Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face a situation where, after watching a video in a standard video player or unlocking the screen, a full-screen ad suddenly appears, a phenomenon known as adware, built into the MIUI shell to monetize budget devices, but it is very annoying to users and slows down the system, many confuse this with viruses, but in fact it is a regular, albeit aggressive, function of the company’s marketing service.
Fortunately, there are several proven ways to get rid of intrusive banners completely.You don’t need to be a programmer or have root rights to set up your Xiaomi Redmi Note or Xiaomi Mi. In this article, we’ll break down system settings, disabling specific services, and using third-party tools to create a comfortable environment for using the gadget without unnecessary visual noise.
Before we take any drastic measures, it is important to understand the source of the problem, and most often, the system applications MSA (MIUI System Ads) and miui.daemon are responsible for displaying ads, blocking their activity is the first and most effective step to a clean interface.
Disabling the MSA service: the main source of advertising
MSA is the main module for collecting user data and displaying advertising material on the system, and turning it off is a critical step, but you can't just delete it because it's a system component, but you can deny it access to the network and disable personalization.
You first need to go to your phone settings. Find the Password and Security section, then select Data Access. In the app list that opens, find msa and switch the slider to an inactive state. The system will alert you that the app will stop working if you turn off access, and we agree and wait 10 seconds for the confirmation button to be active.
☑️ Checking the shutdown MSA
It's worth noting that some versions of MIUI may have a trickier process, so if you can't turn it off the first time, repeat the procedure 3-5 times, and it's also important to turn off similar access for the miui.daemon app, which often works in conjunction with the ad module, and after that, the number of pop-ups should be reduced by 90%.
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If the MSA disable button is inactive, try first to turn off the internet (Wi-Fi and mobile data), turn off the settings, and then turn the network back on.
Customization and recommendations in MIUI
In addition to network constraints, there is a separate switch in the system that allows recommendations to be displayed, which is often hidden in the depth of the menu and activated by default, which is responsible for the appearance of application carousels on the desktop and suggestions in folders.
To find this setting, go to Settings → Password & Security → Privacy. Scroll down to the bottom of the Advertising Services section. You need to turn off the Receive Recommendations Toggler here. This action will tell the system that you don't want to see targeted content.
You also need to check the settings of the system applications themselves. For example, the Security or Explorer app can also have its own internal ad settings. Go to the settings of each system application (usually three dots in the corner of the screen) and find the "Receive recommendations" item by turning it off.
⚠️ Note: After the firmware update MIUI Privacy settings may reset to factory values. Check this section regularly after major system updates.
Removing Advertising in Standard Applications
Even after MSA is disabled, some built-in apps can continue to show banners if they have their own settings, including utilities like MI Video, MI Music, Cleanup and Themes.
In the MI Video (Mi Video) app, ads often appear when you start or after you finish your video. To remove them, open the app, go to Profile → Settings and find Online Content Services by turning it off. A similar procedure is performed in the Topics: Profile → Settings → Show ads.
For the Security app, the algorithm is to run the scan, click on the settings gear in the corner, and find the Receive Recommendations option, and disabling this feature will remove the news feed and banner ads from the antivirus interface.
Hidden settings for advanced users
Remember that the Downloads app can also display ads. Go to the download settings (three dots) and turn off the "Show recommended content" option, which will clear the interface of unnecessary suggestions for installing games and applications.
Using DNS to Block Advertising
One of the most effective and versatile methods of combating advertising is setting up a private DNS, which blocks requests to known ad servers at the network connection level without requiring the installation of additional applications.
To set up, go to Settings → Connection & Sharing → Private DNS. Select DNS Host Name and enter the address: dns.adguard.com. Save the changes. Now all your device traffic will be filtered and most banner ads will simply not load.
| Parameter | Meaning/Action | The effect |
|---|---|---|
| Type DNS | Private DNS (Private DNS) | Encryption DNS-request |
| Server address | dns.adguard.com | Blocking Advertising and Tracking |
| The alternative | dns-family.adguard.com | Advertising + Advertising Blocking for Adults |
| Status | Active. | Internet connection required |
The advantage of this method is that it works in all browsers and most applications, but if you use enterprise Wi-Fi or specific networks, access to some resources may be limited, and then DNS will have to be temporarily disabled.
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Private DNS is a silver bullet that solves 95% of problems with ads in the browser and applications without root rights.
Disabling recommendations in folders and on the desktop
MIUI launcher often offers "recommended apps" right inside the folders on the desktop, a folder called "Recommended" or just a set of icons at the bottom of the open folder, which take up space and distract attention.
To get rid of this, open any folder on your desktop. At the bottom of the screen (or at the top, depending on the version of MIUI), a line with recommendations will appear. Click on it or three dots in the corner to open the menu, and select Hide recommendations or just turn off the Receive recommendations switch.
Also worth checking is the widget settings. The Wallpaper Carousel widget on the lock screen is often a source of advertising. Click on the empty space on your desktop, select Widgets, find the Carousel and delete it or configure it by turning off the newscast.
Third-party solutions and blockers
If system methods are not enough, you can use third-party software. Blocking applications such as Blokada or AdGuard create local software. VPN-They're more efficient than the standard tunnel. DNS, Because they have more flexible filters.
To install such apps on Xiaomi, it is often required to allow installation from unknown sources. APK-file from the official website of the developer (in Google Play versions are often cut down). After installation, activate the protection, and the application will adjust the necessary settings. VPN.
It's important to understand that using these programs can slightly increase battery consumption, because they're constantly active in the background, but for devices with good battery storage, this is not noticeable.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t install questionable accelerators and cleaners from the Play Market in the hope of removing ads. Often they are the source of advertising junk and collect your data.