How to turn off ads on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S: the full guide

Xiaomi’s smartphones, and in particular the popular Redmi Note 9S, have long proven to be devices with excellent value for money. However, users are often annoyed by the manufacturer’s aggressive advertising policy, which introduces pop-ups and banners directly into the MIUI system interface.

Fortunately, embedded ads can be completely neutralized without having to do complicated super-user rights manipulation or firmware re-flashing. You don't need to be an IT expert to make the Redmi Note 9S comfortable. You just need to make a series of menu settings consistent and change several security settings.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods for blocking unwanted content, we will look at both the standard system settings and more advanced methods that ensure that the interface is clean. Follow the instructions and your phone will work quieter and faster.

Analysis of advertising sources in MIUI

Before you start taking action, you need to understand where the unwanted content is coming from. In the MIUI operating system, a special system component is responsible for displaying ads, which is activated by default, and it is integrated into the shell and works in the background, collecting data about user preferences for targeting.

The main source of annoyance is MSA (MIUI System Ads), which is responsible for pop-ups in folders, recommendations in applications and banners in standard utilities, and disabling this component is the first and most important step to a clean interface.

And the ads can also come through built-in apps like Music, Video, Conductor, or Cleanup, each with its own notification settings that are often hidden from the eyes of the average user, and ignoring those settings negates all other efforts.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system services completely may affect some personalization features, but for most users, these changes will be invisible or even improve performance.

Understanding the structure of advertising modules allows you to point to influence them without disturbing the stability of the Redmi Note 9S. It is important to act consistently, checking the result after each stage of setting up.

Disabling the MSA system advertising service

The most effective way to remove ads is to deactivate the MSA system module, a process that requires careful attention, as the system will try to prevent a shutdown by suggesting that the service be left on.

To start, go to your smartphone settings and find the Password and Security section. From the options list, select Access to Data or Access to Data and Privacy, and it displays the full list of apps that have access to the Internet.

Find the msa app (usually an Android robot icon) and click on it and put the sliders in an inactive position, denying access to Wi-Fi and mobile data, and the system will issue a warning that this may affect the operation of other applications.

You'll see a 10 second countdown timer, and you'll have to wait until the countdown ends and hit the "Disable" button. If you don't work the first time, try repeating the procedure again, because MIUI often resists this action.

After a successful shutdown, it is recommended to restart the device so that the changes take effect permanently, a basic step that eliminates up to 80% of all advertizing manifestations in the system.

Set up personalized recommendations

Even after disabling the MSA, some system applications may continue to show recommendations based on your actions. To completely clear the Redmi Note 9S interface, you need to turn off the recommendation function in global settings.

Open the Settings menu and scroll down to Password and Security. Find the Privacy section and select Advertising Services (or Special Features depending on the MIUI version) and the Get References master switch is located here.

Turn this switch to "Off" again, the system can warn you that personalization improves the experience. Ignore this message, as the goal is to minimize information noise.

Also, check the settings of a particular desktop: Click on the blank space on the screen, select Settings, and find Receive Recommendations. Disabling this option will remove the news feed and advertising widgets from the left screen.

Cleaning Advertising in Standard Applications

Xiaomi’s built-in apps often contain their own ad modules that work independently of system settings. To completely clean, you need to go through each of them and deactivate the appropriate options.

Let’s look at the main applications that require settings:

• 🎵 Music: Open the app, click on the menu (three bars), select Settings, then Advanced Settings, and turn off Show Ads».
• 🎬 Video: Go to profile, then to settings, find the Playback Settings section and remove the ticks from the Online Recommendations and Get push notifications».
• 📂 Explorer: Click on the menu, select Settings, find About Service and turn off Get Recommendations».
• 🧹 Clean (Security): Go to the app settings (cogs), find “Receive recommendations” and disable this feature.

Each MIUI firmware update can return these settings to their original state, so check their relevance periodically, which is especially important for users who value minimalism.

Remember that some versions of the shell may have slightly different paths to settings. If you do not find the right item at once, carefully study all the menu subsections of the selected application.

Blocking Advertising via DNS and Browser

For those who want to maximize the impact, there is a method of blocking ads at the level of network requests, using a secure DNS allows you to cut off ad servers even before they download content to your Redmi Note 9S.

This method does not require third-party software installation and works at the operating system level, and is particularly effective for blocking ads in browsers and some games. However, be careful: incorrect DNS settings can lead to problems with Internet connection.

To set up, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS. Select DNS Host Name and enter the address: dns.adguard.com. Save the changes.

After you set the settings, you should open your browser and check multiple sites. If the pages load but the ads are gone, you did the right thing. If the Internet is gone, return your DNS settings to Auto mode.

Management of notifications and authorizations

Users often confuse system advertising with intrusive notifications from installed apps. Stores, games and news services can request permission to display notifications, turning the lock screen into an advertising board.

Control which apps have the right to bother you. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status Bar → Notification Management. Go through the list and turn off notifications for suspicious or rarely used apps.

Pay special attention to the software, antivirus (except built-in) and app stores, which are the most common abusers of their access to the system. Android also has a feature called “Ad Block” in the Chrome settings, which is worth activating.

Regularly reviewing installed applications helps keep the system clean.Remove programs that you do not use, as they may contain hidden advertising modules.

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Tip: Use the Digital Well-Being feature to track which apps send notifications most often and make a decision about deleting or restricting them.

Table of comparison of blocking methods

To make it easier for you to navigate the methods described, we have prepared a summary table that will help you choose the best strategy depending on your skills and system requirements.

Combining these techniques yields the best result: Start with simple steps like turning off the MSA, and gradually move on to a more subtle setup.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with settings, remembering that you can return to factory settings if necessary. Your Redmi Note 9S is capable of running clean and fast.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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A comprehensive approach, including disabling MSA, setting up DNS and reviewing notifications, ensures complete elimination of advertising on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S.