Xiaomi widgets: why you need, how to disable or remove completely

Have you just updated your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO firmware, and a mysterious "widget tape" -- a horizontal band with weather, calendar and recommendations -- has appeared on the home screen? Or has it been a long time in the way of getting rid of it, but you didn't know how to remove it? This feature, built into the MIUI shell, causes polar reactions: some users find it convenient, others consider it useless garbage, eating up battery power and traffic.

In this article, we’ll break down what Xiaomi’s widget tape is, how it works under the hood, and most importantly, how to disable it or remove it permanently, including hidden methods for advanced users. We’ve tested all methods on MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions), so the instructions are relevant for most models, from the Redmi Note 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

What is a widget tape on Xiaomi and why you need it

A Widget Panel or Negative Screen is a horizontal bar that appears when swiped to the left of the home screen.

  • 🌤️ Weather widget with a forecast for 5-7 days (data taken from Mi Weather or AccuWeather).
  • 📅 Calendar with reminders and holidays (synchronized with Google Calendar or Mi Calendar).
  • 📰 News feed with recommendations (on Chinese firmware - content from Xiaomi News, on global - from Google Discover).
  • 📊 Quick access to frequently used functions: flashlight, QR-scanner, screen recording.

Xiaomi's plan is to make it easier to access important information without opening apps, but in practice, many users face challenges:

  • 🔋 Increased battery consumption – widgets are updated in the background, even if you do not use them.
  • 📶 Roaming traffic – weather and news are loaded via mobile internet.
  • 🛑 Advertising inserts – on Chinese firmware in the tape can appear promotional materials Xiaomi.
  • 🤯 Random swipes – the panel is activated with an careless gesture, interrupting the work.

Fun fact: in MIUI 14, the widget tape is more intelligent, it analyzes your habits and adjusts content, for example, if you check the weather in the morning often, the widget will show it as a priority, but for many, it looks like a hidden collection of data about user behavior, which raises questions about privacy.

📊 How do you feel about the widget tape on Xiaomi?
I use it every day, conveniently.
I'm always on the lookout.
It's intrusive, but not critical.
I want to remove it at any cost.

How to temporarily turn off the widget tape (without root)

If you don’t want to remove the panel permanently, but only hide it for a while, use the standard MIUI settings, which works on all models, including the POCO F4, Redmi K50 and Xiaomi 12T:

  1. Open the Settings. → Main screen screen.
  2. Scroll down and find the widget tape item (or Negative Screen on English firmware).
  3. Move the slider to the off position.

After that, the panel will disappear, but:

  • ⚠️ Widgets will continue to work in the background (weather, news).
  • ⚠️ The next major update MIUI settings may reset.

💡

If you don’t have a “Tape Widget” option in your settings, try changing your phone region to India or Russia – sometimes this reveals hidden options.

For models with MIUI 13+, there is an alternative way to:

  1. Hold your finger on the empty spot on the main screen.
  2. Put it on the gear, Setting up the screen.
  3. Turn off the option to Show the widget tape when swiping left.

How to completely remove the widget tape (methods for advanced)

If the standard shutdown doesn't work, and the panel keeps getting in the way, you'll have to use radical methods. We tested 3 working methods -- choose the right one depending on your model and MIUI versions.

Method 1: Disconnect via ADB (without root)

This method is suitable for most Xiaomi smartphones on MIUI 12-14 and does not require superuser rights.

  • 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
  • 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer's settings).

Instructions:

  1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
  2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
  3. Run the command to disable the widget tape: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.negativeone
  4. Reboot the phone.

If the panel returns after the reboot, try an alternative command:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.negativeone
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
1. Check if debugging is included on USB 2. Install drivers for your Xiaomi model (e.g. from the Mi site) UI Download). 3. Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original). 4. On the phone in the settings Debugging by USB Select the File Transfer Mode (MTP).

Method 2: Remove via TWRP (unlocked bootloader required)

This method is suitable for users with an unlocked bootloader and a custom TWRP recavator installed. It allows you to physically remove the system application responsible for the widget tape.

Step-by-step:

  1. Download the archive. NegativeOne_Remover.zip (forum-available XDA Developers).
  2. Reboot the phone to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up).
  3. Click Install → Select the downloaded archive → swipe for confirmation.
  4. After installation, run Wipe Dalvik/Cache and restart.

☑️ Preparation for removal through TWRP

Done: 0 / 4

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications can lead to unstable work MIUI. If errors appear after the procedure, restore deleted files through the backup to the TWRP.

Method 3: Hiding through launcher settings (for POCO Launcher)

If you are using POCO Launcher (set by default on POCO series devices), you can hide the widget tape through its settings:

  1. Open Launcher Settings (click the empty space on the screen → Settings).
  2. Go to the Supplementary → Widget tape.
  3. Choose Hide or Disable.

This method does not remove the widgets completely, but makes them inaccessible to accidental opening.

Comparison of removal methods: what to choose

To make it easier for you to determine, we have compiled a table with the pros and cons of each method:

MethodDifficultyRequired. root/TWRPEfficiencyRisks.
Disconnection in settings⭐ (simple)❌ No.Hiding the panel, but widgets work in the backgroundLow (may reset after the update)
ADB-team⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road)❌ No.Completely disconnects the tape until the next reset.Medium (in case of error in the command - application failure)
Removal via TWRP⭐⭐⭐ (difficult)✅ Yes.Removes it forever.High (risk of "bricking" in case of error)
POCO Launcher⭐ (simple)❌ No.He only hides in the launcher.Low.

💡

For most users, the best option — ADB-It doesn't require root, but it does produce a lasting result. If you're afraid of risk, start by turning off the settings.

What to do if the widget tape returned after the update

Xiaomi likes to return disabled features after major MIUI updates. If the panel reappears, try:

  1. Repeat. ADB-command – sometimes helps re-execution: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.negativeone
  2. Clear the system application cache: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three dots (menu) → Show system. Find the Widget Ribbon or Negative One Screen, open and click Clear Cache.
  3. Reverse to the previous version of MIUI (if the update brought a lot of bugs). For this: Download the old firmware from the official website. Use the Mi Flash Tool for downgrade (instructions below in FAQ).

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI The phone is slowing down, don't rush to reset, first check if the widget tape is on, it can load the system with background processes.

Alternatives to the widget tape: what to use instead

If you have removed the standard bar but want to keep quick access to widgets, consider these options:

  • 📱 Google Discover is a news and weather feed, but with better personalization.
  • ⚡ Nova Launcher is a custom launcher with support for widgets on a separate screen.
  • 🌡️ Overdrop – Minimalist weather widget with support for dark theme and detailed forecast.
  • 📅 Today Weather – an alternative to the standard weather widget from Xiaomi with advanced settings.

To install alternative widgets:

  1. Download the app from Google Play.
  2. Click the empty space on the main screen → Widgets.
  3. Find the widget you want in the list and drag it to the screen.

The advantage of third-party solutions is that they don’t eat the battery in the background and offer more customization options.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi widget tape

Can I remove the widget tape without a computer?
Yes, but only on some firmware. Try: Install the App Manager app (root required). Find it in the list of com.miui.negativeone and turn it off. Without root, this method won't work — you'll need ADB or TWRP.
Why did the widgets disappear from the home screen after removing the tape?
That's OK -- desktop weather icons are tied to the com.miui.negativeone system app. To get them back, install a weather widget from Google or AccuWeather. Or use the theme from the Mi Theme Store, where the weather is built into the wallpaper.
How to return the widget tape if I am wrong?
If you have disabled it through settings: Return to Settings → Home Screen → Widget Ribbon and turn on the slider. If you deleted it via ADB or TWRP: For ADB, run the command: adb shell pm enable com.miui.negativeone For TWRP, restore the backup or reflash the system application via Mi Flash.
The widget tape eats up traffic. How do you stop it?
Limit background activity: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Widget Ribbon. Select Mobile Data and Wi-Fi → Turn off Background Traffic. In Battery and Performance → Battery Management, Set the App to Limit Mode.
Will this guide work on Xiaomi with custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience)?
No. The widget tape is part of MIUI, and custom firmware (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience) doesn't have it. Instead, it uses standard Android widgets.