Many smartphone users are faced with a situation where the system preinstalled by the manufacturer seems redundant, overloaded with advertising, or simply inconvenient. Standard shells from Xiaomi, Samsung or Realme often change the logic of the interface, hide important settings and consume unnecessary resources. The desire to return “pure” Android or install a completely custom interface is a common task among advanced users.
It is important to immediately separate the concepts: completely removing the system shell (firmware) requires obtaining superuser rights and is fraught with loss of warranty, while replacing the launcher is a safe and reversible procedure. In this article we will analyze both approaches, ranging from simply installing a new desktop to deep cleaning the system of unnecessary software. You will learn what tools will make the interface as easy and fast as possible.
The difference between changing the launcher and flashing the firmware
Before taking active steps, you need to clearly understand the Android architecture. The user interface you see on the screen consists of two main components: the system skin (often called a skin, such as MIUI or One UI) and launcher. The launcher is responsible for the desktop, application bar, widgets and animations for minimizing apps. It can be replaced in a couple of clicks without any consequences for the stability of the system.
The system shell is deeply integrated into the operating system code. It controls the notification panel, settings menu, dialer operation and system services. It is impossible to completely “remove” it without flashing the device to stock Android (like Google Pixel) using standard methods. However, you can minimize its impact by disabling unnecessary processes and replacing key interface elements with third-party solutions.
For most users, the optimal solution is to change the launcher in conjunction with disabling unnecessary system applications. This method does not require unlocking the bootloader and still allows you to receive official security updates. Radical measures, such as installing custom firmware like LineageOS, are suitable only for experienced enthusiasts who are willing to risk the functionality of the gadget.
⚠️ Attention: Complete flashing of the device will void the manufacturer's warranty. If your smartphone is under warranty service, strictly limit yourself to installing third-party launchers.
Selecting and installing an alternative launcher
The first step to getting rid of the intrusive shell will be installing a high-quality third-party launcher. The store Google Play offers dozens of options, from minimalistic to highly functional. After installing a new application, the system will automatically prompt you to select it as the default interface when you press the “Home” button.
One of the most popular solutions is Nova Launcher. It provides incredible flexibility in customizing your desktop grid, gestures, and animations. For those who value speed and the absence of visual noise, this is perfect Niagara Launcher, which rearranges the interface into a vertical list. Lovers of aesthetics can pay attention to Smart Launcher, which automatically sorts applications into categories.
The process of activating the new interface is as follows:
- 📲 Download the selected launcher from the official application store.
- ⚙️ Press the “Home” button and select a new application from the list.
- 🔒 Confirm your choice by clicking “Always” in the system dialog.
- 🎨 Customize the icon grid and fonts in the launcher options menu.
After replacing the desktop, you will notice that the manufacturer's proprietary widgets will disappear and the appearance will change folders. However, the notification panel and settings menu will remain the same, since they are part of the system shell. To change them, additional actions will be required, which will be discussed below.
Use icon packs together with the new launcher - this will completely change the visual style of your smartphone, making it unrecognizable.
Disabling system applications via ADB
If your goal is not just to change the picture, but to actually free up system resources, you will have to do this removing or disabling system garbage. The standard Android settings menu often does not allow you to remove pre-installed manufacturer applications. This is where a tool comes to the rescue ADB (Android Debug Bridge)that allows you to control the device from a computer.
To get started, you need to enable developer mode on your smartphone. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the “Build number” item. Then, in the “For Developers” menu that appears, enable “USB Debugging.” Connect the phone to the PC with a cable and make sure that the computer sees the device by running the command adb devices in the command line.
The list of packages that can be safely disabled depends on the model of your device. There is no universal list, but there are general categories of applications that often duplicate functionality or are advertising modules. Use the command adb shell pm list packages to view all installed packages and search for unnecessary ones.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analyticsThis command will disable the analytical module, often found in firmware Xiaomi. You can do the same with browsers, theme stores, and services that you don’t use. This is safe and reversible.
☑️ Preparing to work with ADB
⚠️ Attention: Do not disable system services whose names you do not know (especially those containing wordsframework,provider,system). This can lead to an endless reboot of the device (bootloop).
Comparison of popular launchers to replace the shell
To help you choose the right solution, we have prepared a comparison table of the main characteristics of popular launchers. Each of them offers a unique approach to organizing space and consumes a different amount of RAM.
| Name of the launcher | RAM consumption | Configuration flexibility | Difficulty of learning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | Average | Maximum | High |
| Niagara Launcher | Low | Minimum | Low |
| Smart Launcher 6 | Average | High | Average |
| Lawnchair | Low | Average | Low |
The choice depends on your priorities. If you need maximum performance on an older device, choose low-memory solutions like Lawnchair or Niagara. If the main thing is the ability to change every detail of the interface for yourself, then Nova Launcher it has no equal, although it requires time for detailed configuration.
It is worth noting that some launchers, for example Lawnchair, strive to reproduce as accurately as possible the experience of using “pure” Android, as on Google Pixel smartphones. This is an excellent option for those who want to remove the visual differences of the proprietary shell without delving into the technical jungle.
Where can I download Lawnchair?
This launcher is updated frequently and is not always available on Google Play. It is better to download the current version from the official GitHub repository of developers or the Telegram channel.
Setting up navigation and system gestures
Even after installing a new launcher, many controls can remain in the manufacturer's style. This is especially true for the navigation panel (back, home, menu buttons) or branded gestures. Fortunately, modern versions of Android allow you to flexibly configure these settings without obtaining root access.
Go to the section Settings → System → Gestures (the path may differ depending on the model). Here you can switch from buttons to gesture control, which will visually relieve the screen and remove the bottom panel. If your shell supports the theme of icons and fonts, try setting standard values or downloading packages that imitate the Material You style.
For deeper customization, you can use applications like Good Lock (for Samsung) or modules Substratum (root required). They allow you to change the shape of the notification shade, the color of system elements, and the behavior of multitasking. However, installing such tools requires careful consideration of compatibility with your version of Android.
Don't forget about widgets. Standard weather and clock widgets from the manufacturer often look alien on a new desktop. Replace them with alternatives from Google or third-party developers that fit better into the new interface style. This will create a feeling of integrity and completeness of the modification.
The combination of a new launcher, standard Google widgets and disabling system advertising creates the effect of using “pure” Android without flashing it.
Returning to factory interface settings
Sometimes experiments with settings go too far, and the user wants to return everything “as it was.” If you just changed the launcher, the return process is simple: delete the third-party application or select the standard desktop in the “Default Applications” settings.
If you disabled system applications via ADB, they can be easily restored. To do this, you will need to connect your smartphone to your computer again and enter the installation command for the specific package. For example, the command adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.analytics will return a previously deleted service to an active state.
As a last resort, if the system is unstable due to incorrect changes, a full reset will help. Go to Settings → Recovery and reset → Reset data. This will delete all user data and return the phone to the state it was in when purchased, with all factory skins and applications.
Before any reset, be sure to back up your important data. Use Google cloud services or local copying to your computer. Remember that resetting the settings does not always roll back system updates, but is guaranteed to clear user configurations and the cache.
Is it possible to completely remove the MIUI or One UI shell?
It is impossible to completely remove the shell without flashing it, since it is part of the system partition. However, you can disable most of its visual elements and services via ADB, making its presence invisible.
Does changing the launcher affect battery life?
Yes, it does. Heavy launchers with lots of animations and widgets may consume more power. Light launchers, on the contrary, often help save battery due to the absence of background processes.
Is it safe to disable system applications via ADB?
It is safe if you disable only user applications or clearly known garbage (analytics, advertising). Disabling critical system components may result in the phone not working.
Do you need root access to change the launcher?
No, you do not need root access to install and activate any launcher from Google Play. They are needed only for deep modification of system files and themes.
What to do if widgets disappear after changing the launcher?
Some widgets are tied to a specific shell and do not work with third-party launchers. In this case, they need to be replaced with analogues from Google Play or built-in widgets of the new launcher.