Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face a situation where pop-up banner ads or unnecessary front-end elements suddenly appear on the screen. This phenomenon, known as floating windows, can significantly reduce the comfort of using a device by blocking content in the browser or on top of running applications. Most often the source of the problem is aggressive MIUI algorithms that try to monetize the free operating system, or third-party applications that have received excessive permissions.
Resolving this problem requires a holistic approach, because a single “Disable All Ads” button in the standard menu usually does not exist, you need to consistently check security settings, special features settings and permissions for specific programs. Ignoring these pop-ups is not only annoying, but can pose a threat to digital security if the banner hides a phishing site or malicious code.
In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of dealing with intrusive interface elements on current versions of firmware. You will learn to distinguish system notifications from advertising garbage and you will be able to return your smartphone to a clean and fast interface. It is important to understand that some steps will require careful attention, since the names of menu items may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and regional build.
The Nature of Floating Windows in MIUI
Xiaomi’s MIUI shell is famous for its functionality, but it’s also known for its built-in advertising. Floating windows can be part of a legal but intrusive feature called MSA (MIUI System Ads), which is responsible for showing promotional material in standard applications such as Explorer, Music or Themes, but users often confuse system advertising with the consequences of installing dubious software from third-party sources.
The second common reason is apps that require permission to “mask over other windows,” which is a legitimate feature for instant messengers or video players, but miners and adware use it to capture the screen, and if you notice that the window appears randomly even when the phone is on the table in standby mode, you probably have an ad virus.
⚠️ Warning: If a floating window cannot be closed or appears immediately after unlocking the screen, do not attempt to follow links inside it.This may result in an automatic subscription to paid services or the installation of hidden malware.
The third reason is browser notifications: when you visit sites with aggressive monetization, you often accidentally agree to display notifications, which gives the site the right to send push notifications, which are visually designed as floating windows on top of the desktop, which can be distinguished by the browser icon in the status bar or the characteristic design of the notification.
Disabling MSA System Advertising
The first step in the fight for a clean interface should be to turn off the system ad service. MSA is the main provider of pop-ups in standard utilities. To deactivate it, you need to go to the phone settings and find the partition responsible for passwords and security. In new versions of firmware, the path may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same.
You'll need to find "Data Access" or "Permissions" where you'll see a list of all the applications that have Internet access. You'll need to find the msa process. Once detected, you'll need to move the network access slider to "Off," and the system will alert you that the service may be disrupted, which is exactly what we need. Confirm the action by selecting "OK" or "Accept."
☑️ Audit of system services
It's important to note that you may not be able to turn off the service the first time. The mechanism for protecting against accidental shutdown requires confirmation of action through a timer. If the slider returns to its original position, repeat the procedure 3-5 times in a row. It's also worth searching the list of Get Apps and turning off the Internet for it, since this app store also broadcasts advertising content.
What to do if the MSA button is not pressed?
Set up special features and display
Android’s “Master on Other Apps” feature is critical to floating windows, and many legitimate apps like Telegram, Viber, or video players use it to create floating chats or picture-in-picture mode, but it is this mechanism that is most often used by advertising software.
To get to the desired section, go to Settings, then select Apps and find Special Features (or “Special Features”). Inside you are interested in the option “Display on top of other apps.” Here is a full list of programs that have the technical ability to overlap the interface. Carefully examine the list: if you see an unknown application with a suspicious name or without an icon that has access enabled, this is almost certainly the source of the problem.
It is recommended to disable this feature for all applications that do not need it. For example, a calculator, voice recorder or simple photo editor do not need to hang over other windows. Leave access only to trusted messengers and navigators. This action will not only remove advertising, but also increase the overall security of the system, preventing the substitution of interfaces (clickjacking).
| Type of application | Do I need access? | The risk of advertising | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) | Yes (for floating chats) | Low. | Leave it on. |
| Video players | Yes (PiP mode) | Low. | Leave it on. |
| Memory Cleanup / Antiviruses | No. | High-pitched | Shut down. |
| Games and utilities | No. | Medium. | Shut down. |
| Unknown APK files | No. | critical | remove immediately |
Blocking ads in the browser and notifications
If floating windows only appear while using the Internet or immediately after the tab is closed, the problem lies in site permissions. Chrome, Mi Browser or Yandex browsers allow sites to request a notification display. Users often click "Allow" thinking they confirm a site login or a robot check, but actually consent to spam.
To clear the permission list in Google Chrome, go to Settings → Site Settings → Notifications. Here you will see a list of all sites that have the right to send you messages. Ruthlessly delete or block any suspicious domains, especially those whose names do not tell you anything.
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Install a browser with built-in ad blocker, such as Brave or Samsung Internet with plugins, which will reduce the number of pop-ups by 90% even when the page loads.
If you use desktop versions of browsers on tablets or through special launchers, remove all unknown plugins. Often free extensions for “download video” or “traffic saving” are the source of the introduction of advertising scripts that generate pop-up banners.
Search and Remove Malware Applications
When system methods fail and the floating window appears with alarming regularity, you need to conduct a deep revision of installed applications. Malware is often masked: they may not have an icon in the launcher or be called system processes like Update Service, Flash Player or WiFi Tool.
Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. scroll through the entire list carefully. Look for apps without an icon (empty white space) or with a suspiciously simple name. If you find one, click on it immediately and select Delete. If the delete button is inactive, then the application has administrator rights or is system-based, and more sophisticated removal methods via ADB or Safe Mode will be required.
⚠️ Note: Do not remove Xiaomi or Android system components unless you are 100% sure of their purpose.Removing critical services can result in a cyclical reboot or data loss.
Additionally, it is recommended to scan the device with a reliable antivirus, for example, Dr.Web or Kaspersky. the built-in scanner in the application “Security” from Xiaomi can also be effective, but for deep verification it is better to use specialized software. After removing the virus, be sure to restart the device to clear the RAM.
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Removing a hidden malicious app is the most effective way to get rid of intrusive advertising if disabling the MSA didn’t help.
Using DNS to Block Advertising
One of the most effective and modern ways to remove floating windows is to configure a private DNS. This method allows you to block ads at the network connection level without requiring the installation of additional applications and without loading the smartphone processor.
To activate the function, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing (or “More”) → Private DNS. The default is “Auto.” Select “Host Name of DNS Provider” and enter the address of a trusted lock server, such as dns.adguard.com. Save settings. Now all requests to known ad servers will be blocked, and floating windows will simply not be able to boot.
This method is especially useful for older Redmi Note models, which can work slower with heavy advertising. Using DNS not only removes visual noise, but also saves mobile traffic and battery power, since the device does not need to download heavy media ad files. If some applications or sites stop working after turning on DNS, just return the DNS settings to Auto mode.