Xiaomi smartphone owners often face intrusive ads that appear in unexpected places on the interface.The Redmi 8T model, despite its popularity and availability, was no exception to the rule.The built-in MIUI system is set up by default to show promotional materials, which can annoy users accustomed to pure Android.
Fortunately, there are a few proven ways to get rid of this visual noise completely. You don't have to be a programming expert or have root rights to customize your device, and we'll look at all the current techniques, from simple menu switches to deeper system settings.
Before you start taking action, it’s important to understand that the ad engine is part of the manufacturer’s ecosystem, and it’s integrated into system applications like Security, Explorer, and Downloads. Complete removal requires sequential disabling of components across different settings.
In some cases, aggressive advertising may indicate the presence of malware. If pop-ups appear on the desktop without running any applications, it is worth checking the list of installed programs. Often, third-party utilities downloaded from unreliable sources are the culprits.
Disabling system advertising through account settings
The first step towards a clean interface is to disable personalized recommendations, a basic setup that prevents the system from collecting your preferences to serve targeted ads, and without that, other manipulations may be less effective.
To do this, go to the settings menu of your Redmi 8T. Find the section responsible for the account and select “Mi Account” and you will need authorization if you are not already logged in to your profile.
Once you log in, go to Privacy. In the settings that open, find the Receive References switch, which must be put in an inactive state, and the system can request confirmation of the action to which you agree.
- 📱 Open Settings and go to Mi Account».
- 🔒 Select the “Privacy” tab in the profile menu.
- ❌ Find the “Get recommendations” item and turn it off.
- ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up warning window.
⚠️ Note: Once this option is disabled, the system may stop offering personalized content in standard widgets such as Music or Video».
This method doesn’t remove ads completely, but it significantly reduces the amount of ads, making ads less intrusive. Personalization is turned off instantly, but cached ads can still be displayed in the interface for a while.
Importantly, this step is fundamental to all subsequent settings, and if you miss this step, other services can automatically reactivate data collection the next time you connect to the network.
Deactivation of MSA (MIUI System Ads)
MSA (MIUI System Ads) is the primary system process for loading and displaying ad units in the interface, and it is this component that requests banner ads from Xiaomi servers and embeds them into system applications, and disabling this service is the most effective way to combat intrusive ads.
To access this control, you need to go to the settings menu. Select "Passwords and security" and then look for "Data Access" and find msa in the list of applications that have Internet access.
Once you find the msa service, turn the network access slider to the "Off" position. The system will issue a warning that the application will stop working without access to the Internet. Confirm the action by clicking "OK".
☑️ Checking the shutdown MSA
There's an important caveat: the shutdown button may be inactive the first time, and if the slider returns to its original position, or if the OK button doesn't press, don't panic. It's the system's defense mechanism.
Repeat the shutdown 5-10 times in a row, usually on the 5th or 7th time, the confirmation button becomes active, and the system allows you to turn off the service, and patience in this process is a key factor in success.
| Parameter | Default value | Recommended value | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSA Access to Wi-Fi | Included. | Off. | Blocks the loading of ads |
| Access to MSA data | Included. | Off. | Prevents traffic consumption |
| Receipt of notifications | Permitted. | Forbidden. | Removes pop-ups |
| Auto-start service | Permitted. | Prohibited. | Stops the process in the background |
⚠️ Note: Do not delete service files MSA through the file manager, if you don't have superuser rights, this can lead to system instability or a cyclical reboot.
After successfully disabling network access for msa, the ads in standard applications should disappear, however, to consolidate the result, it is also recommended to prohibit the auto-start of this service from the Permissions → Auto-Run menu.
Cleaning up from advertising in standard applications
Even after the MSA service is disabled, some embedded applications may continue to show advertising recommendations in their interfaces, including Explorer, Downloads, Music, and Theme, each with its own privacy settings.
Start with the Security app, which is often a source of pop-ups with recommendations for cleaning or installing apps. Open the app, click on the settings gear in the top right corner.
In the settings menu, find the "Get recommendations" item and turn it off. It's also worth checking the "Memory Cleanup" section inside the Security app and removing the "Get recommendations" box there.
- 📂 In "Conductor" click the menu → Settings → Information → Turn off "Receive recommendations».
- 📥 In "Downloads" press three dots → Settings → Turn off “Show recommended content».
- 🎵 In Music and Video, go to the settings and find the “Receive recommendations” item, putting it in an inactive state.
For the Themes app, the process is a little different: Go to the user profile, select Settings, and turn off the "Show Ads" option, which will remove banners from the theme and widget store.
Hidden advertising modules
Remember that updating apps through the GetApps store may return old ad settings. Periodically check the configuration of embedded slits after major system updates.
If you are actively using the browser from Xiaomi, it also needs to disable push notifications from news feeds, this is done in the settings of the browser itself in the section “News Feed” or “Home page settings”.
Blocking advertising notifications in the browser
Users often confuse Xiaomi system advertising with advertising notifications from sites they accidentally subscribed to in the browser. If messages about “wins” or “viruses” appear on the lock screen or in the notification curtain, the problem lies in the browser settings.
To solve the problem, open the browser you use most often (standard Mi Browser, Chrome or others). Go to the browser settings, usually hidden behind a three-dot icon.
Find Notifications or Site Settings, and in the permission list, you'll see sites that are allowed to display notifications, find suspicious addresses, delete them, or disable notifications.
Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → NotificationsIn the standard Mi Browser browser, you should also turn off the news feed. To do this, on the browser's home page, click the menu button and select "Home Page Settings", then turn off the news display.
- 🌐 Open your browser settings.
- 🔔 Go to the “Notifications” or “Sites” section».
- 🚫 Find unknown sites and select “Block” or “Delete».
- 🧹 Clear your browser history and cache for a complete reset.
⚠️ Warning: Never click on links in suspicious notifications or download the “antiviruses” offered there.
It is recommended to install an ad-blocker extension if your browser supports their installation, which will create an additional layer of protection against pop-ups on the visited sites.
Using DNS to Block Advertising
One of the most effective and elegant methods of blocking ads at the system level is the use of private DNS. This method does not require the installation of additional applications and works for all connections, including Wi-Fi and mobile network.
The essence of the method is to redirect requests to advertising servers to an empty address. 8T They will try to upload ads, but DNS-The server will not respond to the request and the ad block will not appear.
To set up, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS. Select the DNS Provider Host Name option and enter the address: dns.adguard.com.
Once you save your settings, the system may need to reboot or simply apply changes instantly. Check the Internet: if the sites load, but the ads are gone, then the setup is successful.
💡
If after enabling a private DNS, some applications or Wi-Fi in public places (where browser authorization is required) stop working, temporarily disable this feature in the settings.
This method also helps to hide IP-The address from ad trackers and enhances the general privacy of browsing, however, it does not block ads within YouTube or Instagram apps, as it is downloaded from the same domains as the main content.
It is important to use verified DNS addresses.Using unknown servers can lead to data leakage or network slowdown. dns.adguard.com is the generally accepted standard for blocking ads.
Search and Remove Viral Applications
If the ads appear on the desktop as separate windows or banners on top of other applications, most likely, the system has settled ad virus, such programs are often disguised as useful utilities: flashlights, scanners. QR-codes, photo editors.
The first sign of infection is the appearance of ads immediately after unlocking the screen, when no applications are running, in which case an urgent audit of the installed software should be performed.
Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Carefully browse the list. Look for apps without a name, without an icon, or with suspicious names. Often viruses hide at the bottom of the list or have fake system names.
- 🔍 Sort applications by installation time to find the recently appeared ones.
- 👀 Carefully check the list for apps without icons.
- 🗑️ Remove any suspicious programs you have not knowingly installed.
- 🛡️ Install antivirus software to perform a full system check.
If you can’t remove the app in the usual way (the Remove button is inactive), try Settings → Advanced Settings → Access to Special Features. Find a suspicious app there and disable it.
Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Suspicious App] → DeleteIn extreme cases, when a virus is blocking your phone, you may need to reset to factory settings.Be sure to save important data before doing so, as all information will be deleted.
💡
Desktop ads in the form of separate windows are almost always a sign of a malicious application installed, not a MIUI system feature.