Xiaomi’s modern smartphones are famous for their value for money, offering cutting-edge hardware for the money they can afford. However, for low cost, users often pay their attention when faced with intrusive ads in system applications, which can be annoying, especially when banners pop up at inappropriate times or overlap the desktop.
Fortunately, embedded advertising is not mandatory and can be turned off, returning the device to the clean interface. the process of deactivation does not require root rights or complex flashing, it is enough to consistently change several settings in the MIUI menu or the new HyperOS shell. In this article, we will discuss all effective ways to combat marketing content.
You have to understand that the ad modules are embedded deep in the system and scattered across different services, such as the browser, music, explorer and even the download manager. So to achieve the perfect result, you need to go through the list of shutdowns in sequence, without missing any system component. Only a comprehensive approach ensures that pop-ups disappear completely.
Disabling the MSA System Service
The centerpiece of Xiaomi’s shell advertising is the MSA (MIUI System Ads) system app, which collects your preferences and broadcasts targeted ads to different parts of the interface, and without disabling the service, it will be ineffective to combat banners.
First, you need to find the service in the installed application list. Because it's system-based, you can't just delete it in the standard way, but you can revoke your consent to work. Go to the settings menu, select "Passwords and Security" and then "Access to Data." In the list that opens, find msa and put the switch inactive.
The system will alert you that a shutdown may affect some features and will suggest waiting 10 seconds before confirming. This is a standard protection procedure that requires your patience. Once the timer has expired, press the "Cancel" button and confirm the action in the pop-up window.
⚠️ Warning: If the first time the recall button is inactive or a network error occurs, don't panic. This is a common occurrence associated with the company's servers. 2-3 Minutes or switch from Wi-Fi to mobile internet, usually a second time access is allowed.
It is important to note that after the MSA service is turned off, the ads will not disappear instantly and completely.The system takes time to update the configuration files on the device. Usually the process takes from a few hours to a day, during which the number of banners will gradually decrease.
Setup of the built-in browser Mi Browser
Xiaomi’s standard browser is one of the main sources of intrusive content, as it is set to display news feeds and promotional recommendations by default. To turn it into a minimalist surfing tool, you need to manually adjust internal settings.
Open the browser app and go to the menu by clicking on the three bars at the bottom or top of the screen. Select Settings, then look for Privacy and Security. Here you are interested in Get References or Personal References, which you need to deactivate. This will remove the newsfeed from the home page.
Next, clear the notifications that are often used to promote products. In the same settings menu, look for the Notifications section and turn off all switches related to marketing emails, promotions and news. Leave only critical options, such as downloading files, active.
Alternative browsers
For additional effect, it is recommended to include the built-in ad blocker. In the browser settings, find the item "Ad block" and activate it. This will help filter intrusive banners on visited sites, making reading articles more comfortable.
Cleaning the "Security" application and the loader
The Security app is another central hub in the MIUI shell that combines antivirus, memory cleanup and battery management. Unfortunately, this is where pop-ups often appear, recommending installing games or clearing your phone of junk, which isn't really.
To remove the ads, run the Security app and click on the settings gear in the top right corner. Find the Receive Recommends section and turn it off. It's also worth checking the Cleanup section, where there may be a separate switchboard to show ads after the scan is completed.
The downloads app is particularly noteworthy. Often, after downloading a file from the Internet, the user sees a pop-up asking them to download another application. To stop this, open the Downloads app, click three dots in the corner and select Settings. Turn off the Show Recommended Content option.
☑️ Verification of system applications
And remember to check the settings for Music and Video, and the logic is the same: go to the settings, look for the recommendations or online services, and turn them off, and that will give the players back their original, clean look.
Disabling personalization in the system
Beyond individual apps, advertising and tracking user behavior are governed by global personalization settings. Xiaomi collects device usage data to improve services, but for many users it is an invasion of (privacy) and a source of targeted advertising.
Go to the basic Settings of your smartphone, then select Passwords and Security. In this menu, look for Privacy and then Advertising Services. Here you will see the Personal Advertising switch. It must be turned off. It is also recommended to click Reset Advertising ID to reset the profile.
Then go back to the Passwords and Security menu and look for Access to Data (or Special Opportunities if your version of the OS has hidden access to the data) and turn off Internet access for system services that should not be online, such as GetApps (app store) or Mi Credit if you don't use them. Blocking the Internet for these services ensures that they can't load the latest ads.
| System component | Location of settings | Action. |
|---|---|---|
| MSA Service | Passwords and security → Access to data | Withdraw access |
| Personalization | Passwords and security → Advertising | Turn off personalization |
| Mi Browser | Browser settings → Privacy | Disable recommendations |
| GetApps | Settings → Applications → GetApps | Limit background activity |
Performing these actions significantly reduces digital noise and traffic consumption, and the smartphone becomes faster as background processes stop constantly polling advertisers’ servers.
Removing Advertising in Standard Applications
Even after disabling the basic services, some apps may continue to show content. For example, the Themes app often offers paid wallpaper and fonts. To minimize this, open the Themes app, go to the profile (human icon) and turn off "Show ads" and "Receive recommendations" in the settings.
It's the same with Explorer. Open it, click on the menu and select About, or go straight to the settings (cogs). Find About or Get References and deactivate all the switches. This will remove the banners that appear when you open files.
⚠️ Note: When you turn off network activity for system applications through Firewall settings (if any) or through ADB, Make sure you don’t block critical sync services like Mi Cloud or Google Play Services or you’ll lose data or notifications.
Also worth a look at is the Calendar app, which in some versions of MIUI can show subscriptions to holidays or events with ads, and in the calendar settings, disable subscriptions to unnecessary holiday sets if they broadcast advertising content.
Using Private DNS to block
One of the most effective and elegant ways to remove ads from the entire system, including browsers and games, is to use a secure system. DNS-This method does not require the installation of additional applications and works at the network connection level.
To set up, go to "Settings" →"Connection and Sharing (or "Wi-Fi" / "Mobile Network"). Find "Private" DNS-server (Private) DNS). The default is "Auto" or "Disabled." Select "Host Name provider" DNS" (manually).
In the box you enter the address of a special server that cuts off advertising requests. One of the most popular and reliable options is dns.adguard.com. Enter this line accurately, without unnecessary spaces and symbols, and click Save.
dns.adguard.comOnce you save the setting, the Internet can be interrupted and restored for a short time, from which point on, all requests to known ad servers will be blocked at the DNS level, which means that instead of a banner, you will see an empty space or an error message about the loading of an item.
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If some applications or sites have stopped working after Private DNS is enabled, try temporarily disabling this feature. Some services may block access when using third-party DNS. Alternative addresses, such as those from AdGuard Family, can be used in this case.
This method is particularly effective in conjunction with previous steps, while system settings remove internal advertising interface Xiaomi, DNS-filter clears Internet traffic from outdoor advertising.