Ownership of modern Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones is often marred by intrusive marketing that is built right into the shell of the operating system. Users are faced with banner ads in standard applications, pop-up windows in the conductor and recommendations in desktop folders. This is not a bug, but a feature of the company’s business model that allows you to keep prices low on devices, but not everyone is ready to tolerate such discomfort.
Fortunately, there are many ways to minimize or eliminate visual noise, returning the phone to its original cleanliness. DNS-filters and work with application permissions that are relevant to versions MIUI 12-14 And the new HyperOS, you can customize your gadget to work for you, not advertisers.
Before you go to radical measures like installing third-party launchers or flashing, you should use built-in optimization tools. Most users do not even realize that hidden switches to disable marketing services are already on the settings menu. A competent system configuration will take no more than 15 minutes, but the result will last for the entire life of the device.
Disabling MSA System Advertising
At the heart of Xiaomi’s advertising ecosystem is the MSA (MIUI System Ads) system application, which is the process that loads and displays most banners in standard utilities, and to effectively combat advertising, it is necessary to first deprive this application of work rights, although it will not be completely removed without root rights.
The shutdown procedure requires care, because the system will interfere with your decision. When you try to turn off the MSA, you will see a countdown timer and a warning that some functions may stop working correctly. Don't worry about it: standard phone functions, such as calls or messages, are in no way dependent on the advertising module.
To perform the settings, go to the Settings menu → Password and Security → Access to data. In the list that opens, find msa and put the switch in an inactive position. The system will ask you to wait 10 seconds, then prompt you to confirm the action. If you failed to turn off the first time (an error occurred), repeat the procedure 3-4 times in a row - the company's servers often can not immediately process the request to disconnect.
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If the MSA switch is constantly back in active position, try to pre-disable the internet (Wi-Fi and mobile data) before performing the action, and then immediately restart the device.
In addition to the main module, you should check other system services that can broadcast content. In the same data access menu, limit work for GetApps, Mi Credit and Mi Video** applications if you do not use them, which will significantly reduce background activity and the number of pop-up notifications.
Set up standard Xiaomi applications
Even after disabling the MSA, individual system applications can continue to show recommendations and news, if not to change their individual settings. Each application has its own Receive Recommendations switch, which is activated by default.
Start with the Security app, which is one of the main sources of notifications. Open it, click on the settings gear in the upper right corner and find the "Receive recommendations." Similar steps should be repeated for Explorer, Music, Video and Themes applications, and each of them should go to the settings (usually through a three-dot menu or gear) and deactivate the recommendation option.
- 📱 Topics: Profile → Settings → Showing ads (turn off).
- 📂 Conductor:** Settings → About the programme → Insert recommendations (deactivate).
- 🔒 Security:** Settings → Receive recommendations (turn off).
- 🎵 Music:** Menu → Settings → Advanced settings → Display advertisements (turn off).
☑️ Verification of system applications
The standard Xiaomi Browser is a special highlight, and it's the most ad-packed app, so go to its settings, select Privacy and Security, and turn off all personalization and secure browsing options if they offer news feeds. It's best not to use this browser at all, replacing it with Chrome or Firefox.
⚠️ Warning: After updating the firmware, some applications may reset to factory-based settings. Periodically check the recommendations section in commonly used system utilities to make sure that the ads are not back.
Using a private DNS to block
One of the most effective and elegant ways to remove ads at the operating system level is to use DNS filtering, which requires no additional apps to install, and works globally by blocking requests to known ad servers before content reaches your smartphone screen.
You don't need super-user rights to do this, just use the built-in Android feature called "Private." DNS" (Private DNS). We will use the free AdGuard service. DNS, It's a solution that's secure and doesn't affect the speed of the Internet in regular applications.
To activate protection, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS. Select the mode "Host Name of the DNS provider" (or "Manual") and enter the address: dns.adguard.com. After saving the settings, the device can lose connection to the network for a second, and then reconnect with active filtering.
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Using a private DNS dns.adguard.com blocks up to 90% of ads in browsers and applications without installing additional software, but does not require root rights.
It is important to understand the differences between this method and installing ad blockers. DNS-filtering does not skip advertising requests, but does not remove the advertising spaces in the application interface - instead of a banner, an empty white square can be displayed. However, for web surfing and most games, this is quite enough for comfortable use.
Notifications from apps and push ads
Often the source of irritation is not so much banners in the interface, as the constant push notifications from installed games, stores and news services, these notifications can come even when the application is closed, they are controlled through the Android permission system, but require careful manual verification.
Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification management. This is a complete list of all apps that can display messages on the lock screen or in the curtain. Go through the list and ruthlessly turn off notifications for those programs that are not critical (for example, messengers or banking applications do not need to be touched, but notifications from clothing or gaming stores are available).
Pay special attention to apps with names like "Clean Master," "Battery Saver," or various "Optimizers" if you installed them from Google Play. Often they generate fake "virus" or "memory contamination" notifications to get you to click on an advertising link. In Xiaomi's world, there is more than enough built-in antivirus and optimizer.
| Type of notification | Source | Recommended action | Priority of shutdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Promotional offers | GetApps, Mi Store | Shut it down completely. | High-pitched |
| News and articles | Mi Browser, News | Disable or restrict | Medium. |
| Game events | Games, Launchers | Shut down. | High-pitched |
| Systems advice | Security, Settings | Leave only the important ones. | Low. |
There is also a feature called "Notifications from selected applications" in the lock screen settings, make sure that there are no unnecessary programs allowed, otherwise even when the sound is turned off, the screen will light up from advertising messages, consuming the battery.
Cleaning the desktop and folders
Owners of MIUI devices often notice that new app icons marked "Recommended" appear in their desktop folders, which are the work of algorithms that analyze your habits and suggest installing partner games or services, and fortunately, this feature can be easily deactivated.
To do this, you need to go to the launcher settings, press and hold your finger on the empty desktop, then select Settings (or gear), find an option called Get Recommendations or Recommended Applications and uncheck it, and then the folders will no longer fill up with garbage.
Another source of visual noise is the Google Discover tape (formerly Google Now) or Mi Video, which swipes left on the home screen, and if you don't use the news feed, you can turn it off in the same desktop settings by selecting the "Ribbon Left" option and switching to "No Tape" or "Wallpaper".
Hidden launcher settings
Remember that some factory-installed widgets (such as a weather widget with a news feed or a Horizon widget) can also broadcast advertising content. Replace them with standard minimalistic time and date widgets that don't require internet access to display.
Additional measures and installation of blockers
If standard methods are not enough, you can resort to installing specialized software. Applications like AdGuard (full version) or Blokada create locally-based software. VPN-You can tunnel through the device, you can get all the traffic through it, and you can cut out the ad modules on the fly, and it takes a little bit more CPU resources, but it's got the most effect.
For advanced users who are ready to experiment, it is possible to install modified versions of system applications, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights, which automatically deprives them of warranties and can lead to device failure if mishandled, and we do not recommend this way for ordinary users.
Also, check the list of apps with the right to “Map on top of other apps.” Go to Settings → Privacy Protection → Special features → Display on top of other apps. Make sure there are no suspicious programs that can generate pop-ups on top of the desktop. Often there are various “cleaners” and “accelerators” prescribed there.
⚠️ Note: Install applications from unknown sources (APK-Site files) carry security risks. download ad blockers only from official Google Play stores or from trusted developer resources such as GitHub.
The comprehensive application of all the methods described above will turn your Xiaomi into a clean and fast tool, free from intrusive marketing.The system will become more responsive, the battery will be spent more economically, and using a smartphone will bring only positive emotions.