How to completely remove widgets on Xiaomi smartphones: from standard to hidden

Widgets on Xiaomi are a convenient tool for quick access to information, but over time they can clutter the desktop, slow down the system or just annoy with constant notifications. This is especially true for owners of Redmi, POCO and flagship Mi models, where the manufacturer actively integrates its own services. Unlike classic Android, the MIUI shell has its own nuances: some widgets can not be removed in the standard way, and system (for example, Mi Fit or Mi Home) can be restored after a reboot.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods of removing widgets - from basic to advanced, including working with ADB and MIUI settings. You will learn how to get rid of even those items that do not have a "Delete" button, and why some widgets return after cleaning the cache. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 14/15 (Android 13/14) and tested on Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and POCO F5 models.

1. Standard removal of widgets from the desktop

Let’s start with the simplest method that works for 90% of custom widgets (weather, hours, notes, etc.) and is not a superuser-rights-based method that is suitable for beginners.

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 Long-term press on the widget you want to remove (on some models you need to press and hold). 1-2 A few seconds before the menu appears).
• 🗑️ At the top of the screen will appear the icon of the basket (or the inscription “Delete”) – drag the widget there.
• ✅ Confirm the action if the system requests confirmation.

If the icon does not appear, check:

• 🔄 Is screen editing mode enabled (double tap on the free desktop area).
• 📌 Perhaps the widget is blocked by the system (this is signaled by the lock icon in the corner).
• 🛠️ Update the launcher to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI.

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse deleting the widget with deleting the app! The widget is only the window of the program, and the app itself will remain in the system. To uninstall it completely, go to Settings → Annexes → Application management.

2. Removal of Xiaomi system widgets (Mi Fit, Mi Home, Theme Store)

Xiaomi system widgets (such as Mi Fit, Mi Home or GetApps) often don’t have an uninstall button. They are integrated into the MIUI shell and can recover after a reboot. Here’s how to deal with them:

Method 1: Disconnecting through application settings

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the application to which the widget belongs (for example, Mi Fit).
3. Select “Disable” (this hides the widget and stops background processes).
4. Confirm the action by clicking “Disable the application”.

Method 2: Reset the launcher settings (works for widgets that are not removed in the standard way):

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Launcher.
• 🔄 Press "Storage» → «Clear the data” (this will reset all desktop settings, but won’t delete apps).
• 🔙 After the reboot, the widgets will disappear, but you will have to reconfigure the location of the icons.

3. Use of third-party launchers (Nova, Hyperion, Apex)

If standard methods don't work, the surest way to get rid of intrusive widgets is to install an alternative launcher, a program that completely replaces the standard MIUI interface.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Full control of widgets (including system hiding).
• ✅ Ability to disable advertising in MIUI.
• ✅ Flexible configuration of appearance (themes, animations, gestures).

Recommended launchers for Xiaomi:

How to hide widgets through Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher and make it the default launcher.
2. Long click on the desktop → “Widget settings”.
3. In the list, find the unnecessary widget and move the slider to the “Hide” position.
4. Reboot your phone to make the changes take effect.

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If MIUI widgets continue to appear after installing the launcher, check the permission settings: go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Permissions and turn off notifications for system applications.

4. Removal of widgets via ADB (for advanced users)

If the widget cannot be removed in the standard way, then the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is the Android debugging tool, which requires connecting the phone to a PC and basic command line knowledge.

Preparation:

• 🖥️ Install. ADB Tools on the computer.
• 📱 On the phone, activate “Developer Mode”: go to Settings → About the phone and 7 times click on the "Version" MIUI».
• 🔌 Turn on "Debugging by" USB» In Settings → Additionally. → For developers.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).


2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:




adb devices




(The name of your device should appear).




3.To remove the widget, first find its package:




adb shell pm list packages | grep "widget"




4. Remove the widget with the command (replace com.example.widget with the real package):




adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.widget




5. Reboot the phone.

Examples of Xiaomi system widget packages:

• com.miui.weather2 is a weather widget.
• com.miui.notes - Note Widget.
• com.xiaomi.channel - GetApps widget.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Before executing commands, back up your data via Mi Cloud or locally. Do not delete packets that contain the system name, android or miui.core - this can bring your phone down!

5. Hiding widgets via MIUI settings (no root)

MIUI 14/15 has a hidden feature that allows you to disable system widgets without ADB or root, which does not work for all widgets, but can help in 60-70% of cases.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Show all processes."
3. Find the process associated with the widget (e.g. com.miui.weather2:remote for the weather widget).
4. Click on “Stop” and confirm the action.
5. Return to the desktop, the widget should disappear.

If the widget returned after the reboot, try it again:

• 🔕 Disable Auto-Run for the Linked Application in Settings → Annexes → Auto-start.
• 🚫 Prohibit background activity in Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery management.

Download ADB Tools on PC|Enable the developer mode on Xiaomi|Activate debugging by USB|Make a backup copy of the data|Connect the phone in the mode "File transfer"-->

6.What if the widget is not removed by any means?

If you’ve tried all the methods but the widget keeps coming back, the reasons may be as follows:

1. The widget is integrated into the firmware. Some elements (e.g., MiuiSystemUI) are part of the shell and cannot be removed without custom firmware.
2. Politics MIUI. Xiaomi actively protects its services: after updating the system widgets can be restored.
3. Viral software. Rarely, but it happens that a widget is added by a malicious application. Check the phone through Settings → Security → Scanning.

Radical measures:

• 🔄 Install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), but this will require unlocking the bootloader and losing warranty.
• 🛡️ Use the Xposed Framework (requires root) to block system widgets.
• 📦 Buy a phone without pre-installed software (e.g., a global version or Xiaomi A-series with pure Android).

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If the widget cannot be removed in standard ways, try disabling the associated application through the MIUI settings first. Only if that doesn't help - resort to ADB or alternative launchers.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing widgets on Xiaomi