How to completely remove Yandex Zen from your Xiaomi phone: 5 working ways

Why Yandex Zen is so hard to remove from Xiaomi and what to do about it

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones regularly face a problem: preinstalled Yandex Zen is not removed in the standard way through the application menu. The reason lies in the agreement between Xiaomi and Yandex, under which Yandex services are integrated into the MIUI firmware at the system component level. Even after “deleting” through the settings, the application can recover after system updates or device reboots.

The peculiarity is that MIUI classifies Yandex Zen as a "system applications" that are default-protected from complete removal, which is designed to keep the shell running smoothly, but creates inconvenience for users who do not use the service. Fortunately, there are workarounds ranging from disabling through ADB to manually deleting application files. It is important to understand that some methods require super-user rights (root), which can affect the warranty and security of the device.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to remove Yandex Zen from Xiaomi phones, including Redmi, POCO and Mi models based on MIUI 12-14. We will pay special attention to methods that do not require root rights, and also understand how to prevent automatic recovery of the application after updates.

Method 1: Standard shutdown (without root)

If you don’t have to completely erase the app, but just hide it from the menu and stop background activity, use the built-in MIUI tools. This method does not require additional tools and is suitable for most users.

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter "Yandex Zen" or "com.yandex.zen".
• ⚙️ Click on the app, then select “Disable” (if the button is inactive, tap three dots in the top corner and select “Delete Updates").
• 🔄 Confirm the action – the application will disappear from the menu and stop using resources.

⚠️ Note: After major updates MIUI The disabled application can be activated again. To avoid this, block the automatic update of Yandex Zen through Settings. → Annexes → Yandex Zen → Three points. → Auto-update → Banned.

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If the “Disable” button is inactive, try removing all app updates first, then re-click “Disable”.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root)

A more radical method is the use of Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to uninstall the application at the system level, but does not require superuser rights.

This will require:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included "Debugging by" USB" on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed.)

1. Enter the command to delete:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.yandex.zen

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.yandex.zen

Debugging enabled by USB|Installed drivers Xiaomi|ADB unpacked in the root of the drive C:|The phone is connected in file transfer mode-->

⚠️ Warning: After resetting your phone to factory settings or updates MIUI The app can come back through Fastboot. To avoid this, repeat the procedure after the update.

Method 3: Complete removal with root rights

If you have root access (for example, through Magisk), you can delete Yandex Zen permanently, including all its system files. This method is suitable for experienced users, as incorrect actions can lead to unstable operation of the system.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Follow the path:

/system/priv-app/Zen/

or

/system/app/Zen/

1. Delete the Zen folder and all its contents.
2. Reset the device.

You can also use Titanium Backup:

• 📲 Open the application and find Yandex Zen in the list.
• 🗑️ Select "Delete" (not "Frozen").
• 🔄 Confirm the removal of the system APK.

Important: Removing system APKs may disrupt Yandex-related MIUI services, such as the voice assistant or weather widget, if they depend on Yandex services.

Method 4: Disconnect via MIUI Optimization (for advanced)

MIUI firmware has a hidden feature called "MIUI Optimization" that allows you to jam system applications without root, which requires you to activate it through ADB.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate ADB (as in Method 2).
2. Follow the command:

adb shell settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 1

1. Reset the device.
2. Now Yandex Zen can be removed as a regular application through Settings → Applications.

⚠️ Attention: Disconnection MIUI Optimization can lead to:

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption.
• 📱 Loss of some animations and transitions.
• 🔊 Problems with the work of the themes of design.

To get it all back, do this:

adb shell settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 0

Standard Disconnection |ADB without root|Remove from root|MIUI Optimization |Not tried-->

Method 5: Use of third-party utilities (without root)

If previous methods don’t work, you can use specialized utilities that automate the process of removing system applications, one of the most popular is the App Inspector or Package Disabler.

Examples of Package Disabler Pro+:

1. Download and install the utility from Google Play.
2. Provide access to special features (a request will pop up at the first start).
3. In the search, type com.yandex.zen.
4. Select the app and click "Disable" or "Delete" (if available).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require rooting or ADB.
• ✅ You can disable other system applications (e.g. Mi Browser or Mi Music).
• ✅ The ability to return the application back.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Some utility bills.
• ❌ After updating MIUI It may be necessary to re-disconnect.

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Third-party utilities are the easiest way for beginners, but they don't guarantee 100% uninstallation.The app can stay on the system, just won't show up in the menu.

How to prevent Yandex Zen from returning after updates

Even after successful removal, Yandex Zen can return after the MIUI update. To avoid this, follow these guidelines:

Additional measures:

• 📵 Turn off Auto Update System Applications in the Mi App Store.
• 🔍 Regularly check the list of applications for Yandex Zen after updates.
• 🛡️ Install a firewall application (e.g., NetGuard) to block Yandex services network activity.

Alternatives to Yandex Zen for Xiaomi

If you have removed Yandex Zen but want to replace it with a similar service, consider these options:

• 📰 Google Discover – Built-in News Feed in Google App (available after installing Google Play Services).
• 🌍 SmartNews – news aggregator with personalized feed.
• 📱 Microsoft Start – News, Weather and Calendar Feed (integrated with Lawnchair and other launchers).
• 📊 Feedly - if you need it RSS-Subscription and customization of content.

For users of MIUI without GMS (for example, on global firmware for China) suitable:

• 🇨🇳 Toutiao (Chinese analogue of Zen with support for Russian language).
• 📲 Sogou News is another popular Chinese aggregator.

⚠️ Warning: Installing alternative launchers (such as Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) will help get rid of Yandex Zen widgets on the home screen, but will not remove the application from the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Yandex Zen from Xiaomi