Brand smartphones Redmirunning a shell MIUI or new HyperOSoffer users a wide range of functions personalization. However, the abundance of elements on the home screen often leads to poor performance and inconvenience to use. Many device owners notice that pre-installed widgets consume RAM and drain the battery in the background.
Disabling unnecessary interface elements is not just an aesthetic decision, but also a way to optimize the operation of the gadget. In this article, we will look in detail at how to remove unnecessary widgets, disable the news feed and customize the desktop to suit your needs so that the device works as quickly and responsively as possible.
Why do you need to disable unnecessary widgets on Redmi
Widgets are mini-applications that are constantly active and update information in real time. Resource consumption such elements can be significant, especially if there are several active windows with weather, news or exchange rates on the screen. The system is forced to constantly keep the processes of these widgets in memory.
In addition to the processor load, widgets affect device autonomy. Constantly searching for a GPS signal for a weather widget or downloading news in the background via a mobile network quickly drains your battery. Disabling unused elements allows you to extend the operating time of your smartphone without recharging for several hours.
⚠️ Attention: Complete removal of system widgets through third-party launchers can lead to unstable operation of the interface. Use only standard shutdown methods provided by the developer Xiaomi.
Another important aspect is performance. The fewer elements the graphics accelerator processes when rendering the desktop, the smoother the animations and switching between screens will be. For budget models Redmi this optimization is critical for comfortable use.
Removing widgets from the home screen
The easiest way to get rid of an unnecessary element is to delete it directly from the desktop. This method is suitable for those widgets that the user has placed independently or that were added during the initial setup of the phone. The process is intuitive and does not require deep knowledge of the system.
First, find the widget you want to remove. Press and hold your finger on it for one to two seconds. An action menu will appear on the screen or the widget will begin to “vibrate”, signaling the transition to editing mode. A trash can or Delete button usually appears at the top of the display.
- 🗑️ Drag the widget to the trash icon that appears at the top of the screen.
- ❌ Click on the cross if the system offers a quick delete menu.
- 📂 Move the widget to a folder if you are not ready to delete it yet delete permanently.
If the widget is part of the system set and cannot be removed by standard dragging, it may be pinned in the launcher settings. In this case, you need to go to the desktop settings. Press and hold on an empty space on the screen, then select Settings or the gear icon.
Before mass deleting widgets, take a screenshot of the current arrangement of icons. This will help you quickly restore the familiar desktop structure if you delete something important by mistake.
In some versions MIUI when you delete a widget, the system may offer to replace it with an application shortcut. This is a convenient function that allows you to maintain quick access to the app, but remove the information block that takes up a lot of space. Choose this option if you need the application, but its expanded form on the screen gets in the way.
Disable the Google widget feed (Google Discover)
One of the most common reasons for user dissatisfaction is the left screen filled with news and recommendations from Google. This feature, known as Google Discover, loads automatically when you swipe right from the home screen. It consumes traffic and CPU resources even in standby mode.
To disable this tape, you need to change the launcher settings. Go to the menu Settings of your smartphone. In the settings search, enter the word “Home Screen” or find the corresponding section manually. The interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version.
Settings → Desktop → Widget feed (or Google Discover)In the menu that opens, you will see a switch responsible for displaying an additional screen. Move it to the inactive position. After this, swiping to the right will no longer open the news feed, but will immediately return you to the beginning of the desktop or remain without action.
⚠️ Attention: In new updates HyperOS the path to the settings may change. If you do not find the item in the desktop menu, check the “Advanced settings” section or the settings of the Google application itself.
Disabling the feed does not affect the operation of the Google search bar if it is placed on your home screen as a widget. You will still be able to use the search, but automatic loading of news and articles will stop. This significantly reduces background network activity.
What to do if the switch is inactive?
If the menu item is blocked or missing, your firmware may have regional restrictions. Try changing the region in the phone settings to “India” or “China”, sometimes this will unlock additional interface menu items.
Setting up the weather and clock widget
The weather and clock widget is a standard element on the lock screens and desktop of devices Redmi. It displays the current temperature, forecast and time. However, its behavior can be flexibly customized or completely disable the display of data if you do not need this information.
To manage this element, click on the weather widget itself. The Weather application will open, where in the settings you can disable data updating or change the information source. You can also change the size of the widget by clicking on it and selecting the option to change dimensions in the menu that appears.
| Settings parameter | Description of action | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-update | Disable synchronization with the server | Saving traffic and battery |
| Geolocation | Prohibiting access to GPS for the widget | Increasing privacy |
| Display style | Choosing a minimalist design | Less load on the GPU |
| Deleting | Completely resetting the widget from the screen | Maximum cleaning of the interface |
If you want to save clock, but you can remove the weather by changing the widget style. In the theme settings or in the widget editing menu, select the option to display only time. This is relevant for those who prefer strict minimalism and do not want to see unnecessary graphics on the screen.
It is also worth paying attention to the fact that the weather widget can be used mobile data even when Wi-Fi is connected, if the cellular network signal is more stable. Track traffic consumption in statistics if you notice abnormal activity after installing a new widget.
Minimizing the weather widget to simple time digits can reduce screen energy consumption by up to 5% per day by simplifying the graphics.
Disable widgets in standby mode (Always On Display)
Function Always On Display (AOD) allows you to display the time, notifications and widgets on the off screen. On smartphones Redmi with AMOLED matrices, this function looks impressive, but can be disabled to save energy or if it interferes at night.
To manage widgets on the lock screen, go to the lock screen settings section. Typically this path looks like Settings → Lock screen. Here you will find a toggle for the Always-on Screen feature.
- 🌙 Disable the feature completely for maximum battery savings.
- ⏰ Set up a schedule so that widgets are displayed only during the day.
- 🔕 Select to display only when you receive notifications.
In the same menu, you can customize the display style of the clock and widgets. Some themes allow you to completely remove graphic elements, leaving the screen black until the device wakes up. This is especially convenient if you carry your phone in your pocket and accidental touches activate the backlight.
⚠️ Attention: Constantly running Always On Display can cause pixel burnout on older AMOLED screens. Change your watch style regularly or turn off the function at night.
If you use third-party applications for the lock screen, make sure that they do not duplicate system widgets. A conflict between two information display systems can lead to interface freezing or increased battery consumption.
☑️ Optimizing the lock screen
Using third-party launchers for a clean interface
If the standard settings MIUI do not allow you to achieve the desired cleanliness of the interface, you can use third-party ones launchers. Applications like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Lawnchair give full control over the desktop and allow you to completely ignore Xiaomi system widgets.
Installing an alternative launcher requires special permissions. After installing the application, the system will prompt you to select it as the default application for the home screen. Confirm your choice, and the phone interface will completely change.
Third-party launchers often work faster than standard launchers, since they do not contain built-in advertising and heavy analytics services. You can create your own unique style by adding only those widgets that are really necessary, and ignoring elements imposed by the manufacturer.
However, it is worth remembering that the use of third-party software may change the logic of some gestures. For example, calling up the application menu or accessing the notification panel may differ from the usual behavior in HyperOS. It will take time to adapt to the new controls.
How to return to the standard launcher?
Go to Settings → Applications → Manage applications → Settings (three dots) → Default applications → Desktop. Select a system launcher from the list.
Frequent questions and problems when disconnected
Why does the widget appear again after a reboot?
Some system widgets are tied to themes. If you are using a third party theme from the store Themesit may force certain elements to return to the screen. Try using the standard theme MIUI or the classic theme to see if the problem goes away.
Is it possible to remove the Security or Cleanup widget?
System widgets related to security and optimization are often protected from deletion by standard methods. You can't just drag them into the trash. To hide them, you need to use ADB commands or obtain root access, which is not recommended for ordinary users due to the risk of loss of warranty.
Does disabling widgets affect the operation notifications?
No, disabling a widget does not affect the receipt of notifications from the corresponding application. You will continue to receive messages from instant messengers, mail and social networks in the notification shade. The widget only displays brief information on the screen, but is not a message delivery channel.
How to disable application recommendations in folders?
App recommendations often appear in folders on the desktop. MIUI application recommendations often appear. To remove them, open a folder, click the folder name at the top, and turn off the switch for App Recommendations or Ads. This will clear the folder of excess visual noise.
Is it safe to use scripts to remove widgets?
Using scripts from unverified sources carries a risk. They can remove critical system components, leading to an endless reboot (bootloop). Use only proven universal tools, such as Universal Android Debloaterwhen connecting your phone to a PC.