Have you ever noticed how your Xiaomi smartphone suddenly offers to install a new app, shows ads for the game or suggests a “useful” service? MI Picks is a built-in recommendation engine that analyzes your behavior and tailors content to your preferences. But how does it work, is it safe for privacy, and can you get rid of it? MI Picks, including hidden settings, performance impacts and management practices.
It's worth it right now: MI Picks are not just an ad module; they're part of the ecosystem. MIUI, It's integrated into firmware at the system level, and it collects data about your actions (installed apps, usage rates, browser searches) to create personalized selections. It's convenient for some users, it's an annoying spy tool for others, and we'll help you figure out how to turn it off completely. MI Picks without root rights (yes, it’s possible!) and what to do if recommendations appear even after resetting your settings.
What is it? MI Picks and why Xiaomi has implemented it
MI Picks (translated as “choice from Xiaomi”) is a personalized recommendation service that debuted in the industry. MIUI 10 and has evolved since. Its primary purpose is to offer users content that might interest them, such as apps, games, news, or even system settings, MI Picks may advise installing a photo editing app.
Why Xiaomi needs this? There are a few reasons.
- 💰 Monetization: Recommendations often contain affiliate links to applications (including paid ones) from which the company receives a commission.
- 📊 Behavior Analytics: Data on user preferences helps improve MIUI Target ads in other Xiaomi services (e.g. Mi Browser).
- 🔄 Staying in the ecosystem: The more you interact with recommendations, the more you integrate into brand services (cloud, theme store, Mi Video, etc.).
It is important to understand that MI Picks works not only in the launcher (main screen), but also in other parts of the system:
- 📱 In Settings → Annexes → Application management (Installation "Recommended»).
- 🔍 In the search results by system (Search in settings).
- 📲 In notifications (pop-up banners with offers).
- 🎮 Game Turbo (Recommendations for New Games).
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 or Redmi Note 12) POCO F5) MI Picks can be masqueraded as “Helpful Advice” or “Recommendations” MIUI». These names are synonymous with the same function.
How MI Picks collect data: what they know about you
To form recommendations, MI Picks analyzes a wide range of data. Here's what can be tracked (information based on traffic analysis and decompilation). MIUI):
| Type of data | Examples | Can I turn off the collection? |
|---|---|---|
| Installed annexes | List of all programs, time of use, frequency of launch | Partially (through permission) |
| Search queries | What you are looking for in Mi Browser or System Search | Yes (turn off search history) |
| Geolocation | Region, city, frequented places (if location services are included) | Yes (to deny access to geodata) |
| Activity in the system | What settings you change, what features you use (e.g. Second Space) | No (built-in) MIUI) |
| Mi Account details | Linked devices, Mi Store purchases, subscriptions | No (requires account deletion) |
Especially the Controversial moment is sending data to Xiaomi servers. MIUI It transmits anonymous usage statistics, but in some regions (e.g. China), data collection is more aggressive (MIUI Global) some functions are limited, but completely disable the transfer of information is impossible without root rights.
How do you check what data is being collected on your device?
- Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI and tap 7 times on the line "Version" MIUI», to activate the Developer Mode.
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Logs. MIUI.
- Enable log recording and examine files in the folder /sdcard/MIUI/debug_log (You will need a file manager with access to root folders).
⚠️ Attention: In the lairs MIUI You can find references to mipicks, recommendations or ad_service — Deleting these files won't disable data collection, but it will help you understand the scale of the tracking.
Where do recommendations come from? MI Picks
MI Picks penetrates many parts of the interface MIUI, Sometimes masquerading as system notifications, here are the main places where you might come across recommendations:
1. Main screen (launcher)
- 📱 At the bottom of the screen, a banner with a suggestion to install the app (for example, “Try the new Mi Video!»).
- 🔍 In the search results by application (in the search bar on the main screen).
Notification centre
- 🔔 Pop-up notifications with suggestions (e.g., “Optimize battery with Mi Power Saver»).
- 📌 Fixed notifications from «MIUI Recommendations».
3. System settings
- ⚙️ In the Settings section → Annexes → Application management (Installation "Recommended»).
- 🔧 B Settings → Additionally. → Special Opportunities (Recommendations for improving accessibility).
System applications
- 🎵 Mi Music or Mi Video (suggestions to subscribe to a premium).
- 🎮 Game Turbo (advertising for new games).
- 📷 In the Camera (tips on using filters or modes).
On some firmware (e.g, MIUI 14 for Xiaomi 13) recommendations can appear even in the Quick Settings Panel (when swiping down) or in the Lock screen (if the “Useful Tips” feature is enabled»).
How to tell MI Picks from the virus?
How to turn off MI Picks: step-by-step instructions
If you're annoyed by recommendations, there are a few ways to turn them off, from the simple to the radical, and let's start with the safest methods that don't require root rights.
Method 1: Disconnecting through MIUI settings
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Slip on the three points in the upper right corner and select Show System Processes.
- Find it on the list. MIUI Recommendation (or) MI Picks, System Recommendations).
- Open the app and click Disable (or Remove Updates if the button is active).
- Back to Settings → Notifications and disable notifications for MIUI Recommendation.
Method 2: Blocking through ADB (rootless)
If the standard shutdown does not help, you can block MI Picks with teams ADB:
adb shell pm hide com.miui.systemAdSolution
adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.mipicksAfter completing these commands, restart your phone. the recommendations will disappear, but may return after the update. MIUI.
Method 3: Removal through TWRP (requires an unlocked loader)
For advanced users:
- Install custom recovery (TWRP).
- Download the mod to remove MI Picks (e.g., picks, MIUI Debloater).
- Please. ZIP-file-through TWRP.
- Clean the cache and dalvik-cache.
☑️ Preparation for shutdown MI Picks
Method 4: Change of the firmware region
On some firmware (e.g, MIUI EU from Xiaomi.eu) MI Picks is disabled by default. To go to this firmware:
- Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool.
- Download. MIUI EU For your model from the community site.
- Fastboot or TWRP.
⚠️ Note: Change of firmware to informal (MIUI EU, Pixel Experience) voids warranty and may result in device locking if the procedure is broken!
💡
If after the shutdown MI Picks recommendations still appear, check the settings of Google Play Services. Sometimes ads are shown through them. Go to Settings → Google → Advertising and disable “Personalized Advertising».
MI Picks and performance: does it affect the speed of the phone?
Many users complain that MI Picks is slowing down the phone. Let's see if that's true.
1. Resource consumption
- 📉 RAM (RAM): com.xiaomi.mipicks can take up to 100-200 MB of RAM in the background.
- 🔋 Processor (CPU): With active data collection, the loading of cores can reach 5-10% (according to data). CPU Monitor).
- 📶 Internet traffic: Sends up to 5-15 MB of data daily (depending on user activity).
2. Impact on autonomy
Tests for the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ (s MIUI 13), MI Picks reduces battery life by 3 to 7 percent per day due to background activity, especially on low-end models with a small battery (e.g., the battery, POCO M4 Pro).
3. Does it slow down the system?
On weak devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A with 2GB of RAM) MI Picks can cause slowdowns when:
- 🔄 Quick swipe between screens.
- 🔍 Search in settings.
- 📱 Opening the menu of recent applications.
| Xiaomi model | Impact MI Picks on FPS (test-test) | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13 Ultra | Minor (1-2) FPS benchmark) | We can leave. |
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Average (slowdown of animations by 10-15%) | Shut down. |
| POCO X3 Pro | Strong (lag when multitasking) | Shut down. + clear out |
| Redmi A1 | Critical (launcher hangs) | Remove via ADB |
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On flagship models (Xiaomi) 13T, Mix Fold 3's impact MI Picks are minimally productive thanks to the powerful hardware. But on public sector workers (Redmi) 10A, POCO C50) Disabling it can give an increase in smoothness by 20-30%.
MI Picks and privacy: What Xiaomi knows about you
The main question that concerns users is how safe to use MI Picks in terms of privacy? The answer is ambiguous and varies by region, firmware and settings.
What Xiaomi collects (by privacy policy):
- 📲 Device identifiers: IMEI, serial, MAC-address.
- 🌍 Location data: Country, city, approximate coordinates (if geolocation services are included).
- 🔍 Usage statistics: What applications are installed, how often they are used.
- 📡 Network information: IP-address, operator, type of connection (Wi-Fi/mobile).
Where is the data sent?
According to Xiaomi’s official privacy policy, information is transferred to the servers in:
- 🇨🇳 China (for users with firmware) MIUI China).
- 🇸🇬 Singapore (for global firmware) MIUI Global).
- 🇺🇸 US (for users in the US, data is stored on servers) AWS).
How to minimize data collection?
- Turn off personalized recommendations in Settings → Mi Account → Confidentiality → Personalization.
- Ban it. MI Picks access to geolocation in Settings → Annexes → Permits → geodata.
- Use it. VPN (For example, ProtonVPN for masking IP-address.
- Install. MIUI EU or custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS), where MI Picks removed at system level.
⚠️ In 2023, Xiaomi was fined 3.5 million euros in Italy for aggressively collecting data without the explicit consent of users. MIUI 14 Additional privacy management options are available, but by default many permissions remain enabled.
Alternatives MI Picks: useful recommendations without surveillance
If you like personalized selections but don’t like Xiaomi’s surveillance, there are alternatives:
1. Google Discover
- 🔍 Integrated into Google Now Launcher (available on all Android devices).
- 📰 Shows news, weather and recommendations based on Google services activity.
- ⚙️ Settings: Long press on the main screen → Screen settings → Enable Discover.
2. Microsoft Launcher
- 📱 Lightweight launcher with support for widgets and personalized feed.
- 🔒 Less data is collected than MIUI (But it still sends information to Microsoft).
- 📥 Download it to Google Play.
3. Nova Launcher + Sesame Shortcuts
- 🛠️ Full control of the interface without advertising.
- 🔎 Sesame Shortcuts offers smart search by apps and contacts.
- 💰 Free version with limitations, premium — ~5$.
4. AccuWeather / Yahoo Weather
- ☀️ Weather widgets with minimal data collection.
- 📊 Supports personalized notifications (such as rain warnings).
| The alternative | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Google Discover | Built into Android, good personalization | Monitoring activity in Google services |
| Microsoft Launcher | Fast, widgets. | Advertising in the feed (can be turned off) |
| Nova + Sesame | Maximum customization, no advertising | Paid for premium features |
| AccuWeather | Predictions, minimal surveillance | Sometimes shows ads in notifications |
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If you want to get rid of recommendations completely, but keep the convenience MIUI, Try the Hyperion Launcher. It mimics the interface. MIUI, but without advertising and MI Picks.