How to remove recommendations in folders on Xiaomi: all ways of 2026

Xiaomi folder recommendations are one of the most annoying features of the MIUI shell that comes after updates. The system automatically adds “useful” programs (often unnecessary) to your folders, making it waste time to remove them. Worse, these recommendations come back after you reboot or update the applications. In this article, we will examine all the working ways to disable this feature, from standard settings to hidden developer settings.

The problem is compounded by the fact that Xiaomi regularly changes the layout of options in new versions of MIUI 14/15. What worked on the Redmi Note 10 may not work on the Xiaomi 13 Ultra. We tested the methods on current firmware (including global and Chinese versions) and collected universal solutions that work even without root rights. If you are tired of intrusive "recommendations" in the folders "Games", "Work" or "Social Networks" - read on.

Why does Xiaomi add recommendations to folders?

The automatic shortcutting feature appeared in MIUI 12 as part of the "smart desktop organization" and is designed to analyze:

• 📊 Application frequency (via miui.analytics)
• 🔄 The time of day when you open a program
• 🤝 Links between apps (e.g., messengers and social media)
• 📥 Updates from the Mi App Store

In practice, this leads to the fact that CapCut is suddenly added to the Photo folder, and a little-known one is added to the Workers. PDF-The worst part is that the algorithm doesn't take into account:

• ❌ Your manual folder settings
• ❌ Apps that you have long since removed
• ❌ Duplicate service shortcuts (e.g., two messengers)

In some versions MIUI (Chinese service is especially linked to the service msa_global — Xiaomi’s content personalization system, which can only be completely disabled by complex methods, which we will discuss below.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard settings (MIUI 14/15)

The easiest method is to use built-in shell options, which works on most global firmware, but may not be available in Chinese versions or custom builds.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Desktop (or Home)
2. Select folder settings (on some models – Smart organization)
3. Turn off App Recommendations slider or Automatic Addition
4. Restart the device (required!)

If this item is not on the menu, try an alternative path:

1. Hold your finger on an empty space on your desk.
2. Slip to the desktop settings (cog icon)
3. Go to the Folder or Recommendations tab
4. Disable all options related to automatic addition

Make sure you have a global firmware (not Chinese)

Update MIUI to the latest version

Make a backup of the desktop (Settings → Desktop → Backup)

Check if the system applications are hidden-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F5, Redmi K60) After disabling this option, recommendations may still appear through 1-2 This is due to the background work of com.miui.home, so you can move on to the following.

Method 2: Limitation of rights for system applications

If a standard shutdown fails, you can block access to data for the services responsible for recommendations, a method that requires care but does not need root rights.

Steps for MIUI 14/15:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. In the search, enter miui.home (launcher) and select it.
3. Open Permits → Turn off the Warehouse and Phone
4. Do the same for applications: msa_global (personalization service) miui.analytics (statistics collection) com.xiaomi.midrop (if any)

Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling permissions for miui.home may lead to:

• I'll reset my desk wallpaper.
• Disappearance of some widgets (weather, calendar)
• Inability to change application icons

If you continue to make recommendations after these actions, then an alternative shortcutting mechanism is working on your device, in which case only the ADB method (described below) will help.

💡

Before disabling permissions, take screenshots of the current desktop configuration, which will help you quickly restore the location of folders and widgets if necessary.

Method 3: Use ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

This is the most reliable method, and it works even on Chinese firmware. You'll need a computer with installed hardware. ADB-Drivers and Included Debugging USB phone-on.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone Tapnet 7 times on MIUI Version Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers Enable Debugging over USB

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.home


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.miservice

Reset the device

To return standard functions, use:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.home


adb shell pm enable com.miui.miservice

⚠️ Warning: These commands will completely disable the standard Xiaomi launcher:

1. Install an alternative launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher)
2. Or return the standard through the commands above

How to determine:

1. Download. APK-launcher file (for example, with APKMirror)
2. Install it as a regular app
3. When you first start, select it as the default launcher.
4. Set up a desktop for your needs

⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers:

• Xiaomi’s system gestures may not work
• Double touch function for sleep will disappear
• Some widgets (such as weather) may not be displayed correctly.

💡

Installing an alternative launcher is the only way to 100% get rid of recommendations in folders, but requires adaptation to the new interface.

Method 5: Manual editing of configuration files (for advanced ones)

This method requires root rights and is designed for users who are willing to work with system files, and it allows you to disable recommendations at the MIUI configuration level.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root access (e.g. Root Explorer)
2. Cross the path: /data/data/com.miui.home/shared_prefs/
3. Find the file. launcher_preferences.xml Open it in the text editor.
4. Add or change the following lines: <boolean name="folder_recommendation_enabled" value="false" /> <boolean name="auto_add_to_folder_enabled" value="false" />
5. Save the file and restart the device

Alternative path (for some versions of MIUI 15):

/data/system/users/0/com.miui.home/

⚠️ Note: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to:

• The crash of the launcher (com.miui.home will stop working)
• I will reset all desktop settings
• Cyclical reboot of the device

Before editing, it is mandatory to:

1. Create a backup copy of the file
2. Make sure you have access to recovery for recovery.
3. Check that the battery is over 50% charged.

What should I do if the recommendations are back?

Even after a successful shutdown, recommendations may reappear, because:

• 🔄 Updates MIUI (resets some of the settings)
• 📦 Installation/removal of applications from the Mi App Store
• 🔋 Cleaning the cache of system applications
• 📱 Resetting launcher settings

How to prevent return:

1. Turn off automatic MIUI update in Settings → About Phone → System Update
2. Freeze the applications msa_global and miui.analytics through ADB: adb shell pm disable-user com.miui.msa.global adb shell pm disable-user com.miui.analytics
3. Use App Ops (permissions management app) to block these services
4. Check your launcher settings regularly after major updates

If the recommendations returned despite all efforts, it could mean that Xiaomi has implemented a new mechanism to add them.

• Check out updates for this article (we update them regularly)
• Contact the 4PDA or XDA-Developers forums with the phone model and MIUI version.
• Consider the possibility of rollback on the previous version of the firmware

FAQ: Frequent questions about recommendations in Xiaomi folders