How to permanently remove recommended applications on Xiaomi: disable advertising in MIUI

Why are recommended apps coming to Xiaomi and can they be removed?

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark smartphones regularly face the same problem: MIUI actively offers to install new applications through notifications, widgets on the home screen and even in the settings menu. These “recommendations” are not just annoying – they slow down the device, consume traffic and battery, and sometimes install unnecessary software without the explicit consent of the user.

The reason for this behavior lies in Xiaomi’s business model: the company monetizes its low-cost smartphones through affiliate programs and advertising. However, users have every right to disable these recommendations, both partially (hide notifications) and completely (remove system services responsible for advertising). In this article, we will discuss all working methods for different versions of MIUI 12-14, including hidden settings and methods for advanced users.

It is important to understand that some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights, which can affect the warranty and security, and we will specify the risks for each method so that you can choose the best option.

Method 1: Disabling recommendations in standard MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in options, which is suitable for most models (Xiaomi 11/12/13, Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5, etc.) and does not require additional rights.

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Clean (or Settings → Applications → Managing Applications in Newer Versions of MIUI).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Cleaning Settings.
3. Turn off the Recommended Apps (or Personalized Recommendations) slider.
4. Return to Settings → Notifications and disable notifications for Mi Video, Mi Browser, GetApps and Security apps.

This method removes most advertising notifications, but does not remove recommendation widgets on the home screen.

• 📱 Hold your finger on the empty seat of the main screen. → Screen settings → disable Recommended Apps.
• 🔍 In the search by settings, enter "recommendations" and disable all options found.
• 🚫 For POCO Launcher: Launcher settings → Widgets → Hide recommendations.

Notifications from Mi Video are disabled|Hidden widgets on the main screen|Personalized recommendations in cleaning settings are turned off|Settings checked POCO Launcher (if used)-->

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI Some settings may reset, and we recommend checking them every 1-2 months or after major system updates.

Method 2: Remove system applications without root (via ADB)

If standard settings don’t work, you can remove unnecessary system applications that are responsible for recommendations using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require root rights, but requires a computer and enabled debugging over USB.

List of applications that can be safely removed (does not affect system stability):

Instructions for removal through ADB:

1. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB Tools and execute the command:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks

Repeat the command for each packet from the table above.

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Before deleting, back up your data via Settings → System → Backup. If you have problems after deleting, applications can be restored through resetting.

⚠️ Note: Deleting com.miui.analytics may cause some Xiaomi services to malfunction (e.g. cloud storage or design themes:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.analytics

Method 3: Blocking Advertising via DNS (without root)

Another effective method is to change DNS-This will block the download of banner ads and recommendations at the network level, suitable for all Xiaomi models, including Redmi. 9/10/11 and POCO X3/X4.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings. → Connections → Private DNS (or settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Private DNS).
2. Select the host name of the private DNS provider.
3. Enter one of the addresses: 🛡️ dns.adguard.com (AdGuard DNS — Blocks advertising and trackers) 🌍 1.1.1.3 (Cloudflare Family – filters malicious sites) 🔒 dns.nextdns.io (NextDNS) - customizable filters)

Save the settings and restart the phone.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Does not require removal of system applications.
• 📱 It works on all versions. MIUI (including MIUI 14).
• 🛡️ Blocks advertising not only in recommendations, but also in the browser, games, social networks.

AdGuard DNS|Cloudflare|NextDNS|Google DNS|I don't use it.|Other-->

⚠️ Note: Some banking applications (e.g. SberBank or Tinkoff) may block access when using third-party banking services DNS. In this case, add their domains to the exception or temporarily disable private domains. DNS.

Method 4: Using Magisk and deep cleaning modules (for advanced ones)

If you are willing to take drastic measures and you have the bootloader unlocked, you can use Magisk, a tool for obtaining root rights without losing the ability to update OTA. This method allows you to completely remove advertising services and disable analytics collection.

Steps required:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (can take up to 72 hours).
2. Install Magisk through Custom Recovery (TWRP).
3. In Magisk, install modules: 🧹 Disabler for Xiaomi – Disables Advertising Services. 🔧 MIUI Debloater – Remove unnecessary system applications. 🛡️ Universal SafetyNet Fix – Restoring banking applications.

After installation of modules:

• Reset the device.
• Check for no recommendations in Settings → Apps.
• If you have notifications, manually disable them for remaining system applications.

⚠️ Note: Using Magisk voids warranty and can lead to unstable device operation.Do not install modules from unknown developers - this can cause bootloop (locking on the boot).

Method 5: Resetting settings to factory (last resort)

If all the previous methods didn't work, you're left with a complete reset, which is a radical solution, but it's guaranteed to remove all unnecessary apps and reset personalized recommendations, and it's suitable for devices where ads appeared after the MIUI update.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Back up important data (photos, contacts, messages) through Settings → System → Backup or Mi Cloud.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, do not restore data from the MIUI backup, this can return advertising applications. Use only selective recovery (photos, contacts).

What to do after the discharge:

• 📵 Disable Personalized Recommendations in Settings Immediately (see Method 1).
• 🔄 Don’t Update Apps with GetApps – Use Google Play.
• 🛡️ Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) to avoid recommendation widgets.

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Resetting is the only way to completely remove pre-installed ad apps without root, but after reset, you must manually disable all personalization options, otherwise the ad will return in 1-2 days.

Additional tips: how to prevent the return of recommendations

Even after successful removal of the advert, it may reappear after a MIUI update or cache reset. To avoid this, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Settings → Turn off auto-update.
• 📦 Don't use standard Xiaomi apps: Replace Mi Browser on Chrome or Firefox. uninstall Mi Video and install VLC or MX Player.Discard GetApps in favor of Google Play.
• 🔒 Block permissions for advertising services: Go to Settings → Annexes → Manage applications, find Security, Miui Daemon and disable them from accessing the Internet, Notifications and Overlaying windows.

Also useful:

• 🛡️ Install Blokada or AdGuard to block ad domains at the level VPN.
• 📱 Use alternative firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) if you want to get rid of the entire system. MIUI.
• 🔄 Regularly check the list of running processes through Settings → Annexes → Start and stop suspicious services.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recommended apps on Xiaomi