Users of smartphone brands Tecno i Infinix often encounter an imposed interface HIOS Launcher. This shell radically changes the appearance of the system, adding many pre-installed widgets and advertising blocks that cannot be disabled using standard means. For many pure Android enthusiasts, the presence of such a launcher becomes a serious problem, reducing the performance and aesthetics of the device.
Fortunately, you can remove or, more precisely, deactivate this component without obtaining root access. The process requires the use of a computer and a set of debugging tools, but it is safe for the system if you follow the instructions. In this article we will look in detail at how to get rid of HIOS, return the standard launcher or install an alternative interface from Google or third-party developers.
It is important to understand that complete physical removal of the system application is impossible without flashing the device, but disabling it leads to the same result: the launcher stops run, frees up RAM and does not interfere with the operation of other apps. You will get control of your gadget back.
Preparing the smartphone for the debugging procedure
Before starting any manipulations with system components, you must properly configure the device. Without enabling the special developer mode, the computer simply will not see your smartphone as a debugging device. This is the first and most important step that should not be skipped.
Go to your phone settings and find the item About phone. In this section you will need to find the line Build number. Click on it quickly 7 times in a row. The system will inform you that you have become a developer. Now a new section will appear in the main settings menu For developers.
Inside this section, find the switch USB debugging and activate it. When you connect the cable to the computer, a request for debugging permission will appear on the smartphone screen - be sure to click Allow. It is also recommended to select the mode in the USB settings File transfer (MTP)to ensure a stable connection.
⚠️ Attention: Do not connect your smartphone to public charging stations or unfamiliar computers with USB debugging enabled. This may create a vulnerability for your personal data.
☑️ Preparing the device
Installing ADB tools on the computer
To interact with the Android operating system, we need the package Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This is an official tool from Google that allows you to send commands directly to the system. There are several ways to install it, but we will consider the most reliable option through Platform Tools.
Download the archive SDK Platform-Tools from the official Android developers website. Unpack the contents of the archive into a convenient folder on drive C, for example, create a directory C:\adb. This will make entering commands easier in the future, since you won’t have to specify the full path to the executable files each time.
Open the Windows command line. Click Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter. In order for the system to see ADB commands from any folder, you need to add the path to the tools to the environment variables, or simply go to the folder with the tools through the terminal with the command cd C:\adb.
Alternative methods for installing ADB
There are third-party installers, such as Minimal ADB and Fastboot, which automatically register paths in the system. However, using official Platform Tools from Google guarantees the absence of malware and the latest versions of utilities.
Finding the exact name of the HIOS Launcher package
Before executing the uninstall command, you must accurately identify the name of the launcher package. In different firmware versions Tecno and Infinix it may differ slightly, although most often it remains standard. An error in the name will result in the command not working.
Connect your smartphone to the PC and enter the command adb devicesin the command line. If you see the device serial number and status device, then the connection was successful. Now enter the command to list all installed packages:
adb shell pm list packages | findstr launcherIn the list you will most likely see the line package:com.hi.android.launcher or package:com.hios.launcher. It is this value package_name that we will need for the next command. It is also worth checking for the presence of other system launchers, for example, the standard one Pixel Launcher, which may be hidden, but is active on the system.
If the findstr command does not produce results, try entering adb shell pm list packages without a filter and carefully scroll through the list manually, looking for names containing the words hi, hios or tecno.
The process of disabling the launcher via the console
Once the package name has been determined, you can begin the deactivation procedure itself. We will use the pm disable-usercommand, which disables the application for the current user without deleting its physical files from the system partition. This is the safest method.
Enter the following command, replacing com.hi.android.launcher with your actual package name if it is different:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.hi.android.launcherIf the operation was successful, the terminal will display a message Success. The smartphone screen may flicker and you will see a black screen or a prompt to select an app for the home screen. At this point, the system will understand that HIOS can no longer control the desktop.
⚠️ Attention: Never disable all launchers at the same time. Make sure that you have at least one alternative interface installed and active, otherwise after a reboot you will not be able to get to the settings menu.
| Command | Description of action | Result |
|---|---|---|
adb shell pm list packages |
List all applications | List of packages in the terminal |
adb shell pm disable-user |
Disabling an application for the user | The application disappears from the menu |
adb shell pm enable |
Enabling a disabled application | Restoring the launcher |
adb reboot |
Restarting the device | Applying system changes |
Installing an alternative desktop
Once HIOS is disabled, the system will require you to select a default application to control the home screen. If you don't already have a third-party launcher installed, now is the time to do so. The store Google Play offers dozens of great options that work faster and look more modern.
A popular choice is Nova Launcher, which provides incredible flexibility in customizing icons, grids, and animations. Perfect for lovers of minimalism Niagara Launcher, and users accustomed to the Microsoft ecosystem will like the corresponding launcher with integration of news and widgets.
After installing a new application, press the button Home. The system will prompt you to select an application for this action. Select your new launcher and click Always. Now the interface of your smartphone has been completely transformed, and traces of HIOS have disappeared from everyday use.
Third-party launchers often consume less RAM than heavy factory shells, which has a positive effect on the battery life of budget smartphones.
Possible problems and solutions
In rare cases, after disabling the system launcher, the smartphone may behave unstable. For example, when you press a button Home nothing happens, or the device reboots cyclically. This is usually due to the fact that the alternative launcher was not installed before disabling the main one.
If you encounter a black screen, try calling up the multitasking menu (square button) or the notification panel. From there you can launch Settings or a file manager to download and install the new launcher. As a last resort, safe mode will help.
To return everything as it was, use the enable command in the terminal:
adb shell pm enable com.hi.android.launcherThis will instantly restore HIOS. It is also worth checking whether you have accidentally disabled the system components responsible for the operation of widgets or the Google search bar, which are often built into the manufacturer’s shell.
What to do if the computer does not see the phone?
Check the USB cable - it must support data transfer, not just charging. Try a different USB port, preferably USB 2.0. Make sure that drivers for your device are installed on your computer (they are often installed automatically through Windows Update or along with platform tools).
Is it possible to permanently remove HIOS without a computer?
Without root access and a computer, complete removal is impossible. However, there are assistant applications such as Universal Android Debloaterthat have a graphical interface, but still require a USB connection and debugging to be enabled.
Does disabling the launcher affect the warranty?
Using ADB commands to disable applications is not a hack to the system and does not violate the manufacturer's warranty, since you do not you modify the system partition directly and do not unlock the bootloader.
Will HIOS return after a system update?
Yes, with a major firmware update (OTA), system settings can be reset and the launcher will become active again. You will have to repeat the disabling procedure after each major Android update.
Is it safe to use third-party launchers?
Launchers from the official Google Play store are security tested and safe. They work in an isolated user environment and do not have access to critical system files without special permissions.