Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are known for their availability and functionality, but users often face intrusive advertising and unwanted notifications. Owners of devices based on the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS know how annoying sudden pop-ups in folders or banner ads in system applications. Moreover, through standard communication channels, SMS often come from scammers trying to lure personal data or money.
Fortunately, the Android system and the Chinese manufacturer's proprietary shell have powerful digital debris protection tools built in. IT-A competent security setting will take no more than 10 minutes, but will significantly increase the comfort of using the gadget and save your nerves.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the available methods for dealing with intrusive notifications, and we will look at both standard system tools and third-party solutions that are guaranteed to cut off unnecessary ones, and it is important to understand that for maximum effectiveness, it is better to use an integrated approach, combining several layers of protection.
Use of the built-in "Security" application
The first and most logical step is to activate the standard protections that are already installed on your device. Unlike many other brands, Xiaomi integrates a powerful antivirus engine directly into the system application Security. This tool not only searches for viruses, but also manages a database of unwanted numbers and sites.
To get started, launch the application and find the Antivirus section, where you need to make sure that the “check during installation” option is enabled so that blocked applications can not enter the system through the system. APK-Next, go to the antivirus settings and activate “Update databases”, which will allow the system to know about new threats in real time.
The Filter feature is a special focus, and this is where the main anti-spam for calls and messages is set up, the system uses cloud databases to identify advertisers and scammers, and if a number is tagged as spam by multiple users, your phone will automatically reject a call or hide an SMS.
⚠️ Note: When turning on cloud databases, make sure your internet connection is stable. downloading current lists may consume traffic, although volumes are usually minimal.
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Clean the Security cache regularly in the Settings → Applications section to avoid errors in the filtering operation.
Setting up SMS filtering and calls
The most annoying type of spam is the message with offers of “easy credits” or calls from robots. In the Security app, go to the Filter section (signed shield icon). Here you will see a list of blocked events. Click on the gear in the corner of the screen to get into the settings menu.
In the SMS Block section, select the Keyword Block option, which is a powerful tool to create your own rules, and you can add the words “credit”, “winning”, “promotional”, “bank”, and any message containing these terms will be automatically deleted without even getting into the Spam folder.
- 🔒 Hidden Number Blocking: Turn on this option unless you get a call from people hiding their ID. This effectively cuts off some of the fraudulent schemes.
- 📞 Blacklist: Manually add specific numbers that bother you all the time. They will be blocked at the system level.
- 🔔 Notifications: Set your phone to behave when you receive blocked content. You can select Do Not Disturb mode so that the screen doesn't even light up.
The algorithm is similar for calls. In the call filtering menu, activate the "Block the numbers from the list" switch. It is also recommended to turn on "Block calls from unknown numbers" if you are waiting for calls only from the contact book. However, be careful: couriers or taxis can be identified as unknown.
☑️ Filtration setting
Blocking system advertising MIUI and HyperOS
Many users confuse third-party spam with their own system advertising. MIUI does contain advertising modules (MSA — MIUI System Ads) that can and should be turned off. It's not exactly anti-spam in the classical sense, but it removes the visual noise that is often mistaken for viral activity.
Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Access to Personal Data. Find msa on the list and turn off the slider. The system will try to dissuade you several times by showing a countdown timer, which is normal. Wait 10 seconds and click “Cancel.” Similar procedure for GetApps and Mi Video if you do not use them.
What to do if the MSA disable button does not work?
Once you turn off your system ad services, you should go through the built-in apps, open Explorer, Downloads, Music, and Themes, and find settings (usually three dots or a gear) in each of them, and turn off the "Receive recommendations" or "Show recommendations" option, which will remove banner ads from the interface of these programs.
Third-party applications for enhanced protection
Staffing is sometimes not enough, especially if spammers change numbers every minute, and in those cases, Google Play apps come to the rescue, using more aggressive algorithms and crowdsourcing to identify threats.
One of the market leaders is the Truecaller or Yandex app (with a number detection function), which not only detects spam, but also allows you to search numbers in the database by simply typing them into a search. Another popular option is Kaspersky or Dr.Web, which have separate modules for filtering SMS and calls.
| Annex | Type of protection | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truecaller | Calls, SMS | Huge number database, name definition | Requires a lot of permissions, there is advertising in the free version |
| Kaspersky | Antivirus, Filter. | High reliability, no advertising | Paid subscription for full functionality |
| Yandex | Number-defining | Excellent base for Russia and CIS, free of charge | Downloads the phone, requires an account |
| Should I Answer | Calls. | Open base, no advertising, privacy | The interface may seem complicated. |
When installing third-party software, Android will ask permission to access calls and contacts. This is a mandatory requirement for anti-spam. Without this, the application will not be able to analyze incoming calls and compare them with a database. If you value privacy, choose applications that are open source or from large vendors with a good reputation.
Notification settings in the browser and applications
Often, the source of spam is not calls, but notifications from sites you accidentally subscribed to. Pop-up messages about “winning an iPhone” or “virus on the phone” usually come from the browser. To put a barrier, you need to manage the permissions of sites.
Open your browser (Chrome, Yandex, Mi Browser) and go to Settings → Site Settings → Notifications. Here you will see a list of all resources that are allowed to send push notifications. Go through the list and block all suspicious or unfamiliar domains. The best option is to choose the “Ask” option or completely disable notifications for all sites.
Also check the installed apps. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Scroll through the list and find programs you don’t use or look suspicious (like Flashlight, Calculator with Internet rights). Go inside the app, select Notifications and disable them completely. Then uninstall the app.
⚠️ Warning: If you see an ad on your desktop at random (not in the app), you may have a virus miner or ad module hidden in your phone. APK.
Working with the blacklist and operator codes
And don't forget your mobile operator's tools, the Big Four (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2) provide spam blocking services at the network level, which means that the call or SMS will not even reach your phone, but will be cut off by the operator's server.
Most operators have free or paid options with names like “Antispam”, “Spam Protection” or “Blacklist” and can be connected via the operator’s personal application or USSD-For example, commands like 111...# are often used, but it is better to check the current codes on the official website.
- 📱 Convenience: No need to install unnecessary apps, protection works even on push-button phones.
- 🛡️ Efficiency: Operators see all traffic and can block spam en masse.
- 💰 Cost: Basic versions are often free, advanced filters can cost little money per month.
You can also blacklist your own numbers through your phone's call settings. Open the Phone app, click three dots or a gear, select Locked numbers. Add all the sources of anxiety you know to this. This is a good method for pinpointing specific abusers.
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The combination of Xiaomi’s built-in filter, browser settings and operator services gives a 99% guarantee of protection against any kind of digital garbage.