Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often encounter intrusive marketing content that is embedded in the MIUI shell. This can be annoying, especially when banner ads appear in standard applications such as “Conductor” or “Music.” However, the Android system allows you to flexibly manage these processes, if you know which switches are responsible for this.
There are several effective ways to minimize or eliminate ads, and you don't have to be a programming expert to do these things, but you just need to go through the settings menu and change the settings of the system services that are responsible for personalization and promotion.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to block advertising at the moment. MSA, setting up privacy in the browser and use DNS-The complex application of the described methods eliminates up to 99% of all advertising integrations in the system.
Disabling the MSA system service
The main source of intrusive offers in the shell of MIUI is the system application MIUI System Ads (MSA), which analyzes your actions and selects advertisements, and to remove ads on Xiaomi Android, the first thing you need to do is disable the authorization of this component.
The shutdown process requires care, because the system can resist this action, so you need to go to the settings menu, find the Passwords and Security section, and select Access to Personal Data. In the list that opens, find the msa app and put the switch inactive.
The system will give a warning that some features may stop working correctly. Don't pay attention to this, because for basic smartphone operation, this service is not critical. Press the Stop for 10 seconds button and wait for the countdown to end, after which confirm the disconnect.
☑️ Checking the shutdown MSA
If you can't turn off the service the first time, try repeating the procedure several times, sometimes it takes 3-4 attempts before the system allows you to make changes, this is a standard shell protection behavior that can be avoided by persistence.
Configuring the privacy parameters
In addition to directly disabling the ad module, it is important to limit the collection of data about your actions.The MIUI shell by default collects statistics on the use of applications to improve personalization, which actually means targeted advertising.
To start, go to Settings and select Passwords and Security, find the Privacy section and turn off the Receive Recommendations option, and go to the settings of each standard app (Themes, Music, Video) and find the Receive Recommendations switch there, removing the tick.
- 📱 Open "Settings» → «Passwords and security» → «Confidentiality».
- 🚫 Find the “Get recommendations” item and deactivate it.
- 🔍 Go to the settings of each system application and turn off personalization.
- ✅ Reboot your smartphone to apply changes.
It is also important to check your Mi Account settings, and the user profile often ticks the box to receive news and special offers from the company, and if you remove it, you will stop receiving push marketing notifications.
⚠️ Warning: After the firmware update, some settings may reset to factory values. Periodically check the status of these switches after major system updates.
Using a private DNS to block
One of the most effective anti-advertising methods of today is to use filtered DNS, which works at the network connection level and blocks requests to known ad servers before content reaches your device.
In modern versions of Android (starting with version 9), this feature is built into the system. You do not need to install third-party applications, just go to the network settings and write the address of a special server, which will speed up the loading of pages and remove banners in the browser and some applications.
To set up, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS. Select DNS Host Name Mode and enter dns.adguard.com. Save the changes and check the connection.
dns.adguard.comThis method is particularly effective for blocking ads in mobile browsers and simple games, but it may not work in applications that use their own secure communication channels or have built-in bypass mechanisms. DNS-filter.
What to do if the Internet stops working?
Managing Notifications in the Browser
Often the source of irritation is not the system banners, but notifications from sites you have visited before. Chrome browser or built-in Mi Browser browser can show pop-ups from news portals or stores if you accidentally gave permission to display them.
To remove this ad, you need to clear the list of permitted sites. In Chrome, click on the three dots in the top right corner, select Settings, then Site Settings and Notifications. Here you will see a list of all sites that are allowed to display notifications.
Go through the list and delete any suspicious or unfamiliar domains. The best way to stop sites from sending notifications is to switch the shared switch to the "Block" position, which is guaranteed to save you from spam in the notification curtain.
- 🌐 Open the browser and go to the settings.
- 🔔 Find the “Notifications” section in the site settings.
- 🗑️ Remove all permitted sites or ban notifications completely.
- 🛡️ Install an ad blocker if the browser supports extensions.
The procedure is similar for the built-in Mi Browser browser, but the path may be different. Go to your browser settings, look for Privacy & Security, and disable ad personalization.
Comparison of blocking methods
Different anti-advertising methods have different levels of effectiveness and complexity, some require one-off actions, others require constant support, and it's important to understand which tool is best suited to your situation.
Below is a table comparing the main methods of disabling advertising content on Xiaomi devices, which will help you choose the best protection strategy.
| Method | Efficiency | Difficulty | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSA shutdown | Tall. | Medium | Minimum |
| Private DNS | Medium | Low. | Absent. |
| Privacy settings | Medium | Low. | It increases privacy. |
| Blockers (AdGuard) | Maximum | Tall. | Resources required |
As you can see from the table, the combination of MSA disabling and DNS use yields the best result with minimal time. Installing specialized blocking applications may require more skills, but provides the most profound traffic cleansing.
Additional system settings
There are a number of less obvious places in the system where ads may be hiding. For example, Xiaomi's "Security" app often shows memory cleanup recommendations, which are disguised ads. They can and should also be turned off.
Go to the Security app, click on the settings gear in the top right corner, find the Receive References item and turn it off, and turn off the Notify New Features option so that the system doesn't bother you with new MIUI updates.
Another source of noise is the bootloader or Explorer folder, and in the settings of these applications, there is also a section on Service and Advertising, where you need to uncheck all the ticks, which will make the work with files clean and fast.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t install questionable accelerators and cleaners from the Play Market.They often become a source of advertising themselves and can slow down your Redmi or Poco.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to disable the MSA service?
Will the ads disappear after the firmware update?
Will installing a third-party launcher help?
Do I need to get a Root license to block it completely?
💡
Complete removal of advertising requires a comprehensive approach: disabling system services, setting up a network and controlling application permissions.
By following these guidelines, you can significantly improve the user experience on your device. Xiaomi smartphones offer excellent performance, and unnecessary notifications should not distract you from the main tasks. Regularly checking settings will help maintain the clean interface.
Remember that technology changes, and with it, you update your methods to combat unwanted content, keep an eye out for system updates and adapt your settings to new versions of shells for maximum efficiency.