Smartphone owners Xiaomi, Redmi i Poco often encounter intrusive content that appears on the system without their knowledge. One of the most annoying elements is the recommendations feed Yandex Zen, integrated into the MIUI or HyperOS shell. It can pop up on the lock screen, in widgets, or when you swipe left on the desktop, consuming traffic and distracting you from important tasks.
Complete removal of this service is not always possible using standard means, since it is often built into system applications such as the browser or gallery. However, there are several proven ways to minimize its impact or completely hide its manifestations. In this article we will analyze all the current methods, from simple settings to the use of special tools.
It is important to understand that the interfaces of the operating system Android and firmware MIUI are regularly updated. The location of menu items may vary slightly depending on the software version and regional build. If you do not find the described switch, the manufacturer may have changed the logic of the system in the latest update.
Disable the widget feed on the desktop
The most common place where the news feed appears is the space to the left of the first screen. When users swipe right, they see an endless stream of articles and advertisements. To remove this element, you need to go to the settings of the desktop itself, and not the system as a whole.
Go to the settings of your device and find the section responsible for the desktop. It may be called differently in different firmware versions, but usually it is a subsection Settings → Desktop. Here you should look for an option related to “Widget Feed” or “Google Discover”. It is this mechanism that is often replaced by Yandex Zen in Russian firmware versions.
⚠️ Attention: In some global versions MIUI firmware may have Google Discover pre-installed instead of Zen. The disabling process is similar, but the name of the menu item will be different.
After finding the desired switch, simply deactivate it. The screen will instantly clear, and when you swipe left, you will no longer see the news feed. This is the easiest and safest way to return a clean interface.
Setting up the Glance lock screen
The second source of intrusive content is the lock screen, which in smartphones Xiaomi often works through the service Glance. It broadcasts articles, pictures and videos on a locked phone, which many users consider a waste of battery and traffic.
To disable this function, go to the menu Settings and select section Always on screen and Lock screen. In the list that opens, find the item Lock screen feed or Wallpaper carousel. Inside this menu, you need to switch the slider to the “Off” position.
If the standard shutdown does not help, Advanced mode may be activated. In this case:
- 📱 Open the “Security” application (standard for MIUI).
- 🎨 Find the “Wallpaper” or “Wallpaper Carousel” section.
- 🚫 Click on the settings gear and turn off “Recommendations” or “Feed.”
After disabling the feed on the lock screen, it is recommended to restart your smartphone so that the changes are permanently applied to all system processes.
It is worth noting that in some cases the system may prompt you to select a content provider. If you have a choice between Glance and Yandex, it is better to choose “None” or standard wallpaper to avoid advertising returning in the future.
Cleaning Yandex browser from Zen
Frequent users they confuse the system feed with the feed in the browser Yandex, which is installed by default on many devices. If when you open your browser you are greeted with a stream of news, this can be easily corrected through the internal settings of the application itself.
Open the browser and click on the three menu bars (usually in the lower or upper corner). Go to Settings → Feed Settings. Here you will see a toggle for “Show Recommendations Feed.” Disable it, and the start page will become blank, displaying only the search bar and frequently visited sites.
An alternative option is to use the “Turbo” or “Incognito” mode, but these are temporary measures. For a permanent effect, it is better to use the following checklist:
☑️ Checking browser settings
Also in the browser settings you can find the “Advanced” item, where the “Display news” option is sometimes hidden. Make sure all content-related checkboxes are unchecked. This will free up processor and RAM resources that were previously spent on loading media content.
Using developer mode and ADB
For advanced users who want to get rid of Zen system components, there is a method through USB debugging. This method requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and using the command line. It allows you to remove or freeze system packages that cannot be removed in the usual way.
You must first activate developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the build number (MIUI Version) seven times. After the message “You have become a developer” appears, return to the main settings menu, open Advanced → For developers and enable USB debugging.
Connect your phone to the PC, install ADB Drivers and run the command to remove the Zen package. The command looks like this:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.yandex.newsUse this method only if you are confident in your actions.
| Package Name | Description | Deletion Security |
|---|---|---|
| com.yandex.news | Main news service Zen | Safe (if not needed) |
| com.miui.misys | MIUI system service | Dangerous (may cause crashes) |
| com.android.browser | System browser | Average (needed alternative) |
What to do if the phone stops turning on after removing system packages?
You will need to reset the settings to factory settings (Hard Reset). This will delete all data, but will restore system functionality. To do this, hold down the power and volume up buttons when the phone is turned off.
Disconnection through special applications
If fiddling with ADB commands is too difficult, you can use specialized assistant utilities that have a graphical interface. A popular solution is the application Universal Android Debloater or its mobile analogues, such as NoBloat (requires root access) or ADB AppControl (for PC).
These apps automatically scan the device and show a list of installed applications, marking system and user ones. You can find Yandex or Dzen in the list and click the “Delete” or “Freeze” button. Freezing is preferable, as it allows you to restore functionality at any time.
When using such utilities, be careful:
- 🔍 Carefully read the package description before uninstalling.
- 💾 Create a full backup of your data before starting.
- 🚫 Do not remove packages marked “Critical” or “System Core”.
⚠️ Attention: Installing applications from unknown sources (outside the Play Market) carries risks. Download utilities only from official developer sites or trusted repositories such as GitHub.
Problems and possible solutions
Sometimes after all the manipulations, Zen continues to appear. This may be because a system update restored deleted files, or the content is being streamed through another application, such as File Explorer or Music. In such cases, it is worth checking application permissions.
Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Look for suspicious system utilities (for example, Scanner, Cleaning, Music). Check their permissions and disable network access or notifications if they are not needed. Often it is the background activity of these services that loads advertising modules.
Also an effective method is to change the region. T Settings → Advanced → Region try to choose a country where Yandex services are less integrated into the system, for example, Germany or the USA. This may automatically disable some local news widgets.
A comprehensive approach, including disabling widgets, cleaning the browser and checking permissions, guarantees complete relief from intrusive content.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to remove Zen without superuser rights (Root)?
Yes, you can. Using standard desktop and lock screen settings, you can hide its manifestations. To completely remove the system package, you will need to connect to the PC and use ADB commands; root access is not required for this.
Why did Zen appear again after updating the system?
When updating the firmware MIUI or HyperOS system files often are overwritten, and previously deleted components may return. You will have to repeat the procedure of disabling or using the ADB script after each major update.
Is it safe to remove the com.yandex.news package?
Removing this package is safe for the operation of the operating system Android. The phone will not stop ringing or sending messages. However, weather widgets or news widgets may stop working if they use the Yandex engine.
How to turn off notifications from Zen without deleting the application?
Go to Settings → Notifications → Manage notifications. Find the Zen or Yandex application in the list and disable the display of notifications. You can also turn off sound and vibration for this specific application.