Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face intrusive behavior from a system that constantly suggests installing new games or using partner services, a phenomenon known as advertising recommendations built into the shell of MIUI and the newer HyperOS at the system process level, which for many users becomes a serious distraction problem and consumes Internet traffic.
Fortunately, the company's engineers have made it possible to disable most of these features, although they have hidden them deep enough in the settings menu. Complete removal of ads requires a series of actions to be performed consistently, since there is no single "Switch Off All" button, and in this article we will detail each step necessary to clean the interface of your Redmi Note.
It's worth noting that shutting down system services can affect some built-in features, such as personalized news feeds. However, for most users, a clean desktop without unnecessary visual noise is a priority. Let's start with the most important thing: disabling the system ad module.
Disabling the MSA system advertising module
The central element in charge of displaying ads on the system is the MSA (MIUI System Ads) process, which collects data about your preferences and loads banner ads into different sections of the interface, and to stop it from working, you need to find the appropriate item in the authorization and security menu.
Go to the Settings menu, then select Passwords and Security. In the list that opens, look for Personal Data Access. You need to search the msa app and put the switch inactive. The system will alert you to the consequences, but you need to do this to turn off the ads.
It's important to note that you may not be able to turn off the module the first time. Xiaomi's system specifically adds a delay and requires confirmation after 10 seconds. If the switch is back in its original position, try again 2-3 times until the system accepts the command. This is the standard behavior of accidental shutdown protection.
Why is it so hard to turn off MSA the first time?
Customization of personalization and recommendations
In addition to the basic advertising module, personalization services are responsible for recommendations, they analyze your actions to suggest content that algorithms think you might be interested in, and turning off these services will significantly reduce the number of prompts in standard applications.
In the same password and security menu, look for the Privacy section. Scroll down to the Advertising Services section. You need to deactivate the option "Receive recommendations" or "Personalized advertising" here, which will prevent the system from using your data to target content.
Also check your Mi Account settings. In the Mi Account Settings section -> Advertising, make sure all switches are turned off.This ensures that ads won't come through the company's cloud services synchronized with your device.
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Disabling personalization services does not remove ads completely, but makes them less intrusive and relevant, turning them into a random set of banners.
We remove advertising in folders and on the desktop
One of the most annoying obsessions in Redmi Note is the recommendation of apps that appear inside folders on the desktop. Even if you created a Tools folder for your calculator and calendar, the system might suggest adding a game or browser to it.
To remove these suggestions, open any folder on your desktop. Click on the folder name to enter edit mode. In the upper right corner or in the settings menu that appears, find the Promoted apps switch and turn it off. Now the folders will only display shortcuts that you have added yourself.
In addition, the desktop can appear widget “Wallpaper Carousel” or news feed to the left of the main screen (Google Discover or Yandex). To turn them off, pinch two fingers on the desktop to enter editing mode, select Settings and disable unnecessary widgets or left panel.
Cleaning Standard Apps from Advertising
Ad units are built into the system, but also into standard utilities such as Explorer, Cleanup, Security and Themes. Each of these applications has its own settings that need to be changed manually to achieve full effect.
Let’s look at the main places where banners are hidden:
- 📂 Explorer: Open the application, click on the menu (three bars), select Settings -> About the application and disable "Receive recommendations».
- 🧹 Cleanup: Go to the Security app, click on the settings gear and find the Receive recommendations item, turning it into the “Off” state».
- 🎨 Topics: Go to profile (human icon), select Settings and turn off ad impressions and personalized recommendations.
Also, be sure to check the Music and Video app, which often hides the items that display banner ads in the player interface or on the app’s home page.
Blocking Advertising in Browser and Notifications
Even after disabling system advertising, notifications from sites and the built-in browser can continue to be disturbing.Mi Browser's default browser is set up aggressively and requires careful setup.
Open your browser, go to settings (three dots or bars) and find the Privacy and Security section. Activate the Ad Block option. It is also recommended to turn off "Receive news" and "Popular sites" on the homepage to keep it clean.
To block pop-up notifications from sites, go to Phone Settings -> Notifications and Status bar -> Notification Management. Find your browser in the list and prevent it from showing notifications, leaving only the necessary system ones.
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Use alternative browsers like DuckDuckGo or Brave, which have powerful ad blockers and engine-level trackers built in.
Comparison of methods of disabling advertising
There are several approaches to combating intrusive content, from standard settings to using third-party software, and below is a table to help you choose the best method for your case.
| Method | Efficiency | Difficulty | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI settings | Medium | Low. | Absent. |
| MSA shutdown | Tall. | Medium | Synchronization may fail |
| Private DNS | Tall. | Low. | Slowing down some sites |
| ADB team | Maximum | Tall. | Loss of warranty, risk of brick |
For most Redmi Note users, a combination of the first two methods is sufficient: DNS or ADB is required in advanced cases or for advanced users who want to fully control the device.
Using Private DNS to block
An effective way to (break) the connection with advertising servers is to use a private DNS. This method does not require the installation of applications and works at the network connection level.
Go to Settings -> Connection and Sharing (or Wi-Fi). Find a Private Item DNS (Private DNS). Select the mode "Host Name of the provider" DNS» and enter the address: dns.adguard.com. Save settings.
⚠️ Attention: After Enablement of Private DNS Some apps or sites may stop downloading content or work slower. If you notice problems with the Internet, return the setting to Auto or Off mode».
This method blocks known domains of advertising networks, so banners stop loading even in places where the standard settings of MIUI were powerless.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to turn off the msa process?
Will the ads disappear after the system update?
Can I remove ads from ADB forever?
Why are the recommended applications appearing again in folders?
Check the result and final settings
After performing all the above steps, it is recommended to restart the Redmi Note smartphone. This is necessary in order that all changes in system files and configurations take effect and the cache of advertising modules is cleared.
Check desktops, folders and standard apps. The interface should get significantly cleaner. If you use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher), this will also help avoid Xiaomi system recommendations, since third-party shells do not have access to native MIUI ad units.
☑️ Final clean-up check
Now your smartphone is exclusively for you, not advertisers, and checking your settings regularly after updates will help keep your device free of digital noise.