How to permanently remove ads from the lock screen on Xiaomi Redmi 9: a step-by-step guide

The lock screen of the Xiaomi Redmi 9 should show time, notifications and beautiful wallpapers — but instead, users often face intrusive advertising of applications, games and services. This problem is typical for MIUI firmware, where banner ads are integrated at the system level. The good news is that you can get rid of them without root rights and complex manipulation.

In this article, we will discuss three working methods for removing ads, from official settings to advanced ADB tricks. You will learn why ads appear even after personalized ads are turned off, how to circumvent the limitations of MIUI and what to do if banners return after an update. All instructions are tested on Redmi 9 (models M2003J15SC, M2004J19C and similar) with MIUI 12-14 firmware.

Before you start, check your firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI. This will help you avoid errors: some methods only work on certain versions.

Why does Redmi 9 have a lock screen ad?

One reason is the monetization of MIUI firmware, where Xiaomi is embedding ad modules into system applications to offset the low price of smartphones. On Redmi 9, banners appear from three sources:

• 📱 System application Msa (Mobile Services Ads): responsible for displaying ads in the MIUI. Even if you turn off personalized ads, it will continue to work in the background.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI: Advertising settings may be reset after firmware updates, due to Xiaomi’s policy of periodically “updating” advertising identifiers.
• 🎯 Regional settings: on devices with firmware for China (CN) Global (Global) Advertising is more than in Europe (EEA).

Fun fact: Redmi 9 with MIUI EEA firmware (for Europe) initially has less advertising, due to EU data protection laws, but even there, banners can slip through system applications like Mi Browser or Cleaner.

⚠️ WARNING: If you bought the Redmi 9 in China or through unofficial channels, chances are it's running firmware. CN In this case, we recommend you to reflash the device on Global or EEA.

Now, let's get to the practice. Let's start with the simplest method, which is to turn off ads through MIUI settings.

Method 1: Disabling Advertising through MIUI Settings (without ADB)

This method works on 60-70% of devices and does not require a computer connection, which is to disable personalized ads and block access to ad servers through system settings.

Follow the step-by-step instructions:

1. Open Settings → Google → Advertising.
2. Click “Disable Personalized Advertising” and confirm your choice.
3. Return to the main settings menu and go to Settings → Special features → Special features services.
4. Find the com.miui.systemAdSolution application (may be called System Advertising Solutions) and turn it off.
5. Reboot the phone.

If there is no com.miui.systemAdSolution, try an alternative route:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 📁 Enter msa (or Mobile Services).
• 🚫 Open the application, click "Disable" and confirm.
• 🔄 Reset the device.

This method helps remove most banners, but it doesn't guarantee 100% results. If you still have ads, move on to the next method.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI When you disable msa, push notifications from system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Browser) may disappear.

Method 2: Using ADB to Deeply Disable Advertising

If system settings don’t work, it’s time to connect ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which blocks system-level advertising services and works even after MIUI updates.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux;
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original);
• 🔧 Installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click on MIUI Version 7 times until the message "You're a developer" appears. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers. Activate USB Debugging and confirm permission.

Connect your phone to your PC

File transfer

Open the Command Prompt (CMD)

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, it's done. If not, install Xiaomi drivers.

Follow the commands to disable advertising

adb shell pm hide com.miui.systemAdSolution


adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.midrop




adb shell pm hide com.android.browser




adb shell settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0

Reboot the phone.

These teams:

• 🛡️ Disable the system application of advertising (com.miui.systemAdSolution);
• 🔗 Block Mi Drop (often displays ads when transferring files);
• 🌐 Deactivate the standard browser (com.android.browser), which can load banners;
• 📡 Disable Internet connection checks (sometimes used to display ads).

💡

If the ADB commands come back a few days later, repeat the procedure, because MIUI resets some settings periodically.

Important: On MIUI 13+ firmware, the pm hide command may not work. In this case, use an alternative command:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution

⚠️ Attention: After use ADB Do not update the firmware through Settings → Update system. Better download firmware manually from Xiaomi's site and install it through Recovery. Otherwise, the system can recover the modules that are disabled.

Method 3: Alternative methods (for experienced users)

If the two previous methods didn't work, there are more radical measures that take longer, but guarantee results.

1. Installation of custom firmware (without advertising)

Firmware like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Xiaomi.eu completely remove all MIUI advertising modules.

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (bootloader);
• 📥 Install TWRP Recovery;
• 🔄 Sweeve an alternative firmware.

Cons of the method:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (if the phone is under warranty);
• ❌ Risk of "bricking" (turning into a "brick");
• ❌ Lack of certain functions MIUI (Like the Game Turbo).

2.Use of Xposed Framework (Android 8–10 only)

The DisableFlagSecure module for Xposed can block ads at the system level.

• ⚠️ It only works on Android 8-10 (Redmi 9C) MIUI 12+ may not be supported);
• ⚠️ Demands root rights;
• ⚠️ It may conflict with certain applications.

3. Blocking Advertising through DNS

Change. DNS-servers on the phone to block advertising domains:

1. Go to Settings. → Wi-Fi (or Mobile Network).
2. Click on your network → “Change network” → “Additional” → “IP settings”.
3. Select "Static" and enter DNS: 🛡️ AdGuard DNS: 176.103.130.130 and 176.103.130.131; 🌍 Cloudflare (no ads): 1.1.1.3 and 1.0.0.3.

This method blocks some of the ads, but it won’t remove banners that are downloaded through MIUI system applications.

💡

Custom firmware is the most reliable way to get rid of advertising, but it is only suitable for advanced users. For beginners, it is better to start with ADB or DNS blocking.

What if the advertisements returned after the update?

MIUI is known for resetting some settings after updates, including ad blocking.If banners reappear, follow these steps:

1. Check if ad services are enabled: Go to Settings → Apps → App Management; Find msa or System Ad Solution and turn them off; If they are enabled, repeat the procedure with ADB.
2. Reverse to the previous version of MIUI: Download the old firmware with Xiaomi Firmware Updater; Install it through Recovery (no Wipes!).

App Inspector

• Install App Inspector from Google Play
• Find which app shows ads on the lock screen;
• Disable or remove it through ADB.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI disabling automatic updates causes the system to start reminding you of available updates through notifications. To fix this, turn off notifications for the Updater app (Settings) → Annexes → Updater → Notifications).

How to avoid advertising in the future?

To prevent advertising from returning, follow these guidelines:

• 📵 Do not use standard applications MIUI: Mi Browser, Cleaner, Mi Video and Music often feature ads. Install alternatives from Google Play (e.g. Chrome, Files by Google, VLC).
• 🔄 Check your msa activity regularly: After each update MIUI Go to Settings. → Apps and disable advertising modules.
• 🛡️ Use ad blockers: Apps like Blokada or AdGuard can block some of the network requests to ad servers.
• 📥 Install firmware manually: Download firmware from trusted sources (e.g. Xiaomi.eu) and install it through Recovery, not a system updater.

If you're staying on standard firmware but want to minimize advertising, look at Xiaomi.eu firmware, which is official MIUI builds, but with remote ad modules and optimizations for European users, which are installed in the same way as custom firmware, but with less risk to the system.

The following versions of Xiaomi.eu are suitable for Redmi 9:

• 📱 Stable: for everyday use (less frequently updated but more stable);
• 🔄 Weekly: for enthusiasts (frequent updates, but possible bugs).