How to disable ads in Xiaomi Explorer: the complete guide

Owning a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone is often overshadowed by intrusive marketing that is built right into system applications. It is especially annoying to see banner ads in File Manager when a user is just trying to find a downloaded document or clear the memory. It is not a bug, but part of the company’s monetization strategy, but it can and should be discarded for comfortable use of the gadget.

There are several proven methods to block all or part of the advertising content in the file manager. The effectiveness of each method depends on the version of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, as well as on the region installed in the system. Below we will consider a comprehensive approach that ensures a clean interface without unnecessary pop-ups.

It is worth noting that some settings may be called differently depending on the localization of the firmware. Global versions usually have less advertising by default, but in Chinese assemblies (CN ROM) with Russian installed, these methods work without fail. The key point is to disable the MSA service (MIUI System Ads), since it is responsible for (push) advertising content in all system applications.

Disabling MSA Service is the Major Step

The first and most important step is to deactivate the MSA system service, which is responsible for collecting user data and displaying targeted ads in the interface, and without disabling this service, the rest of the manipulation may be useless, as the ads will return after the reboot.

First, go to your phone's settings. Find the Password and Security (or Security) section, then select Data Access. In the upper right corner of the screen, click on the gear icon or three dots to select the gear icon. SIM-The card or Wi-Fi that the app has access to the network through. Search the msa list and turn off the Internet slider. The system will warn you that the application will stop working correctly - this is the expected behavior.

Once you've disabled your network, go back to the main settings menu and enter "MSA" or "Advertising Services" in the search bar. If the search results in "Ads services," go there and turn off the switch. Importantly, when you try to turn off the system, you can start a countdown timer (usually 10 seconds) and require confirmation, this is done specifically to make it harder to opt out of advertising.

⚠️ Warning: If the system says “failed to disable,” try repeating the procedure. 3-4 Often on the third attempt, the restriction is removed, and also make sure you have a stable Internet connection at the time of the shutdown, since the phone must send a request to the server to confirm the action.

Some users are faced with a situation where the switch returns to its original position immediately after turning off, in which case you need to check for system updates. Sometimes in new security patches, Xiaomi changes the mechanisms of the MSA, and the correct shutdown requires the current version of the firmware, and pre-clearing the cache of the Security application also helps.

Settings inside the application Explorer

Once system advertising is limited, you need to remove banners directly from the file manager interface. Even without an active MSA service, the settings of the application itself may still include items offering “recommendations” or “hot themes,” which are often disguised as useful functionality.

Open the Explorer app. Click on the menu icon (three bars or dots) in the corner of the screen and select Settings. Next, look for the About section. Here you need to find the Recommendations switch and deaktivirovat' it. In some versions of MIUI, this item may be called "Receive Content" or "Show Ads."

If there are no explicit switches in the About section, go back to the main Explorer settings menu. Look for Use Compression or Acceleration. Often, ad units are built into file cleaning or optimization functions. Technically, disabling these features not only removes ads, but can also slightly reduce the CPU load when working with the file system.

In the new versions of the HyperOS shell, the interface may have changed. Now, the ad settings can be placed in a separate subsection within the app menu, marked as Display Settings. Carefully examine all tabs available. If you see items like News Feed or Widgets, they should also be disabled for complete interface cleanliness.

Blocking through DNS (Private DNS)

One of the most effective methods that works at the level of the entire Android operating system is the use of a private DNS. This method allows you to block ad servers even before they upload content to your screen.

Go to Settings on your phone, then select Connection and Sharing (or just Wi-Fi and Internet). DNS (Private DNS). The default is "Auto" or "Disabled." Choose the hostname of the provider. DNS (or “Manual”) and enter in the field: dns.adguard.com.

Once you save your settings, the phone can lose the Internet connection for a second, and then restore it. The effect will be noticeable immediately: not only will ads disappear in the Explorer, but also in many applications and browsers. However, it is worth remembering that some legal advertising integrations (for example, in free games) will also stop working, which can disrupt the functionality of certain applications.

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If the Internet stopped working in some applications (for example, banking) after turning on Private DNS, try adding an exception to the DNS settings or temporarily disabling the function when using these services.

Disabling Advertising Personalization

Xiaomi is actively using your preferences to build an advertising profile, and even if you have disabled the MSA, the system can continue to collect information to “improve the user experience.” To stop this process, you need to go to the privacy settings.

Find the Privacy -> Advertising Services section in the settings. You should disable Ad Personalization here. You should also click Reset Ad ID. This action will create a new random ID by resetting your accumulated interest history, making the ads less relevant (or even if the server can’t match the profile).

Also, check the Special Features (or Advanced Settings) section, and some firmware hides the User Experience Program, which involves sending telemetry that can be used for targeting, and disabling it not only increases privacy, but also reduces background network load.

⚠️ Warning: After resetting your ad ID and disabling personalization, during the first days you may see random, untargeted ads in places where they still remain».

Don’t ignore this phase, as data anonymization is an important step in protecting digital hygiene. Xiaomi, like many other manufacturers, relies on big data, and your job is to minimize that flow of information.

Hidden settings and ADB-team

For advanced users who don't have the standard methods, there are deeper ways to intervene, which requires connecting a smartphone to a computer and using USB debugging, and it allows you to disable system components that aren't visible on the regular menu.

First, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to About Phone and quickly click on MIUI Version 7 times. You will see the message "You became a developer." Then go to Additional -> Developer and turn on Debugging on USB.

Connect your phone to your PC, install it. ADB-drivers and enter the following command to remove or freeze ad packages (e.g. com.miui.misys or com.android.browser if not in use):

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.misys

Be careful when using ADB-Do not remove system components that you do not know what they are intended for, and this can cause the phone to work in an unstable way or a bootloop (cyclic reboot.

Alternative File Managers

If the built-in Explorer continues to cause questions or malfunctions after all the manipulations, the logical solution is to install a third-party application. Today, there are many file managers who are completely free of advertising and offer advanced functionality.

Popular alternatives are Total Commander, Solid Explorer or Files by Google. These applications have open source or a strict privacy policy. Once a third-party explorer is installed, the system may still try to open files through the standard one. To change this, you need to assign a new application by default.

Go to Settings -> Applications -> Application Management. Find the standard Explorer in the list, click Default and select Reset. The next time you open a file, the system will ask how to open it. Choose a new manager and click Always. This will finally save you from the native Xiaomi interface when working with files.

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Using a third-party file manager is not only a way to remove ads, but also the ability to get a more user-friendly interface, support for cloud storage and built-in storage. FTP-server.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)