App “Tape widgets” on Xiaomi: what it is, functions and how to remove without consequences

If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone based on MIUI, you’ve probably noticed a vertical stripe on the home screen with weather, calendar, quick notes and other mini-programs. This is the “Widget Ribbon”**, a standard application that Xiaomi has integrated into the shell since the versions of MIUI 12. But not all users like this element: some find it useless, others annoying, and others just want to make room on the screen.

In this article, we will discuss in detail:

• 🔍 What is a “Widget Ribbon”** and how it works on different versions MIUI (including MIUI 14 and MIUI 15).

We will pay special attention to hidden MIUI settings that allow you to deactivate the tape without root rights, and also consider alternative launchers for those who want to completely get rid of the standard Xiaomi interface.

What is “Tape widgets” on Xiaomi and why you need it

The Widget Panel or Negative Screen is the left panel on the home screen that swipes to the right, and by default it contains:

• 📊 Steps and Activity Statistics (if Mi Band or Xiaomi Wear is connected).

Since MIUI 13, tape has become more customizable: users can add widgets from third-party applications (such as Google Keep or Yandex.Pogoda), change their order or completely hide unnecessary ones.

Why is Xiaomi sticking to this element? First, it's part of the MIUI ecosystem that seeks to bring all the brand's services together in one place; second, the widget feed serves as an advertising platform, sometimes featuring banners with offers from Xiaomi (such as discounts on gadgets or software updates); Third, for many users in Asia, it is convenient for quick access to information.

But in Russia and Europe, tape is often left unused, and according to a survey of Redmi Note 12 owners, 68 percent of respondents do not use it knowingly, and 22 percent open it accidentally when swiping, which is why the question of deleting or deactivating remains relevant.

Can I remove the widget tape without consequences?

Technically, deletion is possible, but with reservations: The widget tape is a system application (com.miui.negativeone), and its uninstallation may result in:

• ⚠️ Failures in the launcher (for example, the swipe to the right will disappear on the main screen).
• 🔄 Automatic Recovery** After Updating MIUI.

However, there are 3 safe ways to get rid of tape:

1. Disable via settings (without deleting files).
2. Hiding with ADB (requires PC and USB debugging).
3. Use of a third-party launcher (e.g., Nova Launcher or Hyperion).

⚠️ Note: If you delete the system application through ADB or root, after another update MIUI It can come back, and it can also block access to certain features, like the weather widget on the lock screen.

For most users, the best solution is to turn off the tape without removing it, which will not affect the stability of the system, but will free up space on the screen.

💡

Disabling the widget tape is safer than removing it and does not require root rights or special knowledge.

How to disable the “Tape of widgets” on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

The easiest way to hide the tape is to turn it off in the launcher settings, which is available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with MIUI 12 and later.

1.Clasp your finger on the free space on the main screen

2. Select "Home Screen Settings" (or "Starter Settings")

3. Go to the section "Tape of widgets" (or "Negative Screen")

4. Turn off the "Show Widget Ribbon" slider

5. Save the changes and restart the launcher (swipe down on the home screen)-->

If there is no such item on the menu, try an alternative way:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Enter the Widget Ribbon or Negative One Screen.
3. Select the app and click Disable (if the button is active).
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14 Global) Disabling through settings may not work. ADB-team:

adb shell pm hide com.miui.negativeone

To accomplish this:

1. Enable Developer Mode (7 taps by build number in Settings → About phone).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect the phone to the PC, open the command line and type the command above.

After the reboot, the tape will disappear, but it can be returned by the team:

adb shell pm unhide com.miui.negativeone

💡

If you turn off the tape swipe right on the home screen opens Google Discover, then you have Google Launcher installed. To remove it, switch to the standard MIUI launcher in the default application settings.

How to completely remove the “Widget Tape” (for advanced users)

If the shutdown is not enough, you can uninstall the app completely, but this will require root rights or the use of ADB. On devices with a locked bootloader (most global versions of Xiaomi), complete removal is impossible without unlocking the bootloader.

Methods of disposal:

Step-by-step instructions for removal through ADB:

1. Install platform-tools on your PC.
2. Connect your phone and check the connection with the command: Adb devices
3. Execute the command to uninstall: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.negativeone
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 15 China) removing the widget tape can lead to the failure of the system process com.miui.home. In this case, only resetting to factory settings or flashing will help.

If you’re not willing to take risks, consider a third-party launcher that will completely replace the MIUI interface, including the widget tape.

Alternatives to “Tape widgets”: which widgets are better to use

If you have disabled the standard tape, but want to keep quick access to information, install alternative widgets:

• 🌡️ Another Widget – Minimalist Weather Widgets with OpenWeatherMap Support.

For installation of widgets:

1. Install the selected application from Google Play.
2. Press your finger on the main screen and select Widgets.
3. Find the widget you want in the list and drag it to the screen.
4. Set the size and appearance (if supported).

Advantages of third-party widgets:

• ✅ More customization options (colors, fonts, transparency).
• ✅ No advertising and unnecessary integrations with MIUI.
• ✅ Synchronization with Google services (calendar, notes, fitness).

If you are using a Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher, you can:

• 🔄 Customize gestures (for example, swipe right to open Google Assistant).
• 🎨 Change icons and style widgets.
• 🚫 Disable unnecessary interface elements completely.

Frequent problems after disabling / removing the widget tape

Even if you carefully unplug the tape, there may be problems. Consider typical situations and their solutions:

If after manipulating the widget tape, the swipe down to search stopped working, check the gesture settings:

1. Open the settings → Additional → Gestures.
2. Find the Swipe item down on the main screen.
3. Select the action: Google Search or Notification Panel.

If none of the methods helped, and the launcher is unstable, reset its settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the launcher (or MIUI Launcher).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi) K60) Resetting the launcher data can return the widget tape to its original state, in which case, repeat disabling it.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Widget Ribbon