How to remove recommendations in the browser and Xiaomi system

Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face intrusive content that the system offers by default.The built-in browser and launcher are overflowing with news feeds, banner ads and tips that not only distract but also consume traffic. Many device owners mistakenly believe that this is an integral part of the MIUI or HyperOS shell that cannot be dealt with without root rights.

In fact, the developers have left behind a lot of hidden switches to turn the interface into a clean and minimalist tool, and turning these features off requires care, as the settings are scattered across different menu sections. In this article, we will break down a step-by-step algorithm that will help you get rid of information noise and speed up the gadget.

The process of cleaning the system from excess “garbage” does not require the installation of third-party launchers or complex manipulations with the help of the system. ADB-You just need to go through the key settings in a consistent manner, and here are the detailed instructions that are relevant to most of the modern models of the Chinese brand.

Setting up the start page and news feed

The first thing that catches your eye when you open a browser is a crowded start page, which can include weather widgets, currency rates, and an endless news feed, and to get this section in order, you need to open the browser and click on the menu icon (usually three bars or dots in the corner of the screen).

In the list that opens, look for the Home page, and that's where the main sources of visual noise are hidden, and you'll need to turn off the News Feed or Recommendations switch. The interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same: you need to find the source of the content and block the display.

Also worth noting are the widgets that can be displayed when swiping left or right of the home screen, often synchronized with the browser. Disabling the news feed in the settings of the Google app itself or the Cards system widget will help to finally clear the space.

• 📱 Open your browser and go to the settings menu through three points.
• 📰 Find the Home Page section and turn off the news display.
• 🔍 Check the widgets on the desktop for synchronization with the tape.
• 🚫 Remove unnecessary shortcuts if they are not used.

Once you do this, the start page will be clean. However, this is only the first step. Advertising algorithms may try to return content through other channels, so it's important to check the adjacent settings.

Disabling Personalized Advertising (MSA)

One of the main reasons for the recommendations is the MSA (MIUI System Ads) service, which is a built-in service that analyzes your actions and selects relevant advertising, and completely disabling this process is a critical step for comfortable use of a smartphone.

To start, go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Access to Personal Data. In the application list, find msa and turn off the slider. The system will alert you that some features may stop working, and start a countdown of 10 seconds.

⚠️ Note: The first time you turn off msa, you can't always. If the "Cancel" button is inactive or there's an error, wait. 24 You'll have to try again for an hour. 2-3 once.

In parallel, you should turn off personalization of advertising services. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Advertising Services. Here you need to deactivate the item “Get personalized recommendations.” This will not remove the ads completely, but will make it less intrusive and random.

Also, be sure to check your settings for system applications, and in the same section, Access to Personal Data, you should limit the rights to Mi Video, Music and Security apps if you don't use them, which will prevent you from collecting your preferences.

Removing the Tools folder and widgets

There's often a folder on the desktop called Tools or Tools, which contains system utilities inside, and this folder is part of the launcher, and sometimes contains advertising widgets, and you can't drag and drop it off in the cart, but you can hide it or optimize it.

To get rid of the extra items, press the empty area on your desktop and select Settings (or go through the phone's general settings to the Home Screen section). Find the Recommendations or Wallpaper Carousel option and turn it off. This will remove the image and newsletter that appears when you swipe to the right.

To remove the tool folder itself, you can use third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which completely replace the standard interface. If you want to stay on the native shell, just move all the icons you need from the folder to the desktop, and then try to delete the folder itself with a long tap. New versions of HyperOS often have this feature built in.

Desktop cleaning not only improves aesthetics, but also has a positive effect on performance. Fewer active widgets means less workload on RAM.

Cleaning notifications and push messages

Even after the main sources of advertising are turned off, notifications can continue to come from system applications, most often from offers to install games, news from aggregators or reminders from Mi Community, and you need to fight them through the notification center.

When another intrusive message appears on the screen, don't rush to swipe it. Hold it with your finger for a few seconds. In the menu that appears, select "Notification Settings" or "More information." Here you can completely prevent a particular application from sending fluffs or turn off certain categories, such as "Marketing" or "Recommendations."

Also worth checking is Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Application Notifications. Go through the list and disable anything that is labeled “Advertising” or comes from system services you don’t use daily. Pay special attention to apps Security and Downloads.

It is important to distinguish system notifications and notifications from the apps you install. If the spam is coming from third-party software, it is better to remove it or use the built-in ad blocker tools.

Using DNS to Block Advertising

One of the most effective ways to combat recommendations and banners is to configure a private DNS, which allows you to block ad servers at the network connection level without installing additional applications, working on both Wi-Fi and the mobile Internet.

Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing (or “Additional Settings”) → Private DNS. Select Host Name of DNS Provider and type in the address: dns.adguard.com. Save settings. After that, most of the ad traffic will simply be cut off.

dns.adguard.com

This method is particularly effective for blocking ads in Xiaomi’s built-in apps like Explorer, Cleanup and Themes. You’ll notice that banners will stop loading and the interface will become significantly cleaner.

⚠️ Attention: Use of third-party DNS This may cause some local services or sites that are blocked by the provider to fail. If you encounter problems accessing resources, return the settings. DNS auto-mode».

If you use Chrome, you can duplicate the same setting in its settings: → Confidentiality and security → Use the safe one. DNS-Select "Other" and provide the same address.

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Tip: After changing the DNS, it is recommended to clear the cache of the browser and system applications so that old advertising scripts do not remain in memory.

Alternative browsers and launchers

If the built-in Mi Browser browser continues to be annoying even after all the settings, it makes sense to consider alternatives. There are lightweight and fast browsers on the market that respect user privacy and do not contain embedded advertising.

Brave, Vivaldi or DuckDuckGo are great choices, and they have built-in tracker and ad blockers, and installing and assigning a browser by default will solve the whole problem of recommendations on the homepage.

The same goes for desktop. The standard MIUI launcher is deeply integrated into the system, but it can be replaced. Nova Launcher or Smart Launcher provide flexible customization options and don't show news feeds unless you want to.

• 🚀 Brave: Maximum speed and built-in blocker.
• 🛡️ DuckDuckGo: Focus on privacy and no tracking.
• 🎨 Via Browser: Ultralight browser weighing less than 2 MB.

Using third-party software is a radical but often the only surefire path for those who want to have full control of their device, and modern smartphones have enough power to make any alternatives run smoothly.

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A comprehensive approach, including disabling MSA, configuring DNS and replacing standard applications, allows you to completely get rid of advertising in the Xiaomi system.