clear Data (this can reset the widget settings).

Example for popular widgets:

Important: Disabling system applications (such as Mi Weather) can cause disruptions to other Xiaomi services, such as Mi Account or Smart Home. If errors occur after the shutdown, return the settings back.

4. Removal of system widgets via ADB (for experienced)

If the widget is not removed by any means, it is likely part of the system software MIUI. In this case, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) - a debugging tool that allows you to disable preinstalled components.

Warning: This method requires unlocked USB debugging and can disrupt system stability. Use it only if other methods have not worked.

Enable Developer Mode (7 times click on MIUI version in phone settings)

Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For Developers

Install ADB drivers and Platform Tools on PC (download from Google website)

Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trusted device

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Instructions for removal:

1. Connect your phone to your computer and open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
3. Find out the name of the widget package (for example, for Mi Weather it is com.miui.weather2). Use the command: adb shell pm list packages | grep -i "name" Replace the name with the part of the name (for example, weather for weather).
4. Disable the packet by command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 name packet For example: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.weather2

Once you've completed the command, the widget will disappear from the desktop. To return it, use:

adb shell pm enable name packet

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Disabling system packages via ADB does not remove them completely, but only hides them from the user. After resetting settings or updating the MIUI, the widget may appear again.

If the widget is associated with a critical system process (e.g., com.miui.home), disabling it will result in a reboot cycle. Before experimenting, back up through Settings → Additional → Backup.

5. Resetting launcher settings (last resort)

If the widget is frozen (does not respond to pressing, is not deleted, is displayed in gray), the problem may be in the failure of the MIUI launcher.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Launcher app (or MIUI Launcher) and select it.
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and confirm the action.

After that:

• ✅ All widgets, shortcuts, and folders on the desktop will disappear — you’ll have to reconfigure them.
• ⚠️ Wallpaper and theme will remain, but the screen layout will reset to factory.
• 🔄 If the problem was a system failure, the widget will disappear. If it was part of the pre-installed software, it may reappear.

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Before resetting the launcher, take screenshots of the current location of the shortcuts or record a video of the screen, which will help quickly restore the layout after cleaning.

This method does not remove widgets permanently, but often solves problems with their "hang." Use ADB (Section 4) to completely remove system components.

6.What to do if the widget appears after the restart

Some widgets (especially from Xiaomi and Google) have removal protection and are restored after a reboot or MIUI update.

1. Turn off automatic widget updates in Settings → Apps → Auto Update.
2. Freeze the app to which the widget belongs with ADB (the command in section 4) or third-party utilities like App Freezer (root rights required).
3. Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) that ignores MIUI system widgets.

If the widget returns even after these actions, check:

• 📥 Background processes: in Settings → Battery → Consumption management disable optimization for launcher.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI: After major updates (e.g., from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14), system widgets can be restored. Before upgrading, back up the screen layout.

7. Alternative solutions: launchers and root access

If none of these methods worked, consider radical options:

Installation of a third-party launcher

Launchers like Nova Launcher or Niagara Launcher allow you to completely customize the desktop and ignore the system widgets MIUI.

1. Assign a new launcher as default launcher in Settings → Applications → By default.
2. Turn off the system launcher (com.miui.home) through ADB so it doesn’t interfere with your work.

Getting root rights

With root access, you can completely remove system widgets, but these are:

• ⚠️ Violates warranty and may result in blocking certain features (e.g. Mi Pay or Widevine L1 for streaming in HD).
• 🛠️ Requires unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (the official Xiaomi tool).
• 🔧 Use Root Explorer or Titanium Backup to remove (remove packets in /system/priv-app/).

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Root access is a last resort. On most Xiaomi devices, it is enough to disable the widget via ADB (section 4) or use a third-party launcher.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When removing widgets, users often face typical problems:

⚠️ Warning: If contactless payments stop working after you delete the Mi Pei or Mi Wallet widget, return it via Settings → Widgets or reinstall the Mi Pay app from the App Store.

Other common mistakes:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: Beta versions of the firmware may have bugs with widgets. Reverse to stable version via Settings → System Update.
• 🔌 Application conflict: Some optimizers (e.g., DU Speed Booster) block desktop changes. Remove them.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions