Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often encounter intrusive content that appears in the most unexpected places in the system. One of the most annoying manifestations of this policy is on-screen advertising, which can block important notifications or simply spoil the aesthetic perception of the device. This feature is usually implemented through recommendation services, which are activated by default after buying a gadget or updating a firmware. You can remove this visual noise yourself without resorting to complex technical manipulation or root rights.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible ways to disable ads when blocking the screen on devices with the shell MIUI and HyperOS. We will look at the settings of system applications, security options and hidden menus that are responsible for personalizing content. Following the step-by-step instructions, you can return your smartphone to a clean interface and peace of mind.
Note that menu items may vary slightly depending on the operating system version and regional firmware. However, the logic of the system services remains the same for most Redmi and Xiaomi models. If you notice that after the next update, the adverts appeared again, just check the settings below again, as some options may be reset.
Disabling Glance service in screen settings
The most common source of banner ads and news feeds on a locked screen is the built-in Glance service (or Mi Video Locker in some regions), which is responsible for changing wallpapers and displaying content cards, which often contain commercial offers, and to get rid of them, you need to find the appropriate item in the settings menu.
Go to Settings → Lock screen (or Settings → Wallpaper and Personalization → Lock screen). Here you will see an option called Wallpaper Carousel or Glance. This module downloads images from the Internet. You need to click on this item and completely disable the function, putting the switch in an inactive position.
- 📱 Find the "Block screen" or "Wallpaper" section in the menu».
- 🚫 Turn off the option of “Wallpaper Carousel” or “Glance».
- 💾 Save the changes by selecting a static image.
- 🔄 Reset the device to apply the settings.
Once the service is turned off, the system will suggest you select static wallpaper. Choose any image from the gallery or standard background. Now, when you turn on the screen, you will only see the time, date and widgets of notifications, without unnecessary pictures and text. This is the most effective way to remove ads on Xiaomi, if it appears immediately after the device wakes up.
Setting up the “Security” application and cleaning
The second important source of advertising notifications is the system app Security, which scans the device regularly and can issue recommendations for installing games or cleaning memory, which are essentially disguised ads, and these notifications often come at the time of locking or unlocking the phone.
Open the Security app (green lightning icon). Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner to enter the settings. Find the Receive Recommendations or Recommendations section and disable this switch, which will prevent the app from showing you third-party offers.
Also in the security settings, check the Cleanup section, often with the Cleanup Recommendations option hidden there, which also generates pop-ups, disable all items related to receiving news, promotions and tips, which will make the system quieter and less intrusive.
☑️ Checking security settings
Managing the Hidden MSA Application
MSA (MIUI System Ads) is the primary agent responsible for serving ads throughout Xiaomi’s ecosystem. While its complete removal is not possible without a deep modification of the system, you can disable its ability to show you advertising content, a critical step to clean up the interface completely.
Go to Settings → Passwords & Security → Data Access (or “Permissions”). Search msa in the application list. Turn off Wi-Fi and mobile internet access for this process. The system will warn you that the application will stop working correctly – accept this, because that is what we are trying to do.
⚠️ Note: After disconnecting network access to MSA, Wait. 10 You can click "Cancel" in the confirmation window that appears, and then try to turn it off again. 2-3 Once the system has passed a ban.
In addition, there is a separate item on the Passwords and Security menu, "Access to Personal Data" or "Special Opportunities," and find GetApps or MIUI Daemon and restrict their rights, which will prevent data from being collected about your activities to target advertising impressions.
Disabling personalized recommendations
Modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS have a global setting that allows the system to show you personalized content, and if it is active, ads can appear in various system folders, settings menus, and lock screens as cards.
Go to Settings → Passwords & Security → Privacy → Advertising Services (the path may vary, look for the Ads section) and disable the Personalized Ads option here. This will not remove the ads completely, but will make them less relevant and intrusive, and reset your advertising ID.
You should also look at the Explorer app. Open it, click on the menu (three bars) and select Settings. Find About Content or Get Recommendations and deactivate it. This will remove banner ads that may pop up when you view files.
- 🔍 Go to Settings. → Passwords and security.
- 📉 Find the section “Advertising Services” or “Privacy».
- ❌ Turn off personalized advertising.
- 🗑️ Clean the app cache Explorer.
Comparison of Ad Blocking Methods
Different methods of eliminating ads have different degrees of effectiveness and complexity of implementation. Some methods require only a couple of clicks, while others involve a deeper intervention in the settings of the system. Below is a table that will help you choose the optimal cleaning strategy for your Xiaomi smartphone.
| Method | Efficiency | Difficulty | Risk of discharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turning off Glance | Tall. | Low. | Low. |
| Blocking MSA | Medium | Medium | Medium. |
| Disabling recommendations | Tall. | Low. | Low. |
| Change of DNS (AdGuard) | Very high. | Tall. | Low. |
As you can see from the table, a holistic approach works best. Start with simple methods, like turning off the wallpaper carousel, and gradually move on to more complex settings if the ads continue to bother, and combine these methods to ensure maximum cleanliness of the interface.
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Additional settings and hidden functions
There are less obvious sources of advertising, such as the Music app or Downloads, and the settings of these programs also often hide the recommendations, open the settings of each system application and carefully examine them for the words “Recommendations”, “News” or “Promotion”.
Special attention should be paid to the Tools folder, which often has widgets inside that can broadcast a news feed, remove the News or Ribbon widget from your desktop if it's there, and check the weather widget settings, as it sometimes contains the advertising lines at the bottom.
⚠️ Note: When you update the firmware, all settings may return to factory values. MIUI 13 by 14) it is recommended to re-check all the above paragraphs.
For advanced users, there is a possibility of using ADB-commands for deeper cleaning, but it requires a computer connection and some knowledge. For most users, the steps described above are enough to completely eliminate visual noise.
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Use third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair to completely replace Xiaomi's standard desktop.This ensures there is no built-in advertising in the interface.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I completely remove the MSA application?
Why did the advertisements come back after the update?
Does the ad cut affect the phone?
How to remove ads in the download application?
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Comprehensive disabling of all advertising sources (Glance, MSA, recommendations) is the only way to get rid of intrusive content on Xiaomi Redmi.