Smartphone owners Xiaomi i Redmi often face a situation where the desktop is overloaded with unnecessary elements. These could be weather clocks, tool shortcuts, or advertising banners that the manufacturer places on the screen by default. The interface MIUI, and in new models also HyperOS, offers many personalization functions, but the cleaning process sometimes causes difficulties for new users.
Excessive elements not only clutter the space, but can also consume device resources, slowing down the system. Understanding how to remove a widget from the home screenis a basic skill for comfortable use of a smartphone. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the ways to clean the desktop, from standard removal to hidden system settings.
The process may vary depending on the firmware version and model of your device. Old versions of the shell have differences from new versions Android. However, the general principle of managing interface elements remains similar on most devices in the line Redmi.
Standard method of deleting via long press
The simplest and most obvious way to get rid of an unnecessary element is to use a standard touch screen gesture. This method works 95% of the time for custom widgets installed manually or added by the system during first setup. You don't need access to your phone's deep settings.
Find the widget you want to delete on your desktop. Press your finger firmly against its surface and hold for 1-2 seconds. The screen will vibrate and the interface will enter editing mode. At this point, a frame may appear around the widget, and a trash can or cross icon will appear at the top of the screen.
As soon as the delete icon appears, without releasing your finger from the widget, drag it to this area. Usually it is highlighted in red or has the inscription “Delete”. After you release your finger over the basket, the item will disappear from the screen forever.
Sometimes the system requires confirmation of the action. In this case, a pop-up window will appear on the screen asking if you are sure about deletion. Press the button OK or Deleteto complete the process. If the trash icon does not appear, try dragging the widget to the top of the screen, where the deletion area is sometimes hidden.
⚠️ Attention: Some system widgets, such as Google Search or the basic clock in certain themes, may not be deleted using the standard method. In this case, they can only be moved or replaced, but not completely deleted without superuser rights.
If the widget cannot be deleted by dragging it, try first moving it to a free page on the desktop, and then deleting it from there. Sometimes this bypasses software blocking of the interface.
Control through the desktop editing menu
In the latest shell updates MIUI i HyperOS an expanded editing mode has appeared, which gives greater control over elements. This method is especially useful if you want to delete several objects at once or if standard dragging does not work correctly.
To enter this mode, you need to pinch with two fingers on the desktop, bringing them together. Or you can hold your finger on an empty area of the screen for a long time until the bottom settings menu appears. Here you will see thumbnails of all desktop pages and available widgets.
In edit mode, each widget has its own delete icon, usually located in the corner or appearing when you click on the object itself. Click on the cross or minus sign on the unnecessary element. The system will instantly remove it from the active page.
This method also allows you to delete entire desktop pages if they are filled with unnecessary widgets. Simply drag the page thumbnail up to the trash can icon that appears at the top of the screen. This will free up a lot of space and make navigation easier.
- 📱 Pinch with two fingers on the main screen to enter editing mode.
- 🗑️ Click on the cross in the corner of the widget that you want to remove.
- 🔄 Drag the unwanted page with widgets to the trash to complete deletion.
- ⚙️ Use the "Settings" button in the bottom menu to change the screen grid.
Disabling system services and advertising
Many users confuse regular widgets with built-in recommendation services, which Xiaomi is actively implementing to your devices. Often, a news feed Glance or a "Wallpaper Carousel" widget appears on the main screen, which cannot be removed by simply dragging it.
To remove the news feed to the left of the main screen, you need to go to the launcher settings. Pinch the desktop or long-press on an empty space, then click on the settings gear. Find the item Additional or Widget Feed and disable the switch.
To disable advertising and recommendations in folders and widgets, you will need a deeper dive into the system settings. Go to Settings phone, then select section Passwords and security. In the submenu, find the item Access to personal data or Services and feedbackwhere you can disable ad personalization.
Widgets related to security or memory cleaning are often part of the system application Security. They cannot be deleted like regular apk files, but they can be hidden. Go to the Security application settings and disable the display of the widget on the home screen in the corresponding menu.
What is Wallpaper Carousel?
This is a Xiaomi system feature that automatically changes the wallpaper on the lock screen and can create a widget on the desktop. It often contains news blocks and advertising, which many users consider unnecessary.
If you encounter a widget that constantly returns after being deleted or rebooted, most likely this is part of a system process. In this case, only completely disabling the corresponding system application through the settings will help, but this requires caution so as not to disrupt the operation of the phone.
Removing pre-installed widget applications
Some elements on the desktop are not just widgets, but shortcuts to pre-installed applications that have advanced display functionality. For example, the weather widget is often tied to the weather application, and the notes widget is often tied to the system notepad.
To remove such an element, sometimes it is not enough to simply erase it from the screen. You need to uninstall or disable the application itself. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Find the app responsible for the widget in the list.
Click on the application and select the option Delete. If the uninstall button is inactive (gray), then it is a system application. In this case, select the option Disable or Uninstall updates, which often returns the widget to its basic state or hides it.
| Widget type | Parent application | Deletion method | Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weather | Weather application | Disable in settings | No |
| Calculator | Calculator | Remove shortcut | No |
| Security | Security | Hide widget | High (system) |
| Music | Mi Music | Delete application | Medium |
Be careful when removing system components. Removing critical applications can lead to unstable operation of the interface System UI. Always check if the application is vital to the operation of the phone before pressing the delete button.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling system applications through the developer settings or ADB may lead to loss of warranty or bricking of the device if done carelessly. Act only if you are sure of the purpose of the application.
☑️ Check before deleting the system widget
Resetting the launcher settings to clear the screen
If the desktop has turned into chaos, widgets are not removed, are buggy or displayed incorrectly, the most radical and effective solution is to reset the launcher settings. This will return the main screen to the factory state, as when you first turned on the phone.
To perform this operation, go to Settings smartphone. In the settings search, enter the word "Applications" or find this section manually. Switch to the All applicationstab to see the full list of installed software.
Find the application named System launcher (System Launcher) in the list. Click on it to open the control menu. At the bottom of the screen you will see a button Clear or an eraser icon. Click on it and select Reset or Clear all.
Settings → Applications → All applications → System launcher → Clear → ResetAfter confirming the action, all icons and widgets on the desktop will be reset. You will have to re-arrange the shortcuts for the applications you need and add only those widgets that you really need. This is a great opportunity to start with a clean slate.
It is important to understand that this procedure will not delete your personal files, photos or contacts. It only affects the organization of the workspace and interface display settings. Your data in the phone's memory will remain completely safe.
Resetting the launcher settings is a safe procedure that does not affect the user's personal data, but completely clears the desktop organization of all widgets and folders.
Advanced methods: ADB and third-party launchers
For advanced users who are not satisfied with the capabilities standard interface, there are more powerful tools. Using a computer utility ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to delete even those system widgets that are hidden from the average user.
To do this, you need to enable USB debugging in the menu For developers. Connect your phone to your computer and enter the command to remove a specific package. For example, to remove a weather widget you may need the command:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.weather2An alternative and safer option is to install a third-party launcher. Applications like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher completely replace the standard Xiaomi interface. They do not have intrusive widgets or advertising, and managing elements is intuitive.
After installing a third-party launcher, press the "Home" button, and the system will prompt you to select an application for the default home screen. Select a new launcher. Now you can customize the grid, icons and widgets the way that is convenient for you, ignoring the limitations of MIUI.
- 💻 Connect your smartphone to a PC with ADB installed for deep cleaning.
- 🚀 Install Nova Launcher for complete freedom of customization.
- 🔍 Use the package search to find the exact name of the system widget.
- 🛡️ Create a restore point before deleting system components.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and menu names may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14) or HyperOS. If you do not find an exact match of the menu item, look for a section with a similar meaning.
Why does the widget come back after being deleted?
This happens if the widget is part of a system process that automatically restores its interface when rebooted. In such cases, only disabling the source application itself or changing the launcher helps.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why can’t I delete the weather widget on Xiaomi?
The weather widget is often tightly integrated into the MIUI system shell. Try going into the widget settings (long press → settings) and turn off display, or use a third-party launcher that ignores system restrictions.
Removing a widget will remove the application itself from the phone?
No, deleting a widget from the desktop removes only the shortcut or application interface. The app itself remains installed in the phone's memory. To remove an application, you need to go to Settings → Applications.
How to remove the news feed to the left of the main screen?
Swipe to the right on the main screen to open the feed. Click on the three dots or gear in the corner and turn off the "Widget Feed" or "Glance" switch. This can also be done in the desktop settings.
Is it possible to restore a deleted widget?
Yes, if you deleted a widget by accident, go to the widgets menu (long press on empty space → Widgets). Find the application you want in the list and drag it back to your desktop.
Is it safe to use third-party launchers on Redmi?
Yes, using third-party launchers is absolutely safe and will not void the warranty. This is a popular way to customize Android. However, some control gestures (for example, swiping to open a menu) may work differently.