Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often encounter intrusive content that appears when the display is activated, such as news, banner ads or offers from MIUI services that block wallpaper and prevent quick access to the system. The annoying element is not only distracting, but can consume traffic if it is downloaded from the Internet.
Fortunately, the Android operating system with the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS allows you to flexibly configure this interface. You can completely disable the external source of content, leaving only the time, date and necessary notifications from the applications. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the methods that allow you to return a clean lock screen.
The setup process takes only a few minutes, but requires careful attention, as the name of the items may vary slightly between different versions of the firmware. We will look at both standard methods through settings, and deeper ways to disable system services.
Reasons for the appearance of third-party content on a locked screen
The main source of unwanted images and text is the built-in Wallpaper Carousel (or Glance), which is activated by default when you first set up your smartphone or after you update your system, and aims to show you high-quality, up-to-date photos and news reports.
In addition, messages can come from specific applications if they are allowed to display content on top of other windows or on the lock screen, often requested by news aggregators, browsers or games with active advertising policies, and understanding the source of the problem is the first step to fix it.
In some cases, junk is generated by system applications such as Security or Explorer if recommendations are activated in their settings, and it is important to distinguish between system wallpaper change and individual notifications, as the methods of disabling them differ.
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Often users confuse standard WhatsApp notifications with banner ads.The ad message usually has a "Recommended" or "Close" button in the corner of the image.
Disabling the wallpaper carousel through system settings
The easiest and most effective way to remove ads is to deactivate Wallpaper Carousel, which works on most current versions of MIUI and HyperOS, and you don't need superuser rights or a computer connection.
To start, go to the main settings menu of your device. Find the section that handles the look and lock screen. The path may vary, but the logic remains the same for all Xiaomi models.
In the menu that opens, you'll see a switch that activates the service, and when it's turned off, the system will prompt you to select a static image or standard wallpaper that will be displayed permanently, ensuring that no new images will be loaded again.
☑️ Algorithm for Carousel Disconnection
Note that after the feature is disabled, it may be necessary to restart the device to make the changes take effect permanently.If the switch returns to its original position on its own, a third-party launcher or virus software may be activated.
Setting up parameters in the app Topics
If the standard shutdown didn't work, it's worth checking the settings of the Themes app, which is where content syncs and ad functions are often turned on, and in some regions, the firmware settings are spread across different menus.
Open the Themes app on your smartphone. Go to the user profile, which is usually in the lower right corner of the interface, and there are important system settings that affect the display of content.
Find the Settings item and look at the Wallpaper Carousel section, where you can not only turn off the feature, but also clear the cache to remove already downloaded advertising images from the phone’s memory.
- 📱 Go to profile and select "Settings».
- 🚫 Find the switch “Enable Wallpaper Carousel” and turn it off.
- 🗑️ Click on “Clear Cache” to remove uploaded pictures.
- ✅ Check if the ads have disappeared after the screen is blocked.
Why is the ad coming back?
Managing Notifications from System Applications
Sometimes the messages on the lock screen are not part of the Carousel, but are push notifications from system services, often from applications such as Security, Downloads or Mi Video.
To identify the culprit, wait for the message to appear, but don't unlock the phone completely. Look at the sender icon. If it's a system application, press your finger on the notification (if the interface allows) or go to the notification settings.
In the Settings menu → Notifications and Status bar → Notifications management, find a suspicious app. Here you can customize its behavior in detail: prohibit sound, vibration and, most importantly, display on the lock screen.
⚠️ Warning: Do not disable critical system notifications such as System Services or Phone, or you may miss important calls or system error messages.
For applications like Download or Explorer, you can safely disallow any notifications, since they rarely carry useful information in real time, which will not only remove messages, but also improve overall performance.
Comparison of methods of disabling advertising
There are several levels of interference to remove unwanted content, and the method you choose depends on your technical background and the version of the MIUI shell. Below is a table comparing the main approaches.
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disconnection in settings | Low. | Tall. | Absent. |
| Setting up the application Topics | Low. | Medium | Minimum |
| Disconnection through ADB | Tall. | Maximum | Possible instability |
| Launcher installation | Medium | Tall. | Changing the interface |
For most users, the first two methods are sufficient: the use of ADB commands is recommended only for advanced users who understand the consequences of removing system packages. Errors when working with system files can lead to a cyclical reboot.
Installing a third-party launcher changes not only the lock screen, but the entire home screen interface, a radical but effective step for those who want to move away from the Xiaomi ecosystem entirely.
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The combination of disabling the Wallpaper Carousel and disabling notifications for system applications solves the problem 99% of the time without the need for complex tools.
Deep Cleaning through USB Debugging (ADB)
If standard methods do not work, you can use the tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to remove or freeze the system package responsible for advertising directly through the computer.
To start, turn on the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings. → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the item "Version" MIUI» (or "Version" OS»). After that, the menu will appear in the section “Additional” or “Advanced settings”, where you need to activate “Debugging by” USB».
Connect your smartphone to your computer and execute a command to remove the msa (MIUI System Ads) component or look. Be extremely careful: removing the wrong packages can disrupt the app store or update system.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.misys
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.thememanagerOnce you have completed the commands, restart the device. Ads should disappear completely, including pop-ups in standard applications. However, remember that when you reset your settings to factory remote packets can return.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Introducing the wrong command can remove important system components, making the phone unusable without flashing the firmware.
Frequent questions and problem-solving
Even after completing all the instructions, users may have additional questions related to the features of specific models or versions of the software.
If you upgraded your phone to HyperOS, the menu structure might have changed. The principle remained the same, but the path could look like Settings → Lock screen. Look for any mention of the words "Recommendations," "Tape" or "Wallpaper."
Can I remove ads without shutting down the internet?
Why did the updates get lost?
Does the device region affect the availability of advertising?
Is it safe to use third-party apps to block?
Following these guidelines will help you make your Xiaomi more comfortable and clean of unnecessary visual noise, and a clean lock screen not only makes you happy, but also allows you to access the information you need faster.