How to remove ads from the lock screen of Xiaomi phone

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often encounter intrusive content that appears at the most inopportune moment: banner ads can pop up on top of the desktop, in system folders and, most annoyingly, on a locked screen.This not only distracts from using the device, but also consumes traffic and sometimes battery power.

Fortunately, MIUI and the new HyperOS provide users with tools to fine-tune the interface, so you don't have to be a programmer or get root rights to get rid of visual noise, you just have to go through multiple menu items consistently and turn off the services.

In this article, we will look at all the known ways to clean the lock screen and the system as a whole, and we will look at both standard privacy settings and deeper methods for disabling system components responsible for brand monetization.

Reasons for Advertising in MIUI and HyperOS

Understanding the nature of ad integrations helps to combat them more effectively. Xiaomi is known for selling its devices at a minimal margin, offsetting the difference with revenues from advertising integrations in the shell, which is why, by default, many of the functions that collect data for targeting are active immediately after purchase.

The main source of annoyance is the MSA (MIUI System Ads) service, which is a system process that collects statistics on application usage and shows relevant offers. While this service is active, ads can appear in different corners of the interface, including the lock screen.

There are also separate modules, such as GetApps or Security, that have their own recommendation settings, and users often accidentally activate the "get offers" option when they first set up the phone without even noticing it.

⚠️ Warning: Complete removal of system applications can lead to unstable shell operation.We recommend using the method of disabling services through settings, rather than forced removal through ADB, If you are not an experienced user.

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Before making changes to system settings, it is recommended to back up important data to a cloud server or computer.

Disabling MSA Service is the Main Step

The first and most important step is to deactivate the MSA service, which coordinates the display of advertising content on the system, and without disabling this component, the rest of the settings may not be fully effective.

To start, you need to go to the settings menu, find the Password and Security section or additionally, depending on the version of your firmware, then select the Access to Personal Data item, and this lists all the services that have the right to collect information about your activities.

In the list that opens, find the msa string. The switch next to it should be active. Click on it to turn it off. The system will alert you that some features may stop working correctly, and start a countdown of 10 seconds.

After the timer has expired, press the Disable button. If the first time failed (the system can write "failed to disable"), try repeating the procedure 2-3 more times. Usually, on the second attempt, the service is successfully disabled.

Setting up the lock screen and wallpaper carousel

Often the source of ads on a locked screen is the wallpaper carousel function, a service that periodically changes the background image and can show news blocks or banner ads at the bottom of the screen.

To remove ads, go to Settings → Always On and Lock screen. Find Wallpaper Carousel. If the feature is on, you can either turn it off completely or go to its settings and remove the boxes from "Receive recommendations" or "Show ads."

It is also worth checking the settings of the lock screen itself. In some versions of MIUI, there is a separate "Recommendations" switch in the lock menu, which is responsible for the appearance of cards with news or app suggestions when swiping to the right on the locked screen.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Lock screen.
• 🔍 Find the wallpaper carousel section or Recommendations.
• ❌ Turn off the toggles associated with receiving content.
• ✅ Select a static image for the background to exclude dynamic loading.

Cleaning system applications from advertising

Even after disabling the MSA, individual system utilities can continue to display ads because they have their own settings, primarily the Security app, which is the control center of the system.

Open the Security app. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings. Scroll down to Get Recommendations and turn off this switch. There may be a separate option in the Cleanup menu to display ads after scanning.

A similar procedure should be done with Downloads and Music. The bootloader often has an application recommendation banner that disappears if the settings (three dots → Settings → Show recommended files) disable the corresponding option.

Don't forget to check the GetApps app store. This is the equivalent of Xiaomi's Google Play. Go to the store profile, select Settings, and find Auto Update or Recommendations. Disabling notifications from this service will significantly reduce the number of pop-ups.

⚠️ Note: In the "Security" app, the settings item may be called differently depending on the firmware region (Global, China, EU). Look for phrases with the word "Recommendations" or "Tips".

Disabling personalization and advertising ID

In order for the ads to stop being targeted and reduce the number of ads, you need to reset the advertising ID, which is a unique code that is assigned to your device to track interests.

Go to Settings → Password & Security → Privacy. At the bottom of the screen, find Advertising Services. Inside, you'll see a Personalized Advertising switch.

There's also a Reset Ad ID button, and click on it to generate new random code, which breaks the link between your current browsing history and your advertising profiles.

Also, look at Mi Account settings. In About System → Mi Account, check your privacy settings. Disabling participation in the UEP program also reduces the amount of data transferred.

Comparison of Ad Blocking Methods

There are several levels of intrusive content control, from simple tweaks to third-party software, and a table below compares the effectiveness of different methods.

As you can see from the table, for most users, a combination of the first two methods is enough. DNS-filters (e.g. filters, DNS DNS.adguard.com effectively blocks ads inside browsers and some applications, but requires a stable Internet connection.

The ADB (Android Debug Bridge) method involves connecting your phone to your computer and removing system packets by command line, a radical method that we don’t recommend without a deep knowledge of the Android architecture.

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Combination of shutdown MSA, Locations and changes DNS-The server eliminates 99% of all advertising on the system without the need to obtain root rights.

Additional settings and advice

In addition to the basic system services, third-party apps installed by you can generate ads, and often free utilities (flashlights, QR scanners, memory cleaners) use aggressive advertising policies.

Check the list of newly installed apps. If you notice that ads appear immediately after a particular program is launched, you better remove them and find a more reliable counterpart. Google Play has many apps marked "Ad-free".

It is also useful to periodically clean the browser cache. Some advertising scripts are stored in the cache of sites and can be launched even when the tab is closed. Regular cleaning of the history and data of sites helps to maintain the cleanliness of the system.

• 🧹 Regularly check the Application section for unknown software.
• 🚫 Do not install applications from unknown sources (APK-file-site).
• 🔄 Update system applications through GetApps or Play Market to close vulnerabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

⚠️ Warning: If after all the manipulations the ad has not disappeared, make sure that there is no malware on the device. Scan the phone with an antivirus, for example, Dr.Web Light or a built-in scanner in the Security app.

By following these guidelines, you can turn your Xiaomi into a clean and convenient device, free from intrusive marketing.Tune in only 10-15 minutes, but the result greatly improves the comfort of daily smartphone use.