Many smartphone users are faced with a situation where when they swipe right from the main screen, the news feed opens Google Discover. This service automatically loads news, weather and recommendations, which often turn out to be irrelevant or simply irritate the device owner. In addition, the operation of this widget can consume system resources, draining the battery in the background.
The process of disabling this function directly depends on what Android shell is installed on your gadget. Smartphone manufacturers, such as Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei or OnePlusoften change the location of settings and menu names. However, the algorithm of actions remains similar: you need to find the home screen settings and disable the specific switch responsible for the left panel.
In this article we will examine in detail how to disable the news feed for the most popular versions of Android and third-party launchers. We will also consider cases when standard methods fail to remove the screen, and we will offer alternative solutions, including installing third-party software for complete control over the interface of your device.
Disabling the Google feed on pure Android
Series smartphones Google Pixel, Moto and some models Nokia run on an almost “clean” version operating system. Here, controlling the left screen is implemented as simply and intuitively as possible, as Google strives for minimalism in interface settings.
To disable Google Discover, you need to long press with your finger on an empty area of the main screen. A context menu will appear, where you should select “Settings” or “Home screen settings”. In the list that opens, find the switch called “Google Feed” or “Show Google app” and move it to the inactive position.
After performing these actions, swiping to the right will no longer bring up the news aggregator. Instead, you will either remain on the first desktop, or the system will prompt you to select a different default widget, if such an option is provided by a specific firmware version. This is the fastest way to return minimalism to your desktop.
- 📱 Long tap on a free area of the screen.
- ⚙️ Select “Settings” in the bottom menu.
- 🚫 Find and disable the “Google Feed” option.
⚠️ Attention: On some versions of pure Android, disabling the feed may require restarting the launcher. If the switch does not work right away, try rebooting the device.
Configuring the interface on the One UI shell (Samsung)
South Korean devices giant Samsung use a proprietary shell One UI, which has its own characteristics in organizing the workspace. Here, the left screen is often called “Google Feed” or “Samsung Free”, depending on the region and firmware version.
To manage this element, you need to go to the main settings of the smartphone, and not to the settings of the screen itself. Follow the path Settings → Home screen. At the very top of the list you will see the option “Swipe right on the home screen”. By clicking on it, you can select the “No” option or disable a specific news feed.
It is important to note that in recent updates One UI Samsung sometimes changes the location of these settings, integrating them into the personalization section. If you do not find the item you need right away, use the search in the settings by entering the request “Home screen” or “Swipe”.
| Device model | Function name | Disable path |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S21-S24 | Google Discover | Settings → Home screen |
| Samsung Galaxy A-series | Samsung Free | Settings → Home screen |
| Older models (S10 and below) | Bixby Home | Settings → Lock screen |
If you have a third-party theme installed, the Home screen settings may be hidden. Temporarily apply the standard Samsung theme to access the necessary items.
Removing the left screen on MIUI and HyperOS (Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO)
Ecosystem users Xiaomi often complain about the intrusiveness of the left screen, which is in shells MIUI and new HyperOS combines the functions of widgets and a news feed. Disabling here occurs through the settings of the launcher itself, and not through the general system menu.
Perform a long press on an empty area of the desktop. Menu icons will appear at the bottom of the screen, from which you need to select “Settings” (gear icon). Scroll down the list to the “Advanced” section or immediately find the “Widget Feed” / “Google Discover” item.
In new firmware versions, Xiaomi offers a choice between its own widget feed and the feed from Google. You can disable both options by selecting None or Disabled. This action will instantly remove the extra screen and speed up switching between desktops.
- 🖐️ Long tap on the desktop.
- 🔧 Click on the gear icon below.
- ❌ In the “Widget Ribbon” item, select “No.”
⚠️ Attention: The MIUI interface is updated frequently. If you do not see the described items, check for system updates or look for settings in the “Advanced settings” section.
☑️ Checking Xiaomi settings
Specifics of disabling on ColorOS and OxygenOS (OnePlus, OPPO, Realme)
Brand smartphones OnePlus, OPPO and Realme use shells ColorOS and OxygenOSthat have a common base, but may differ in the names of menu items. On these systems, the left screen is often called "Quick Access" or "Smart Assistant".
To deactivate this feature, go to Settings → Home screen and lock screen. Find the "Quick Access" or "Breeno Speed" switch on older OPPO models. Turn the toggle switch to the “Off” position.
On devices OnePlus with the OxygenOS shell, the path may look like Settings → Home screen → Google Discover. Here the logic is similar to pure Android, but the settings are hidden deeper in the system menu, and are not called up by a long tap on the screen.
Some users prefer not to turn off the screen completely, but to change its contents. However, for maximum productivity and freedom from distractions, turning off completely is the most effective solution.
What is Breeno Speed?
Breeno Speed is a smart assistant on OPPO smartphones that analyzes your habits and suggests usage scenarios. If you don't use it, you can safely disable it to save resources.
Using third-party launchers for complete control
If standard methods fail to remove the left screen, or the manufacturer has deliberately blocked this feature (which is found on budget models with advertising integrations), the optimal solution would be to install third-party launcher. These are apps that completely replace the standard desktop.
Popular solutions, such as Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher, allow you to flexibly customize the behavior of swipes. In their settings, you can assign the “Nothing” action to swiping to the right, thereby physically eliminating the possibility of an extra panel appearing.
Installing a third-party launcher requires permission to display on top of other applications and the right to use as the default home screen. After installation, the system will prompt you to choose which application to launch when you press the Home button.
- 📥 Download the launcher from the Google Play Store.
- ✅ Grant all requested permissions.
- 🏠 Select the new launcher as the default application.
- ⚙️ In the launcher settings, disable gestures or assign them to other actions.
⚠️ Attention: When installing a third-party launcher, widgets from the manufacturer (for example, Samsung or Xiaomi weather widgets) may stop working or display incorrectly. Use standard Android widgets or widgets of the new launcher.
A third-party launcher is the only guaranteed way to remove the left screen on devices where the manufacturer has blocked this setting in the firmware.
Solving problems and common errors when disabling
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where After disabling the setting, the ribbon still appears. This may be due to multiple profiles being activated or the Smart Assistant feature being enabled in your Google Account settings.
Check your settings in the Google app itself. Go to Google Settings → Settings for Google applications → Discover and disable the “Show feed” option. This action duplicates the system setting, but sometimes helps if a software failure occurs.
It is also worth remembering that the interfaces of mobile operating systems are constantly updated. Manufacturers may change the layout of menu items in new versions of Android. If you do not find the described path, use the search in the phone settings by entering the keywords: “screen”, “swipe”, “tape”.
| Problem | Possible reason | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The tape returns after reboot | Launcher cache failure | Clear desktop application cache |
| No disable item in the menu | Firmware limitation | Install third-party launcher |
| Swipe works, but the screen is black | Widget error | Delete Google widget from the left screen |
Before changing system interface settings, it is recommended to back up important data, although disabling the feed rarely leads to loss information.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does turning off the left screen affect the operation of the voice assistant?
No, turning off the visual feed Google Discover does not affect the operation of the voice assistant. You can still invoke Google Assistant with the power button, voice command, or long press of the Home button unless that feature has been disabled separately.
Is it possible to restore your News Feed back?
Of course. The process is completely reversible. You just need to go to the same home screen settings where you disabled the feature and re-enable the Google Feed or Swipe Right switch. All settings will return to their original state instantly.
Why are there no home screen settings on my phone?
This is typical for some budget models or specific custom firmware, where the manufacturer limits personalization options. In this case, the only solution is to install an alternative launcher from the application store.
Will the Google application be deleted when the screen is turned off?
No, turning off the left screen only hides the news feed interface. The application itself Google remains installed on the system and continues to work for search, maps and other services. Deleting the system application is not required and is not recommended.
Will this slow down my smartphone?
On the contrary, disabling the constantly updated news feed can slightly speed up the device and reduce battery consumption, since the system will not need to load content for the left screen in the background.