Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often encounter intrusive banners that appear in the most unexpected places, such as a pop-up in the Tools folder, an ad insert when Music is launched, or even a banner in the Security menu, which annoys users accustomed to pure Android and creates a feeling of congestion.
Fortunately, the developers of MIUI and the new HyperOS shell have now made it possible to disable most of the ad modules, so you don't have to be a programmer or get root rights to clean the interface, you just have to go through a few menu items in a row and turn off the unnecessary services that are responsible for showing promotional materials.
In this article, we will take a look at how to turn off ads in applications and system services in Xiaomi. We will look at disabling MSA, setting up system utilities and installing additional filters. Follow the instructions Step-by-step to make your smartphone work quickly and without visual noise.
Disabling the MSA service, the main source of advertising
The main component that broadcasts advertising content in the MIUI shell is the MSA (MIUI System Ads) system application, which collects data about your preferences and shows targeted banners, and disabling this service is the first and most important step to clean the system.
To deactivate the module, go to the settings menu and select Passwords and Security. Next, look for Access to Personal Data (or Authorization and Review). In the list of installed applications, find msa and put the slider in an inactive state. The system will warn you of the consequences, but for the average user they are not critical.
⚠️ Attention: After the slider is turned off, a countdown timer will appear for 10 seconds. The recall button will only become active after this time has expired. If you press Cancel, the process will have to start again.
It's important to note that you don't always turn off the service the first time. The interface can simulate an error or require re-confirmation. If you see an error message, just repeat the procedure 2-3 times in a row. Usually, on 3-4 attempts, the MSA successfully shuts down.
Also check for updates for this component. Go to Settings → About Phone and click on the MIUI version several times to open the Advanced Settings menu. Make sure that the Settings section has disabled items related to Getting Recommendations or Improvement Plan.
Setup of System Applications: Security and Downloads
Even after the MSA service is disabled, some system utilities may continue to show promotional offers, most often the Security app, which is the phone's control center, and the download manager.
To clean up the Security app, open it and click on the gear icon in the top right corner. Find Receive recommendations and turn it off. Also check the Memory Cleanup section inside the app's settings, which may also be hiding the promotions switch.
The download manager is another source of pop-ups. Open Downloads, click three dots in the corner, and select Settings. Here you need to find the option to Show and deactivate it, which will remove the news feed and banner ads from the bootloader's home screen.
- 📱 Open the Security app → A gear. → Receive recommendations (Off).
- 📥 Open Downloads. → Three points. → Settings → Show recommended (off).
- 🧹 Annex Cleanup (Inside Security) → Settings → Disable all items with recommendations.
Keep in mind that the names of items may vary slightly depending on the firmware version (Global, China or EEA).
☑️ Verification of system applications
Removing Advertising in Standard Apps
Xiaomi’s standard suite of apps (Music, Video, Themes, Browser) also includes ad integrations, which can manifest as banners on the app’s home screen or pop-ups when launched.
In the Topic app, go to the profile (human icon) and click on the settings icon. Turn off the Display Ads and Personal Recommendations. This will clear the theme store from intrusive offers of paid covers and fonts.
For the video app, the situation is similar. Go to Profile → Settings and find the section with the content settings. You need to turn off the Get Recommendations function. In some firmware versions, this item may be called “Online content” or “Content services”.
| Annex | The path to adjustment | What to turn off |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | Profile → Settings | Showing ads |
| Video | Profile → Settings | Receive recommendations |
| Music. | Menu → Settings → Extended | Showing advertisements |
| Conductor | Menu → Settings | Receive recommendations |
In the Music app, you need to be more careful. Go to the menu (three bars) → Settings → Advanced settings. Find the Show Ads switch and remove it. This action will also turn off auto-start video clips when listening to tracks.
What to do if the settings are missing?
Blocking advertising in the browser and Yandex.Zen
Special attention should be paid to the built-in MIUI Browser browser and the integration of Yandex services. In Chinese versions of firmware, and sometimes in global ones, the browser actively uses its platform for news and advertising.
To remove ads in your browser, open it, click on three dots (menu) and select Settings. Go to Privacy and Security. You need to activate the Ad Blocker slider. You should also turn off Site Notifications and Personal Recommendations.
If you have a Yandex or Mi Video feed on your desktop or left-hand screen (Google Discover), you can turn it off. Click your finger on the empty desktop space, go to Settings (cogs), and find the Widget Ribbon or Google Discover item. Turn off the newscard display.
For users who actively use Yandex services, it is important to understand the difference: Advertising in the search results of Yandex is the content of the search engine, and Xiaomi’s system methods can not remove it. However, the system banners that the shell inserts into the folder “Google” or “Tools” are disabled through the system settings, as described above.
- 🌐 Browser: Settings → Confidentiality → Adblocker (On).
- 📰 Desktop: Screen settings → Widget tape (Off).
- 🔍 Search: Settings → Search → Receive recommendations (Off).
It is also recommended to check the settings of the widgets. Sometimes the banner ad is a separate widget accidentally added to the desktop. Long click on the suspicious widget will remove it.
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Use alternative browsers. The built-in MIUI browser is good for fast work, but for comfortable surfing, it is better to install Chrome, Firefox or Brave with built-in tracker protection.
Using DNS to block at the network level
The most effective way to remove advertising not only in the system, but also inside many third-party applications and games is to configure Private. DNS (Private DNS). This method does not require the installation of additional blocking applications, which can consume resources on their own.
The principle is simple: your phone sends requests to domain names through a special server, which instead of the addresses of the ad servers returns the void, as a result, the ads simply do not load.
To set up, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing (or "Wi-Fi and Internet"). Find a Private Item DNS (Private DNS). Select the mode "Host Name provider" DNS» (or "Manually" and enter the address in the field:
dns.adguard.comSave your settings. Now all your device traffic will be filtered, and you'll notice that banners are missing from free games, news apps, and sites that don't use them. HTTPS-advertising-encryption.
⚠️ Attention: Use of third-party DNS may cause some local services or applications linked to a particular carrier to fail. DNS if you have stopped working the Internet in the mobile network, return the setting to the "Auto" mode».
This method is especially useful for older models such as the Redmi Note 8 or Redmi 9, where ad processes can be more loading on the processor. DNS Reduces battery load and traffic.
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Private DNS (dns.adguard.com) is the most powerful method that blocks ads in 95% of applications without installing additional software.
Frequent questions and problem-solving
Despite the simplicity of the instructions, users often encounter nuances, and the following are answers to the most popular questions that will help complete the setup.