Owners of the popular Redmi series smartphones often encounter intrusive content that appears in the most unexpected places of the interface. Especially annoying users of the Redmi Note 8 Pro the appearance of banner ads on the lock screen, although the device was originally conceived as a powerful gaming device. MIUI, the company’s proprietary shell, by default contains many services that generate traffic and show ads.
Fortunately, there are several effective ways to completely clean up the system of unnecessary visual noise. You do not need to be a programmer or get root rights to regain control of your gadget. In this article, we will discuss in detail the technical aspects of the operation of system processes and show how to safely deactivate advertising modules.
We will consider both standard methods through the settings menu, and more advanced options using the DNS-Xiaomi regularly updates its algorithms, so it is important to understand the principles of each method, which will allow you to adapt the instructions to the current version of the firmware.
The Nature of Advertising Integrations in MIUI
MIUI advertising integrations are not just random banners, but the result of specialized system services. The main source of content is the msa (MIUI System Ads) service, which collects data about your preferences and broadcasts targeted offers, and this process is responsible for the appearance of recommendations in standard applications and on the lock screen.
In addition, the GetApps app or the built-in Mi Browser browser are often responsible for displaying news and promotional materials, and these programs have deep permissions in the system and can initiate pop-ups even without a direct user launching. Understanding which service generates a pop-up is the first step to solving the problem.
⚠️ Note: Complete removal of system applications through ADB It can lead to unstable operation of the smartphone. it is recommended to first try to turn them off through the settings or limit background activity.
It is important to distinguish between third-party ads and Xiaomi system ads. If banners only appear in games or social networks, then the methods described below may not help, since this is the content of the software developers themselves. However, if you see offers to install a game or buy goods on the desktop or when unlocking it, this is the work of internal MIUI modules.
Disabling Personalization and MSA Services
The first and most important step is to disable msa. This is a system process that requires confirmation before it is done, which is done specifically so that the user does not accidentally turn it off, so you first need to go to the settings menu and find the section responsible for security and privacy.
You need to find Password and Security, and then go to Data Access, which shows you a list of all the apps that have access to the Internet, find the msa list, and turn off the Wi-Fi and mobile data slider, and the system will alert you that the app will stop working correctly, which is exactly what we need.
- 🔒 Go to Settings. → Password and security → Access to data.
- 📉 Find the msa process in the list and uncheck both ticks (Wi-Fi and mobile data).
- ⏳ Press "Switch Off" and wait for the countdown within 10 seconds.
- ✅ Confirm the action by pressing "OK" after the timer expires.
After disabling msa, it is also recommended to remove the tick in the Receive recommendations. This option is located on the Settings path → Password and Security → Access to data → Recommendations (or in the Advertising and Privacy menu depending on the version of MIUI).
☑️ Checking the shutdown MSA
Setting up the lock screen and wallpaper carousel
Often, the source of ads on the locked screen is the Wallpaper Carousel feature, which automatically changes the background image and regularly uploads news blocks and banners. To remove ads on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, you need to completely deactivate this service or limit its functionality.
Go to the lock screen settings. The path may vary slightly between firmware versions, but it's usually in the Wallpaper or Always on screen and lock. Find the Wallpaper Carousel (or Glance on global versions). Inside the menu, turn off the wallpaper carousel switch.
If you don't want to completely abandon the wallpaper change, you can keep the function active, but turn off receiving recommendations. To do this, you need to find the Receive recommendations or Show ads in the settings of the Carousel and turn it into an inactive state. It is also worth checking the settings of widgets on the lock screen - sometimes ad units are added through them.
| Function | Location on the menu | Action. |
|---|---|---|
| Wallpaper carousel | Settings → Wallpaper → Carousel | Turn off the switch. |
| Recommendations | Settings → Password and security → Advertising | Uncheck "Get" |
| Notifications Mi | Settings → Notifications → Mi Browser | Prohibit notifications |
⚠️ Warning: After updating the firmware settings, the carousel wallpaper may reset. It is recommended to check this item manually after each major system update.
Cleaning Notifications from System Applications
Even after the core services are disabled, ads can be broadcasted by standard Xiaomi applications such as Explorer, Cleanup or Security. These programs often have built-in recommendation modules that are activated at launch or in the background. The Redmi Note 8 Pro is characterized by active operation of the Security application, which can show suggestions to install antivirus or accelerators.
To stop this flow, you need to go to the settings of each suspicious application: click and hold the app icon on your desktop, select About and go to Notifications, and carefully examine all categories of notifications and disable those labeled Marketing, Recommendations or News.
Pay special attention to GetApps (Mi app store).It often sends notifications about discounts and new games.In the settings of this application, look for Settings (usually in the upper right corner) and disable Push notifications and Automatic App Update (if you prefer to do it manually).
Hidden Cleaner Settings
Using DNS to Block Advertising
The most effective and versatile method, which works at the device level, is the use of a private DNS. This method allows you to filter traffic even before it reaches applications, blocking requests to known ad servers. For Redmi Note 8 Pro and other devices based on Android 9 and above, this feature is built into the system.
You don't have to install third-party apps. You just need to write an address. DNS-A popular and proven option is the dns.adguard.com server, which blocks ads, trackers and phishing sites for free, and is particularly effective for blocking ads in browsers and some games.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS. Select the DNS Host Name (or Manual) mode and enter the address in the box: dns.adguard.com. Save settings. If the Internet stops working, check for the correct address input or try an alternative server.
dns.adguard.comThe advantage of this method is that it doesn't require root rights and it works globally, but if the ad server changes its position, it will be a very good idea. IP-address or domain, the lock may stop working until the filter lists are updated DNS-It is also worth considering that some applications may not work properly with strict traffic filtering.
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If images in some apps or websites stop loading after changing the DNS, try temporarily disabling DNS or using the dns-family.adguard.com address, which filters only adult ads and content.
Additional measures and system optimization
In addition to the basic settings, there are additional nuances that will help minimize the amount of advertising noise. For example, many users are unaware that the built-in Mi Browser browser and the default search engine can be configured to show news feed. Replacing the standard browser with a third-party (for example, Chrome or Firefox) and installing it as the main default will significantly reduce the number of pop-ups.
It is also recommended to check permissions for the Download Manager app.Sometimes advertising modules use it for quiet download. APK-Go to the application settings, find Downloads, and disable notifications. This won't affect file downloads, but will remove pop-ups when you've finished downloading ad modules.
- 🌐 Disable the "Widget Tape" to the left of the desktop, swiping to the right and removing the tick.
- 📱 Remove or disable the Mi Video and Mi Music app if you don’t use them – they often contain ad integrations.
- 🔍 In Google Search Settings, turn off the display of news cards and entertainment content.
⚠️ Note: When disabling system components through ADB Be careful, or freeze through the Addb shell, and disabling critical services such as com.miui.securitycenter can cause a cyclical reboot of the device.
Regularly checking system updates is also important: Xiaomi periodically releases patches that change the structure of the menu or the names of items responsible for advertising. Keeping the system clean requires periodic revision of settings, especially after major updates to the version of MIUI.
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The comprehensive approach, which includes disabling MSA, configuring DNS and clearing notifications, ensures that 99% of ads on the Redmi Note 8 Pro are removed without the need for flashing.