Modern smartphones based Android often offer users more information than they are willing to consume. The ribbon Google Discoverappearing when you swipe left on the home screen or in the search application has become a familiar but intrusive element of the interface. Algorithms constantly load articles, videos and news based on your browsing history, which can be distracting and consume internet traffic.
Many device owners are wondering how to completely turn off this flow of content and restore a clean workspace. The deactivation process is not always obvious, since the settings are scattered across different menus of the system and the search engine itself. In this article we will look at all available methods: from simply disabling the widget to deeply setting up your account Google.
You can choose the appropriate option depending on the version of your operating system and the launcher model. We will analyze each step in detail so that you can permanently get rid of unwanted recommendations and speed up your device.
Disable the Overview widget on the main screen
The most common way to get news on the screen is a pre-installed widget, which often occupies a separate work area to the left of the main screen. To remove it, you need to perform a few simple steps in the launcher settings.
Go to an empty area of the main screen and hold your finger for a few seconds until the editing menu appears. Select item Home screen settings or Home screen. In the list that opens, find the option responsible for the left panel. On different smartphones, it may be called differently: “Google Screen”, “Browse”, “Google Discover” or “News Feed”.
Switch the corresponding toggle switch to the inactive position. After this, swiping to the left will either stop responding or open a standard widget panel without a news feed. If you have a third-party launcher installed, for example Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, the settings may be in the section Integration with Google.
- 📱 Press and hold an empty space on the desktop to enter editing mode.
- ⚙️ Find the home screen settings section in the bottom or top menu.
- 🚫 Disable the “Google Display” or “News Feed” option.
- ✅ Check the result by swiping left from the first screen.
⚠️ Attention: On some devices from manufacturers Samsung or Xiaomi this function can be hardwired to the system launcher. If the item is not in the settings, you may need to install an alternative launcher to completely remove the tape.
Personalization settings within the Google application
Even if you have removed the widget from the desktop, the news feed may remain available within the application itself Google. To disable it there, you will need to change your account personalization settings directly in the search engine.
Open the application Google on your device. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner of the screen. In the drop-down menu, select Settings, and then go to the Generalsection. Here you will find a toggle called "Browse" or "Discover". Deactivating this option will hide the news feed when opening the application.
In addition, it is recommended to check the Settings → Privacy and personalizationsection. Here you can manage your activity history, which is used by algorithms to select content. Turning off web and app history will make the results less personalized, which will indirectly reduce the relevance of news if you decide to turn it back on in the future.
Changes take effect instantly. However, it is worth considering that the application interface Google is periodically updated, and the location of menu items may change slightly. If you don't find the switch you need, try updating the application through the store Play Market.
If, after disabling the feed in the settings, it still appears, try clearing the Google application cache: Settings → Applications → Google → Storage → Clear cache.
Hide the “News” tab in the search bar
At the top of the screen of many smartphones there is a search bar Googlewhich, when pressed, can open additional tabs, including “News”. This feature is often annoying for users who accidentally open it instead of typing a query.
To hide this tab, click on the search bar to activate it. Filtering icons or additional tabs may appear to the right or left of the input field. Click on the three dots or the settings icon located next to the line. In the menu that appears, find the item Tabs or Search settings.
In the list of available categories, uncheck the box next to the “News” item. Now, when you click on the search bar, the system will immediately proceed to entering text or show only the query history, without switching to the news aggregator. This method does not completely remove news from the ecosystem, but removes them from quick access.
| Action | Where the setting is located | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Disable widget | Home screen settings | Hide the feed from the left swipe |
| Application settings | Profile menu in the Google application | Hide the feed inside the search |
| Hide tab | Row settings search | Removes the “News” button when entering |
Some smartphone manufacturers are introducing their own news aggregators, which disguise themselves as Google services. Carefully check the name of an application or widget before disabling it so as not to delete a system-important component.
Using third-party launchers for complete cleaning
If standard methods do not give the desired result or the interface of your smartphone is too overloaded, the best solution would be to install a third-party launcher. These are apps that completely replace the standard desktop, providing flexible customization tools.
Popular solutions, such as Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Smart Launcher, do not integrate the ribbon by default. Google Discover. After installing such a launcher and choosing it as your main one, you will get a clean interface where every element is controlled by you. Integration with Google services is usually disabled in them or placed in a separate widget, which you simply can’t add to the screen.
The process of changing the launcher is simple: download the application from Play Market, open it and follow the instructions in the setup wizard. The system will prompt you to select the default application for the home screen - specify a new launcher. Now the old interface with intrusive news will be a thing of the past.
Will the settings return after a reset?
When you reset your phone to factory settings, the installed third-party launcher will be removed, and the system will return to the standard interface with a built-in news feed. You will have to set up your device again.
Using an alternative launcher can also have a positive effect on the performance of the device, especially on older models, as they are often optimized better than stock solutions from manufacturers.
Disable notifications from the Google News application
It is important to distinguish between the news feed on the main screen and a separate one application Google News (Google News), which can send push notifications. Even if you have hidden the visual feed, notifications may continue to bother you in the notification shade.
To disable, go to Settings smartphone, select the section Applications and find it in the list Google News. Go to subsection Notifications. Here you can completely block the application from sending notifications or flexibly configure categories, leaving only important notifications, for example, about weather or emergency situations.
- 🔔 Open the notification settings for the Google News application.
- 🚫 Turn off the “All notifications” switch completely or select specific categories.
- 🗑️ If you want, you can delete the application if you do not use it (not available on some system firmware).
⚠️ Attention: Disabling notifications does not affect the Discover feed in the search application. These are two different functions that require separate settings for complete comfort.
If the application Google News is a system one and is not deleted; you can simply disable it in the same application settings menu. This will hide the icon from the menu and stop all background processes associated with it.
Radical measures: disabling via ADB
For advanced users who want to completely cut Google components from the system without root access, there is a method of using USB debugging and tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method allows you to remove or disable system packages responsible for the news feed.
First you need to activate developer mode on your smartphone. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the item Build number. Then in the menu that appears For developers enable the option USB debugging. Connect your phone to your computer and run the command to search for the package responsible for Discover.
adb shell pm list packages | grep googleOnce you find the package you need (often it contains discover or quickstepin the name), use the command to disable it for the current user. This will hide the functionality without completely deleting the system file, which allows you to avoid errors when updating the system.
☑️ Preparing to use ADB
Be extremely careful when using this method. Disabling critical system processes can result in device instability or endless reboots. Always check the package name before executing the uninstall command.
Using ADB is the most effective way to remove system junk, but it requires technical skills and carries risks for inexperienced users.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to remove the news feed on older versions Android?
Yes, the principle of operation is similar in most versions, starting with Android 6.0. However, on very old firmware, the setting may be located in another place, for example, in the settings of the Google Search widget, which needs to be removed from the desktop.
Why does the news feed appear again after a reboot?
This can happen if you have disabled only the widget, but not the settings in the Google application itself. Also, some smartphone manufacturers are forcibly returning their branded tapes after updating the system. In this case, only changing the launcher will help.
Does disabling the feed affect the operation of the voice assistant?
No, disabling the visual feed Google Discover does not affect the operation Google Assistant. You'll still be able to use voice search and commands, you just won't see the news feed when you open the app.
Will my search history be deleted after turning off news?
No, turning off the news feed does not delete your activity history. To clear the history, you need to go to your Google account settings and select “Manage Activity”, where you can delete data manually or set up auto-delete.
Is there a difference between the feed on Xiaomi and Samsung?
Yes, Xiaomi often uses its own feed "Google Discover" or "Yandex" depending on the region, which disabled in desktop settings. On Samsung this function is integrated deeper and can be called “Samsung Free” or “Google Discover”, switching between which is available with a long swipe to the left.