How to remove recommendations in folders on Xiaomi: all ways to MIUI 12-14

Advertising and recommendations in Xiaomi folders are one of the most annoying features of the MIUI shell. Even after carefully configuring the home screen, users are faced with automatically added shortcuts of applications, games or services that the system considers “useful”, which not only take up space, but also slow down the interface, and sometimes lead to unnecessary resources.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to disable recommendations in folders on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, from standard MIUI settings to hidden settings and third-party solutions. We’ll focus on the differences between shell versions (MIUI 12, 13, 14) and models with Global, China or EEA firmware. If you’re tired of intrusive “tips” read on.

Why Xiaomi is showing recommendations in folders and can they be removed completely?

Folder recommendations are part of the MIUI ecosystem that is integrated with Xiaomi services (e.g. Mi Browser, GetApps, Mi Video) and analyze your behavior — frequently used apps, search queries, even geolocation — and feed “relevant” content, which in theory should make it easier to access the desired features, but in practice more often interferes.

Can you remove the recommendations forever? It depends on the MIUI version and the regional firmware:

• 🔹 MIUI Global/EEA (Europe, Russia, India: Most recommendations are disabled through settings, but some items (such as the “Recommended Apps” in the Game folder) may remain.
• 🔹 MIUI China: there are more recommendations, and they are more difficult to remove without root rights or ADB-team.
• 🔹 MIUI 14+: Newer versions have added additional switches to manage content, but some recommendations are tied to system applications (e.g. com.miui.systemAdSolution).

It is important to understand that even after disabling all visible options, the system can periodically reset settings after updates, so we will discuss both standard and advanced methods below.

Method 1: Disabling recommendations through standard MIUI settings

Let’s start with the simplest method, which works on most devices without any additional manipulation, and it’s suitable for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO with Global or EEA firmware.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → Main screen screen.
2. Scroll down and find the App Recommendations section (or Recommended Content in MIUI 14).
3. Turn off the sliders: 📱 Show recommendations on the main screen 📂 Show recommendations in folders 🔍 Personalized recommendations (if any)

Restart the device so that the changes take effect.

If your MIUI version doesn’t have a separate folder item, try disabling Personalized Recommendations in Privacy → Special Permits → Personalized Ads.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi Note 11 with MIUI 13) when recommendations are disabled, empty cells may remain in folders. This is not a mistake - just drag the remaining shortcuts to remove the gaps.

Method 2: Remove recommendations through specific folder settings

MIUI allows you to manage the contents of each folder separately, which is useful if recommendations only appear in some folders (for example, in Games or Tools).

How to remove recommendations for a separate folder:

1. Tap the folder that contains unnecessary shortcuts and hold it for 1-2 seconds.
2. In the menu that opens, select Edit the folder (or folder settings in MIUI 14).
3. Find the Recommended Content section and turn it off.
4. If you have the option to Reset the folder, use it to return the standard content.

On some devices (e.g. POCO F4), instead of completely disabling, you can choose which types of recommendations to show, such as leaving only Recent Apps and removing Advertising Offers.

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If the folder's settings don't have the option to disable recommendations, try moving all shortcuts from it to the home screen, and then delete the folder itself. The system may stop showing ads in it.

Method 3: Using ADB to deep disable recommendations (without root)

If standard methods do not help, you can use them. ADB-This method does not require root rights, but requires connecting a smartphone to a computer. It works on most Xiaomi devices with a computer. MIUI 12–14.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI until the notification “You’ve become a developer” appears.

USB debugging

Settings

Additionally.

For developers

Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.

ADB Tools

Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB and execute the commands:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop




adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics

These commands disable the system services responsible for recommendations and analytics. Once executed, restart the device.

⚠️ Note: Disabling system applications may cause some features to work unstable (e.g. Mi Share or Fast File Transfer).If problems arise, return the settings with the command: adb shell pm enable com.miui.systemAdSolution

Method 4: Disable recommendations through hidden MIUI settings (code ##)

MIUI has hidden menus that allow you to manage some of the features that are not available in the standard interface, one of which helps disable recommendations in folders and on the home screen.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##6484## (this is the code to access the MIUI Launcher settings).
3. In the menu that opens, look for Recommendation settings (or Recommendation settings).
4. Turn off all sliders associated with: 📁 Folder recommendations (recommendations in folders) 🏠 Home screen recommendations (recommended on the home screen) 🔄 Auto-add apps to folders (automatic app addition)

Save the changes and restart the device.

This method works on most devices with MIUI 12-14, but may not be available on some regional firmware (e.g. China Stable).If the code didn't work, try an alternative combination: ##64663## (the MTK Engineer Mode menu, but it's harder to find the settings you need).

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Hidden MIUI menus may vary depending on the model and firmware version. If the code doesn't work, don't try random combinations, which can cause crashes.

Method 5: Using third-party launchers to take full control of folders

If none of the above methods worked, the radical solution is to install a third-party launcher, which will completely replace the standard MIUI interface, removing all built-in recommendations among the popular options:

• 🚀 Nova Launcher – flexible folder settings, no advertising, gesture support.
• 🎨 Lawnchair – open source, minimalist design, integration with Pixel chips.
• 🔄 Microsoft Launcher – good optimization, synchronization with Windows.
• 📱 Hyperion Launcher – maximum customization, support for themes and icons.

How to install and configure a third-party launcher:

1. Download the selected launcher from Google Play (for example, Nova Launcher).
2. After installation, click Home and select a new launcher as your primary.
3. In the launcher settings, disable all options related to recommendations or widgets (usually in the Home Screen or Dock section).
4. Create folders manually – in most launchers, they will not contain ads.

The downside of this method is that some MIUI features (like Quick Commands or Super Wallpaper) may not work properly, but you will have full control of the interface.

Method 6: Root Methods for Completely Deleting Recommendations (for Power Users)

If you're willing to take drastic measures and your device has root access, you can remove the system components responsible for the recommendations, which is suitable for advanced users, because the wrong actions can lead to system failure.

What files and applications can be deleted:

• 🗑️ /system/priv-app/SystemAdSolution — core module.
• 🗑️ /system/priv-app/MiuiSystemAdSolution — alternative path in some firmware.
• 🗑️ com.xiaomi.mipicks – an application for “selections” of content.
• 🗑️ com.miui.analytics – Analytics collection (may influence recommendations).

Instructions (requires Root Explorer or ADB root):

1. Make a backup of the system (for example, via TWRP).
2. Open Root Explorer and go to /system/priv-app/.
3. Find the SystemAdSolution and MiuiSystemAdSolution folders, rename them by adding.bak at the end (e.g. SystemAdSolution.bak).
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Deleting system files may result in: 🔴 Errors in updating MIUI through OTA. 🔴 Inoperability of some functions (for example, Topics or Quick Transfer). 🔴 Warranty loss (if warranty-based) Check before removing these components to ensure critical functionality.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after the recommendations are turned off, users face a return of ads or other problems, and let's look at the most common cases and how to solve them.

If none of the methods worked, check if there are any viruses or malicious apps on your device that can show ads. To do this, scan your smartphone through Google Play Protect or Malwarebytes.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions