How to remove ads for Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: Full Guide

Owners of the popular Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro smartphone often encounter intrusive content that appears in system applications.This phenomenon, known as Mi Ads, is part of the manufacturer's monetization of budget and mid-budget devices.Users accustomed to pure Android may feel annoyed by pop-ups when clearing memory or opening folders.

Fortunately, aggressive marketing can be completely neutralized by standard MIUI tools, without requiring superuser rights or complex technical manipulations to achieve the result, and with a proper setup of privacy and system services, you can turn the device into a convenient tool without unnecessary visual noise.

In this guide, we will discuss all the steps of disabling advertising modules in detail. We will touch not only on the global account settings, but also on the specific parameters of each built-in application. Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro after these changes will work much faster and more pleasant for the eyes.

Disabling MSA Service and Global Recommendations

The first and most important step is to deactivate the MSA (MIUI System Ads) service, which is responsible for collecting user data and loading banner ads in the interface, and without disabling this component, all other settings may not be effective as the service will constantly try to restore its activity.

To start, you need to go to the smartphone settings menu and find the password and security section, which requires authorization to your Mi Account if you haven't already done so. After you log in, look for access to personal data or special features, where you need to find msa in the process list.

โš ๏ธ Note: When you turn off the msa service, the countdown timer may not work the first time.If the recall button remains inactive, try again in 24 hours without removing the application.

After a successful withdrawal, the system will suggest waiting 10 seconds before confirming an action, and this step should not be ignored, as it blocks the main channel for receiving advertising data, while it is recommended to turn off the Receive recommendations function in the general MIUI settings to remove the hints on the desktop.

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If the msa service spontaneously turns on after a reboot, try to completely clear the Security and Services and Feedback app cache before you re-disable it.

Setup of System Applications: Security and Downloads

The Security app is one of the main sources of annoyance, because it starts automatically when you clean RAM, and to remove the ads here, you open the app itself, click on the gear in the top right corner, and find the "Get recommendations." The switch needs to be put inactive.

โ˜‘๏ธ Checking security settings

Done: 0 / 1

Also worth checking is the Cleanup section inside the security app settings, which is often where additional modules are hidden that suggest installing antivirus or accelerators from third-party developers. The Downloads app is similar: by opening a three-dot menu, select settings and disable the display of recommended content.

Elimination of advertising in the Explorer and Applications

The standard MIUI file manager is also affected by advertising policies. To clear it of banners, open the Explorer app, go to the menu and select Settings. In the list that opens, find About or Get Recommendations immediately and deaktivirujte this feature, which will remove pop-ups when you open folders.

Embedded apps like Music, Video and Themes also require a customized approach, each of which requires you to go to a user profile or settings and look for a switch that displays online content and recommendations, such as in Themes, click on the profile icon, then click on the gear and remove the tick from the "Show ads."

๐Ÿ“Š Where you are most annoyed by advertising?
In the Security app: In the system browser: In the app Topics: In Explorer: Everywhere

โš ๏ธ Note: After updating the firmware, the ad settings in individual applications may reset. Periodically check the "Recommendations" sections in frequently used utilities.

Cleaning up Mi Browser and Google Chrome

If you use a standard browser from Xiaomi, without deep customization, it will show news feeds and promotional materials. Go to your browser settings, select the Privacy and Security section, and find the Receive recommendations section.

For Google Chrome users, itโ€™s easier, but it requires manual filtering. Open a three-point menu, go to Settings โ†’ Privacy & Security โ†’ Safe Browsing. In addition, under Notifications, pop-ups and redirects can be blocked, which will significantly reduce junk traffic.

Alternative browsers
If standard browsers donโ€™t work for you even after youโ€™ve set up, consider installing lightweight alternatives like Via Browser or DuckDuckGo that donโ€™t have built-in news feeds and aggressively block trackers.

Comparison of methods of disabling advertising

There are several approaches to solving the problem of intrusive content on the Redmi Note 8 Pro. Some users prefer manually configuring each component, others use third-party blocking programs, and others resort to installing global firmware. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, which should be considered before starting work.

The table below compares the main ways to deal with Mi Ads so you can choose the best one for your situation.

MethodDifficultyEfficiencyRisks.
Manual MSA shutdownLow.Tall.Minimum
Use of DNS (AdGuard)MediumVery high.Slowing down the network
Third-party launchersMediumMediumInstability
Flashing (Global ROM)Tall.MaximumLoss of guarantee

Use of DNS and Blockers

One of the most effective modern methods is to configure private DNS. This method allows you to filter traffic at the network level, blocking requests to advertising servers even before they reach the screen of the smartphone. To do this, go to the connection settings, look for the item โ€œPrivate DNSโ€ (usually under โ€œAdditionalโ€ or โ€œConnect and shareโ€).

In the DNS settings field, you need to enter the address of the blocker server. A popular and reliable option is the address dns.adguard.com. Once you save the settings, the system will begin to redirect requests through filters that cut out known advertising junk.

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Setting up a private DNS is a universal solution that removes advertising not only in the system, but also in most free apps and games.

It is worth noting that the use of third-party DNS-servers can sometimes cause some sites to be unstable or slow down if the server is overloaded, in which case you can try alternative addresses or temporarily disable the function to diagnose Internet problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it safe to completely disable the MSA service?
Yes, disabling the MSA service is safe for the operating system to operate, and it's a system component that is solely responsible for analytics and advertising, and the basic functions of the smartphone, calls and messages will continue to function normally without any disruption.
Why did it appear again after the ad was turned off?
This is most often done after a MIUI update, and when you install a new firmware version, privacy settings can be reset to factory values, and you will need to re-opt recommendations in your security and account settings.
Do you need Root rights to remove ads on the Redmi Note 8 Pro?
No, superuser rights are not required. All the necessary tools to block Mi Ads are built into the MIUI shell. Root rights can, on the contrary, disrupt banking applications and reduce the overall security of the device.
Can I remove standard apps that show ads?
You can't remove system applications like Security or Themes without special knowledge, because they're integrated into the core of the system, but you can disable or restrict them through application settings, effectively removing their impact on user experience.
Does disabling advertising affect the speed of the smartphone?
Yes, the positive impact is obvious: blocking ad modules frees up RAM and CPU time that was previously spent loading banners, especially on previous-generation devices like the Redmi Note 8 Pro.