Xiaomi’s smartphones are well-deservedly popular for their excellent price-performance ratio. However, many users are overshadowed by the experience of using intrusive advertising content that can appear in the most unexpected places, and it’s especially annoying when advertising widgets or recommendations take up space on the desktop, distracting from using the device.
Advertising in MIUI and the new HyperOS is built into the system application level, so simply removing icons doesn't always solve the problem completely. To permanently eliminate visual noise, you need to perform a comprehensive setup. In this article, we will discuss all the known ways to make the interface clean and easy to use for everyday work.
Desktop cleaning doesn't require root rights or complex software, but it's done with the operating system's regular tools to ensure your data is safe, and it's important to do every step consistently, because disabling one ad source may not completely remove it if other services are active.
Analysis of advertising sources on the desktop
Before you start taking action, you need to understand the nature of the unwanted content. Most desktop ads are not a virus, but a regular feature of the MIUI shell, known as "Stupid Day" or "Wallpaper Carousel," which are designed to show news, weather and promotional offers every time you unlock the screen or swipe to the left.
The second source is often third-party apps that you may have accidentally installed along with a useful program, such “parasites” create floating windows or widgets that overlap the usable space, and system widgets can also broadcast banner ads if recommendations are activated in the personalization settings.
⚠️ Note: If the ad appears randomly over all windows and is not associated with a specific application, this may indicate that the device has been infected with malware. In this case, it is recommended to check the list of installed applications and remove suspicious programs with unknown names.
Also, it is worth considering that some standard applications, such as Explorer, Music or Security, have their own settings for displaying promotional materials. Disabling advertising in one place does not guarantee its disappearance in another, so an integrated approach to setting up the system is important.
Disabling MSA Service is the Main Step
MSA (MIUI System Ads) is the primary component responsible for collecting user data and displaying banner ads in the system. It is this service that broadcasts ads in standard applications and sometimes on desktops. Disabling MSA is the first and most important step to a clean interface.
To do this, go to the Settings menu, then select Passwords and Security. In the list that opens, find Access to Personal Data. In the list of system services, you need to find an item called msa and switch the slider to the "Switched off" position.
The system will alert you that a service shutdown may affect some functions. Ignore the warnings and press the Stop button for 10 seconds and then confirm the action. The timer will start and after 10 seconds you will have to click Disable.
☑️ Checking the shutdown MSA
It's important to note that the first time you try to turn off the service, it's not always possible. The interface can be made uncomfortable, and the confirmation button can disappear or move. If it does, just try it again several times. Sometimes it helps to pre-shut down the Internet during the operation.
What if the MSA doesn’t shut down?
Customization of widgets and wallpaper carousels
A common cause of desktop advertising is the activated wallpaper carousel function, which changes the image on the lock screen and often contains news widgets or ad integrations. Even if it is not a classic banner, visual noise is distracting and slows down when unlocked.
To disable this feature, go to Settings and select Always On and Lock (or Lock Screen). Find Wallpaper Carousel and turn off the switch. After that, only a static image or a standard clock will remain on the lock screen.
If you have news or promotion widgets on your desktop (after unlocking), you can manually remove them. To do this, press and hold your finger on the widget until the action menu appears, and select Remove. In some versions of the shell, you need to go to the widget settings with a long press and uncheck the Receive recommendations item.
⚠️ Warning: After the wallpaper carousel is turned off, thematic images on the lock screen will no longer be updated. If you liked this feature, but were annoyed by the ads, try turning off the "Get recommendations" option in the Carousel settings, leaving only a change in the background.
Also, check the settings of the widget "Ribbon widget" (left of the first desktop). Go to the settings of this screen, usually by swiping to the right and clicking on the menu (three dots or gear), there you can turn off the display of news, advertising and recommended applications, leaving only the necessary widgets, such as steps or weather.
Cleaning system applications from advertising
Advertising content is often integrated into standard Xiaomi utilities such as Explorer, Downloads, Music and Themes. Although they don’t always display banners directly to the desktop, their background activity can trigger pop-ups.
Start with the Security app, which is the control center of the system. Open the app, click on the settings gear in the top right corner. Find the Receive recommendations section and turn it off. It's also recommended to turn off the Receive updates section of the virus section to avoid unnecessary notifications.
In the Topics app, ads are most aggressive. Go to Profile (human icon), then to Settings. Here you need to find and turn off all the switches associated with displaying ads, recommendations and notifications. Similar actions should be repeated in the Music and Video (Mi Video) apps if you use them.
The same procedure is used for Explorer: open the menu (three bars), select Settings, then About. In the window that opens, find the Receive Recommendations switch and deactivate it. This will remove banner ads from the bottom of the Explorer window.
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Use alternative apps from the Google Play Store, such as Files by Google or VLC, instead of the standard Xiaomi counterparts.They are completely ad-free and often run faster and more stable.
Comparison of Advertising Removal Methods in MIUI and HyperOS
With the release of the new HyperOS shell, Xiaomi has changed the logic of the ad modules, and while the basic principles remain the same, the location of some switches and service names may differ, understanding these differences will help you find the right settings faster.
In MIUI 12-14, the primary control was the MSA service and the individual switches in each application. Users had to go through the menu chain in each system software. HyperOS has a tendency to centralize privacy settings, but some hidden ad modules have not gone away.
| Parameter | MIUI (versions 12-14) | HyperOS (version 1.0+) |
|---|---|---|
| MSA Service | Disabled in "Access to Data" | Often hidden or renamed |
| Wallpaper carousel | Separate annex/set-up | Integrated into lock screen settings |
| Recommendations | In each application separately | Partially combined into "Special Opportunities" |
| Stability | Advertising may return after updates | Stronger integration of services |
It is worth noting that in new firmware versions, algorithms can automatically reactivate some services after a major system update, so after each update of the operating system, it is recommended to audit the privacy settings and access to data.
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The main difference between the OS versions is the depth of integration of advertising modules: in HyperOS they are less visible visually, but require a closer check of application permissions.
Additional measures and use of third-party launchers
If standard methods have not completely cleaned the desktop, you can use a radical but effective way - installing a third-party launcher. Launcher is an application that completely replaces the standard desktop, control panel and application menu.
Popular launchers such as Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher do not contain built-in advertising and allow you to flexibly customize the appearance of the smartphone. Once you install such a launcher, standard Xiaomi widgets will no longer be displayed, and the interface will become light and fast.
To install an alternative desktop, download the app from Google Play, launch it, and follow the instructions. The system will suggest you choose the default launcher, select a new one. To return everything back, just delete the installed application, and the system will automatically return the standard launcher.
It is also an effective method of using DNS-By setting up a private phone. DNS (For example, dns.adguard.com, you can block ads not only in your browser, but also in many applications, including some system -> Private DNS.
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party launchers, some Xiaomi branded features, such as full-screen gestures or specific widgets, may not work properly or become unavailable.