How to permanently disable ads on Xiaomi Redmi 4A: the full guide

The Xiaomi Redmi 4A is still one of the most popular budget smartphones due to its reliability and low price. However, many users face intrusive advertising in system applications, notifications and even on the lock screen. Unlike flagship models where advertising can be turned off through premium features, on the Redmi 4A with MIUI 8-11 firmware, this requires additional manipulation.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to remove ads, from standard settings to advanced methods using ADB and third-party utilities. All instructions are tailored specifically for Redmi 4A (codename rolex) and do not require superuser rights (root), and you’ll learn why ads reappear after updates and how to avoid this.

Important: Some methods may conflict with Xiaomi’s policies, so we recommend you back up your data before making changes. If you use your smartphone to work with corporate accounts (such as Mi Work), check with the administrator if the changes will violate the security rules.

Why Redmi 4A is getting ads and can it be removed forever?

Advertising in MIUI is integrated at the system services and application level.

• 📱 System notifications – banners in the curtain from Mi Security, Mi Video, Cleaner.
• 🔍 Search String – Advertising Tips in the Search Widget on the Home Screen.
• 📂 Explorer – banners in File Manager when opening folders.
• 🔄 Lock screen – Advertising in weather or calendar widgets.
• 📦 Installator APK — offers to download analogues when installing applications.

By default, Xiaomi does not provide the option of completely disabling advertising in budget models.

1. Disconnect via hidden MIUI settings (partial solution).
2. Blocking advertising servers through hosts file.
3. Use of the ADB-Deactivation of system services.
4. Installation of alternative firmware (requires unlocking the bootloader).

On Redmi 4A with MIUI Global Stable firmware, the ads are managed by com.miui.systemAdSolution, which cannot be completely removed without root, but can be deactivated via ADB or restricted from accessing the Internet.

Method 1: Disabling Advertising through the standard MIUI settings

This is a method that works for users who don't want to use third-party tools, and it reduces the amount of advertising, but it doesn't eliminate it completely.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone and tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
2. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Special features.
3. Scroll down and turn off the Receive Recommendations option (if it is active).
4. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
5. In the search bar, type msa (it’s an acronym for Miui System Ads) and select the MSA app.
6. Click Disable (if the button is active) or Stop.

To disable advertising in specific applications:

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management

Find and select Mi Video (or other ad app)

Press "Notifications" → Turn off all switches.

Return and select “Mobile Data” → Ban background traffic

Repeat to Cleaner, Security, Mi Browser-->

Limitation: This method does not remove ads in File Manager and on the lock screen. Additional actions will be required to completely remove them (see the following sections).

Method 2: Blocking Advertising Servers via Hosts File

The method is based on redirecting requests to Xiaomi ad servers to a non-existent one. IP-You need to edit the hosts file in the system.

Steps:

1. Download and install any file manager with access to root folders (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Cross the path. /system/etc/hosts and back up the original file (copy it on the SD-map).
3. Open the hosts file in the text editor and add the following lines at the end: 127.0.0.1 ad.mi.com 127.0.0.1 globalapi.ad.xiaomi.com 127.0.0.1 sdkconfig.ad.xiaomi.com 127.0.0.1 track.ad.xiaomi.com 127.0.0.1 e.ad.xiaomi.com
4. Save the changes and restart the smartphone.

If you have errors after editing (e.g., applications don't update), check the syntax of the file. Each line should end with a line translation (without spaces at the end).

Warning: Some banking applications (e.g. Sberbank Online) may block the operation of devices with modified hosts files.

Method 3: Disabling Advertising through ADB (without root)

The most effective method for Redmi 4A is to deactivate the system services responsible for displaying ads using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require superuser rights and works on any version of MIUI.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Activate the Developer Mode on your smartphone (see Method 1) and enable USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For Developers.
3. Get Redmi on board. 4A PC-only USB-cable (use the original cable for a stable connection).
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) in the folder with ADB and execute the commands in turn: adb devices adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution adb shell pm hide com.miui.analytics adb shell pm com.xiaomi.midrop adb shell pm com.android.b hide
5. Reboot your smartphone.

If the pm hide command is not supported by your MIUI version, use the alternative:

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

Important: After the firmware update, some services may be activated again. Repeat the procedure after each major update.

1. Install Xiaomi drivers from the official website.

2. Enable File Transfer (MTP) mode when connecting via USB.

3. Use the adb kill-server command before reconnecting.-->

Method 4: Use of third-party utilities (without root)

If previous methods did not work, you can use specialized applications for blocking ads. We recommend Blokada or AdGuard - they do not require root rights and work through a VPN.

Instructions for Blokada:

1. Download. APK-file from the official website (version for Android 5.0)+).
2. Install the application by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Security → Unknown sources).
3. Launch Blokada and activate the protection (button in the center of the screen).
4. Go to Settings. → Block lists and add the following sources: 🔗 https://adaway.org/hosts.txt 🔗 https://raw.githubusercontent.com/StevenBlack/hosts/master/hosts 🔗 https://v.firebog.net/hosts/AdguardDNS.txt

Update the lists and reboot the smartphone.

For AdGuard:

• 📥 Install the app from the Play Market or from the official website.
• 🔄 Energize the Protection module DNS and select the AdGuard server DNS.
• 🛡️ Activate filters: AdGuard Base filter, AdGuard Mobile Ads filter, EasyList China.

Restrictions: Some system notifications (e.g. from Mi Security) may slip. ADB-method.

Method 5: Install custom firmware (for advanced users)

If you're willing to sacrifice warranty and stability for the sake of no advertising, you can install an alternative firmware. Redmi 4A is suitable for:

• 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without unnecessary services.
• 🔄 Pixel Experience – firmware with interface from Google Pixel.
• ⚡ MIUI EU — European MIUI No Advertising (but with weekly updates).

Steps to install MIUI EU:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires an account binding Mi).
2. Download the latest version of MIUI EU for rolex from the forum xiaomi.eu.
3. Install custom TWRP recavators via fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
4. In TWRP, run Wipe → Format Data (this will delete all data!).
5. Install. ZIP-Firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware voids warranty and may result in a device blink. on Redmi 4A With the Snapdragon 425 processor, it is especially important to use firmware compatible with the arm64-Check the architecture before installation. MD5-hash.

Comparison of methods: what way to choose

The table below shows the pros and cons of each method for the Redmi 4A:

Recommended: For most Redmi users 4A The best solution is a combination ADB-commands (Method 3) and Blokada (Method 4) will give maximum effect without risk to the device.

What to do if the ad returns after the update

After the MIUI update, many system applications return to their original state, to avoid reappearance of ads:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates: Go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system and disable the option Auto boot.
• 📥 Use local firmware: Download updates manually from Xiaomi’s site and install them through System Update → Select the update file.
• 🔧 Repeat. ADB-Commands: After each update, repeat the commands from Method 3.
• 🛡️ Install Magisk: If you are ready to get root, the Magisk module with Xiaomi Debloater will permanently remove advertising services.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4A 16GB of update memory MIUI It can take up to 1.5 GB. Before installing, check the free space in the Settings section. → If memory is not enough, the update will end in error, and the smartphone may fixate on the Xiaomi logo.

💡

On the Redmi. 4A s MIUI 9 and below, the advertising services are called differently: instead of com.miui.systemAdSolution, use com.xiaomi.mipicks in the ADB-team.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing ads on Redmi 4A