Xiaomi smartphone users often encounter intrusive content that appears in the most unexpected places of the interface. Since upgrading to MIUI 12, the number of ad integrations in system applications has increased markedly, which can annoy those who are used to pure Android. However, the company has provided many hidden switches to minimize or completely remove this digital noise.
The cleaning process requires sequential action across different menu sections, and you'll have to visit not only standard settings, but also specific security services where the default recommendations are activated, and ignoring even one item can cause banners to continue to appear in folders or when you unlock the screen.
In this article, we will discuss a detailed algorithm to help you regain control of your device. We will look at disabling the MSA service, setting up the Mi Browser browser, and cleaning system utilities from unnecessary notifications. Follow the instructions carefully so that you do not miss an important step.
MSA service shutdown is the main source of banners
The main source of advertising in the shell of MIUI 12 is the system process MIUI System Ads, often denoted by the acronym MSA. It is this component analyzes your actions and selects relevant offers that pop up on top of other windows. To start, you will need access to the Internet, as the switch may be inactive without a connection to the server.
Go to the settings menu and find the Passwords and Security section, and you're interested in accessing personal data, and you'll need to find the msa string in the app list that opens, and you'll be inactive, and you'll be alerted by the system to the consequences, but you need to do that to remove ads.
⚠️ Note: After disabling the msa service, the countdown timer will be 10 If you don't have time to press the confirmation button, you'll have to start the process again. Sometimes the first time the switch can bounce back, in which case you repeat the procedure. 2-3 successively.
After a successful MSA shutdown, it is also recommended that data access be denied to the GetApps app (formerly the Mi Store) which is the company's official store, which also generates discount and new product notifications, often unrelated to your actual needs.
Why is the MSA shutdown button grey?
The effect of disabling the MSA will not be visible instantly, but within minutes or after the device is restarted, which is normal behavior of the system that completes the background processes.
Security setting and system cleaning
The Security app is another hub where Xiaomi likes to place ad integrations. Even if you've disabled the main service, news and hot apps recommendations can stay active. Open the Security app and tap the gear in the top right corner of the screen.
In the settings menu, find Receive recommendations and turn it off. This will remove the news feed and game suggestions that appear when you run a virus scanner or clear memory. Also, go to the Cleanup subsection and make sure there are no active subscriptions to news services.
☑️ Checking security settings
Memory Acceleration: Some versions of MIUI 12 may display a banner asking you to install recommended applications after the cleaning process is complete. To avoid this, keep a close eye on pop-ups immediately after cleaning and turn off the appropriate switches in the acceleration settings.
Be sure to also check the antivirus settings within the app. Although Xiaomi uses Avast or AVL databases, the interface may offer paid versions or affiliate products. Disabling the recommendations here will make the device verification process completely sterile.
Removing Advertising in a Standard Browser
The standard Mi Browser browser is one of the most aggressive sources of advertising, as it is set to display news feeds and promotional materials by default. If you use this application, its setting is mandatory. Launch your browser and go to the menu by clicking on the three bars at the bottom of the screen.
Select Settings, then go to the Home Page Settings section, where you need to turn off the Receive Recommendations switch, and then the news feed on the Start screen will disappear, giving way to pure search, then go back to the main Settings menu and find Notifications.
In the notification section, disable all items related to advertising, recommendations and news. Leave only the necessary options, such as downloads or security. This will prevent pop-up messages from appearing in the notification curtain every time a new article or promotion is released.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|
| Receive recommendations | Off. | Removing the news feed |
| Notifications | Off. | Blocks pop-up banners |
| Traffic compression | Choices. | Doesn't affect advertising. |
| Ad-blocker | Included. | Hiding banners on websites |
There's also a built-in ad blocker in the browser settings. Make sure it's activated. Although it doesn't remove MIUI system ads, it effectively hides banners on the websites you visit, making surfing more comfortable.
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If you don’t use a standard browser, simply remove it or disable it in the application settings, which is guaranteed to prevent any background processes associated with this component.
Cleaning folders and desktop
One of the most annoying features of MIUI 12 is that you have ad folders on your desktop, so when you create a folder and you put a few apps in there, the system automatically adds a recommended section, even if all other ad settings are disabled.
To remove this block, open any folder on your desktop. Click on the folder name to call the edit menu, or just find the Recommended Switch inside the open folder. Translate it to Off. Unfortunately, this operation often has to be done for each new folder individually.
In addition, the desktop can display a widget wallpaper Carousel (Glance), which changes the images on the locked screen and shows advertising slogans. To turn it off, go to Settings → Wallpaper → Wallpaper Carousel and turn off the function or select a static image.
If you use a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, the folder problem is solved automatically, as the third-party shells do not support proprietary Xiaomi widgets.
System applications: Music, Video and Downloads
Xiaomi’s multimedia apps, such as Music and Video, also have built-in ad modules, and when they first run, they can ask permission to show recommendations, and even if you refused, the settings could reset after the update.
Go to the Music app, open the menu, and go to Settings. Find the Advanced Settings section and turn off the Show Ads. Similar steps should be taken in the Video app: go to profile, then to Settings, and uncheck the boxes related to online content and recommendations.
The Downloads app can also show banners. Open it, click three dots in the corner, and select Settings. You need to turn off the option to Show Recommended Files or Ads. This will clear the interface of offers to download games or applications.
⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g. India or Indonesia), the number of ads in system applications may be higher than in global firmware versions.
Remember that after updating the MIUI 12 firmware, the privacy settings can be reset to factory values.
Disable Mi Demo Mode and other hidden settings
Sometimes devices may have a demo mode activated that is designed for storefronts, but sometimes it is activated incorrectly. It causes constant scrolling of commercials and banners. To check this, go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Mi Demo Mode and make sure the switch is off.
You should also look at Mi Link (or Services and Feedback), which is an app setting that allows you to turn off sending user data and receiving personalized recommendations, and although it's not direct advertising, it's used to target content.
For advanced users, it is possible to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to remove system components responsible for advertising, but this method requires a computer connection and command line knowledge.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.msa.globalThis command forcibly removes the msa packet for the current user, and use it with caution, as improper removal of the system packets can lead to unstable shell operation.
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The comprehensive approach to disabling ads in MIUI 12 requires processing each system application separately, and disabling only one component, such as MSA, will not produce 100% results.