Modern Xiaomi smartphones offer impressive performance and rich functionality, but users often face intrusive pop-ups. The built-in MSA (MIUI System Ads) system periodically displays advertising content in system applications, which can be annoying. Many device owners are looking for ways to remove the ad blocker or, conversely, how to adjust traffic filtering to avoid unnecessary data.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the mechanisms of operation of advertising modules in the shell of MIUI and HyperOS. You will learn to disable system notifications, block Internet access for advertising services and use third-party solutions, which will make the use of the gadget more comfortable and secure.
It is worth understanding that complete removal of system components without root-rights is impossible, but their effective neutralization is available to everyone. We will consider both standard methods of configuration, and more advanced options through DNS and ADB. Competent configuration will help you forget about random transitions to banners.
The Nature of Advertising in MIUI and HyperOS
Advertising integrations in Xiaomi smartphones are implemented at the system process level. The main source of pop-ups is msa, which analyzes the use of applications and offers relevant content, and the GetApps system application and the standard browser are often responsible for notifications.
The developers argue that advertising is low cost, but for many users it becomes a barrier, and it's important to distinguish between in-front and malicious banners in the browser, and in the first case, we're dealing with a system function, in the second, the result of visiting questionable sites.
⚠️ Note: Complete removal of system packets through ADB It can cause the shell to work in an unstable way, and it's recommended that you try to disable it first by standard methods.
To fight effectively, you need to be integrated, and just closing one window is not enough, because the ad module will start again the next time you connect to the network, and the main sources of content display are:
- 📱 Service MSA — Main generator of system recommendations.
- 🌐 Mi Browser – Often shows notifications from affiliate sites.
- 📂 Conductor and Cleaning – places of frequent appearance of banners after completion of operations.
- 🔒 Lock screen – may contain news feed with advertising inserts.
Disable MSA service through settings
The first and most important step is to deactivate the main advertising service, which requires you to access the Internet, because the switch may not respond without connecting to the server, find the password and security section in the settings menu, or search for settings by typing in the msa request.
In the Access to Data menu that opens, find msa and turn off the switchboard. The system will try to convince you to keep the service active by running a countdown of 10 seconds. You have to wait for the timer to end and press the Disable button. If you fail the first time, repeat the procedure 2-3 times.
☑️ Shutdown algorithm MSA
Once you have successfully disabled, the service will no longer receive data about your activities, but the cache may persist for a while, and it is recommended that you also disable similar access for the MIUI Daemon app if it is active in your firmware version, which will increase privacy.
⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g. India or Russia), the service name may be different or hidden.
What to do if the MSA switch is not pressed?
Setup of Xiaomi system applications
In addition to the central service, individual apps have their own personalization settings. To completely clean your smartphone, you need to go through key system utilities. Start with the Security app, which often offers to install additional (cleaners) or antiviruses.
Go to the Security settings (cog in the corner). Find the Receive recommendations section and turn it off. You should do the same procedure in the Explorer application. Click on the menu (three bars), select Settings → About the application and remove the tick from the Receive recommendations item.
Don't forget to check the standard browser. It often activates the news feed on the home page. Turn off the News Feed and Notifications in the browser settings section, which will significantly reduce information noise each time you run.
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Search your phone settings, type in the word "recommendations" or "advertisements" to quickly find all the hidden switches in different parts of the system.
For clarity, we give a table of the main applications and necessary actions:
| Annex | The path to adjustment | What to turn off |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Settings (cogs) | Receive recommendations |
| Conductor | Settings → About the annex | Receive recommendations |
| Topics | Profile → Settings | Showing Advertising, Auto Update |
| Music. | Settings → Additional | Receive recommendations |
Blocking Advertising via DNS (Private DNS)
One of the most effective methods that does not require installing third-party software is the use of secure DNS. This method blocks advertising requests at the network level, without allowing them to pass on the device.
Go to Settings. → Connection and Sharing (or Advanced Settings) Find Private DNS-server (Private) DNS). Select the hostname of the provider DNS and type in the address: dns.adguard.com. Save the changes.
This method blocks ads not only in the system, but also in the browser and some applications. DNS-filtering is not antivirus; it only cuts off known ad domains. If a site uses the same domains as the content, some of the functionality may stop working.
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Using a private DNS is a silver bullet against advertising that works globally for all device traffic, saving traffic and battery.
If you want to use more flexible settings, you can use the AdGuard app (full version), which creates a local setting. VPN-This allows you to customize your own rules and filters, but requires a constant active connection, which may have a slight effect on autonomy.
Use of blockers and antiviruses
For users who don’t want to go into system settings, there are specialized applications. Ad blockers that work through a local VPN (without sending traffic to external servers) are a secure solution, such as Blokada or AdGuard.
Installation of such software requires the issuance of permits for the creation of VPN-Once activated, the app intercepts requests for known ad trackers and blocks them, which is especially useful in older versions. MIUI, where system settings of advertising may be less flexible.
- 🛡️ AdGuard is a powerful tool with the ability to filter HTTPS traffic.
- 🚫 Blokada 5 – open solution with minimalist interface.
- 🧹 DNS66 — lightweight application only for DNS-filtering.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install multiple blockers at the same time. VPN-Profiles will lead to Internet shutdown or unstable network operation.
It is important to download such utilities only from trusted sources, such as Google Play or official developer sites. APK-files may contain malicious code that will nullify all protection efforts (privacy).
Advanced customization through ADB (for experts)
For power users who want to get the most out of the box, a USB debugging (ADB) method is available, which allows you to freeze system applications that cannot be removed in the usual way.
Connect your phone to your PC, enable USB debugging in the Developer Menu. Run the command line on your computer and type in the command to remove the MSA packet:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.msa.globalIt is also recommended to disable the analytics package and advertising service:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analytics
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.facebook.katanaHow to return deleted applications through ADB?
Using ADB gives you complete control, but requires caution. Removing critical system components can lead to a bootloop (cyclical reboot).Always check the purpose of the package before removing it in Android global databases.