How to completely remove recommended applications on Xiaomi: from advertising to system tips

Why Xiaomi is showing recommended apps and can they be removed?

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are known for their functionality, but many users are annoyed by the aggressive integration of recommended apps. It’s not just advertising — the system actively offers to install games, services and utilities, even if you’ve never looked for anything like this. The reason for this behavior lies in the company’s business model: up to 30% of Xiaomi’s profits come from advertising and affiliate programs in MIUI, so turning these items off requires deep customization.

Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce or completely remove recommendations, from standard options in settings to using hidden shell features. MIUI (for example, MIUI 12 vs MIUI 14) and regional firmware (Global, China, EEA). In this article, we will discuss current solutions for modern versions, including Redmi Note. 12, POCO X5 and flagship Xiaomi 13/14.

Before you start settings, check your firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI. This will help avoid confusion with the location of menu items. Also note that some methods (such as disabling system services) can affect the stability of the phone – we will note these points separately.

Method 1: Disabling recommendations in the MIUI launcher

The most obvious source of recommended applications is the standard MIUI Launcher, where the system shows popular apps, games and services directly on the home screen or in the app menu to remove them:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Main screen screen.
• 🔍 Find the option “Recommended Apps” (may be called “App Suggestions” or “App suggestions").
• 🔘 Turn off the slider next to this option.
• 🔄 Restart Launcher: Click the free space on the home screen → Select "Home Screen Settings" → Reset.

On some firmware (MIUI 13+ for the global version), this item may be hidden.

1. Hold your finger in the free seat of the main screen.
2. Slip on Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
3. Scroll down to the "Additional" section and turn off "Show Recommended Apps."

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If recommendations continue to appear after disabling, try changing the launcher to a third-party one (like a Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher) that will radically solve the problem, but will require adaptation to the new interface.

Method 2: Blocking Ads through MIUI Settings

Recommended apps are often masqueraded as "personalized offers," which are actually ads. MIUI has a separate section to manage such ads, but it's not always obvious. Here's how to find it:

1. Go to Settings. → Memory.
2. Put it on the "Cleanup."
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select "Cleaning settings".
4. Turn off the option "Recommend applications after cleaning".

For deeper cleaning:

• 🛑 Back to Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.
• 🧹 Scroll down to the Deep Clean section and turn off the Show Recommendations".
• 🔍 In the same menu, find Ad Management and deactivate all available sliders.

On MIUI firmware for China (China ROM), the path may be different: advertising settings are sometimes hidden in Settings → Additional → Special features → Advertising Management. If you have this version, be careful - disabling some services (for example, msa or MiuiDaemon) can lead to system applications malfunctioning.

Method 3: Disabling system services (without root)

Some of the recommended apps are run by Xiaomi system services, which can be disabled without obtaining root permissions.This method is more radical and requires caution.

• ✅ Backup of important data (settings, contacts, photos).
• ✅ Battery charge of at least 50%.
• ✅ Access to Settings → Annexes → Application management.

List of services that can be safely disabled (tested on MIUI 14 Global):

To disable the service:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Press three points (⋮) and select "Show all applications".
3. In the search, enter the name of the service from the table (for example, analytics).
4. Slip on the found application → “Disable” → confirm the action.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling com.miui.hybrid may cause the launcher to crash.If the screen turns black or stops responding to touches after the shutdown, restart your phone in Safe Mode (press the power button). → Hold "Switch off" → Confirm the safe mode entry and turn the service back on.

Method 4: Using ADB for deep cleaning

If previous methods didn't work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to disable system-level advertising components, which requires you to connect your phone to your computer, but doesn't require root rights.

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version number → Go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Commands to disable ads (do one at a time in the terminal):

adb shell pm hide com.miui.analytics


adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.midrop




adb shell pm hide com.miui.systemAdSolution




adb shell pm hide com.android.browser # Disables Mi Browser browser with ads




adb shell pm hide com.miui.hybridaccessory # Removes accessories recommendations

Once you have completed the commands, restart the phone, and if a service is needed to run the system (e.g., com.miui.hybrid), you can turn it back on by command:

adb shell pm unhide package applications

Method 5: Install custom firmware (for advanced)

If you’re tired of the system limitations of MIUI, a radical solution is to install custom firmware, such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Xiaomi.eu. The latter is a modified version of MIUI without ads and with advanced settings, optimized for European users.

Benefits of Xiaomi.eu:

• 🚫 Complete lack of advertising and recommended applications.
• 🔧 Advanced camera, sound and interface settings.
• 📱 Support for all original firmware functions (including: IR Blaster and NFC).
• 🔄 Regular updates (weekly builds).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Requires unlock bootloader (bootloader), which resets the phone to factory settings.
• ⚠️ There may be bugs (e.g., Google Pay not working on some models).
• ⚠️ Xiaomi warranty is cancelled (but restored after returning to stock firmware).

Instructions for installing Xiaomi.eu:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-14 days).
2. Download the firmware Xiaomi.eu for your model from the official website.
3. Install custom TWRP recavators (instructions are available on 4PDA or XDA Developers).
4. Using TWRP, run Wipe (Dalvik, Cache, System, Data) and install the downloaded firmware.

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware can lead to a "brick" (inoperability) of the phone if the wrong version is selected or the sequence of actions is broken. Always check the compatibility of the firmware with your model (Redmi Note 11). ≠ POCO X3, even if iron is similar!).

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Custom firmware like Xiaomi.eu is the only way to get rid of advertising forever, but it requires technical skills and voids the warranty.

Additional tips: how to reduce the number of recommendations

If completely disabling recommended applications seems difficult, you can reduce their number with these techniques:

• 🔍 Limit permissions for system applications: Go to Settings → Annexes → Manage permissions and disable access to Location, Contacts and Storage for MiuiDaemon, Analytics and Security.
• 📵 Turn off personalization: In Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Mi Account Deactivate "Personalized Advertising".
• 🌐 Use it. DNS-Filtering: Set custom in the settings of Wi-Fi or mobile network DNS, For example, 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 94.140.14.14 (AdGuard) will block some of the advertising requests.
• 🛡️ Install ad blocker: Apps like Blokada or AdGuard can filter banner ads in system applications.

Another effective trick is to reset the "Advertising ID":

1. Go to Settings → Google → Advertising.
2. Put it on "Reset Ad ID."
3. Turn off the option of "Personalized Advertising".

This won’t eliminate recommendations completely, but it will make them less intrusive, as the system will stop learning from your preferences.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recommended apps on Xiaomi