Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often experience intrusive ads that appear in system applications when they unlock the screen or even on top of other programs’ interfaces, a consequence of MIUI’s proprietary shell or its new version of HyperOS, which are set up by default to monetize users through displaying ad content. While this allows the company to keep device prices affordable, for many, this experience becomes an annoying factor that requires immediate intervention.
Fortunately, the system provides enough tools to minimize or eliminate unwanted banners without having to obtain root permissions. The shutdown process is broken down into several steps, since there is no single "Remove All" button in the settings, and you will need to consistently go through the menus of various system services to block all channels of advertising data.
In this guide, we will look at all the current methods of combating intrusive content, including disabling system recommendations, cleaning the cache of advertising services and blocking advertising in standard applications like “Conductor” or “Music.” A critical step is to disable the MSA service (MIUI System Ads), as it is responsible for generating most pop-ups. Follow the instructions carefully to make your gadget comfortable.
Disabling system advertising through MSA settings
The first and most important step is to deactivate the MSA (MIUI System Ads) service, which is the system component responsible for collecting data about your actions and displaying banner ads in the interface, and without disabling this service, all other manipulations may not be effective, as it will constantly try to download new content.
First, you need to go to the authorization and advertising menu. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Access to personal data. In the list that opens, find msa and switch the switch to the “Switched off” position. The system will warn you that some functions may stop working correctly, but for the average user this does not have any negative consequences.
⚠️ Attention: When attempting to disconnect MSA The system may display a countdown timer several times or suggest "get privileges." Don't be persuasive, just wait for the timer to finish (usually, you can get a little more time). 10 Then press "Switch off" again. Sometimes you have to repeat the procedure. 2-3 Once the system agrees to shut down the service.
After successful disabling of MSA, it is also recommended to limit the personalization of advertising.In the same menu, passwords and security, find the item Advertising Services (or “Ad Personalization”) and disable the option “Personalized Advertising”, which will prevent the system from using your data to select ads, although it will not remove them completely without the previous step.
Set up standard Xiaomi applications
Advertising integrations are deeply embedded in Xiaomi’s standard software. Even if the MSA system service is disabled, individual applications can have their own recommendation settings that need to be manually disabled, such as Explorer, Music, Video, and Downloads.
Start with the Explorer app, which often shows banners when you open folders. Open the app, click on the menu (three bars) and select Settings → About. Here you need to find and turn off the Receive Recommendations option. Similar steps should be performed for the Downloads app: go to Settings → About app → Receive recommendations and deactivate the slider.
A more complicated situation is with the multimedia applications Video and Music, where the settings can be hidden deeper or have different names depending on the version of MIUI.
- 🎵 For "Music": click on the menu → Settings → Advanced settings → Show advertisements (turn off).
- 🎬 For "Video": user profile → Settings → Additional settings → Online recommendations (off).
- 🧹 For “Cleaning”: Open the app → Settings (cogs) → Receive recommendations (turn off).
Don’t forget to check the theme settings too. Often the ads appear on the lock screen or as widgets on the desktop because of the themes you have set. Go to the Themes → Profile → Settings app and turn off the options to Show Ads, Get References, and Auto Update Themes to prevent unwanted content from appearing in the launcher interface.
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If you can’t find a specific setting in the app, try clearing its data. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find the right one (like Explorer) and click Clear → All data. Then turn off the recommendations again when you first start.
Removing Advertising Notifications and Tools folder
One of the most annoying ads on Redmi is push notifications from system apps that suggest installing games or visiting websites, often from a Security app or system bootloader, and you have to dig through the notification settings to get rid of them.
Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Control Center (or simply “Notifications”). Find the Security app in the list and turn off all types of notifications except critical ones like Viruses or Memory Cleanup. The rest, like “Recommendations” or “Cleanup Completed” (with ads), should be blocked.
Also worth paying attention to is the Tools folder, which is automatically created on the desktop, and often contains the GetApps app (Xiaomi app store), which is the main source of push notifications.
⚠️ Attention: The GetApps app can't just be removed as normal, but it can be disabled. → Annexes → All applications → GetApps. Click on “Disable” or “Delete Updates” and disable sending notifications in the corresponding menu.
To clean your desktop of all the trash, remove the Video and Music widgets from your home screen if you don't use them. They often stream banner ads right on your desktop. Just press your widget with your finger and drag it into your cart or click Delete.
Blocking advertising in the browser Chrome and Yandex
If you see ads popping up on top of all the windows when you use your browser, you've probably encountered an ad virus or an aggressive site that has allowed notifications to be sent. MIUI system settings won't help here, you need to act inside the browser itself.
In Chrome, go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Site Settings → Notifications. See the list of permitted sites. If you see unfamiliar addresses or suspicious domains, click on them and select “Delete” or “Block.” It is also recommended to turn on built-in protection: Settings → Security → Safe browsing.
Yandex.Browser users should go to Settings → Sites → Notifications and clear the permission list. In addition, Yandex.Browser has built-in Protect technology that automatically blocks many ad trackers. Make sure it is active in Security → Fraud Protection.
For more advanced locking, you can use DNS-Filtering. In Android (not browser) settings, go to Connection and Sharing → Private DNS-Select "Host Name of the provider" DNS» And you can type in the address: dns.adguard.com. Save settings. This method blocks network-level advertising for all applications that use network system settings.
☑️ Checklist for complete cleanup of advertising
Comparison of Ad Blocking Methods
There are many ways to combat intrusive content, but they vary in complexity and effectiveness, some require only a change in settings, others require the installation of additional software, and it is important to understand the difference between system MIUI advertising and web advertising in the browser.
Below is a table that will help you choose the best method depending on your situation and level of technical training, DNS-Filtering and installation of specialized blockers.
| Method | Efficiency | Difficulty | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSA shutdown | High (systemic advertising) | Low. | No (saves charge) |
| Private DNS (AdGuard) | Medium (web and part of applications) | Low. | Minimum |
| The Blocker (AdGuard App) | Maximum (everywhere) | Medium | Notable (works in the background) |
| Root rights + AdAway | Absolute. | Tall. | No. |
The safest and most recommended approach for most users is a combination approach: disabling MSA plus setting up a private DNS. This allows you to remove 90% of ads without installing unnecessary applications and without the risk of breaching the warranty that is possible when obtaining root rights.
What are Root Rights and Should You Get Them?
Solving problems with pop-up windows (Adware)
Sometimes ads appear chaotic, even on the desktop, and come not from Xiaomi system applications, but from newly installed software, such as a memory cleaner, a flashlight, a QR scanner, or a game with a dubious reputation, often masquerading as system processes.
To find the culprit, look at the time the ad appears: If it comes out right after a particular game or application is launched, the problem is in it. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Carefully review the list. Look for apps without a name or with a transparent icon (empty place on the list). Often, malicious software hides this way.
If you can't find an app on the list, use Task Manager. When an ad appears without closing it, click the Menu button (three bars or a square) to view the apps you've run. The running process list will show you which app is currently active. Remember its name or icon, then go to the settings and delete.
As a last resort, if the ad is interfering with your phone and you can't find the source, you can start the phone in Safe Mode, and then you press the off button, and when the Turn off icon appears on the screen, press and hold her finger until the suggestion to go to Safe Mode appears, and only system applications work in this mode. If the ad is gone, delete the last installed third-party software exactly.
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The main reason for sudden advertising is free utility apps, and remove all accelerators, antiviruses, and flashlights if the ads appear after they are installed.