Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face intrusive ads that appear in standard apps when unlocking the screen or even on top of the interface of other programs. For the Redmi Note 10 Pro, this problem is especially relevant, since the device runs on the MIUI shell, which by default contains many marketing integrations. However, there is a proven algorithm of actions that allows you to completely clear the system of unwanted content without the need for superuser rights.
Eliminating ads requires sequential disabling of multiple services, since there is no single “Switch off all” button in the settings. Advertising modules are scattered across different sections of the security menu and system applications. In this article, we will take a detailed look at each stage of setting up to your Redmi Note. 10 The Pro ran fast and without annoying pop-ups. 10-15 minutes of your time.
Disabling system advertising through security settings
The first step is to deactivate the main service that is responsible for displaying advertising content on the system, a component called msa (MIUI System Ads) and works in the background, collecting data about your preferences. To stop it, you need to go to the security settings menu. Open Settings → Passwords and security → Access to personal data.
In the list that opens, find the msa app and switch the slider to "Switched off." The system will try to warn you of the possible consequences and will wait 10 seconds before allowing access to be closed. It is important to wait until the countdown is completed and press the "Forced Stop" button. If you fail the first time, repeat the procedure - sometimes it takes 2-3 attempts.
⚠️ Warning: After disabling the msa service, the ads won't disappear instantly.Full system updates and cache cleanups can take up to 24 hours, but the first results will be visible immediately after the device is restarted.
Then you should turn off recommendation notifications in the Security folder. Go to the Security app, click on the gear in the upper right corner and find "Get recommendations." Take the tick off this box to stop receiving offers for installing games and utilities.
☑️ Audit of system services
Set up standard Xiaomi applications
Banners are often built directly into standard utilities such as Explorer, Music, Themes, and Downloads. Each of these apps has its own recommendation switch. Start with Explorer: open the app, click on the menu (three bars), select Settings → About, and turn off Receive recommendations.
You need to do the same thing in the Topic app. Go to the user profile (human icon), click on the settings gear and turn off "Show ads" and "Personal recommendations." This will remove banners from the wallpaper and design themes directory. Downloads app, click on three dots in the corner, select "Settings" and remove the tick from "Receive recommendations."
And the system launcher that runs the desktop, although there's rarely any direct advertising, there might be news feeds, press the empty space on the desktop, click Settings, and turn off the Wallpaper Carousel or the Widget Ribbon if you don't need it, and that will also save the Redmi Note 10 Pro battery.
💡
If you don’t use standard Xiaomi apps (like using Google Photos instead of Mi Gallery), you can simply turn them off in the app settings so they don’t consume resources.
Managing personalized advertising and identifiers
Even after the visible banners are turned off, the system continues to collect data for targeted advertising. To minimize the digital footprint, you need to reset the advertising ID. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Advertising Services. Here you need to activate the "Disable Ad Personalization" switch.
The same menu also has a button called Reset Ad ID, which generates a new random number, which breaks the link between your past actions and current promotional offers, and Google has its own settings: go to your Google account settings on your phone, search for Ads, and select Delete Ad ID.
| Parameter | Where to find out. | Action. |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI Ads | Security / msa | Disable access |
| Recommendations | Application settings | Uncheck the box. |
| ID of advertising | Confidentiality | Drop it. |
| Wallpaper carousel | Lock screen settings | Turn it off. |
Cleaning the lock screen and notifications
One of the most annoying forms of intrusive content is the wallpaper carousel, which changes the images on the lock screen and sometimes contains advertising integrations. To turn it off, go to Settings → Always on screen and Lock screen. Find the wallpaper carousel and switch it to the off state.
Also worth checking is permissions for notifications from little-known apps. Often users install programs themselves that start showing ads on top of other windows. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification Management. Go through the list and turn off notifications for apps that don't need them, especially for games and cleanup utilities.
If you see news from Yandex or Google on your lock screen, you can remove it by putting an empty space on your desktop and selecting Settings. In the "Additional" or "Left Screen" section, turn off news aggregators, which will make the Redmi Note 10 Pro interface cleaner and faster.
⚠️ Note: Some system applications may automatically turn recommendations back on after a major update MIUI. Periodically check the settings "Receive recommendations" in key utilities.
Blocking Advertising in Browsers and Third-Party Apps
System settings do not affect advertising inside browsers or third-party applications. For Chrome, Yandex.Browser or Opera, you need to use built-in blockers or DNS-Filtering. In your browser settings, find the Privacy or Security section and activate Secure Search or the built-in ad blocker.
The most effective method is to use a private DNS. This allows you to filter traffic at the connection level, removing ads even in some games and applications that do not have their own lock settings. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS.
Select the option "Host Name of the DNS provider" and enter the address:
dns.adguard.comSave your settings. Now all requests to known ad servers will be blocked, which will significantly speed up the loading of pages in the Chrome or MI Browser browser and reduce traffic consumption.
What to do if some websites stop working?
Additional methods and work with applications
Advertising often comes from the apps that the user installs. Malware or just plain aggressive programs can create pop-ups even on the desktop. To find the culprit, open Settings → Apps → All apps. Carefully review the list for apps without a name or with a transparent icon — this is a sure sign of an ad virus.
Remove these programs immediately. If normal removal is not available, use safe mode: press the off button, then press and hold your finger on the "off" button on the screen until the prompt to go to Safe Mode appears, in which third-party applications do not start, allowing you to safely remove the pest.
It is also recommended to check the permissions for the Security app and system services. Make sure they do not have the right to display on top of other windows unless required for their main function. For the Redmi Note 10 Pro, autorun check is relevant: Settings → Applications → Autorun. Leave only messengers on, the rest is better to disallow.
💡
A comprehensive approach, including disabling system services, configuring DNS and controlling installed applications, guarantees complete elimination of advertising on Xiaomi.