How to remove ads in Xiaomi: a step-by-step plan for cleaning MIUI

Owning Xiaomi smartphones is often accompanied by intrusive advertising content that is built into the system shells of MIUI and HyperOS. Many users are faced with the fact that banners appear in desktop folders, when locking the screen or while working in standard applications. This is not an accident, but part of the monetization of budget devices by the manufacturer.

Fortunately, there are many ways to minimize this data stream or completely stop it without obtaining superuser rights. In this article, we will examine proven methods that are relevant to models released in 2026 and 2026. Removing ads in a Xiaomi smartphone is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a way to improve the performance of the device.

You can customize the system so that it works exclusively for you, not for advertisers. We'll look at both the standard settings and more advanced methods using the system. DNS-By following the instructions below, you'll regain control of the interface.

Disabling the MSA system advertising service

The main source of unwanted banners in the shell is a process called MSA (MIUI System Ads), which collects data about your actions and selects the relevant content, and without deactivating it, other settings may not be effective.

The shutdown procedure requires care, as the system tries to keep the user in the ecosystem, and you'll need to press the cancel button several times to confirm your decision, and this is done specifically so that the user does not accidentally abandon the ad impressions.

To perform the operation, go to the Settings menu → Passwords and security → Access to personal data. In the list that opens, find msa and turn off the switch. The system will start countdown (usually 10 seconds), after which it will require you to click the “Disable” button.

⚠️ If you can’t turn off the service the first time, try repeating the procedure. 2-3 Sometimes the server doesn't immediately accept the request to disconnect.

In parallel with msa, it is recommended to restrict access to data for other system services, such as Receiving References or Mi Video, which will reduce the amount of telemetry collected, and after these actions, the number of pop-ups should be significantly reduced.

Set up personalized recommendations

Even after the core module is disabled, some apps may still show suggestions if the personalization feature is activated, such as Security, Music, and Themes, and they use algorithms to analyze your preferences.

To stop this, you need to go to the settings of each system application separately. For example, in the Security app, you need to click on the gear in the upper right corner and find the item "Get recommendations." MIUI 14 and newer versions of HyperOS often hide this option deep in the menu.

The same steps should be repeated for the theme store and browser. In the Mi Browser browser, the settings are located in the three-point menu where you need to select Settings → Privacy and Security. Here the option “Personalized recommendations” is turned off.

Don't ignore this step, because it eliminates ad blocks inside the application interface. Personalization is often used to promote paid subscriptions and games. By disabling it, you'll clear the interface of visual noise.

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After disabling the recommendations in the Themes app, restart the device so that the changes take effect completely and the cache is updated.

Using a private DNS to block

The most effective method, which works at the level of the entire operating system, is to change the operating system. DNS-This is a way to filter out ad requests before they reach your smartphone.

Modern versions of Android, including those on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 or the flagship 14 series, have a built-in “Private DNS” feature that is on the Settings path → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS.

In the menu that opens, select the DNS Host Name mode and enter the address dns.adguard.com. Once saved, the phone will redirect all requests through AdGuard filters, which will automatically cut off known advertising domains.

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Using a private DNS dns.adguard.com blocks advertising not only in the system, but also in many applications and browsers without installing additional software.

This method is especially useful if you don’t want to install third-party blockers that can consume battery life, but it’s worth considering that when using such a DNS, some sites or applications may not work properly if their ad modules are intertwined with the main content.

Disabling Advertising in Standard Applications

Xiaomi system utilities often contain built-in ad modules that require separate setup. Even with the MSA disabled, some apps may continue to display banners on their start screens or in news feeds.

Special attention should be paid to the Explorer app, which should find the About section in its settings and disable all sliders associated with recommendations, and check the settings of widgets on the desktop.

There are also hidden switches in Calendar and Dictator, and go to the settings of each and carefully study the "Advanced" or "General" section. System applications are often updated to return old ad settings, so it's worth checking regularly.

If you’re actively using the global firmware version, there may be less advertising than in Chinese, but it’s still there. Regularly checking for updates to the apps themselves through the GetApps store or Google Play can bring new privacy options.

Blocking through the hosts file (for advanced)

For users who are not afraid of technical manipulation, there is a method of editing the hosts system file. IP-Adding the addresses of Xiaomi's ad servers will prevent the phone from connecting to them.

This method will require access to a file system with write rights, which often implies root rights or the use of special tools through ADB.

adb remount


adb pull /system/etc/hosts




adb push hosts /system/etc/hosts

Add lines to the file that block domains like feedback.miui.com and data.mistat.xiaomi.com. DNS, It works even without connecting to the outside. DNS-server.

⚠️ Note: Editing system files can cause the device to run unstable. be sure to make a full backup of the data before making changes.

This is a good way to use it if other methods don’t work, but for most users, setting up the DNS and disabling the MSA is enough. The hosts file is a tool for those who want total control over the network connections of a smartphone.

Alternative launchers and third-party solutions

If the built-in MIUI or HyperOS shell ads annoy you too much, consider installing a third-party launcher.Replacing the standard desktop with a Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher completely removes Xiaomi's advertising widgets and newsfeeds.

Third-party launchers do not have access to the system advertising modules of the shell, as they work on top of them as a regular application, which allows you to preserve the functionality of calls and messages, but change the appearance of the interface beyond recognition.

There are also specialized blocking apps, such as AdGuard (full version) or Blokada. VPN-tunneling on the device, filtering traffic, which can slightly increase battery consumption, but provides a high level of protection.

By combining these methods, you can create a virtually sterile environment: Start with simple menu settings, then connect DNS, and only if that's not enough, move on to launchers. A comprehensive approach guarantees the best result in the fight for a clean interface.

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