How to remove recommendations in folders on Xiaomi Redmi: all ways of 2026

Advertising and recommendations in Xiaomi Redmi smartphone folders are one of the most annoying features of the MIUI shell. Even after switching to more recent versions of firmware, many users find that the system continues to slip unwanted apps, games or news cards right in the folders with personal files, this feature not only distracts, but also slows down the file manager, and in some cases even consumes mobile traffic in the background.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to disable recommendations in folders on Xiaomi Redmi, including hidden settings that the manufacturer does not advertise. You will learn how to remove ads through standard menus, which system applications are responsible for showing offers, and what to do if after updating. MIUI And the recommendations came back, and we'll look at the nuances for different versions of the firmware. MIUI 12 to MIUI 14 (including HyperOS for new models).

Why do Xiaomi folders have recommendations?

The feature displays recommendations in folders is part of the MIUI ecosystem, which is integrated with Xiaomi services to monetize free software.

• 📱 The system application Msa (Mobile Services Framework) - responsible for collecting data and displaying personalized advertising, works even if you are not logged in to Mi-account.
• 🗃️ File Manager Mi File Explorer - in new versions MIUI It has a built-in module for displaying “useful content” (in fact, advertising).
• 🔄 Automatic Service Updates – After Updating MIUI Applications (GetApps, Mi Video) may return.

It's important to understand that folder recommendations are not just a feature, but part of Xiaomi's business model, which is that it makes money from third-party ads, so you can't completely remove them through standard settings, but there are workarounds that we'll look at below.

Method 1: Disabling recommendations through MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in system options.It is suitable for most Redmi models (including Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/11 and others) on MIUI 12+.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, type in Msa (or Mobile Services Framework).
3. Select the Msa → Permissions → disable Overlay on other apps.
4. Go back and press Stop (forced stop).
5. Repeat the steps for applications: 📁 Mi File Explorer (File Manager) 🎮 GetApps (Xiaomi App Store) 📺 Mi Video (if installed)

After these actions, the recommendations in the folders should disappear, but the effect can be temporary - after rebooting or updating the applications, the ads sometimes return, in which case move to more radical methods.

Method 2: Use of the ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

If standard settings don’t work, you can block the system applications responsible for showing recommendations using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that requires connecting your smartphone to your PC and enabling developer mode.

Attention! Incorrect use of ADB can cause system failures, and on models with a locked bootloader (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G for China), this may not work.

⚠️ Note: Before executing commands, make sure your Xiaomi Redmi has Debugging enabled. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).

List of commands to disable advertising:

adb shell pm hide com.miui.systemAdSolution


adb shell pm hide com.miui.msa.global




adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.midrop




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

After you've done the commands, restart the device. If the recommendations in the folders are still there, try to further disable:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.fileexplorer

Method 3: Remove system applications (requires root)

The most radical method is to completely remove the apps responsible for recommendations, which is only possible on smartphones with an unlocked bootloader and Magisk installed (root rights), suitable for Redmi models on MIUI 13/14 and HyperOS.

List of applications to remove (via Root Explorer or Titanium Backup):

⚠️ Note: Deleting system applications may cause Xiaomi services to fail (e.g., note synchronization or cloud storage). TWRP Or OrangeFox.

If you don't want to remove apps completely, you can freeze them with App Freezer or Island (Magisk is required to work), which is safer because it allows you to return everything back if necessary.

Method 4: Using Third-Party File Managers

If you’re tired of struggling with the recommendations in the standard Mi File Explorer, it’s easier to install an alternative file manager.

• 📂 Solid Explorer – supports dark theme, cloud storage and no ads.
• 🗂️ FX File Explorer – Lightweight, with built-in FTP-server.
• 📁 Total Commander – a classic manager with support for plugins.
• 🔍 Amaze File Manager is open source, no ads.

After installing an alternative manager:

1. Open Settings → Applications → By default.
2. Select the new manager as the default application for working with files.
3. Turn off notifications for Mi File Explorer (so it doesn't remind you of itself).

💡

If after installing a third-party manager, folders still open in a standard application, clear the cache and Mi File Explorer data in the settings.

Method 5: Configure regional parameters

On MIUI Global firmware, folder recommendations often depend on regional settings. If your smartphone is tied to China (CN), India (IN) or Russia (RU), the ad-show algorithms will be different to reduce the number of offers:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Language and region.
2. Choose the European Union (EEA) or the United States.
3. Reset the device.
4. Open Settings → Mi Account → Exit (if authorized), then log in again.

This method won’t eliminate the recommendations completely, but it will reduce them, because the EU has stricter data protection rules (GDPR), which does not work on MIUI CN firmware (Chinese), and there are even more advertising.

What if the recommendations are returned after the update?

After updating MIUI or HyperOS, the settings are reset and the ads in the folders can appear again.

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates to system applications: Go to Settings → Annexes → App management. Click on three dots in the top right corner. → Auto-update of applications → Never.
• 📦 Remove updates for Mi File Explorer: In the same menu, find Mi File Explorer. Click Remove Updates (button will appear if the application has been updated).

Block background activity:

1. In the Msa app settings, turn off Auto Start and Background Activity.

If the update MIUI already installed and recommendations are back, repeat Method 1 (disable via settings) or Method 2 (ADB-On HyperOS, the path to settings may be different – look for the Privacy section. → Advertising.

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After each major MIUI update, check the settings of Msa and Mi File Explorer apps – they are often reset to default values.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recommendations in Xiaomi folders