Xiaomi smartphone owners often face intrusive marketing that is built right into the MIUI shell. One of the most annoying manifestations of this policy is the banner ads that appear when you open folders with applications on the desktop. This phenomenon is typical for most models of the brand, from budget Redmi to flagship Xiaomi. Users notice that when you try to launch a game or messenger from a folder, before them pops up an ad block that covers the review.
Fortunately, the developers have left the option to disable this feature, even though they have hidden it deep enough in the system menus. The deactivation process does not require obtaining superuser rights or flashing the device. It is enough to change a few parameters in the settings of the system and the launcher itself. It is important to understand that advertising content is a company's way of offsetting the low cost of hardware, but in 2026 users are free to decide whether they see these offers.
In this article, we will discuss all known methods of removing banners in detail. We will look at both standard MIUI settings and more advanced methods through ADB. The interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version (Global, China or EEA), but the logic of actions remains the same for all devices.
Disable MSA service through settings
The first and most effective step is to deactivate the MSA (MIUI System Ads) service, which is responsible for collecting user data and displaying targeted ads in system applications and folders. Without disabling this service, any other manipulations may be temporary, since the system will automatically restore advertising modules.
To start, go to the smartphone settings menu. Find the Password and Security section and select Access to Personal Data (or Authorization and Privacy in new versions). In the list that opens, find an app called msa and turn the switch to the "Off" position. The system will warn you of the consequences, but to remove ads it is necessary.
Note that the first time you turn off the service may not work. MIUI interface often uses tactics of "intimidation" or artificial delay. You may need to wait 10 seconds before the confirmation button becomes active. If the system gives an error or the switch returns to its original position, repeat the procedure 3-4 times in a row. Usually on the 3rd attempt of Android allows you to complete the action.
⚠️ Note: After disabling the msa service, some system widgets, such as Horizon or personalized recommendations in the Mi browser, may stop updating or not work correctly.
It's also worth mentioning that in some firmware regions, this item may be called Advertising Service. If you haven't found msa, look for any names that contain the word "Ads" or "Advertising." Disabling this component is a fundamental step, without which further cleaning of the interface will be incomplete.
Configuring the behavior of folders in MIUI
Once the system service is disabled, you need to configure the launcher directly, which is responsible for displaying the desktop and folders. In the MIUI shell, there is a separate switch that forcibly adds recommendations to application folders. Even when the MSA service is turned off, this option can continue to show static banners or suggestions to install games.
To remove these items, go to Settings → Desktop. Here you are interested in the Folder section. Inside you will find an option called "Recommended" or "Show recommendations." Make sure the slider is in the Off position. In some versions of MIUI, this item may be in the Additional menu or hidden in the theme settings.
If there is no standard path, try this method: open any folder on your desktop, click on the name of the folder to edit. In the search window or folder settings that appears, sometimes a "Recommendations" switch appears, and it also needs to deaktivirovat, this action will instantly clear the folder space from unnecessary visual noise.
☑️ Checking the launcher settings
Importantly, after an operating system update, the launcher settings can reset to factory settings, which means you will have to repeat the procedure for disabling recommendations. MIUI is known for its aggressive policy of returning to the settings after major updates, so keep this instruction handy.
Cleaning cache and system application data
Sometimes the ad modules are saved in the app cache even if you have disabled their source. To ensure that the banners are removed, you need to clean up the data for the system component of the Content Receiver (cpa) and the launcher itself, which action will reset accumulated advertising identifiers and temporary files.
Follow these steps: Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find Content Recipient (could be called Content Provider) on the list. Click on it and select Clean → Clear Everything. Then find the Themes app and also clear its data. Don't worry, your personal themes and wallpaper won't be lost, only store settings and cache will be reset.
After cleaning the data, it is recommended to restart the device. Restart is necessary in order for the system to re-initialize the launcher processes without loading old advertising creaks.
| System component | Function | Risk of deletion of data | Need for cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Content recipient | Downloading of recommendations | No. | Tall. |
| Topics | Decoration store | Resetting store settings | Medium |
| Security | Antivirus and cleaning | Resetting scanning settings | Low. |
| Loader (Launcher) | Desktop | Resetting the location of icons | Extremely high |
Cleaning up the launcher data is a last resort, and if you do that, your desktop will go back to its original form, and you'll have to re-arrange widgets and folders, but if the banners in the folders are software-based, this method helps 90% of the time.
Using DNS to block
The most powerful tool in the fight against advertising is the setting of private DNS (Private DNS), which blocks requests to ad servers at the network level, preventing the phone from downloading banners at all, a versatile solution that works not only in folders, but also in the browser and games.
To set up, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing (or “Additional Settings”). Find Private DNS (Private DNS). Select the option “Host Name Provider” DNS» And you type in the address: dns.adguard.com. Save your settings. Now all requests to known ad domains will be blocked.