Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often face intrusive ads that appear in the most unexpected places in the system. One of the most annoying manifestations of aggressive marketing is the so-called “recommended apps” or “recommendation cards” that are embedded directly in folders on the desktop, a phenomenon characteristic of the shells of MIUI and the new HyperOS, where the system proposes to install games or utilities that are supposedly useful to the user.
These pop-ups not only distract attention, but they can also consume traffic, and slow down the interface when you open folders. Fortunately, developers have left the option to deactivate this feature, although they hid the settings quite deeply. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to remove ads from folders, disable system services responsible for marketing, and make using a smartphone comfortable.
It’s worth noting that the location of the switches may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and the region for which the device is released. However, the overall algorithm of actions remains the same for most modern models, including the Redmi Note and the flagship Mi series. Below are step-by-step instructions that will help you clean the interface of unnecessary visual noise.
The nature of the appearance of advertising in the folders MIUI and HyperOS
Foldered cards are the result of a system component that analyzes your actions and offers content from partners in the company, and these elements are displayed by MSA (MIUI System Ads) and the Receiving Recommendations module, which are activated by default to monetize the sale of devices at a low price.
Many users confuse advertising with useful widgets, but the latter do not require an Internet connection to display basic information, while cards with offers to download a game or subscribe are a marketing tool that is integrated into the launcher and updated dynamically.
Turning off this feature does not disrupt the main applications, but instead, the interface is cleaner and the consumption of RAM is reduced, and it is important to understand that simply closing the folder is not enough – you need to change the settings of the launcher itself or turn off the service at the system level.
⚠️ Warning: A complete shutdown of system advertising services may cause some embedded apps, such as Music or Browser, to stop showing personalized selections, but this is standard behavior when cleaning the system from marketing.
Disabling recommendations through launcher settings
The easiest and safest way to remove annoying cards is to use the built-in desktop settings, which do not require system processes to be turned off and is suitable for those who are afraid of disrupting the stability of the device, but it does not work in all regions of the firmware.
To start, you need to open any folder on your desktop where you see promotional offers, usually at the bottom of the app list or on the side. Click on the folder name or three dots in the corner to call the management menu. In the list that opens, look for the item associated with "Recommended Apps" or "Cards."
If the standard path doesn’t work, try the following algorithm:
- 📱 Click the empty space on the desktop and select “Settings».
- 🔍 Find the section “More” or “More».
- 🚫 Disable the "Get recommendations" or "Recommended applications" switchboard».
- ✅ Check the result by opening the folder with applications.
In some versions of MIUI, this switch may be called “Show card suggestions,” and if you didn’t find it in the launcher settings, your firmware version requires more in-depth intervention through system services.
Disconnection of MSA (MIUI System Ads)
MSA is the primary driver of all-shell advertising, and shutting it down ensures that banners are no longer displayed in folders as well as in system applications, a step that is critical to cleaning the system completely.
To find this service, go to the Settings menu and select Passwords and Security. Next, click Data Access (or Data Use). In the app list that opens, find msa. If the list is long, search or sort.
After finding the service, perform the following actions:
- 🛑 Click on the switch to the right of the service name to deny access to the network.
- ⏳ A countdown timer for 10 seconds will appear.
- 🔘 After the time has expired, click “Revoke” in the dialog box.
- 🔄 Repeat the procedure. 3-5 Once the system has not confirmed the withdrawal of permits.
It's important to understand that you can't turn off the service the first time, and the system will prevent it by showing errors or demanding confirmation, and that's a normal defense mechanism of monetization, just try again until you see a message that you've successfully revoked your rights.
☑️ Checking the shutdown MSA
Setup of GetApps and other services
In addition to the main MSA service, the GetApps app store (formerly Mi Apps) often provides recommendations in folders, which uploads the list of “useful” programs that the system offers to install, and disabling notifications and recommendations in this application will significantly reduce the amount of garbage.
Open the GetApps app and go to the user profile (human icon). Click on the settings icon (cogs). Here you are interested in "About Me" and "Notifications." In the "About Me" section, you need to disable all switches related to personalization and recommendations.
It is also worth checking out other system applications:
- 🎵 Music: Settings → Advanced settings → Receive recommendations.
- 📁 Conductor: Settings → Information → Receive recommendations.
- 🧹 Cleaning: Settings → Receive recommendations.
Consistently disabling these features in each application creates comprehensive protection, and even if the ads in the folders disappear, these services can continue to collect data about your preferences, if not restrict their rights.
⚠️ Attention: After updating the firmware settings of services MSA GetApps can be reset to factory values. It is recommended to recheck the parameters after each major system update.
Comparison of methods of disabling advertising
There are several approaches to solving the problem of obsessive recommendations, each method has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on the model of your smartphone and the version of the operating system. Below is a table that helps you choose the best way.
| Method | Efficiency | Difficulty | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launcher settings | Medium | Low. | Absent. |
| MSA shutdown | Tall. | Medium | Minimum |
| ADB team | Maximum | Tall. | Possible system failure |
| Change of region | Low. | Low. | Changing content |
As you can see from the table, the service is shut down. MSA It's the middle ground between efficiency and safety. ADB-commands require a connection to a computer and may be redundant for a regular user who wants to simply remove cards from folders.
Changing the region to India or Indonesia sometimes helps, because advertising laws are stricter in these regions, but it also changes the set of pre-installed apps and news feeds, so this method is considered auxiliary.
What if the MSA service is constantly turned on itself?
Using ADB for Advanced Users
For those who are not afraid of the command line and want to securely remove the ad module, there is a method using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you not only to deny access to the network, but completely freeze or remove the ad package.
To start, activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on the MIUI Version (or OS Version). Then, in the “Additional” menu, turn on “Debugging on USB.” Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute a command to delete the package:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.misysYou can also remove or freeze the advertising service:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.msa.globalOnce the commands are executed, the ads in folders and other places in the system will disappear forever, up to the factory reset, a method that requires caution, since removing system components can theoretically affect the operation of some functions, although in the case of MSA, the risks are minimal.
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Before use ADB-While deleting advertising packages is safe, any manipulation of system files carries a potential risk.
Frequent problems and their solution
Users may encounter a number of difficulties in disabling recommendations, such as the switch in the launcher settings may be inactive (surfaced), or the MSA service may refuse to turn off, often because the Get References mode in the global Mi Account settings is active.
Check your account settings: Go to Settings → Mi Account, select Privacy, and disable the use of data to personalize your ads. This action may unlock the ability to manage the MSA service in the data access menu.
Another common problem is that ads appear immediately after leaving the sleep mode of the screen, which may not be due to folders, but to the operation of the Security application or the system virus scanner. In the settings of the Security application, you should also find the Receive recommendations section and deactivate it.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use third-party apps to “accelerate” or “clean” from unreliable sources. They are often the source of advertising themselves and can embed their modules into system folders, masquerading as useful tools.
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A comprehensive approach, including disabling MSA, setting up GetApps and checking access rights, is the only guaranteed way to completely get rid of ads in Xiaomi folders.
Final recommendations for setting up
After doing all of the above, your smartphone should be much cleaner. However, Android and the MIUI/HyperOS shell are constantly updated, and developers can return advertising features in new versions, so it is useful to check the settings periodically.
It is recommended to go to the data usage menu once a month to check if the msa service is activated again. Also keep an eye on system applications updates through the GetApps store - sometimes additional privacy controls appear in new versions.
Remember that free devices are often compensated for by attention to your digital life. Competent customization allows you to enjoy the convenience of the Xiaomi ecosystem without intrusive marketing noise. If you have completed all the steps, but the advertising remained, perhaps your model has a specific regional firmware that requires a global ROM.