How to remove ads on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Owning a device from Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO in 2026 is not only about accessing cutting-edge technology, but also about putting up with intrusive marketing. Built-in advertising that appears in standard apps, browsers, and even system notifications can turn smartphone use into a test. But MIUI and the new HyperOS provide users with enough tools to fully control this flow.

In this article, we will not only examine surface settings, but also deep system processes such as msa (MIUI System Ads, which are responsible for broadcasting content. You'll learn how to configure it. DNS-filtering to block ad domains at the network level, which is the most effective method to date, and it does not require super-user rights (root) and works immediately after application.

Many users mistakenly believe that disabling one setting will solve the problem. In fact, the advertising mechanisms in Xiaomi shells are distributed across dozens of services and applications. The system process msa (MIUI System Ads) is the main source of advertising, but not the only one – Mi Video, Mi Music and the system browser are also blocked. The comprehensive approach described below will allow you to enjoy a clean interface without unnecessary interruptions.

Disabling system recommendations and MSA services

The first and most important step is to deactivate the service that collects data and displays ads throughout the system, which is often masked as a system necessity, but its main function is to monetize free devices, and to access ad management, you'll need to go to Settings and search by settings.

Type "advertisements" or "msa" in the search bar. The system will suggest "Receive recommendations or Receive recommendations on content. Turn off this switch. In the confirmation window that appears, select "Disable" and wait 10 seconds until the timer allows you to press the button again. If the system requests a reason for disconnecting, select any one, such as "Not Interesting."

⚠️ Attention: Service disconnection process MSA If the switch returns to its original position after the first time, repeat the procedure. 2-3 It's standard defense behavior, not a bug.

Next, limit ad personalization so that algorithms stop analyzing your actions to select targeted ads. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Advertising Services. You need to activate the option to Disable Ad Personalization and click Reset ID.

These actions break the link between your unique device identifier (OAID) and ad servers. While it is difficult to completely stop the flow of data, this step significantly reduces the relevance of the ads shown. It is important to understand that HyperOS may have a slightly changed menu structure, but the logic remains the same: look for sections related to privacy and recommendations.

Set up a private DNS to block ads

One of the most effective ways to combat intrusive content is to use DNS-over-TLS technology, which allows you to redirect all your device requests to a server that automatically filters ad domains without letting them onto the device, and it works globally, in the browser, in games, and in applications.

To implement this method, you don’t need to install third-party applications that can collect data themselves. Android’s built-in functionality allows you to manually prescribe the server address. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing (or Wi-Fi and the Internet) → Private DNS (or Personal DNS). The default is Auto, but we need to select Host Name of the DNS Provider.

In the input field, you need to enter the address of the verified server. In 2026, one of the most stable and fastest solutions is the AdGuard server.

dns.adguard.com

Once you enter the address, click Save. If the system detects a connection error, check the Internet connection. In some cases, especially when using corporate Wi-Fi networks or specific providers, this protocol may be blocked, then you need to switch to mobile Internet to apply the settings.

• 🚀 Instant effect: Advertising disappears immediately after saving settings, without the need to reboot.
• 🛡️ Safety: The method does not require installation APK-files and does not give unnecessary permissions.
• 📉 Traffic savings: Blocking banner ads and videos reduces mobile internet consumption.
• 🔄 Universality: Works in all applications, including YouTube (partially) and browsers.

⚠️ Note: If you use this method, some applications may stop displaying content correctly or showing network error.In rare cases, this may block legitimate ad integrations in free apps that require you to view ads for a reward.

Cleaning up Xiaomi’s standard apps

Even after the MSA is disabled, individual system applications can continue to show recommendations in their interfaces, including Explorer, Music, Video and Security, each with its own hidden settings that must be manually disabled.

Start with the Security app, which is often the main source of pop-ups. Open the app, click on the settings gear in the top right corner. Find Receive recommendations and turn it off. You should also go to Clean up inside the app's settings and turn off the same option there.

The File Manager application is similar. Click on three menu bars, select Settings → About. In the menu that opens, find the Receive Recommendations switch and deactivate it. If you don't, when you open the folders, you'll see banner ads at the bottom of the screen.

Mi Video and Mi Music apps also require attention. In the settings of these players, find the Online Services or Guidelines section. Turn off all items related to content autoload and recommendations. This will not only remove ads, but also speed up the launch of applications, as they will stop downloading heavy media data at launch.

Don't forget to check the theme settings. Sometimes banner ads are embedded through third-party themes downloaded from Themes. If you've left the ad after all the settings, try changing the theme to a standard Classic or Default.

Notification and browser management

Often users confuse system advertising with notifications from sites they accidentally subscribed to, especially for the built-in Mi Browser or Chrome browser. To clear this stream, you need to go to the settings of a particular browser.

In Mi Browser, click on the three dots in the bottom bar, then Settings → Privacy & Security. Find Ad Blocker and turn it on. Also, clear notifications: Settings → Site Notifications → disable any suspicious addresses.

For Google Chrome, the path is: Settings → Site settings → Notifications. Here you can see a list of all sites that are allowed to fire notifications. Boldly delete or block unknown domains.

It is also important to check global notification settings. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification Management. Go through the application list and turn off notifications for programs that are not important to you, especially for Xiaomi system services that are not critical.

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If the ad appears as pop-ups on top of other apps (not in the browser), it is likely that a newly installed app with viruses or aggressive monetization is to blame.

Using ADB for Advanced Cleaning

For power users who want to maximize system cleanliness, there is a method of removing system components through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to actually "remove" undeletable applications, turning them into regular system plugs.

To start, you need to enable USB debugging. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on MIUI Version (or OS Version). You will see a message "You became a developer." Now on the menu Additional → For developers, activate the USB Debugging Switch.

Connect your smartphone to your computer. You'll need a PC with Platform-tools installed. Open the command line in the ADB folder and enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

You'll see a request for debugging permission on your phone screen, confirm it, now you can delete packets, for example, you can use a command to remove the system analyzer (often responsible for advertising) to remove the system analyzer.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analytics

• 🔍 Accuracy: You only remove specific components without touching the rest of the system.
• ⚙️ Depth: Access to hidden services not accessible through a conventional interface.
• ↩️ Reversibility: All changes can be rolled back by reset to factory settings.

⚠️ Be careful when removing packages through ADB. Removing critical system components (e.g. com.android.phone or com.miui.securitycenter) may cause a device to fail (bootloop%.

There are ready-made scripts for ADB, such as Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools, that have a GUI and mark secure to remove applications (Debloater).

Frequent questions and problem-solving

Even after completing all the steps, users may have questions, and often the ads return after the system update, as new firmware versions may reset some settings or introduce new ad modules, in which case the procedure for disabling MSA and settings DNS will have to be repeated.

If the ads are still there, check to see if you have apps installed from unreliable sources. Some "modified" versions of popular programs or hacked games may contain built-in ad modules that are not blocked by system methods.

It is also worth mentioning the impact VPN. If you use free of charge VPN-services, they can inject advertising into traffic or redirect DNS-Requests through your servers, ignoring your private settings DNS. For maximum protection, use paid or verified encryption protocols.

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The integrated approach (MSA + DNS + App Settings) yields 99% of the result, the remaining 1% is advertising in the content of the apps themselves (e.g. YouTube), which can only be removed by subscription or modified customers.