How to permanently remove ads from the lock screen on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: 5 proven ways

The lock screen on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is the first thing you see when you turn on your smartphone. But instead of the usual time and notifications, many users are faced with intrusive advertising that not only annoys, but also slows down the system, a problem especially relevant for owners of devices with MIUI 8-12 firmware, where banner ads are embedded at the level of the branded shell.

In this article, we will look at all possible ways to remove ads, from standard settings to deep changes in the system, learn how to turn off Xiaomi’s advertising services without root rights, what apps help block banners, and what to do if the ads return after the update, and also a unique method for MIUI 10-14, which does not require installing additional programs.

Why does Redmi Note 4 have a lock screen ad?

The main reason is the MIUI firmware, which by default includes Xiaomi’s advertising services, the company monetizes its devices by displaying banners in system applications, including the lock screen, which applies to all Redmi models, but especially on budget smartphones like the Note 4 (codenamed mido).

Here are the key sources of advertising:

• 📱 The system application Msa (Mobile Services Analytics) – collects data and shows targeted advertising.
• 🔄 MiuiDaemon Service – responsible for background processes, including downloading promotional materials.
• 📢 Cleaner app – often integrates banners into its notifications.
• 🌐 Updates MIUI — After the firmware upgrade, advertising modules can return.

It's important to understand that the ads on the lock screen are not a virus, but a legitimate MIUI function, but you can turn them off, and we'll show you how to do it as effectively as possible.

Method 1: Disabling Advertising through MIUI Settings (without Root Rights)

The easiest method is to use the built-in system options, which is suitable for MIUI 9-14 and does not require the installation of third-party applications.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Click on the MIUI version 7-10 times until the notification “You are a developer!” appears.
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → For developers.
4. Activate the "Debugging by USB" switch.
5. Now go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
6. In the search box, type Msa (or Mobile Services Analytics).
7. Select the application, click "Disable" and confirm the action.

After that, restart your smartphone. Ads should disappear, but the effect can be temporary - after the MIUI update, Msa sometimes turns on again.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 12+ Disabling Msa can cause Xiaomi services to crash (such as cloud storage or theme) and if you notice problems, turn the app back on and try alternative methods.

Method 2: Use of the ADB-commands for deep disabling advertising

If standard settings don’t work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool for debugging Android, which removes the ad modules at the system level, but requires a connection to a computer.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).li>
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (see Method 1).
• 🛠️ Installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.

Steps to remove advertising:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Connect Redmi Note 4 to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
3. Open the command line (or Terminal) in the ADB folder.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
5. Follow the commands in turn: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop adb shell pm hide com.android.browser
6. Reboot your smartphone.

These commands remove the system applications responsible for displaying ads, and if after the reboot, an "Application Stopped" error appears, don't worry, that's fine.

Method 3: Install custom firmware (for advanced users)

If you’re willing to take drastic measures, installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) will completely remove all Xiaomi ad modules.

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 🛠️ Established TWRP Recovery.
• 📄 Backup data (firmware erases everything from the phone).

Advantages of custom firmware:

Instructions for installing LineageOS:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (can take up to 72 hours).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for Redmi Note 4 (mido).
3. Download the firmware LineageOS (for example, from here) and Gapps (if you need Google services).
4. Reboot to TWRP, make Wipe → Advanced Wipe (select Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
5. Install firmware and Gapps via Install.
6. Reboot to the system.

⚠️ Note: Installing custom firmware voids the warranty and can lead to a device blink if something is done wrong.We recommend that you first study thematic forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA-Developers and find the relevant instructions for your model.

Method 4: Blocking Ads Through Third Party Apps

If you don't want to dig into settings or use ADB, you can use specialized applications that block ad requests at the network or system level.

Top.-3 Advertising Blocking Apps on Xiaomi:

• 🛡️ Blokada – Blocks Advertising at Level DNS, It doesn't require root rights.
• 🚫 AdGuard filters traffic and removes banners in apps. There's a free version.
• 🔒 DNS66 — Open source software to block ads through change DNS. F-Droid.

How to set up Blokada:

1. Download and install the app from the official website (not from Google Play!).
2. Launch Blokada and click "Activate".
3. Select the VPN Tunnel mode (no root required).
4. Go to Settings → Lock Lists and add: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Perflyst/PiHoleBlocklist/master/SmartTV.txt https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Perflyst/PiHoleBlocklist/master/AndroidTracking.txt
5. Reboot your smartphone.

These apps block not only ads on the lock screen, but also banners in the browser, YouTube and other apps, but they can slow down the Internet if too aggressive filters are chosen.

💡

If some applications (e.g. banking) have stopped working after installing Blokada, add them to the exceptions in the Applications section in the Blokada settings.

Method 5: Resetting settings to factory (last resort)

If nothing works, and the ads are even popping up in the settings menu, you can reset the phone completely, which will delete all the data, but also return the system to its original state, where the ad modules can be disabled by default.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Select "Settings Reset."
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After discharge:

• 🔄 Do not restore data from backup MIUI — It may contain advertising modules.
• 📵 Do not update your firmware immediately – first disable ads through Settings → Annexes → Msa.
• 🔒 Install Blokada or AdGuard before syncing your Xiaomi account.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 12+ Resetting does not remove advertising services completely, in which case combine this method with ADB-teams (Method 2).

What if the adverts returned after the MIUI update?

Xiaomi regularly releases updates that can return disabled ad modules. If banners reappear after the firmware upgrade, follow this algorithm:

1. Check the versions. MIUI: 📱 MIUI 8–9: Use Method 1 (disable Msa). 📱 MIUI 10–11: Combining Method 1 + ADB-teams (Method 2). 📱 MIUI 12+: Install Blokada or custom firmware.

Take a look at the previous version of MIUI:

If the update brought too much advertising, you can return the old firmware via Fastboot.Instructions look for 4PDA for the Redmi Note 4 (mido) model.

Use an alternative launcher:

Install Nova Launcher or Lawnchair – they replace the standard MIUI interface and can block system notifications with ads.

If you notice that advertising only appears when you connect to a mobile network (not via Wi-Fi), the problem may be in the operator’s settings. Some providers (for example, MTS or Beeline) embed their advertising services, in which case:

• 📶 Use of the VPN (For example, ProtonVPN).
• 🔄 Shift. APN-settings (instructions on your operator’s website).

💡

MIUI updates often “return” ads. To avoid this, turn off automatic firmware updates in your settings or use ad blockers (such as Blokada) on a regular basis.

FAQ: Frequent questions about ads on Redmi Note 4