Users of Xiaomi’s budget and mid-range smartphones often face intrusive ads that appear in the most unexpected places on the interface, such as a pop-up when unlocking the screen, an ad banner in the standard Music app, or even notifications from system services. While the company positions this as a way to monetize inexpensive devices, for many owners, this policy becomes a serious distraction from the main job.
Fortunately, the modern MIUI shell and the new HyperOS provide enough tools to minimize ad noise, so you don't need superuser rights or complex flashing, you just need to go through key system settings consistently and turn off a few specific settings that are activated by default.
In this article, we will take a look at how to permanently eliminate pop-ups, ad blockers and system notifications. We will look at both the standard methods available to each user, and more advanced methods by disabling system components. Disabling the MSA service (MIUI System Ads) is the most effective step, which eliminates up to 90% of all ad traffic on the device. Follow the instructions carefully to make your smartphone clean and fast.
Disabling system advertising in the application "Security"
The main source of intrusive offers and pop-ups is the built-in Security app, which analyzes phone usage and periodically suggests "optimizing" memory or clearing the cache with banner ads, and to stop this, you need to log into the settings of the app itself.
Open the Security app and click on the gear icon in the top right corner of the screen. In the menu that opens, find the Receive recommendations section and put the switch in an inactive position. This action will prevent the app from showing you promotional offers in the news feed and when scanning the system.
Then you look at the other modules inside the same app, and often the ads are hidden in the deep settings of the memory cleaner or the antivirus, and go through the list of features like Cleanup, Antivirus, and Acceleration, and wherever you see the "Receive recommendations" option, turn it off. It takes a couple of minutes, but the result is worth it.
⚠️ Attention: After disabling the recommendations, the interface of some system utilities may become slightly less informative, as optimization tips disappear.
☑️ Verification of security modules
Remember that some changes can only take effect after you reboot your device. If you have disabled all the switches, but the ads continue to appear, try rebooting your smartphone, which will update the cache of system services and apply new configurations.
Blocking MSA service through system settings
MSA (MIUI System Ads) is the background process for collecting data on user behavior and targeted advertising, and it is responsible for displaying banners in standard applications such as Explorer, Themes and Downloads, and disabling this service is a critical step in the fight against spam.
To start, go to your smartphone's basic settings and select Password and Security. In this section, find the Access to Personal Data option. Here's a complete list of apps and system services that have access to your information. Search in the msa list and turn off the switch.
The system will warn you that some features may be affected by a service shutdown, and you will have to wait 10 seconds, and then the revoke button will be activated. Press it, and it's important to understand that not all users will be able to revoke permission the first time.
- 📱 If the “Revoke” button is inactive, try repeating the procedure. 3-4 successively.
- 🔄 Make sure you have a stable internet connection at the time of withdrawal.
- ⏳ Sometimes you need to wait a few minutes between attempts if the system fails.
Once you successfully revoke access, the ads in your system folders and apps should disappear. If you use HyperOS, the path may be slightly different: Settings → Privacy → Special Permits → Access to Personal Data. The logic of action remains the same.
Why is the “Revoke” button not working?
Configuring standard applications and folders
Even after the core services are disabled, some apps may continue to show content recommendations, such as the standard explorer, download manager, and the Themes app, each with its own privacy settings that need to be checked separately.
Start with the Themes app. Open it, go to the profile (human icon) and click on the settings. Find the Display Ads and turn it off. In the Downloads app (or Explorer), click three dots in the corner, select Settings, and remove the tick from Receive Recommendations.
Special attention should be paid to the folders on the desktop. When you open the application folder at the bottom, the MIUI often shows the Recommended Apps tape. To remove it, open any folder, click on the folder name (to enter edit mode), and turn off the Recommended Apps option.
| Annex | The path to adjustment | What to turn off |
|---|---|---|
| Music. | Menu → Settings → Additional | Showing ads |
| Conductor | Menu → Settings | Receive recommendations |
| Cleanup | A gear. → Settings | Receive recommendations |
| Scanner. | Settings (cogs) | Receive recommendations |
Don’t ignore GetApps, which is often a source of push notifications that suggest installing games, go to its settings and turn off all notifications and auto-update apps if you use Google Play.
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If you don’t use the standard Mi Browser, you’d better delete it or disable it in your app settings, and it’s one of the most aggressive sources of ad traffic and push notifications.
Disabling the miuiDaemon service and other spam
MiuiDaemon is responsible for collecting device usage statistics and sending that data to the developer's servers, and while it doesn't directly show ads, it's closely tied to the company's advertising algorithms, and turning it off increases not only comfort, but also security.
The process of disabling is similar to that of MSA. Go to Settings → Password and Security → Access to Personal Data. Go to miuiDaemon and revoke access. It is also worth checking whether Mi Video and Mi Music are on the same list and limiting their rights if you do not use standard players.
Another source of annoyance is the Wallpaper Carousel, which constantly changes the wallpaper on the lock screen and displays advertising slogans. To turn it off, go to Settings → Always On and Screen Lock → Wallpaper Carousel and turn off the function.
- 🚫 MiuiDaemon shutdown can temporarily increase battery consumption while the system rewires processes.
- 📉 Collecting usage statistics helps improve software, but don’t necessarily sacrifice privacy.
- 🔒 Restriction of system services rights does not affect the stability of the basic functions of the phone.
Users who want to go further can take advantage of the developer mode. By turning it on (7 times click on the MIUI version in About Phone), you can find the option Enable MIUI Log and disable it, which will also reduce the activity of background data collection processes.
Using Private DNS to block ads
One of the most effective and elegant ways to get rid of advertising in all applications at once, including browsers and games, is to configure a private DNS. This method does not require the installation of additional software and works at the network connection level.
Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS. The default is “Auto.” Select the DNS Host Name option and enter the address: dns.adguard.com. Save settings.
Once you have setups, all ad traffic will be filtered, and sites with ads can load faster, because the ad units will not load, and this also saves traffic and battery life.
⚠️ Note: When using Private DNS Some apps or sites may stop working correctly if they are linked to ad networks for authorization. DNS in Auto or Off mode».
It’s worth noting that this method doesn’t block YouTube ads or Xiaomi’s own system interface ads that are downloaded from the company’s domains, but it does a great job with banners in third-party apps and browsers.
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Private DNS is a silver bullet against advertising on the Internet and most applications, which does not require root rights and complex configuration.
Frequent questions and problem-solving
Despite the detailed instructions, users often have specific questions about software versions or specific models, and here we have collected answers to the most popular ones so you can quickly find a solution.
Many people wonder if disabling system services will lead to a loss of warranty. Technically, changing the settings inside the menu does not interfere with the program code (as root rights), so the warranty obligations remain. However, if you start removing system applications through ADB, this may be considered a violation by the service center.
It’s also important to understand the difference between ad recommendations and system notifications: If you keep getting messages about viruses or memory filling after all the settings, it’s likely that a malicious application from a third-party source is installed on your phone, in which case a full antivirus check or factory reset will help.