How to remove advertising in games on Android Xiaomi: the complete guide

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often encounter intrusive banner ads that suddenly pop up on top of the interface of running games.This issue is not only annoying, confusing during tense moments of gameplay, but also significantly consumes traffic and battery power of your device.The ad module is built into the MIUI (now HyperOS) system shell and activated when you have an Internet connection, trying to monetize the use of free software.

Fortunately, there are several effective ways to block this unwanted content without having to obtain superuser rights (Root).We will look at methods from simple menu settings to more advanced traffic blocking options. It is important to understand that eliminating ads completely requires a comprehensive approach, since banners can come from both the system and a particular application.

Before you start taking drastic measures, it’s worth trying to change your DNS settings, which often helps solve the problem globally for all applications at once.This method is safe, does not require installing third-party software and works on most modern models, including the Redmi Note and Poco series.

Blocking Advertising Through DNS

The most effective and simple way that does not require the installation of additional applications is to change the DNS-This setup redirects all domain name requests through a server that automatically filters and blocks known ad trackers. To activate this feature, you need to go to the Settings menu. → Connection and sharing → Private DNS.

In the window that opens, select the option “Host Name of the DNS provider” (or “Manual”) and enter the address dns.adguard.com. Once you save the settings, the system may require a reboot or simply reconnect to the network. Private DNS will begin to block requests to ad servers, so that banners in games and the browser will stop loading.

It is worth noting that this method is not a panacea for all types of advertising. Some games use the same domains as game content, so blocking them can lead to level loading errors. However, in 90% of cases, using AdGuard DNS solves the pop-up problem without compromising the functionality of applications.

⚠️ Attention: If after the shift DNS If you have stopped working in some applications or stopped loading maps in the navigator, return the setting to "Auto" or "Disconnected." Some corporate networks or public Wi-Fi may conflict with encrypted DNS.

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If entering the dns.adguard.com address causes connection errors, try an alternative server: dns-family.adguard.com, which also blocks adult content.

Disabling MSA service in system settings

MSA (MIUI System Ads) is the main system component responsible for displaying ads in the shell of Xiaomi. Disabling this service is a critical step for those who want to clean the smartphone interface. You can find it by Settings → Applications → All applications where you want to find “MSA” in the list.

Inside the app menu, find the Receiving Recommendations switch and deaktivate it. The system will stubbornly resist your decision: a countdown timer (usually 10 seconds) will appear, after which you will need to confirm the action by clicking "Disable". The procedure sometimes has to be repeated several times, since the button may not react or reappear the first time.

In addition to the main MSA service, you should check other system components that can broadcast content. In the same All Apps menu, find Mi Video, Mi Music, Cleanup, and Explorer. In each of them settings (usually in the About section or through a three-point menu), turn off the Receive Recommendations or Show Ads options.

Configure a limited profile and access rights

Many free games require internet access solely for displaying ads, not for gameplay. Restricting network access for specific applications is an effective method of combating banners. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, select a problem game, and find “Access Control” or “Allowances”.

In the permission list, look for "Network" or "Mobile Data and Wi-Fi" and deny access. The game will continue to work, but the ad modules will not be able to download content. This method is especially effective for offline puzzles and arcades that do not require a constant connection to the server to synchronize progress.

However, if an online multiplayer game requires a permanent connection to verify licenses, this method will not work, in which case the network lock will lead to an error of login, the alternative may be to use the Do Not Disturb or Game Turbo mode, although they do not always block network requests, but only hide notifications.

Using ADB to remove advertising packages

For advanced users who are not afraid of the command line, there is a method of removing advertising components through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to deactivate the system packages responsible for advertising, making their removal almost irreversible without resetting the settings. First, you need to activate the developer mode by seven times clicking on the build number in the About Phone menu.

After you enable debugging via USB, connect your smartphone to your computer. On your PC, you need to install ADB drivers and execute a command to remove the key advertising package:

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

It is also recommended to remove or freeze the com.miui.systemAdSolution and com.android.ads packets if they are present in the system.The command line provides a powerful control tool, but requires caution: deleting the system files necessary for the shell to work can lead to system instability.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Incorrect removal of system packages can lead to a cyclic restart (bootloop) or loss of functionality of standard Xiaomi applications.

Third-party blocking applications

If the system methods seem too complex or not effective enough, you can use specialized software. DNS66 localize VPN-A tunnel on the device that filters all incoming and outgoing traffic, and they automatically screen out requests to known ad servers.

Installation of such an application requires permission to create VPN-Once the blocker is in the background, it will analyze data packets and (block) connections to ad domains, a universal solution that works not only in games, but also in the browser and other applications.

The main disadvantage of using third-party blockers is increased battery consumption, since the filtering process is constantly ongoing. In addition, some “heavy” games can conflict with the virtual network interface, causing delays (ping) in online modes. Optimizing the filter list in the application settings will help reduce the load on the processor.

Radical measures: modified versions and purchases

As a last resort, if the game is free but the advertising makes the process impossible, consider buying the full version or in-game currency if the developer offers the “Ad-free Game” option, which is the only legal and fully supported way to support content creators and get rid of banners forever.

There is also a practice of installing modified versions of games (MOD), In which the ad has already been cut out software. APK-Files from unverified sources pose a serious threat to the security of your personal data, and these assemblies often include hidden miners or Trojans.

Use only trusted forums and communities if you choose to go this way, and be sure to check your files with antivirus. Remember that installing software from unknown sources requires you to enable appropriate permission in your Android security settings, which reduces the overall level of protection of the device.

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The combination of DNS and MSA disabling eliminates 95% of all ads on Xiaomi without the need to install additional software.