Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face intrusive advertising that suddenly appears on the lock screen or in system applications. This is not just an annoyance, but a potential threat to the security of your personal data, as banners can hide malicious scripts. Spam on Xiaomi can be caused both by built-in advertising mechanisms of the MIUI shell (or HyperOS) and accidentally installed applications from unreliable sources.
Understanding the source of the problem is the first step to solving it. In most cases, ads are broadcast by system services such as msa (MIUI System Ads), or aggressive widgets in a standard browser. However, if pop-ups appear even on the desktop when the screen is turned off, an Adware virus is likely to have penetrated the device. In this article, we will discuss all the methods of blocking, from simple settings to deep cleaning the system.
It is important to act consistently, checking the results after each stage. Some methods require Internet shutdown, others require access rights to special features. The interface of the menu may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and regional firmware (Global, China, EEA), but the logic of the work remains the same for all devices of the brand.
Disabling system advertising in MIUI settings
The first thing you need to do is turn off the built-in ad-display mechanism, which is the default shell activation, which won't remove all banners, but will significantly reduce their number in standard applications. First, go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Access to personal data. Here you need to find the msa process and deny it access to the network.
⚠️ Note: When you try to shut down the msa service, the system will insist on waiting 10 seconds and not doing so.You will have to press "Stop" several times in a row until the button is active.
Then turn off the system itself. Go to Settings → Passwords & Security → Privacy → Advertising Services and turn off the Personalized Ads switch. It’s also worth checking your Mi Account settings if it’s in use, as there may also be content personalization options.
Remember to disable ads in specific system applications. In "Conductor", "Music", "Themes" and "Security" often have separate switches in the settings menu (three dots or a gear in the corner) called "Receive recommendations" or "Show ads. Disabling these options makes using system utilities more comfortable.
Blocking Advertising in Browsers and Notifications
Often, the source of spam is notifications from sites you accidentally subscribed to when you viewed content. Chrome, MI Browser and Yandex allow sites to send push notifications that look like system messages. To fix this, go to your browser settings, find the Site Notifications section, and delete any suspicious addresses.
For more protection, it is recommended to use DNS-This method blocks ads at the network level without requiring heavy applications to be installed. DNS-address in connection settings. Go to Settings → Connection and sharing → Private DNS (The path may vary depending on the Android version).
- 🛡️ Enter the address: dns.adguard.com for tracking and advertising blocking.
- 🚀 Alternative: family.adguard-dns.com (blocks adult advertising and content).
- ⚙️ For advanced users: set up your own AdGuard Home server.
Using a Private DNS is an effective way to reduce the load on the processor and battery, as advertising requests simply won’t load, but if a site uses the same domains as the ads, it may stop opening, in which case the DNS needs to be temporarily disabled.
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If some applications (e.g. banks) stop opening after changing the DNS, try adding an exception to them or temporarily return your DNS settings to automatic mode.
Search and remove malicious applications (Adware)
If the ad appears suddenly on top of all windows or when you unlock your phone, chances are you have installed an app with hidden malicious code, often disguised as useful utilities like flashlights, calculators, memory cleansers or QR scanners. They may not have icons on the menu, leaving them invisible to the user.
To find a hidden app, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Carefully review the list. Malware often doesn’t have a name (empty field) or icons, or masquerades as a system process with a similar name. Look for apps you didn’t consciously install.
☑️ Virus testing
Once you find an application, click on it and select "Delete." If the delete button is inactive (gray), then the application has been granted administrator rights. In this case, go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Special Features (or "Accessibility"), find an unknown application there, and turn it off. Only then the delete button will be available.
Setup of built-in antivirus and security
Each Xiaomi smartphone has a Security app preinstalled, which includes an antivirus from Avast or AVL. While it doesn’t always handle new threats better than paid counterparts, it’s perfect for basic cache verification and cleaning. Regular scanning helps identify known Adware signatures.
Launch the Security app and click on the Antivirus button. Before starting the check, it is recommended to update the virus databases via the Internet. After scanning, the system will prompt you to remove the detected threats or quarantine them.
| Type of threat | Symptoms | Deleting method |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising virus (Adware) | Pop-ups, opening tabs | Delete the application, reset the browser |
| Trojan-encryptor | Screen lock, demand for money | Safe mode, complete reset |
| Hidden miner | Strong heat, quick discharge. | Task Manager check, removal |
| Phishing app | Fake windows of social media entry | Deletion, password change |
It is important to understand that built-in antivirus does not guarantee 100% protection against new, unknown threats (APK-files) from third-party sources, bypassing the official Google Play store. If you do download software from the outside, use online file scanners before installing.
Use of third-party blockers and DNS
For those who want to get the most protection, there are specialized blocking applications that work without root rights. AdGuard is the leader in this niche. It creates local security. VPN-A tunnel on a device that passes all traffic through, cutting out advertising requests, and it's a paid solution, but it has a trial period.
The free alternative is Blokada 5 or Personal DNS Filter, which works similarly: they use a local VPN to filter domains from pre-composed lists (hosts), which allows you to block ads not only in the browser, but also inside some games and applications.
Effect of blockers on the battery
When installing such programs, the system will warn about the connection VPN-This is the normal response of Android to creating a local tunnel. Don't be afraid to confirm the connection, because the data is not sent anywhere, the filtering is only on your device.
Radical measures: discharge and clean installation
If none of these methods worked and spam continues to attack the device, it may be that the virus has been deeply integrated into the system or has acquired rights that cannot be revoked by conventional means, leaving the only guaranteed option – a full reset to the factory settings (Hard Reset).
Before performing this procedure, be sure to back up important data (photos, contacts, documents) on Google Drive or computer. Remember that after resetting all data from internal memory will be deleted without recovery. Go to Settings → About Phone → Reset → Erase all data.
Once reset, the phone will turn on as new. Don't restore the app backup immediately, as you can return the virus along with the data. Better install the apps manually from trusted sources. This will take longer, but will ensure the system is clean.
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A complete reset is the only 100% guarantee of removing complex viruses, but it takes time to reconfigure the device and install applications.