Xiaomi smartphone owners often encounter intrusive ads that appear in system apps, folders, and even on the desktop. For the Redmi Note 9S model running on the MIUI shell, this is especially true, since aggressive marketing is built into the default program code. Users notice pop-ups after unlocking the screen or when opening standard utilities, which significantly reduces the comfort of using the device.
Fortunately, most of these ad mechanisms can be manually deactivated without having to obtain Root superuser rights or flash the device on a global version.The process requires care, as settings are scattered across different menu sections, and some options can be hidden under non-obvious names. In this article, we will detail each step necessary to completely clean the system of unwanted content.
Understanding how MSA (MIUI System Ads) works will not only help you remove current banners, but also prevent them from appearing in the future after updates. We will look at both standard methods through settings, and more advanced ways to block through DNS and disable system services, which will make your smartphone into a truly personal tool, rather than a platform for displaying goods.
Disabling MSA and system advertising
The main source of intrusive offers in the interface is the system application MSA. This service is responsible for analyzing user data and showing targeted advertising in folders and system windows. To limit its work, you need to find the appropriate item in the authorization and advertising menu. Open your phone settings and go to the Password and Security section, where you need to select the Authorization and Advertising subsection.
In the window that opens, you'll see the Receive Recommendations switch, which is active by default, and it needs to be turned off. The system will require you to wait 10 seconds, then prompt you to confirm the action. Often the first time you fail to turn off the service, and the timer has to be re-run, which is the normal behavior of the MIUI shell, designed to discourage users from disabling the feature.
⚠️ Warning: If the switch is turned off after a while, try to turn off the Internet (Wi-Fi and mobile data) before performing the procedure.This will prevent the synchronization of the status with the server during the change of settings.
After successfully disabling MSA, the number of banner ads in application folders and in the cleaner interface will be significantly reduced. However, this is not the only entry point for marketing content. Some system applications have their own independent recommendation display settings, which also require manual intervention for complete comfort.
☑️ Checking the shutdown MSA
Configuring embedded system applications
Even after the main ad module is disabled, individual Xiaomi apps continue to show promotional materials. Each has its own hidden switch to find and deactivate. Start with the Security app, which scans the device and cleans the memory. Open it, click on the settings gear in the upper right corner and find Receive recommendations, then turn it off.
Then you need to check the standard file manager and the Themes app, and in the file manager, you need to go to the menu (three bars), select Settings, and disable the Recommendations option. In the theme store, the situation is similar: go to profile, then to settings, and remove the tick from the Display Ads, which will prevent banners from appearing when viewing the wallpaper and font directory.
Also, check the Mi Browser browser and the Music app if you use them. In the browser, the ad settings are located in the News Feed section, where you need to select No Feed or just disable push notifications from the service. In the music player, you need to go to the settings and find the item responsible for showing recommendations in the My Playlist section or on the main screen of the application.
- 📱 Security app: Settings → Receive recommendations (Off).
- 📁 File Manager: Menu → Settings → Recommendations (Off).
- 🎨 Topics: Profile → Settings → Showing ads (off).
- 🌐 Browser: Settings → News feed → No ribbon.
- 🎵 Music: Settings → Show recommendations (Off).
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When you update your system applications, settings may be reset. Periodically check the “Recommendations” sections in the updated programs to ensure that ads do not return.
Managing Notifications and Push Services
Often, the ads are called push notifications from system services that suggest installing games or clicking on a link. On Redmi Note 9S, it is not only MSA that is responsible for this, but also Mi Video or Mi Music. To get rid of them, go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification Management. You need to find all applications with the Mi or Xiaomi logo and prevent them from showing notifications.
Special attention should be paid to the app GetApps. It often sends notifications about “new hot games” or promotions. The best solution is to completely disable notifications for this application or remove it if you do not use third-party stores. Also check the settings of the lock screen itself: sometimes advertising wallpaper and news are downloaded through the Glance service or the Wallpaper Carousel.
To turn off the wallpaper carousel, go to Settings → Always on screen and lock (or just Lock the screen). Find the wallpaper carousel and turn it off. This will remove the advertising images that appear before entering the unlock password, and free RAM from unnecessary process.
| Service | Where to turn off | The effect |
|---|---|---|
| GetApps | Notifications → GetApps | No game offers |
| Mi Video | Application settings | No banners in the player |
| Wallpaper carousel | Screen locking | Clean lock screen |
| Mi Credit | Notifications | No loan ads. |
Blocking Advertising Through DNS
One of the most effective methods that do not require the installation of third-party software is the use of private software. DNS-This way blocks ad requests at the network connection level, preventing the phone from downloading a banner on Android 9 and higher, which is installed on the Redmi Note. 9S, This is a feature built into the system. Go to Settings. → Connection and sharing → Private DNS.
In the menu that opens, select the DNS hostname (or Manual). In the input box, you must specify the address of a trusted server that blocks ads. The most popular and stable option is dns.adguard.com. After you enter, save your settings. The phone may lose its connection to the Internet for a second, after which all advertising requests will begin to be filtered.
Use of the DNS-Filtering has its advantages: it works in all applications, including browsers and games, where ordinary blocking is not possible. However, it is worth considering that some sites or services may not work correctly if their advertising domains match the main ones. DNS You can temporarily switch to “Auto” or “Off” mode».
What if the Internet stopped working after the DNS change?
Disabling System Applications through ADB
For advanced users who want to maximize system cleanliness, there is a method of removing or freezing system components through USB debugging, which allows you to disable even those applications that do not have a “Delete” button in the usual menu. You will need a computer, a USB cable and an ADB utility.
To activate the developer mode, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI Version. You will receive a message that you have become a developer. Then in the Additional → For developers, turn on Debugging over USB. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission on your smartphone screen.
With the ADB command, you can remove the packets that are responsible for the ads, for example, the MSA removal command looks like this:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.msa.globalAnalytics and other heavy components can also be disabled, and be careful: removing critical system applications could cause the Redmi Note to malfunction. 9S. It is recommended to pre-examine the list of packages and remove only those in the purpose of which you are sure. To return the remote application, install command with the original one is used. APK-file.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-A mistake in the name of the package can lead to a "bootloop" (cyclic reboot) of the phone. Before deleting, make sure you copy the command completely and correctly.
Alternative methods and conclusion
If the built-in methods and DNS If you don't get the desired results, you might want to consider installing specialized blockers like Blokada or AdGuard, and these applications create local locks. VPN-The tunnel on the device, through which all traffic passes. DNS, They have more flexible filters and they allow you to select specific lock lists, but they use extra battery power.
Another radical step is to install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) that doesn’t have Xiaomi services at all, requiring the bootloader to be unlocked, which is officially only possible after waiting 168 hours (7 days) from the moment the account is linked. Unlocking the bootloader drops data from the phone, so a full backup is required.
To sum up, the Redmi Note 9S remains a great device even with intrusive advertising, if you configure it correctly. The combination of MSA disabling, DNS settings and manually cleaning notifications removes 95% of all marketing noise. The remaining 5% can only be eliminated by deep intervention, which requires risks and benefits.
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A comprehensive approach combining MSA disabling, DNS setup and manual notification cleaning ensures maximum comfort of using MIUI without advertising.