How to remove Xiaomi Redmi ads on the lock screen

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face intrusive marketing content that appears in the most unexpected places in the system. One of the most annoying problems is the advertising image or news feed that occurs when the lock screen is turned on, which not only distracts from using the device, but also consumes mobile traffic, slows down the interface.

Fortunately, MIUI provides users with flexible personalization tools, so you can get rid of unwanted content without having to manipulate superuser rights in a complex way. In this article, we’ll break down a step-by-step algorithm that will help bring back a clean and functional lock screen.

It’s worth noting that the location of menu items may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and the region for which the smartphone is released. However, the general logic of the Mi Browser and Glance system applications remains unchanged on all current models, whether it is a budget Redmi Note or flagship Xiaomi Mi.

Disabling the function "Carousel wallpaper" in the settings

The main source of ads on the locked screen is a built-in feature, which in different regions is called "Wallpaper Carousel", "Glance" or "Wallpaper", which is the service that downloads images from the Internet, often providing them with banner ads or news reports, and to stop this process, you need to go to the system settings of the device.

Go to Settings, then select Lock Screen, and here you will see the option to change background images, and on some firmware versions it may be called Wallpaper Carousel or simply Glance for Mi. You will need to click on this option to reveal additional service management options.

In the menu that opens, find the switch that activates the function. It should be put into an inactive state. It is also recommended to immediately disable the option "Receive recommendations" if it is present in the list. This action will instantly stop downloading new content to your screen.

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If the switch is inactive (gray), it may be blocked by the device administrator or corporate profile, in which case check the security settings or delete the work profiles.

Once the function is turned off, the system can ask you to choose a static image from the gallery or standard sets, which is the best option for those who want to maintain visual appeal, but without unnecessary information noise.

Setting up the system application "Wallpaper"

Even after the main function is disabled, the system may still have a background app that is responsible for thematic collections, often hidden in the general list of programs and has a succinct name "Wallpaper" or Wallpaper, which is also able to generate pop-up notifications or change the background without your knowledge.

Find an icon called Wallpaper in the app menu, and then you run it and you look at the top right corner of the screen, and it's usually a profile icon or a three-dot menu, and you click on it and you go to the settings of the app itself, where you can monitor its behavior in detail.

Inside the settings, find the “Additional Settings” or “Subscription Settings” section, and it’s critical to turn off “Receive Content” or “Recommendations” where it allows the app to communicate with Xiaomi servers and download promotional materials.

• 📱 Open the Wallpaper app through a search or general list of programs.
• ⚙️ Click on the profile icon or menu in the top corner of the interface.
• 🚫 Find and disable the “Get Content” or “Recommendations” switchboard».
• ✅ Make sure there are no active paid or free trial periods left in the My Subscriptions section.

It is important to understand that the Wallpaper app and the system setting of the lock screen are two different levels of control. Disabling one does not guarantee the other to be disabled, so you need to check both parameters for a guaranteed result.

Disconnection of MSA (MIUI System Ads)

MSA (MIUI System Ads) is the main system component responsible for displaying ads throughout the MIUI shell. Although direct removal of this application without root rights is impossible, it can be deactivated by depriving the right to display advertising materials, this is the most effective method of combating marketing in the system.

To start, go to Settings → Password and Security → Data Access. Search msa in the application list. Turn off Wi-Fi and mobile internet access for this process. The system will alert you that the application will stop working correctly - that's exactly what we need.

⚠️ Attention: When attempting to disconnect MSA The system may display a countdown timer several times (usually 10 You have to wait until you've got to stop, and you have to push the stop button again. 2-3 once until the system fails.

After successfully restricting access to the network, it is also recommended to disable advertising personalization. To do this, go to Settings → Password and Security → Privacy → Advertising Services. Here you need to deactivate the option “Receive personalized recommendations”.

These actions will not disrupt the basic functions of the smartphone, but will significantly reduce the amount of intrusive content, msa will no longer receive data about your actions and will not be able to generate advertising offers based on your activity.

Managing Notifications from System Applications

Often, the ads on the lock screen appear not as background, but as a pop-up notification from system services such as Mi Video, Mi Music or Security. These apps can send subscription offers or news that block the review of time and notifications.

To fix this problem, go to the notification settings. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification management. scroll through the list where system applications usually are, and find Security, Cleanup, Mi Video.

When you go to the settings of each suspicious app, look for a notification category called Resources, Recommendations, or Marketing. Turn off the notifications on the lock screen and curtain, and leave only critical warnings, such as viruses or critical errors, active.

This fine-tuning allows you to leave the functionality of the applications intact, but saves the user from constant visual noise. You can still use a video player or antivirus, but they will stop bothering you at the wrong time.

Resetting Advertising Identifier Settings

To improve the effectiveness of the fight against targeted advertising, it is useful to periodically reset the device’s advertising ID, which breaks the link between your current profile and the statistics accumulated by advertisers, making the display of relevant advertising less accurate.

You can do this through the Settings menu → Password and Security → Privacy → Advertising Services. Click on Reset Advertising ID. The system will confirm the action and your device’s unique code for advertising purposes will change.

It's recommended to do this every few months, especially if you notice a lot of pop-ups, and it doesn't guarantee that ads disappear completely, but it does reduce the frequency and intrusiveness of ads, and when combined with MSA shutdown, it's a great way to do it.

Some users also advise disabling the Usage and Diagnostics service in the same privacy settings section, which will limit telemetry transmission to the manufacturer's servers, which will also have a positive effect on privacy.

Use of third-party launchers and solutions

If standard methods do not remove all elements of advertising, you can consider installing a third-party launcher. Replacing the standard shell MIUI Launcher with an alternative, for example, Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, allows you to completely ignore the system settings of the lock screen and desktop.

When installing a third-party launcher, the system may require you to confirm the default permission to use. After that, the smartphone interface will change and many of Xiaomi’s built-in widgets will no longer be displayed. However, it is worth remembering that the Lock Screen often remains system-controlled and controlled by the OS, not the launcher.

For advanced users, there is a possibility of using ADB-This requires you to connect your smartphone to your computer and execute commands in the terminal, for example, a command to hide the carousel component might look like this:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.misystem

Use of such methods requires caution. Incorrectly disabling system packages can lead to unstable operation of the device or "bootloop" (cyclic reboot).

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A comprehensive approach, including disabling MSA, setting up wallpaper and resetting IDs, allows you to remove 99% of all advertising in the Xiaomi system without losing warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)