Owning a Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO smartphone is often marred by intrusive marketing that is embedded in system applications – not just an annoyance, but a feature of the company’s business model that allows it to sell at a competitive price – but in 2026, users are no longer obliged to put up with constant pop-ups when unlocked or on menus.
Deleting advertising content completely requires a comprehensive approach, as it is displayed by different system processes, and we will discuss methods that will help to clean the interface of banners in standard applications, browsers and even folders on the desktop.
It’s important to understand that turning off ads doesn’t disrupt the device, it only gives you back control of the interface.The process is secure and doesn’t require super-user rights, making it available to any smartphone owner.
MSA Disconnection: The Basis of a Clean System
The main source of intrusive offers in the shells of MIUI and HyperOS is the system application MIUI System Ads, known in the list of processes as msa. It is this component that collects data about your habits and shows personalized banners.
To block it, you need to go to the authorization settings. Open Settings → Passwords and security → Access to data. In the list that opens, find msa and put the slider inactive.
The system will try to dissuade you from this action by running a countdown timer for 10 seconds. Once it is completed, press the Disable button. If the first error message appears, repeat the procedure 2-3 times in a row - the company's servers are sometimes overloaded, and the command does not pass the first time.
⚠️ Note: After disabling the msa service, the ads will not disappear instantly.It takes 24 to 48 hours for the system to completely update the cache and stop showing banners in the interface.
💡
Disabling the msa service is a basic step without which other settings may not be effective.
Setup of system applications: Security and Explorer
Even after the main module is disabled, some standard utilities may continue to show recommendations, primarily for the Security application, which is launched when the system is scanned.
Go to the Safety app, click on the gear icon in the top right corner, and select Receive recommendations. Make sure the switch is off. This will remove the news feed and game suggestions at the bottom of the scanner screen.
The same thing happens with Explorer. Open it, go to the menu (three bars) → Settings → About the app. Here you also need to find Receive recommendations and deactivate it.
- 📱 For Downloads: Open the menu, select Settings → Show recommended content and disable the option.
- 🧹 For Cleanup: Go to Settings and remove the tick from Receive Recommendations.
- 📂 For Music and Video: In the settings of these players, also look for the "Recommendations" section and disable them.
What to do if the settings are reset?
We remove advertising in folders and on the desktop
One of the most annoying features of the shell is the appearance of advertising cards inside the folders with applications on the desktop, which are called "Recommended Applications."
To remove them, open any folder on the home screen. Click on the folder name (where you usually rename it). In the folder settings menu that opens, find Recommended Apps and turn it off.
Now the folder will only contain shortcuts to the programs you installed, and it’s worth checking the settings of the theme itself. Some third-party themes may contain built-in ads, so using a standard Classic or Default theme often solves the problem of visual noise.
Cleaning up Mi Browser and UC Browser
Standard browsers from Xiaomi and partners are often full of news feeds and push notifications. If you use the Mi Browser, it can be greatly facilitated.
Open your browser, go to profile (human icon) → Settings. Find the Receive notifications section and disable all items, especially "Receive recommendations" and "Show on the lock screen."
For a deeper cleaning, go to Settings → Homepage and select the “Empty Page” option or turn off the display of the news feed. This will speed up the browser launch and remove visual debris.
⚠️ Note: If you don’t use a standard browser, consider removing it completely through your app settings or replacing it with a lightweight browser like Via Browser or Chrome.
Blocking Advertising Through DNS (Method for Advanced Advertising)
The most effective way to work across the entire Android operating system is to use a private DNS, which blocks ad requests before they reach your screen.
Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS. Select Host Name of the DNS Provider (or Manual). In the box that appears, type in the address: dns.adguard.com.
Save your settings. Now all your device traffic will be filtered through AdGuard servers that cut off known ad domains, which will remove banners not only in the system, but also in many free apps and games.
dns.adguard.comIf the Internet stops working, check if you enter the address correctly. Sometimes you need to reboot your smartphone to apply network settings.
💡
Use of the DNS-Filtering also improves security by blocking access to phishing sites and trackers.
Summary table of advertising sources and disabling methods
For ease of perception, we have systematized the main sources of advertising content in Xiaomi and Redmi devices, and use this table as a checklist when you first set up your smartphone.
| source of advertising | Way of shutdown | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Systemic (MSA) | Passwords and security → Access to data → msa | Low. |
| Security Annex | Security → Settings → Get recommendations | Low. |
| Folders on the desktop | Open the folder → Click on the name → Recommendations | Low. |
| Mi Browser browser | Profile → Settings → Notifications | Medium |
| Global (DNS) | Settings → Private DNS → dns.adguard.com | Medium |
Remember that after resetting the settings to the factory (Wipe Data), all these parameters will return to the original values, and the procedure will have to be repeated.
☑️ Checklist for full cleaning
Problem Solving and Frequent Errors
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where after all the manipulations, the ad returns or the settings are not saved, most often due to updates to system components or malfunctions in the Mi Account account.
If the msa switch is inactive (gray), check your internet connection. This option requires online verification to change, and try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile or vice versa.
In rare cases, cleaning the Service and Reviews (MIUI Daemon) app cache helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps, find that service and click Clear.
⚠️ Note: It is not recommended to remove system applications through ADB Or root rights if you don't have deep technical expertise, which can lead to unstable system operation or a "boot" (cyclical reboot).
Compliance with these simple rules will allow you to turn your Xiaomi into a clean and fast device, free from unnecessary information noise.