How to remove Xiaomi advertising wallpaper: remove MSA and clean the system

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face intrusive marketing built right into the shell of MIUI or HyperOS. Advertising appears in the most unexpected places: on the lock screen, in application folders, in the standard browser and even in the system application “Security” that annoys users, distracts from work and consumes traffic.

Fortunately, most of the ad modules can be turned off without superuser permissions, and the process requires careful attention because the settings are scattered across different menus, and we'll figure out how to completely remove Xiaomi's ad wallpaper and prevent the system from showing commercial offers, returning the device to a clean and fast interface.

Disabling the MSA system advertising module

The main source of intrusive offers is the system application MIUI System Ads (msa), which is responsible for collecting data about your preferences and displaying banner ads, and to stop this process, you need to find the appropriate item in the authorization menu and withdraw consent to data processing.

Go to Settings, then select Passwords and Security. In the list that opens, look for Access to Personal Data or Authorization and Security. There's a long list of system services. Find the msa bar and switch the slider to "Off." The system will ask you to wait 10 seconds, then click "Cancel."

If you can’t turn it off the first time, try repeating the procedure 2-3 times. Sometimes Xiaomi servers can be overloaded and the button doesn’t become active immediately. After successful revocation of permissions, the number of ad integrations in the system will decrease significantly.

• 🚀 Shutdown MSA Blocks the main stream of targeted advertising.
• 🔒 Increased privacy as collection of application launch data stops.
• ⚡ Reduces the load on the processor, which can have a positive impact on autonomy.

⚠️ Note: After disabling msa, some widgets in the Music or Video app may stop displaying album covers or recommendations, but the basic functionality will remain.

It’s important to understand that disabling msa alone doesn’t guarantee 100% system cleanliness, and the rest of the shell also requires customization, but this is a fundamental step for those who want to remove Xiaomi’s wallpaper and other visual stimuli.

Setting up the lock screen and wallpaper

Users often confuse regular advertising with wallpaper carousel, which constantly changes images on a locked screen, periodically showing sponsored content, and to get rid of this, you need to turn off the corresponding theme of the design.

Go to Settings and select Always On and Lock Screen. Find Wallpaper Carousel (or Glance on global firmware). Inside the menu, turn off the Wallpaper Carousel switch. It is also recommended to clear the cache of this application to remove downloaded advertising images from memory.

If you want to set a static image, go to the gallery, select a photo, click the menu (three dots) and select "Set as lock screen wallpaper." This action will overwrite any temporary settings.

⚠️ Note: Some global firmware versions may call the service Glance, and its removal or disabling may require additional actions through the use of the service. ADB, if the standard toggle is not available.

Third-party launchers can be used to control the visual part of the device, but standard MIUI tools can also achieve minimalism, the main thing is to carefully check all items in the personalization section.

Cleaning folders and desktop from recommendations

The MIUI shell likes to offer "recommended apps" inside folders on the desktop, which looks like a harmless hint, but is actually advertising integration, and you can remove these plaques in the folder settings.

Open any folder on your desktop. At the top of the window (right or left, depending on the version), the folder name and a small gear icon will appear, or just an empty click space. Click on the folder name or settings to open the menu. Uncheck the tick from "Recommended Apps" or "Advertising."

Also worth checking is the settings of the Explorer widget, which is often the one that broadcasts news and promotional articles, press the desktop widget, select Settings, and turn off recommendations, which will free up space and remove visual noise.

• 📁 Disabling recommendations in folders speeds up the opening of applications.
• 📉 Reduced consumption of mobile traffic by background processes.
• 🧹 The desktop is becoming cleaner and more functional.

Once you do that, the interface will be much more enjoyable, and you will no longer see random icons of games or services that the system has tried to “advise” you.

Configure the built-in browser and conductor

The standard Mi Browser browser and Explorer app are some of the most aggressive sources of advertising, often showing news feeds and promo banners on the homepage, and you can change this behavior in their internal settings.

Open your browser, click on the menu (three bars) and go to Settings. Find the Privacy and Security section. You need to turn off the "Receive Notifications", "Personal Recommendations" and "Show Popular" options. Similar actions should be repeated for the Explorer app: menu → settings → about the application → advertising (off).

For advanced users, there is an option to restrict access to these applications if you are not using them. This can be done through the Security → Data Transfer application. However, if you are using the browser by default, it is better to simply clear its widgets from its start page.

⚠️ Note: When you turn off network access for system applications, some features, such as real-time virus scanning or tab synchronization, may stop working.

It is recommended to install an alternative browser (such as Chrome or Firefox) and assign it by default.This completely eliminates interaction with the Mi Browser advertising modules.

Using DNS to Block Advertising

The most effective method, which works at the level of the entire operating system, is to configure a private DNS. This method allows you to remove Xiaomi ad wallpaper and banners in applications, blocking the connection with the ad servers.

Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing (or “Other Wireless Network Settings”). Go to Private DNS. Select DNS Host Name and type in the address: dns.adguard.com. Save settings.

Once you set the settings, the phone can lose the Internet for a second, and then the connection will recover. Now all requests to known ad trackers will be blocked at the network level, this does not require installing third-party applications and even works in some games and free programs.

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If some websites or applications (e.g. banking) are no longer open after a private DNS is enabled, temporarily disable this feature or try dns.familyshield.opendns.com.

Deep Cleaning through ADB (for Advanced)

For those who want to get the most out of it, there is a method of removing system components via computer and USB debugging, which allows you to physically remove the com.miui.misys or com.android.browser package if standard settings don’t help.

You will need a PC, a USB cable and ADB Tools. Turn on the Developer Phone (7 times click on the About Phone build number) and activate Debugging via USB. Connect the phone to your PC and enter a command to delete the package:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.misys

Be extremely careful with commands. Deleting critical system packages can lead to bootloop (cyclical reboot).Be sure to make a full backup of the data before starting the procedure.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Incorrect removal of system components may disrupt the operation of the phone, and warranty may be cancelled.

This is a "heavy artillery" method, and 95 percent of the time, the settings described in the previous sections are enough, and you only need to use ADB if you know exactly what component you're removing.

Frequent questions and answers

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The comprehensive approach – disabling MSA, setting up DNS and cleaning the browser – ensures getting rid of 99% of advertising on Xiaomi without losing warranty and functionality.