Many users of Android smartphones are faced with an intrusive feed of recommendations from the search giant when they accidentally swipe the screen to the left. This feature, often called “Yandex Feed” or simply “News,” is integrated deeply into the system through pre-installed software or proprietary add-ons from manufacturers. For some, this is a useful source of information, but for most, it is an annoying factor that takes up resources and interferes with navigation.
Disabling this service requires understanding exactly how it was installed on your device. Depending on the model Xiaomi, Samsung or Honor, as well as the version of the operating system, solutions may differ radically. Sometimes it is enough to simply switch the launcher settings, in other cases you will need to disable system applications through the developer menu.
In this article we will analyze in detail all possible methods for eliminating the news feed. We will look at both standard interface settings and more advanced ways to hide widgets. You will learn how to prevent recommendations from appearing again after updating the system and what hidden settings can affect the operation of the main screen of your gadget.
Analysis of the source of the news feed
The first step before any action is to understand the nature of the news. Most often, the tape is part of the manufacturer’s proprietary shell, for example, MIUI or One UI. In such cases, it is built into the system launcher and is not removed like a regular application. However, on “pure” Android or in devices with custom firmware, the source may be a separate application Xiaomi or One UI Samsung. In such cases, it is built into the system launcher and is not removed like a regular application. However, on “pure” Android or in devices with custom firmware, the source may be a separate application Yandex or a browser widget.
It is important to check which application is responsible for the desktop. Go to your phone settings and find the "Default Applications" section. If “Yandex.Launcher” or similar software from a search engine is indicated there, then it is this that generates the feed on the left. If you use the manufacturer's standard launcher, the settings will be located in the settings of the desktop itself, and not in the general application menu.
Sometimes users themselves accidentally activate the “Google Discover” function or an analogue from Yandex when initially setting up the phone. In this case, the ribbon appears immediately after unlocking the device. Understanding the source is critical, as the disabling method will be different for system integration and for a third-party widget.
⚠️ Attention: On some smartphone models purchased in certain regions, pre-installed software may block the ability to completely remove system widgets without obtaining root access.
Disable through desktop and launcher settings
The most common and safest way to remove news is to use the built-in launcher settings. Smartphone manufacturers usually provide the ability to control additional screens. To access these settings, you need to long press your finger on an empty space on the desktop. This action will bring up the interface editing menu.
In the menu that appears, the item “Desktop Settings”, “Additional Screens” or “News Feed” follows. Interface may vary depending on brand. For example, on devices Honor this item is often called “Minus one screen”, and on Samsung it is “Swipe right on the main screen”. You need to find the switch responsible for displaying the feed to the left of the main screen.
After finding the desired toggle switch, simply move it to the inactive position. The screen may blink or the interface may instantly update. Now, when you try to swipe the screen to the left, you will either see empty space, or the lock screen, or weather widgets, but the Yandex news feed will disappear.
If, after turning off the feed, the screen still scrolls, try restarting the device - this will reset the launcher cache and apply the new settings correctly.
In some cases, the settings may be hidden deeper. Try going to the general settings of your phone, select the “Home Screen” section and carefully study all the subsections. Search for keywords: Aggregator, Recommendations, Summary. Disabling these features ensures that content selection algorithms will no longer bother you when unblocking.
Manage system applications and services
If settings The launchers did not produce any results, perhaps the news feed works as a background service or a separate system application. In this case, you need to go to the "Applications" section in the Android settings. Here you need to enable the display of system processes, usually this is done through a menu of three dots in the corner of the screen.
Find applications in the list with names containing the words Yandex, News, Feed or Partner. They are often disguised under neutral names like “Google Services” or “System Interface,” but upon closer inspection you can see the search engine logo. For such applications, the “Disable” or “Force Stop” function is available.
Click on the desired application and select the “Disable” button. The system will warn you that other applications may not work correctly. In the case of news aggregators, this warning can usually be ignored, since they are not critical to the operation of the OS. After disabling, the application icon will disappear from the menu and the feed will stop updating.
| Application type | Action | Risk of system failure | Recovery option |
|---|---|---|---|
| System widget | Disable in screen settings | Low | Instant |
| Third-party launcher | Remove or change default | Medium | Requires new installation |
| Update service | Prohibition of work in the background | High | Complex |
| Browser widget | Removing a widget from the screen | None | Easy |
☑️ Checking system services
Blocking notifications and background activity
Even if the visual feed has disappeared, the app may continue to send notifications or consume battery power in the background. To completely isolate a service, you need to configure access rights. Go to the notification settings for a specific Yandex application or its services.
In the notifications menu you will see a list of categories: “News”, “Recommendations”, “Important events”. Disable all switches, especially those responsible for Push notifications. This will prevent pop-up messages from appearing in the notification curtain, which often duplicate content from the disabled feed.
Next, go to the “Battery” or “Energy Saving” section. Find the problematic app and set a background activity limit. Select the “Hard Restriction” or “Prohibit Background Running” option. This action will prevent the process from starting automatically when the system starts or when opening other apps.
⚠️ Attention: Completely blocking background activity may cause weather or clock widgets from the same developer to stop updating in real time.
It is also worth checking permissions for access to geolocation and contacts. News aggregators often use this data to target advertising and content. By revoking these permissions in the “Application Permissions” menu, you will make the news delivery less personalized and, perhaps, less intrusive if the feed suddenly returns.
Changing the launcher as a radical solution
If the built-in system tools cannot remove the feed, the most effective solution will be to install a third-party launcher. App stores offer many options, such as Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher. These apps completely replace the standard desktop interface.
After installing the new launcher, the system will prompt you to select an application for the default home screen. Select the option you installed. Third-party launchers usually do not have built-in integrations with Yandex News, unless you add a widget yourself. This gives complete control over what is displayed on the screen.
The advantage of this approach is a high degree of customization. You can customize the grid of icons, animations and gestures in a way that is convenient for you. In addition, many alternative launchers work faster than standard shells, which has a positive effect on the performance of older devices.
Disadvantages of changing the launcher
When you change the launcher, the arrangement of icons and widgets that you have been customizing for months may get lost. Some proprietary features, such as gestures for calling an assistant or specific themes from the manufacturer, may no longer work correctly.
However, it is worth considering that some smartphone manufacturers artificially limit the work of third-party launchers, forcing them to work in a reduced mode or constantly resetting the settings to standard ones. In such cases, you may need to disable battery optimization for the new launcher so that the system does not “kill” its process in the background.
Hidden settings and developer mode
For advanced users, it is possible to disable components through the developer menu. To activate this mode, you need to quickly tap the build number seven times in the About Phone section. After the corresponding notification appears, a new item “For Developers” will appear in the settings.
In this menu you can find the “Running Services” or “Process Statistics” section. All currently active applications are displayed here. If you see a news process, you can try to stop it directly. There is also an option “Do not save actions”, which can help with debugging, but for our purpose it is not critical.
A more effective method is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands from a computer. Once you connect your phone to your PC and enable USB debugging, you can enter a command to disable a specific package. For example, the command pm disable-user --user 0 com.yandex.news can force freeze an application without the need for root access.
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.yandex.browser.alice
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.yandex.searchplugin
Use of such commands requires caution. Incorrectly disabling a system component may cause your phone to reboot cyclically. Always check the package name before entering the command. If you are not sure of your actions, it is better to limit yourself to standard interface settings.
Using ADB commands allows you to disable system applications that cannot be removed through the regular menu, but requires a connection to a computer and basic knowledge of the command line.
Preventing the return of the news feed
After successful disabling, there is a risk that the feed will return after a major update to the system or the Yandex application itself. Developers often reset user settings during major updates. Therefore, it is recommended to periodically check your desktop settings after updating the software.
You should also be careful when installing new applications from this developer. Installation Yandex Browser or Yandex Maps may automatically reactivate some services and offer to return widgets to the home screen. Carefully read the agreements during installation and uncheck the “Add widget” items.
- 📱 Regularly check the "Default Applications" section after system updates.
- 🚫 Disable auto-updates for Yandex applications on Google Play if you do not actively use them.
- 🔍 Use alternative app stores, such as F-Droid, where there is less intrusive software.
Another precaution is to create a backup copy of the launcher settings, if such a function is supported by your phone model. This will allow you to quickly restore a clean desktop in the event of a crash. Some third-party launchers allow you to export the configuration to a file, which is a reliable insurance policy.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and menu names may vary depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer's shell. If you have not found an exact match, look for items with similar meaning.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to remove Yandex News completely, and not just disable it?
Full removal is only possible if you have root access or through the use of special ADB scripts that remove system packages. Without these tools, only disabling is available, which hides the application and prevents it from launching, but leaves the files in the system memory.
Why did the news feed appear again after rebooting the phone?
This often happens if the Yandex application has rights to autorun or if a system update has occurred that reset the launcher settings. Check the autorun settings in the "Battery" section and make sure that the switch in the desktop settings is still turned off.
Does disabling news affect the operation of other Yandex applications?
Disabling the system feed or widget does not affect the operation of individual applications, such as Browser, Maps or Taxi. They will continue to function as normal. However, if you disable the Yandex application itself in the system settings, then all services associated with it will stop working.
Is it safe to use third-party launchers to delete a feed?
Yes, using proven launchers from the official Google Play store is absolutely safe. They are virus-free and run within standard Android resolutions. The only risk is possible incompatibility with some proprietary gestures of your smartphone.
What to do if the option to disable the ribbon is gray and cannot be pressed?
This means that the application has device administrator rights or is built into the firmware as a critical component. In this case, try revoking administrator rights in the security settings or use the method of disabling via ADB commands from the computer.