Xiaomi smartphone owners often face intrusive ads that appear in system applications and interfaces, especially for popular models of the past, such as the Redmi Note 7 Pro. The MIUI system installed on the device contains a built-in monetization mechanism that broadcasts content without the user’s knowledge. This is not only annoying, but also consumes traffic, and reduces the speed of the gadget.
Fortunately, developers have left the ability to deactivate most ad modules without obtaining superuser rights. The process of disabling requires sequential action in different settings sections. You don't need to be an IT expert to clear the interface of unnecessary visual noise. The main thing is to carefully follow the steps described in this guide so that you don't miss hidden switches.
In this article, we will discuss all the ways to block intrusive banners. We will touch on disabling the mserv system service, setting up the browser and cleaning notifications from preinstalled applications. A comprehensive approach will make using the Redmi Note 7 Pro as comfortable and safe as possible.
Disabling system advertising through security settings
The main source of pop-ups is the built-in Security app, which is where most people are asked to install games or buy products. First, you need to open this app, which has a green shield icon on the home screen, and in the upper right corner is the gear icon, which indicates the entrance to the settings menu.
In the list of options that opens, you need to find the item "Get recommendations." The switch next to it should be deactivated. It is important to understand that this parameter is responsible for loading content into the Tools folder and widgets. Once you turn off the sentences disappear, but banners may remain inside the security application itself.
Then you go back to the main menu of the Security app and select the Cleanup section, and you also click on the settings icon in the corner, find the "Show Ads" option and turn it off, and this action removes the banners that appear after you have finished scanning the system for viruses or cleaning up garbage.
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If banners still appear after disabling the ad, try clearing the Security app cache through the App Management menu.
Blocking MSA Service and System Notifications
MSA (MIUI System Ads) is the primary agent responsible for displaying ads throughout the MIUI. Without disabling this component, all other activities may not be effective. To access service management, go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Data Access. Find the msa app and deny it access to the Internet (Wi-Fi and mobile data).
⚠️ Attention: When you try to shut down an msa service, the system may display a countdown timer several times, requiring you to wait 10 seconds before confirming.
Once you limit network access for msa, go back to the basic settings and in the search bar at the top, type the word "advertising." The system will find "Receive recommendations." Make sure it's turned off. Also, check the settings for the Explorer app. Open it, click on the menu (three bars), select "Settings" and turn off "Receive recommendations."
It is also important to check the permissions for other system applications, such as Downloads and Music, which often hide the permissions for news and promotional materials, and disabling these features will significantly reduce the information noise coming from the operating system.
Setting up Mi Browser and Music apps
Xiaomi's standard browser is one of the most active sources of advertising traffic. To remove banners from the newsfeed, open your browser and go to settings (three dots or stripes). Find the Feed Settings or News Feed section and turn off the recommendation display. This will remove the endless stream of articles and videos from the home page.
In the Music app, ads often appear as banners on the home screen. To remove them, open the app, click on the menu and select Settings. In the Advanced Settings section, find the Show Ads switch and deactivate it. The interface will be cleaner and the player will work more stable.
It is also recommended to disable notifications from system applications that you are not actively using. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Application Notifications. Go to the list and disable for Mi Video, Mi Community and other services that you do not use daily.
- 📱 Open the settings of each media application separately.
- 🚫 Find a point related to personalization or recommendations.
- ✅ Transfer all switches to the "Off" position».
- 🔄 Restart the device to apply changes.
☑️ Auditing media applications
Removing Advertising in System Folders and on the Desktop
Redmi Note 7 Pro desktops often have a folder called Tools or Google, and they can have shortcuts inside them that open ads or suggest you install games, and these shortcuts are widgets that actually get rid of the content, and to get rid of them, click and hold your finger on the folder, and then click on the folder name on the top.
In the folder management menu that opens, find the Receive References (or similar) switch, which will not only remove banners inside the folder, but also the suggestions for installing applications that the system generates based on your behavior, which is an important step to preserve privacy.
If you have an application icon on your desktop that you didn’t install (such as AliExpress, Booking, or games), it’s a sign that the ad module is working, which usually happens if the security settings allowed Unknown Source Installation for system applications, remove those shortcuts and check the list of installed apps for suspicious software.
| source of advertising | Where to turn off | Parameter for off |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop | Launcher settings | Receive recommendations |
| Security | Security Annex | Receive recommendations / Advertising |
| Conductor | The Conductor's menu | Information / Advertising |
| Downloads. | Download settings | Showing recommended |
What to do if the advertisement returns?
Disabling personalization and advertising ID
To make your ads less intrusive and more relevant, the system collects data about your activities. Disabling this feature will not remove the ads completely, but will make them less personalized and reduce the amount of data transferred. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Special permissions.
In this section, look for “Advertising Services” or “Advertising ID.” Click on it and select “Disable Ad Personalization” or “Reset Ad ID” option, which breaks the link between your online activities and the advertising profiles that Xiaomi creates.
Also worth noting is the “User Experience Improvement” section, usually in Settings → About Phone → Statistics (or in Passwords & Security) section. Disabling usage data helps not only save traffic, but also slightly offload the Redmi Note 7 Pro processor, as background statistics collection processes will no longer be performed.
Key point: a complete shutdown of advertising services may cause some system applications (such as the theme of the design) to stop displaying free themes that require viewing ads.
- 🔒 Go to the privacy settings.
- 🆔 Reset the advertising ID.
- 📉 Turn off the transfer of usage data.
- 🛑 Prohibit access to location for advertising services.
Using Private DNS to block ads
One of the most effective ways to remove ads from all apps at once, including browsers and games, is to use a private DNS. This method does not require third-party installation and works at the network level. For the Redmi Note 7 Pro with Android 9 and above, this method is fully available.
Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS. The default is Auto or Disconnected. Select the option “Host Name of the DNS Provider” (or “Manual”) and enter the address in the box: dns.adguard.com. Once you save the settings, the phone can lose the connection to the Internet for a second, and then restore it with filtering enabled.
dns.adguard.comThis server automatically cuts off requests for known ad domains, and as a result, banners in apps stop loading, freeing up traffic and speeding up the interface, but it's worth remembering that this method can also block useful ads, for example, in some free apps that exist only through impressions.
⚠️ Note: When using Private DNS Some websites or apps linked to advertising may stop working on dns.adguard.com. If you notice problems with access to resources, temporarily disable this feature.
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AdGuard DNS is the fastest way to remove 90% of ads from the entire system without having to tweak each application in depth.