How to completely remove ads on Xiaomi Redmi 7A: system and hidden methods

Xiaomi Redmi 7A owners often face intrusive ads in system apps, notifications, and even on the lock screen. The manufacturer integrates ad modules into MIUI firmware to monetize budget devices, but this creates discomfort when using. Unlike flagship models where ads can be turned off through premium services, the Redmi 7A requires manual tuning.

Complicating the problem, after MIUI updates, advertising mechanisms can come back — for example, after switching from MIUI 10 to MIUI 12, many users noticed the appearance of new banners in Settings → About Phone. In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways, including hidden settings, which work even on current versions of firmware.

Why Redmi 7A is getting ads and where they come from

Advertising on Xiaomi Redmi 7A is embedded at the firmware level through the service MSA (Mi System Ads) is the official module that analyzes user behavior and loads targeted ads.

• 📱 System notifications: banners in the notification curtain, offers to install applications from Xiaomi (for example, Mi Browser or Mi Video).
• ⚙️ Built-in apps: Advertising in Weather, Music, Themes and even Settings (Section "Recommendations»).
• 🔒 Hidden mechanisms: banners on the lock screen, prompts in Quick Settings and contextual advertising in search by system.

On the Redmi 7A, ads are activated by default, because the device is in the budget segment. In more expensive models (for example, Mi 9 or Mi 11), it can be turned off through a subscription to MIUI Premium, but for the Redmi 7A, this option is not available. Another feature is that after resetting settings or updating the firmware, the ad settings are reset, and the banners appear again.

⚠️ Note: Disabling advertising through third-party utilities (for example, ADB Xposed may result in the blocking of Mi Account for breach of user agreement. Xiaomi actively fights against such methods, so use them at your own risk.

Method 1: Disabling Advertising through the standard MIUI settings

The safest method is to use built-in options MIUI. It is suitable for users who do not want to risk the stability of the system. MIUI 10–14:

1. Open Settings → About the phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
2. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Special features → Advertising.
3. Turn off the sliders: 🔘 Personalized recommendations (responsible for targeted advertising). 🔘 Showing advertisements in MIUI (switchboard).

Reboot your phone to make the changes take effect.

This method removes up to 60% of ads, but does not affect banners in system applications (for example, in Mi Browser or Mi Video).

There are no banners in the notification curtain |

No Advertising in the "Recommendations" section in Settings|

Disappeared offers to install applications when connecting to Wi-Fi|

Missed pop-up windows in Quick settings-->

Method 2: Blocking Ads through Google Settings

Many people don’t know that some of the ads on the Xiaomi Redmi 7A are shown through Google services, not just through MSA.

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Select your account and click Google Account Management (browser will open).
3. Go to Data and Personalization → Advertising Setup.
4. Turn off the Personalized Advertising slider and confirm the action.

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi 7A to your computer and confirm debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).
3. Follow the commands in turn: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Some commands may cause Mi Share (file transfer) or Analytics to work unstablely MIUI. If you notice a failure, return the settings with the command: adb shell pm enable com.miui.analytics

💡

Before executing ADB commands, back up your critical data. If you have problems after you shut down the services, you can return it to the adb shell pm enable command.

Method 4: Use of alternative firmware (for experienced)

If you're willing to take drastic measures, you can install custom firmware without advertising. Redmi 7A fit:

• 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without unnecessary services Xiaomi.
• 🔧 Pixel Experience – firmware with an interface, like on Google Pixel.
• ⚡ MIUI EU — modified MIUI Advertising free (but requires unlocking the bootloader).

The installation process shall include:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account binding and 72 hours waiting).
2. Installation of custom recavery (TWRP).
3. The firmware of an alternative OS.

On Redmi 7A, unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the device, including internal memory, and it also voids the warranty if it is still valid.

Method 5: Blocking Advertising via DNS or VPN

If the previous methods seem complicated, you can block Xiaomi ad servers at the network level.

• 🌐 Change of change DNS: Go to Settings. → Wi-Fi (or Mobile Network) Click on the current network → Change the network → Additionally. → Settings IP. Select Static and enter DNS: 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) 94.140.14.14 (AdGuard DNS)

Using VPN with Ad Blocking

Install apps like AdGuard or Blokada that filter traffic and block Xiaomi ad domains.

This method doesn't remove ads completely, but it reduces the amount of ads significantly, like banners in Mi Browser or Mi Video, which may disappear, but the notifications in the curtain will remain.

💡

Changing DNS is the safest way to reduce ads, but it doesn't work for MIUI system notifications. For full effect, combine it with disabling MSA through settings.

What to do if the ad returns after the update

Xiaomi regularly updates advertising mechanisms in new versions of MIUI. If after the update banners appeared again:

1. Check if the settings have reset in Settings → Special features → Advertising.
2. If you used ADB, repeat the commands – some packets may have recovered.
3. Install the App Inspector app (from F-Droid) and check what new packages have appeared on the system (look for keywords: ad, analytics, msa).

On Redmi 7A, after upgrading to MIUI 12.5+, some users noticed the appearance of ads in Quick Settings (when swiping down).

1. Click the empty space on the home screen → Screen settings → Quick settings.
2. Turn off the Recommendation slider.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing ads on Redmi 7A