How to remove ads on the lock screen Xiaomi Redmi 5

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones and the budget line of Redmi often face intrusive marketing built into the shell of MIUI. Especially annoying ads that appear on the lock screen or during unlocking the device, blocking useful information about time and notifications. For the Redmi 5 model released a few years ago, this question remains relevant, as older versions of the firmware can receive updated advertising modules.

MIUI is designed to enable some advertising functions to monetize the device's low price tag by default, but users have every right to turn these services off, returning a clean interface, a process that does not require root rights, but involves performing a series of actions in system settings and utility applications.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the steps you need to completely clean your smartphone of unwanted content, not only by removing banners from the lock screen, but also by blocking the system services responsible for generating them, which will significantly speed up your Redmi 5 and save traffic.

The Nature of Advertising Notifications in MIUI

Advertising in Xiaomi smartphones is not a virus, but a regular feature of the operating system. It is responsible for its appearance by a special service that is often updated regardless of the main firmware. On the Redmi 5 model, you can find both classic banners and newsfeed-style recommendations that appear when swiping left on your desktop or on a locked screen.

The main source of problems is MSA (MIUI System Ads), which collects data about your preferences and shows targeted advertising, and it is worth noting the app mi.com.browser or the standard browser MIUI Browser, which often fire notifications even when blocked, and understanding which component generates content helps you choose the right method of combating.

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Before making changes, make sure your device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network, as some settings require synchronization with the Xiaomi server.

It's important to distinguish between in-app ads and system ads. If banners pop up in third-party programs, the problem may be in a particular application. If you see beautiful wallpaper with text or sentences when you turn on the screen, this is the work of the Wallpaper Carousel function or the Glance system module.

Disabling Personalization and MSA Services

The first and most important step is to turn off the service that collects data and displays ads, and without this, the rest of the settings may not have a full effect, and you will need to access the Internet at the time of the operation, since the system must receive confirmation of the service's unsubscription.

Go to the Settings menu, then select Passwords and Security. In the list that opens, look for Access to Personal Data (or Authorization and Privacy depending on the version of MIUI), and you need to find a process called msa and turn the switch to the "Off" position.

The system will issue a warning that some features may stop working and asks you to wait 10 seconds. This is the standard procedure for intimidating the user. After the timer expires, click the "Disable" button. If the service refuses to turn off the first time and says "Did not get data", try again 3-4 times. Usually the restriction is removed for the 4th time.

After a successful MSA shutdown, it is also recommended that the application be denied access to the network, so find msa in the application settings, go to Traffic Control and uncheck the "Wi-Fi" and "Mobile Internet" boxes, which will create an additional barrier even if the service tries to activate again.

Setting up the lock screen and wallpaper carousel

Often users confuse advertising with the wallpaper carousel function, which replaces the static lock picture with shifting images, often containing advertising logos or links to apps. On Redmi 5, this feature can be activated by default or activated after an update.

To remove this type of content, go to Settings → Lock Screen. Find Wallpaper Carousel (called Glance for Mi in some versions). Inside this menu, you need to completely disable the function, making the main switchboard inactive.

⚠️ Warning: Once the wallpaper carousel is turned off, only your standard static image will remain on the lock screen. If you liked automatic background changes, this feature will have to be reconfigured through the gallery by selecting an album without commercial pictures.

Also check the theme settings. Some third-party themes downloaded from Themes may contain built-in ad modules. Go back to the standard Classic or Default theme to rule out the impact of visual design on banner appearance.

Cleaning system applications from advertising

Even after the major services are disabled, individual Xiaomi apps can continue to show recommendations, including the standard browser, the Security app, Downloads, and Music, each with its own privacy settings.

Let’s look at the main sources of noise and ways to neutralize them:

• 📁 Explorer: Open the application, click on the menu (three bars), select Settings → About the program and turn off the item "Receive recommendations».
• 🛡️ Security: Go to the app, click the settings gear, find the Receive recommendations section and turn it off.
• 🌐 Mi Browser: In the browser settings, find the Privacy and Security option and disable the Personal Recommendations».

Remember that changes only take effect after the app or device is rebooted. If you rarely use these programs, consider removing or disabling them through the app management menu, replacing them with third-party counterparts from Google Play.

Managing Notifications and Folders

Ads on Redmi 5 can be hidden in the folder names on the desktop, and the system automatically generates titles like “Games,” “Social Networks,” and adds popular apps that you may not even have installed, which is also a form of content promotion.

To turn off this feature, open any folder on your desktop. Click on its name to open the edit menu. Below you will see the Recommended Apps (or Ads in Folders) switch. Make sure it's turned off. Now the folders will only contain shortcuts to the programs you have installed.

Also check notification settings for suspicious apps. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification management. Go through the list and turn off notifications for system services that don’t have to report anything (like GetApps or Mi Credit).

Using DNS to Block Advertising

DNS technology can be used to clean up more deeply. This method blocks network-level advertising requests, preventing the phone from downloading banners even in apps.This is especially effective for Redmi 5, which can slowly open "heavy" ad pages.

Modern versions of Android (starting with 9.0 Pie) have a built-in “Private DNS” feature. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing (or “Other Wireless Networks”) → Private DNS. Select “DNS Provider Host Name” option and enter the address: dns.adguard.com.

dns.adguard.com

Once you save the settings, the phone may need to reboot, which requires no additional software and has little impact on the speed of the Internet, but it can also block ads in applications where you want to see support for authors.

⚠️ Attention: Use of third-party DNS-servers can cause some specific applications or game servers to work unstable.If you notice connection problems in games, return the settings DNS auto-mode».

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Integrated approach including shutdown MSA, setting up the lock screen and use DNS-The filter ensures the elimination of 99% of advertising debris on Xiaomi Redmi 5.

Following these instructions, you can turn your Redmi 5 into a more enjoyable and faster device.The clean interface not only makes you happy, but also allows you to focus on tasks without being distracted by constant pop-up offers. Check system application updates regularly, as developers sometimes return some options to the game after updates.