How to completely remove the shortcuts of recommendations on Xiaomi smartphones

Why do unnecessary shortcuts appear on Xiaomi’s screen?

You just bought the new Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or upgraded your firmware to POCO F5, but the desktop is littered with ad widgets and "recommended apps"? That's not a coincidence - that's how MIUI (or the new HyperOS) works, where smart hints are enabled by default. The manufacturer works with partners to show content on the home screen, from games to banners with AliExpress.

The problem is that these shortcuts don’t just take up space — they consume up to 5-7% of battery life per day due to background activity on com.miui.systemAdSolution and com.xiaomi.midrop. In addition, some “recommendations” open in a redirected browser through intermediate pages, which poses security risks.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI/HyperOS settings

The safest method is to use built-in system options. It is suitable for all devices on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS 1.0+, including Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Redmi 12 and POCO X6 Pro. Importantly, after updating the firmware settings may reset – check them every 2-3 months.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → Desktop.
2. Select Smart Shortcuts (or HyperOS Guidelines).
3. Turn off the sliders: 📱 Show recommended applications 🎮 Game tips (if any) 🛒 Advertising from partners

Reset the device (required!).

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global 14.0.4) Smart shortcuts can be called App Vault or Minus Screen. If you don't find a section, search for the settings for "recommendations".

Method 2: Removal via Security (for MIUI)

MIUI has a hidden Security section where you can block the system processes responsible for shortcuts, which works on 80% of devices, but requires caution – improper actions can lead to a launcher malfunction.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three points in the upper right corner and select Show System.
3. Find it on the list: 🔍 com.miui.systemAdSolution (the main advertising module) 📦 com.xiaomi.mipicks (app recommendations) 🎯 com.miui.analytics (collection of data for personalization)

• Press Stop (if the button is active).
• Select Disable (confirmation may be required).
• Remove all permissions (geolocation, auto-start, notifications).

⚠️ Note: Disabling com.miui.analytics may cause Mi Account and Xiaomi Cloud errors, so if you use these services, skip this process or back up your data in advance.

Method 3: Use ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

If standard methods don't work, and you don't have root rights, then there's ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which removes system packages without superuser rights, but requires a PC connection. It's suitable for all models, including the Black Shark 5 Pro and Redmi K70E.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original)
• 📥 Google Platform Tools (Download and Unpack)
• 🔧 Included Debugging by USB phone-on

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in the device.
2. Open the command line (or Terminal) in the folder with the platform-tools.
3. Enter the commands in turn: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.ab
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: Deleting the com.xiaomi.ab package will disable all notifications from Xiaomi system applications, including security updates. If critical, skip this command.

Method 4: Installation of an alternative launcher

A radical but effective method is to replace the standard launcher com.miui.home with a third-party one, which will completely eliminate advertising and recommendations, but will change the appearance of the interface.

• 🏠 Nova Launcher (most flexible, gesture-supporting)
• ⚡ Lawnchair (lightweight, open source)
• 🎨 Microsoft Launcher (Integration with Windows)
• 🔄 POCO Launcher (official but no advertising)

How to determine:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play or APKMirror.
2. When you first start, select "Always" in the default launcher request.
3. In the settings of the new launcher, turn off: 📌 Weather/news widgets (can load ads) 🔔 Notifications from system applications 🔄 Auto-update content

💡

If you have left empty icons on the screen after installing the alternative launcher, clear the cache of the com.miui.home application in the settings. This will remove the cached shortcuts.

Cons of the method:

• Some MIUI features (such as Dual Apps or Game Mode) may not work properly.
• HyperOS may have conflicts with system animations.
• When you reset the settings, the launcher will return to the standard.

Method 5: Rooting and Deleting System Files (Extreme Method)

If you’re willing to sacrifice warranty and security, you can get root rights and remove system-level advertising modules, a method that’s suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader (e.g., Xiaomi 13T Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro Speed).

⚠️ Warning: Rooting voids warranty and can lead to blocking of banking applications (due to the SafetyNet trigger) and there is also a high risk of "bricking" the device if an error occurs.

Instructions (for Magisk):

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires binding to the Mi Account).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP) for your model.
3. Squeeze Magisk through recovery.
4. In Magisk Manager, install Universal Ad-Blocker or Xiaomi Debloater.
5. Reboot and check SafetyNet status in the Magisk app.

List of files to delete (via Root Explorer):

/system/app/SystemAdSolution


/system/priv-app/MiuiSystemAdSolution




/system/app/Mipay




/system/app/Analytics




/data/app/com.xiaomi.midrop*

💡

Even after rooting, ads can return after the MIUI/HyperOS update. To avoid this, disable automatic firmware updates in the settings or use the DisableForceEncrypt module to block changes to the system partition.

What if the tags returned after the update?

Xiaomi regularly updates its advertising mechanisms, so after installing a new version of MIUI or HyperOS, shortcuts may appear again.

1. Firmware rollback: If the update brought too much advertising, you can return to the previous version via Fastboot (instructions are available on xiaomi.eu).
2. Domain Blocking: Use the Blokada or AdGuard app to block domains: 🌐 ad.mi.com 🌐 tracker.ai.xiaomi.com 🌐 data.mistat.xiaomi.com

Resetting advertising settings:

Settings → Google → Advertising

Advertising ID

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Turbo 3), some ad modules are integrated into the core of the system. their removal can lead to a cyclical reboot, in which case only a complete firmware reflash on custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) will help).

FAQ: Frequent questions about recommendation shortcuts on Xiaomi