Owners of smartphones brand POCO and Xiaomi often face intrusive content that appears directly on the desktop, instead of a clean interface, the user sees a news feed, banner ads and suggestions to install unnecessary applications, this is the result of aggressive marketing policies of the company, which introduces services to monetize budget devices.
Fortunately, the MIUI operating system that these gadgets run on has deep customization capabilities, disabling recommendations doesn't require superuser rights or flashing the device, but changing multiple settings in hidden menus in a sequential fashion to regain control of your device.
In this guide, we will look at all the known ways to clean the interface, not only the standard launcher settings, but also the system services responsible for collecting data and displaying ads. POCO X3 is a powerful device, and it deserves to work quickly and without visual debris.
Disabling the tape of widgets and recommendations in the launcher
The first thing that catches your eye when using a smartphone is the endless tape to the left of the home screen, which contains news, weather and, most often, promotional offers, and to remove recommendations on Xiaomi and POCO, you need to consult the settings of the launcher itself.
Press and hold your finger on the empty area of the desktop until the menu appears. At the bottom of the screen, select Settings. In the list that opens, find the "More" section or immediately go to the "Widget Tape" item (the name may differ from MIUI version).
Here you'll be asked to choose the source of the feed. The default is often "App Tape" or "Yandex." Select the option "No" or "Disable" and this action will instantly swipe to the left, making room for your widgets.
If standard methods fail to remove content, you may have a third-party aggregator activated, and check your installed apps for suspicious utilities with names like News, Hot Apps, or GetApps, which often resolve the problem.
Configure the Tools folder and system folders
One of the most annoying features in the MIUI shell is the Tools folder, which automatically collects standard applications there, and worst of all, it starts offering to install games and programs right inside that folder, which looks like a native part of the system, but is an advertising module.
To turn off intrusive sentences inside folders, do the following: Open any folder on your desktop. Click on the folder name or gear icon (depending on the launcher version). Find the Recommendations or Ads switch and deactivate it.
It's also worth checking the settings of the Tools folder itself. Sometimes the system requires a separate confirmation for each folder. If you created a new folder and renamed it Tools, the ad may not appear, but it's better to be safe and check the settings of each group of applications.
☑️ File checks.
⚠️ Note: After updating the Android operating system or shell MIUI Folder settings may reset. Periodically check this setting to keep the adverts from coming back.
Disconnection of MSA (MIUI System Ads)
MSA (MIUI System Ads) is the main component responsible for system advertising in embedded applications and interfaces. Without it, combating advertising will be ineffective. The deactivation process requires care, as the system will try to dissuade you from this decision.
Go to the Settings menu -> Password and Security -> Access to personal data. In the list, find the msa app. Click on it and turn off the switch. A countdown timer (usually 10 seconds) will appear, after which you need to click Cancel.
The system can give you an error or write that "failed to withdraw permission." That's normal behavior. Just try 3-5 times in a row. Sooner or later, the server will give the command to shut down, and the switch goes out.
What if the MSA doesn’t shut down?
After successfully disabling MSA, the amount of ads in the built-in browser, conductor and music player will be significantly reduced, a critical step for POCO X3 owners looking to have a clean experience.
Cleaning the “Security” and “Conductor” application
Xiaomi's standard utilities are also prone to ad inserts. The Security app that runs every time you clear your memory often shows banners. To remove them, open the app, click on the gear in the top right corner, and find Receive recommendations. Turn it off.
Similar to the Explorer app, go to its settings (three bars in the corner -> Settings) and turn off the "Receive recommendations" option**.This will remove the news feed and ad blocks that appear when you open the file manager.
Also, be sure to check the settings of the Downloads app. There may also be a switch that is responsible for showing recommended content. The path usually lies through the menu -> Settings -> Show recommended content.
| Annex | Settings section | Parameter for deactivation | The effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | Settings (cogs) | Receive recommendations | No advertising during cleaning |
| Conductor | Menu -> Settings | Receive recommendations | Clean file interface |
| Music. | Menu -> Settings | Showing ads | Absence of banners |
| Topics | Profile -> Settings | Showing ads | Clean catalog of topics |
Removal and disabling of system services
For advanced users who want to cut out all ad modules, there is the option of disabling system applications through the developer menu or ADB. However, even standard means can limit the work of Mi Video, Mi Browser and GetApps.
Go to Settings -> Apps -> All Apps. Go to GetApps. Go to its settings and select Disable. This will prevent automatic game installation and intrusive notifications from the store.
If you don't use the Mi Browser, it's also better to disable or remove updates. Alternatively, use Chrome or Firefox. Xiaomi's browser is known for aggressive data collection and news displays on the homepage.
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Use the ADB command "pm disable-user --user 0 com.mi.android.globalAdservice" to completely remove the ad service if you have a computer and cable on hand.
Be careful when disabling system components. Do not touch applications that are not sure of their purpose, such as MIUI Daemon or system frameworks, so as not to disturb the stability of the POCO X3.
Resetting the advertising identifier and additional measures
Even after all the settings, the system continues to collect your interests to target ads. To reset this profile, go to Settings -> Password and Security -> Privacy -> Advertising.
Click Reset Ad ID. It is also recommended to enable the option to disable ad personalization. This will not remove the ad completely, but will make it less intrusive and more random.
As an additional measure, you can limit background activity for suspicious processes.In the Battery and Performance section, check which apps have access to background work, and limit those you don't need all the time.
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Comprehensive approach: disabling MSA, cleaning the launcher and resetting the advertising ID give 100% result in removing marketing noise.
After completing all the steps, it is recommended to restart the device, which will allow the system to apply new configurations and finally close the advertising processes. Your POCO X3 will work faster and the interface will be more pleasant.