Owners of the POCO X3 NFC smartphone often face intrusive advertising that appears in standard applications and system interfaces, due to Xiaomi’s policy of using advertising integrations to compensate for the low cost of their devices. However, aggressive marketing can seriously reduce the comfort of using a gadget, distracting the user at the most inappropriate moments.
Fortunately, the MIUI operating system that the POCO Launcher shell is based on allows you to flexibly configure privacy settings. You don't have to be an expert in programming or get super-user rights to clear the interface of banners. You just need to go through key settings sections consistently and turn off a few hidden switches.
In this guide, we will look at all proven ways to block advertising traffic on the Internet. POCO X3 NFC. We'll touch the service shutdown. MSA, Configure system applications and use of secure methods DNS-filtering that ensures a clean screen without installing third-party software.
Disabling the MSA service is the main source of advertising
The most effective way to combat intrusive banners is to deactivate the MIUI System Ads (msa) component, which is responsible for collecting user behavior data and targeting ads throughout the system. To get started, go to the settings menu of your POCO X3 NFC and select Password and Security.
Next, you'll need to find the item "Access to personal data." In the list of applications that opens, find the msa string and put the slider in an inactive state. The system will warn you that some functions may stop working correctly, but for the average user it is almost invisible.
⚠️ Attention: After the first shutdown of the msa service, it may be necessary to wait 10 seconds before the Stop button becomes active.
Sometimes the first time you can't turn off the service because of system errors or unstable connection, in which case repeat the procedure 2-3 times in a row, a common feature of MIUI operation, which requires persistence from the user when changing critical parameters.
☑️ Checking the shutdown MSA
After successful deactivation, it is recommended to restart the device to apply the changes, which ensures that the background processes associated with the advertising module are completely stopped and do not start again until the next phone turns on.
Setup of system applications and services
Ad units are often built directly into standard Xiaomi utilities such as Explorer, Music, Themes and Downloads, each with its own settings that need to be changed manually to achieve maximum effect.
Start with the Security app. Open it, click on the gear in the top right corner, and find "Receive recommendations." Turn off this option. Then go to the Topics app, click on the profile icon, and in the settings menu also turn off "Show ads" and "Receive recommendations."
Don't forget to check Explorer. It often hides the Receive Content switch, which is responsible for displaying news feeds and banner ads on the file manager's home page, and you should do the same in the Music and Video apps.
Hidden advertising modules
For ease of checking all places where advertising may be hiding, use the following table of application compliance and necessary actions:
| Annex | The path to adjustment | What to turn off |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Settings (cogs) | Receive recommendations |
| Topics | Profile → Settings | Displaying Advertising, Recommendations |
| Conductor | Settings | Get content |
| Downloads. | Settings (three dots) | Receive recommendations |
| Music. | Settings → Additional | Showing advertisements |
A thorough check of each item will take no more than 5 minutes, but the result will last for the entire time you use the POCO X3 NFC. Ignoring these settings will lead to the fact that even with the MSA disabled, you will continue to see promotional materials inside the applications.
Notification and personalization management
Another channel for delivering advertising content is push notifications from system services, which can appear in the notification curtain or on the lock screen, suggesting that you install games or click on a link, and this data flow is managed through global privacy settings.
Go to Password and Security and select Privacy, and you'll find Special Advertising Opportunities, and inside you'll find a Personalized Advertising switch that you need to deactivate, which will prevent the system from using your data to target ads.
Also worth paying attention to the Mi Browser service (if it is used as a primary one) is to turn off the “Receive news and notifications” settings, which is often the source of pop-ups, even if you use another web browser.
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Use the Do Not Disturb feature at night to completely eliminate any notifications, including system notifications, that may skip ad filters.
It is important to distinguish between system notifications and notifications from installed applications. If the ad comes from a specific application, such as a game or store, it should be turned off via the App Management menu» → «Notifications by selecting a specific source.
Using a private DNS to block
One of the most powerful and elegant ways to remove ads on POCO X3 NFC is to configure a private DNS.This method works at the network connection level and blocks requests to known ad servers before they reach your device.
To implement this method, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS. Select DNS Host Name and enter the address: dns.adguard.com. Once saved, the phone will reconnect to the network, and most banner ads in apps and browsers will stop loading.
This has several advantages over manually configuring each application: it doesn’t require any additional software, it doesn’t consume battery, and it works globally for all connections, including mobile internet and Wi-Fi. However, if the server address becomes unavailable, the phone’s internet may be temporarily lost.
⚠️ Attention: When using private DNS Make sure you enter the address accurately, without protocol http:// A mistake in one character will lead to loss of access to the Internet.
If you notice connection issues in some applications (such as banking or enterprise), you can always go back to your DNS settings and select Auto mode to turn off filtering.
Cleaning the GetApps folder and other services
MIUI often preinstalled the GetApps app store, which is similar to Google Play, but with a more aggressive promotion policy, and is often responsible for installing junk apps and showing pop-up ads.
To defuse this source, find GetApps on your desktop or menu. Go to its settings (usually through a profile or menu) and disable all notifications, auto-updates, and recommendations. Ideally, just uninstall the app if it isn't required for the system to work.
Also worth checking is the Advanced Settings section in the main settings menu of the phone, which may include the option “Receive recommendations from Xiaomi”, which depends on the firmware region (Global, EU, Russia), but if you have one, be sure to turn it off.
Remember to periodically clean the cache of system applications. Accumulated temporary files may contain advertising scripts that continue to work even after changing settings. You can do this through the standard Security → Cleanup application.
Additional measures and alternative launchers
If standard methods don’t work, or you want to drastically change the interface, consider installing a third-party launcher.Replacing the standard POCO Launcher shell with a Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher will completely eliminate the appearance of ads on the desktop and in folders.
Third-party launchers do not have built-in Xiaomi advertising modules and provide more flexible customization options. After installing a new launcher, the system can suggest returning to the standard one - agree only if you want to return advertising widgets.
Another measure is to avoid using the default theme in favor of third-party themes from the store that do not contain advertising widgets on the lock screen. However, be careful: some free themes may contain their own ads.
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A comprehensive approach combining MSA disabling, DNS setup and system application validation ensures 99% of the interface cleanliness of your POCO X3 NFC.
In conclusion, MIUI updates can bring some ad settings back to their original state, so it is recommended to review the above points every few months to keep your smartphone free of intrusive marketing.