How to permanently remove recommended apps on Xiaomi: the complete guide

The banner ads and recommended apps in MIUI are one of the most annoying features of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO. Even after buying a new smartphone, users are faced with intrusive offers to install games, services or utilities that not only take up space on the screen, but also consume traffic in the background. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to completely remove the recommended applications on Xiaomi – from standard settings to hidden functions and radical methods for experienced users.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi integrates system-level advertising, so some methods require superuser rights (root) or ADB. However, even without them, you can significantly reduce the number of unnecessary offers. We tested all methods on the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 (2026) and collected only working solutions – without outdated tips and questionable tweaks.

If you're tired of constant notifications like "We recommend installing TikTok" or "Try Mi Browser," this guide will help clean up the smartphone interface.

1. Disabling recommendations in standard MIUI settings

The first and most secure way is to use the built-in options. Xiaomi gives you limited control over advertising, but many users don't know where to look for these settings.

Open the Settings app and go to About Phone. Tap a few times on the MIUI version until the notification “You’re a developer!” appears. This unlocks the hidden options. Then go back to the main settings menu and find the new section Additional (For Developers).

• 📱 Enable the debugging option USB (Some of the methods below will be required).
• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🛠️ Find the Msa app (or Miui System Ads) and turn it off for auto-run.
• 🚫 In the same section, disable auto-start for GetApps (Xiaomi app store).

Limitation of method: these actions will reduce the amount of advertising, but will not eliminate it completely, for example, banners in Security or Topics can remain.

2. Removal of recommendations through “Security” and “Temes”

The two systems applications, Security and Themes, are the most likely to display ads, and they can be partially "root-free" without root permissions.

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Slip on the three-point menu in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Turn off the options: 🔄 Recommendations 📢 Security notifications 🌐 Online services

Topics

• 🎨 Recommended topics
• 🔔 Push notifications

Critical detail: once these options are turned off, some features (like real-time virus testing) may not work properly. If you use a third-party antivirus, it's not critical.

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If Global ROM (European firmware) is available in your region, consider reflashing – it has significantly less advertising than the Chinese or Indian versions of MIUI.

3.Using ADB to Deeply Disable Advertising

For users willing to go further, there is a method using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to disable the system applications responsible for displaying ads without getting root permissions. You will need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and USB debugging enabled on your phone.

Download Google's Platform Tools and unpack the archive. Connect your phone to your PC, open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) in your ADB folder, and follow the commands in turn:

adb shell


pm hide com.miui.systemAdSolution # Disables system advertising




pm hide com.xiaomi.midrop # Disables Mi Drop (frequently shows ads)




pm hide com.miui.analytics # Disables analytics collection (may contain advertising modules)




pm hide com.miui.cloudservice # Disables Xiaomi Cloud Services




pm hide com.miui.cloudbackup # Disables backup to the cloud




pm hide com.xiaomi.payment # Disables Mi Pay (advertising financial services)




pm hide com.miui.miservice # Disables service notifications




pm hide com.xiaomi.mipicks # Disables Mi Picks (content recommendations)

After you execute the commands, restart your phone. Advertisements will become significantly smaller, but some system functions (such as synchronizing notes or backing up) will stop working.

⚠️ Attention: pm hide commands don't remove applications, they only hide them from the system. If you reset, all services that are disabled will come back. To return them manually, replace hide with unhide in commands.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Enable debugging on USB phone-on|Download Platform Tools from the official website|Connect your phone to your PC in file transfer mode (MTP)|Check the connection with the team `adb devices`-->

4. Remove system applications through root (for experienced)

If you're ready to root, you can completely remove unnecessary services, which is a method that provides maximum control, but has risks: incorrectly deleting system files can lead to a device blink (completely inoperable), only use it if you understand the consequences.

To start, get root with Magisk (instructions are available on XDA Developers). Then install a root-enabled file manager like Root Explorer or FX File Explorer. Delete the following folders and files:

Important: Back up folders before deleting! Some applications (like GetApps) may be needed to update the system, and after deleting Msa, some MIUI features, such as account sync, may stop working.

5. Alternative firmware: transition to custom ROM

If you're not just annoyed by advertising, but by the MIUI shell itself, consider installing custom firmware.

• 📱 LineageOS – “clean” Android without unnecessary add-ons.
• 🔄 Pixel Experience – firmware with an interface, like on Google Pixel.
• 🛡️ ArrowOS – lightweight and fast firmware with minimalist design.
• 🔧 Xiaomi.eu – modified MIUI without advertising (but with some restrictions).

Advantages of custom firmware:

• ✅ No system advertising.
• ✅ Faster work (no background processes Xiaomi).
• ✅ Regular security updates.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• ❌ Possible bugs (not all functions can work correctly).
• ❌ Difficulty of installation for beginners.

For custom firmware installation instructions, look for XDA Developers for your Xiaomi model. Be sure to check firmware compatibility with your device!

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Custom firmware is a radical but effective solution, which completely removes advertising and improves performance, but requires technical skills and lacks warranty.

6. Additional tips: how to reduce ads in specific applications

Even after the system ad has been turned off, some Xiaomi apps can continue to display banners.

6.1 Music (Mi Music)

Open the application, go to Settings → Additional and turn off:

• 🎵 Recommended music
• 🔔 Notifications of new releases

Weather (Mi Weather)

In the application settings, turn off:

• ☁️ Weather news
• 📰 Weather tape

Camera (Mi Camera)

In some versions of MIUI, the camera displays filter ads to remove them:

• 📸 Go to Camera Settings → Additionally.
• 🚫 Disable Recommended Filters and Online Services.

If the ads remain, try installing alternative apps from Google Play:

• 🎶 Mi Music – Spotify or YouTube Music.
• ☁️ Mi Weather is accumweather or Yr.no.
• 📸 Instead of Mi Camera, Google Camera (if your model is supported).

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Mi Camera) are tightly integrated into the system, and deleting them can lead to errors in the shooting of photos / videos.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When trying to remove recommended apps, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

If you are unsure about your actions, start with the safest methods (Section 1 and 2). Use ADB and root only if you understand the risks. Remember: Xiaomi may block some features (such as air updates) on modified devices.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions