Owners of budget smartphones often face intrusive banners that overlap the interface and interfere with normal operation. Xiaomi Redmi 7, despite its popularity and availability, was no exception to the rule. Aggressive monetization by the manufacturer embeds advertising modules directly into the system shells of MIUI, which causes natural irritation for users expecting a clean experience.
There are several layers of protection, from simple menu settings to deeper interventions in system services. Some methods allow you to completely deactivate data collection, while others only block the display of content. It is important to understand that a comprehensive approach will give the best result, since the advertising mechanisms in MIUI firmware are often duplicated.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at each step of cleaning your device, how to find hidden switches, which services are responsible for displaying banners, and how to distinguish system advertising from malware. Following the instructions, you can return your gadget to its original speed and comfort of use.
Disabling system advertising through MIUI settings
The first step is to turn off the built-in promotion mechanisms, which are activated by default, and there is a dedicated service in the MIUI shell that is responsible for receiving and displaying advertising materials, which does not disrupt the basic functions of the phone, but significantly reduces the amount of visual noise.
You first go to the settings menu and find the password and security section, and that's where the key switch is hidden, find passwords and security, then select Personal Data Access, and in the list that opens, find the msa (MIUI System Ads) service and turn off the slider.
⚠️ Warning: The system may request confirmation of action several times, claiming that it will affect the operation of some applications. Ignore warnings and wait for the timer to expire at 10 seconds, then again press "Disable".
Once you successfully disable msa, you should check the settings of the apps themselves. Advertising is often built into standard utilities like Explorer, Music or Cleanup. Go to each of these apps, click three dots in the corner of the screen and select Settings. There you need to find the Receive Recommendations option and deactivate it.
Remember, the changes don't take effect instantly. Reboot your device so that the new configuration options apply to all system processes. This is a basic layer of protection that removes about 80% of intrusive content.
Using a Private DNS to Block Advertising
A more effective method that works at the network level is to configure a private DNS. This method allows you to block requests to known ad servers even before they reach your Xiaomi Redmi 7. The method is good in that it does not require the installation of third-party software and works even in the browser.
To activate this feature, go to Settings, then to Connect and Share. Go to Private DNS. The default is Auto or Disabled. You need to select the DNS Host Name option and enter the address of the dedicated server.
dns.adguard.comThe address you typed redirects all ad requests to nowhere, a universal solution that effectively combats banners in games and apps. Once you save the settings, it is recommended to turn on the air mode for 10 seconds and turn it off to reset network connections.
- 📱 This method does not affect the speed of mobile Internet, as servers DNS geographically close.
- 🛡️ Blocking occurs at the domain name level, which makes it difficult to bypass the protection of advertising. SDK.
- ⚙️ Setup is applied globally to all Wi-Fi and mobile networks, reconfiguration.
It’s worth noting that some apps may not work properly with hard ad blocking, but for most AdGuard users, DNS is the optimal balance between system purity and functionality.
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If some applications have stopped working on a private DNS, try temporarily disabling the feature or using an alternative address: dns-family.adguard.com.
Removal of viruses and suspicious applications
Often the source of pop-ups are not Xiaomi system services, but the applications you installed. Google Play periodically appears programs that disguise themselves as useful utilities (flashlights, QR scanners, photo editors), but their real purpose is to display ads.
The first sign of infection is when you have a desktop ad when any app is running, or even when your phone is on standby. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Check the list carefully. Look for programs without a name or icon (an empty square on the list) or apps with suspicious names you don’t remember.
| Sign. | Description | Action. |
|---|---|---|
| Absence of icon | In the list of applications, an empty square is visible | Immediate removal |
| Strange name. | A set of characters or a name that does not correspond to the function | Internet check and removal |
| High battery consumption | Unknown app is active in the background | Energy consumption analysis |
| Pop-ups | Advertising over other windows | Search for the source in running processes |
If you can't find a pest manually, use the built-in Security antivirus. Run a deep system check. You can also install a third-party antivirus scanner, like Malwarebytes or Dr.Web, for a one-time check. Once you detect a threat, delete it immediately.
⚠️ Note: Viral applications often have device administrator rights, which prevents them from being deleted in the usual way. → Passwords and security → Confidentiality → Special access → Access device settings and remove permissions from suspicious program.
Clearing notifications from the browser
Another common source of annoyance is spam notifications from websites, where you might accidentally allow them to display notifications when you visit various sites, and now they come in the curtain of notifications in the form of advertising messages.
To clean, you need to go to your browser settings. MI Browser or Google Chrome, the algorithm is similar. Open your browser, click on three dots (menu) and select Settings. Next, look for Notifications or Sites" →"Notifications".
In the list that opens, you will see all sites that have been given permission to post. Carefully review the list and disable any suspicious or unknown resources. It is best to leave only those sites that you really need notifications from (such as email or messengers).
- 🚫 Do not allow websites to display notifications unless there is an urgent need to do so.
- 🔍 Check the permission list periodically, as new sites can be added automatically.
- 🧹 Use the “Clear Data” function for the browser to reset all temporary permissions at once.
Once the list is cleared, notifications should stop coming. If the spam continues, it's possible that the phone has a separate browser application from an unknown developer that generates notifications on its own, and it also needs to be found and removed.
How do I find the source of the notification?
Resetting Advertising Identifier and Personalization
Ad networks use your device’s unique identifier to target ads. Resetting that identifier won’t remove ads completely, but will reset your accumulated interest profile, which can make ad impressions less frequent and intrusive.
Find the passwords and security section (or simply "Security") in the settings. Scroll down to Privacy. There you will find the Advertising ID option. Click on it and select "Reset Advertising ID."
Also in this section, there's a "Personalized Ads" switch that you have to turn off, which will prevent MIUI and apps from using your location and search data to pick up ads.
☑️ Checklist for full cleaning
Regular resets are recommended every few months, especially if you are actively using free apps with a lot of built-in advertising, which helps maintain digital hygiene of the device.
Radical measures: Firmware reflashing and global versions
If software methods don’t help, and advertising in Xiaomi Redmi 7 continues to be a concern, you can consider more radical options: Chinese versions of firmware (CN) contain significantly more advertising than global (Global) or European (EEA).
Reflashing the phone from the Chinese version to the global one is a complex process that requires unlocking the bootloader. Official unlocking requires waiting 7 to 30 days and having a MIUI account. Once unlocked, you can install clean global firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
The alternative is to install custom firmware such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience, which is completely devoid of advertising and software from the manufacturer, providing a clean Android. However, this deprives the phone of warranty (if it is still relevant) and can lead to unstable camera or NFC.
⚠️ Warning: Flashing and unlocking the bootloader will completely invalidate the warranty on the device. Incorrect actions can turn the phone into a brick.
For most Redmi 7 users, the methods described in the previous sections are sufficient. Radical measures should be considered only for experienced users who want to get the most out of their device.
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Integrated use DNS-filtering and disabling service MSA Eliminates 95% of all advertising without the need to flash your phone.