Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often encounter intrusive ads that appear in standard system apps.It is especially annoying when banners pop up in Mi Explorer when viewing files or clearing memory.This is not a bug, but a feature of the MIUI shell designed to monetize budget devices like your Redmi Note 8.
Fortunately, there are several proven ways to completely eliminate this visual noise without obtaining superuser rights. We'll look at techniques that are relevant to current firmware versions, including MIUI 12, 13 and 14, and you can customize the system so that it works exclusively for you, not for advertisers.
It is important to understand that turning off ads requires several consecutive actions. Simply switching one switch is usually not enough, since the ad module is deeply integrated into system processes. Below is a detailed guide to completely clean the conductor interface.
Disabling personalized advertising in Mi Account settings
The first and most important step is to stop receiving personalized recommendations, and MIUI collects data about your use of apps to show more relevant, yet intrusive, ads, and you need to deactivate this feature globally for your account.
To do this, go to the Settings menu and select Passwords and Security. Here you are interested in Access to Personal Data or System Services. Find the MSA (MIUI System Ads) list and turn off the slider. The system will require you to wait 10 seconds before confirming the action.
- 🚫 Disabling the msa service stops the loading of banner ads.
- 🔒 Blocking Data Collection Increases Privacy of Your Activities.
- ⚙️ Changes come into effect after the device is restarted.
⚠️ Warning: When you try to disable msa, the system may display a window that says, "Are you sure?" or claim that the functionality will be limited without advertising. Ignore these messages and follow through, as this is a key step.
After a successful shutdown, it is also recommended to check the recommendations settings in specific applications. Often, Mi Explorer itself has a separate switch responsible for receiving news and promotions, which depends on the version of the shell, but it is worth checking.
Configure the parameters of the application Mi Explorer
Even after a global ad shutdown, the app itself may still have local settings that broadcast content, so you have to manually go to the Explorer interface and find hidden options. Open Explorer on your Redmi Note 8.
Click on the menu icon (usually three horizontal bars or dots) in the top corner of the screen. In the drop-down list, select Settings. Here you should find the About section or immediately see Get recommendations.
☑️ Checking the conductor settings
If you find the Receive References switch, immediately turn it to "Off" - this action will prevent the application from downloading advertising cards to the home screen and to the cleanup sections.
Some versions of the firmware may have different paths. Then try the following sequence: go to Settings on your phone, search for the word “Conductor” in the search, or select Apps → All Apps → Explorer. In the menu that opens, look for Other Permissions or Additional Permits, and uncheck the tick with Show on top of other apps if it is active for ad modules.
Using DNS to block advertising at the network level
The most effective method, which works not only in the Explorer, but also in the browser and other applications, is to change the browser. DNS-This method allows you to block requests to ad servers even before they reach your Redmi Note 8.
You don’t need to install third-party apps. Modern versions of Android (starting at 9 and up, which is true for the Redmi Note 8) have a built-in “Private” feature. DNS-server. Go to settings. → Connection and Sharing (or Wi-Fi).
Find a private item DNS (Private DNS). The default is "Auto" or "Disabled." Select hostname of the provider. DNS And put the address in the field:
dns.adguard.comSave your settings. Now all requests to known ad networks will be blocked, which will significantly speed up the loading of pages and remove banners from Mi Explorer.
What to do if the Internet stops working?
Comparison of Ad Blocking Methods
Each of these methods has its own characteristics and effectiveness. Xiaomi users often have to combine several methods to achieve the perfect result. Below is a table comparing the main approaches to solving the problem.
| Method | Efficiency | Difficulty | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSA shutdown | Tall. | Low. | It doesn't. |
| Application settings | Medium | Low. | It doesn't. |
| Private DNS | Maximum | Medium | Minimum |
| Third-party blockers | Tall. | Tall. | Notable. |
As you can see from the table, using Private DNS in conjunction with disabling msa service gives the best result, this combination provides comprehensive protection without the need to install heavy software.
It is worth noting that after updating the MIUI firmware, some settings may reset. Periodically check the status of the msa service and DNS parameters so that the ad does not come back unexpectedly.
Disabling system notifications and recommendations
Ads in Mi Explorer often come in the form of push notifications with cleaning tips or hot news. To remove them, you need to dig into the notification settings. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Application Notifications.
Find Explorer (or File Manager) in the list, where you can completely prevent the application from sending notifications or selectively disable categories like Marketing or Recommendations, which will prevent pop-ups from appearing on a locked screen.
- 🔕 Turn off the Marketing category for silence.
- 📉 Prohibit the display of icons on the app icon.
- 🛑 Blocking pop-ups improves user experience.
⚠️ Warning: Do not disable critical notifications such as "Complete Download" or "System Errors" if you are actively using the Explorer to work with files.
There may also be a Memory Cleanup option in the conductor settings. When you start the cleaning function, a commercial or banner is often shown. Disabling recommendations in the application settings (as described in the second section) should remove this element.
Alternative solutions and third-party guides
If the built-in Mi Explorer continues to annoy with its behavior even after all the settings, consider installing an alternative.The Google Play Store offers a plethora of lightweight and fast file managers, devoid of advertising.
Popular options include Files by Google, Total Commander or Material Files.These applications are completely free, open and do not contain built-in advertising modules. Once you install a third-party application, the system can suggest making it the default conductor.
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Use Files by Google as your primary guide – this app is perfectly optimized for Android and doesn’t contain ads, unlike standard Xiaomi solutions.
To install the new Explorer, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Menu (three dots) → Default Applications. Select the file manager installed. Now, when you open any files, a clean application will start.
Using third-party software is a radical but effective step: you completely eliminate the dependence on MIUI updates and get a stable tool to work with data on your Redmi Note 8.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will the ads come back after the MIUI firmware update?
Is it safe to use? DNS-filtering?
Can I remove the Mi Conductor completely?
Why does the MSA service shut down on its own?
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A comprehensive approach, including disabling MSA, configuring DNS and checking application permissions, ensures that there is no advertising in Xiaomi Explorer.