How to turn off ads on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: the full guide

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often encounter intrusive banner ads that appear in the most unexpected places of the operating system. Especially annoying is the ads on the lock screen that block notifications and prevent quick access to the device. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro model running the MIUI shell, this issue is solved by disabling several system services responsible for targeted content.

Advertising mechanisms are built deep into the firmware structure, so simply ignoring banners won't help -- you need to change your security and privacy settings. We'll break down a step-by-step algorithm that allows you to completely clear the interface of marketing offers without getting root rights. It's a standard procedure that every user can use, and it takes no more than 10 minutes of your time.

It is worth noting that after updating the system, some settings can be reset to factory values, so it is recommended to periodically check the status of MSA services. Competent setting will not only remove visual noise, but also save mobile Internet traffic, as well as battery power of your Redmi Note 8 Pro.

Disabling the MSA service, the main source of advertising

The main component that broadcasts advertising content in the shell of MIUI is the system application MSA (MIUI System Ads), which analyzes your actions and selects the appropriate banners for display. To get rid of ads on the locked screen and in the interface, the first thing you need to deactivate this service through the authorization menu.

The shutdown process requires care, as the system may try to hold the user by offering to wait or showing a countdown timer. You will need to confirm your decision several times before the switch becomes active. This is done specifically to reduce the number of accidental shutdowns of the function, but for the experienced user this is only a small formality.

Follow the following steps to deactivate the service:

• 📱 Open the Settings menu of your smartphone and go to the Password and Security section.
• 🔍 Find access to personal data (or special permissions in older versions) MIUI).
• 📉 In the list of applications, find the msa and switch the switch to the "Switched off" position".
• ⏳ Wait 10 seconds until the recall button is active and click on it.

It's important to understand that disabling the MSA doesn't delete the application completely, it just prevents it from collecting data and showing ads. If you accidentally disconnect the Internet in the process, the system will give an error, so make sure the connection is stable. Once you successfully perform the procedure, restarting the device is not necessary, but desirable for applying all changes.

Setting up the lock screen and wallpaper carousel

Often the source of annoying banners on the locked display is the Wallpaper Carousel feature, which automatically changes the background image and regularly uploads news feeds or promotional offers from Xiaomi partners. Even if the MSA service is disabled, the Carousel can continue to work autonomously if it does not change its settings manually.

To fully control what is displayed on the lock screen, you need to go to a specialized menu of the theme of the design, where you can not only turn off automatic change of pictures, but also to prevent receiving recommendations, which will return your Redmi Note 8 Pro classic look of a static lock screen.

⚠️ Warning: After the wallpaper carousel is turned off, the automatic background change function will stop working. If you like variety, you will have to change the wallpaper manually through the gallery or personalization settings.

Instructions for setting up the lock screen:

• 🖼️ Go to Settings. → Always on screen and lock.
• 🚫 Find the wallpaper carousel item and click on it.
• 🔕 Turn off the option to Turn on the wallpaper carousel at the top of the screen.
• 📡 In the same menu, find Receive recommendations and also put the switch in an inactive state.

If you prefer to use third-party applications to lock the screen, system settings may conflict with them, in which case it is recommended to completely disable the system lock in favor of a third-party solution, although this may reduce the energy efficiency of the device. For most users, the standard MIUI functionality after disabling the Carousel will be quite enough.

Managing personalization and advertising identifiers

Modern operating systems use unique advertising identifiers to target. In MIUI, this feature is also present and allows applications to show you more “relevant” ads. Disabling this option does not remove banners completely, but makes them random and less intrusive, resetting the accumulated user profile.

Resetting your ad ID is a good digital hygiene practice that is worth doing periodically, especially if you install new apps frequently or use various Xiaomi services, a process that takes a few seconds but greatly increases your privacy.

How to manage advertising settings:

• 🆔 Open Settings and select Password and Security.
• 📝 Go to the Privacy section.
• 🔄 Click on Advertising Services (or Advertising Identifier).
• 🗑️ Select the option Reset the advertising ID and confirm the action.

And this is also where you often find a personalized ad switch, which you have to put in the "Off" position, which will prevent the system from using your location data, search queries and installed applications to generate the results, and the result will be a cleaner and faster interface without constantly downloading content.

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It is recommended to reset your advertising ID every time you clean your smartphone or before selling your device so that new owners don’t get your digital footprint.

Cleaning the cache of system applications

Even after all services are disabled, old banner ads can be stored in the system cache, and they can pop up when you open standard applications like Explorer, Music or Security, and you have to force the data of these components to be cleaned to ensure that the result is guaranteed.

The cleanup procedure is secure and does not affect your personal files, photos or contacts.It only deletes temporary files and logs that may contain elements of advertising content. Regular maintenance of system cache helps keep the Redmi Note 8 Pro running smoothly.

List of applications that require cleaning:

• 🧹 Security: Settings → Annexes → All applications → Security → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 📂 Explorer: Similar path, find the Explorer app and clear its cache.
• 🎵 Music and Video: Standard players also have built-in ad modules, their cache is also worth removing.

After cleaning the cache, it is recommended to restart the device, which will allow the system to recreate the necessary temporary files already taking into account the new privacy settings. If you notice that the adverts appeared again after a while, check whether the system components have been updated through the built-in GetApps store.

Table of system services for verification

To make it easy to monitor your advertising in MIUI, we have prepared a summary table of the main services, and checking the status of these components will help you make sure that all settings are applied correctly. Some of them can be hidden by default, so use the search by settings.

Note the WAP service mentioned in the table. It refers to mobile network settings and is often used to block ads at the operator level. Changing the access point may require input from your mobile provider, so be careful when editing these settings.

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The comprehensive shutdown of all these services ensures the removal of 99% of advertising content, making the use of the smartphone comfortable and safe.

Additional methods of blocking through DNS

If standard methods do not give a complete result, you can use a more advanced way - change. DNS-server at the Wi-Fi or mobile network level. DNS Advertising filtering (e.g. AdGuard) DNS) Allows you to block requests to ad servers before they are uploaded to the device.

This method is effective not only for system advertising, but also for banners in the browser and some applications. However, it can slightly increase the response time of the network or cause problems with the operation of some specific services, so it is worth using if you are confident in your actions.

To configure a private DNS on the Redmi Note 8 Pro (Android 9 and above):

• 🌐 Go to Settings. → Connection and sharing.
• 🔗 Select a Private Item DNS (Private DNS).
• ✍️ Select the hostname of the provider DNS.
• 📝 Enter the address: dns.adguard.com and save.

⚠️ Note: When Including Private DNS Make sure you have a stable Internet connection. If you enter the wrong address, access to the network may be completely lost before you fix your settings.

After you have DNS settings, you should check the Internet and the opening of sites, and if everything works correctly, you will notice a significant decrease in the amount of advertising throughout the system, which is one of the most effective ways that works globally for the entire device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)