How to turn off ads on Xiaomi POCO X3 Pro: the full guide

The POCO X3 Pro is famous for its high performance and excellent value for money, but many users are annoyed by the intrusive advertising built into the shell of MIUI. These are not just banners in the browser, but system notifications, pop-up windows in standard applications and recommendations in folders. Fortunately, the architecture of the system allows you to intervene deeply in its work and remove most of the annoying elements.

The process of clearing the interface from marketing content does not require root rights and is done by regular means or with a minimum set of tools. It is important to understand that Xiaomi constantly changes the paths to settings and service names, so the instructions should be relevant to current versions of the firmware. We will consider both basic settings and more advanced methods, including working with ADB.

Before you start taking action, we strongly advise you to back up your important data. Although the methods described below are considered safe, any interference with system processes carries minimal but present risks. Your goal is to make the use of the POCO X3 Pro comfortable, turning it from an advertising platform into a powerful working tool.

Disabling the MSA service is the main source of advertising

The central element in charge of displaying advertising materials in the system is the MSA service (MIUI System Ads), which analyzes your actions and selects the appropriate banners, and disabling this component is the first and most important step that every device owner needs to take.

To start, go to the settings menu and find the password and security section, and you'll need to find "Access to Personal Data" or "Special Features." In the app list that opens, find msa and switch the slider to an inactive state, and the system will try to dissuade you by showing a countdown timer and frightening messages about possible instability.

After the timer expires (usually 10 seconds), press the "Disable" button. If the service does not turn off the first time and you give an error, repeat the procedure 3-5 times in a row. This is a common feature of MIUI protection, which requires persistence from the user. After a successful shutdown, advertising in folders and system interfaces should disappear.

⚠️ Note: After disabling the msa service, it may be necessary to restart the device to fully apply the changes.

It is worth noting that the complete removal of the system application is impossible without deep modification of the firmware, but its deactivation completely stops the transmission of data for targeting.This action does not affect the operation of basic functions of the phone, such as calls or messages, but significantly clears visual noise.

Configure privacy parameters and recommendations

In addition to the MSA service, there are many hidden switches in the system that are responsible for obtaining personalized recommendations, these settings are scattered across different menus, and they need to be manually disabled for each system application, starting with the general privacy settings.

Go to Settings → Passwords & Security → Privacy → Special Permits → Access to Personal Data. Here you need to find and disable access for the following components: GetApps, Music, MIUI Daemon, Security. This will limit the collection of statistics about your behavior.

• 🛑 Getting recommendations: In the Passwords and Security menu, find the Receive References switch and deactivate it.This will remove the app installation tips.
• 🔒 Lock Tablet: In lock screen settings, turn off “Get content from Xiaomi” to remove news and pictures on the locked screen.
• 📉 Usage statistics: In the Privacy section, disable “User Experience Improvement” and “Automatic Data Sending».

Pay special attention to the Security app (green lightning icon) and go to its settings and find “Get recommendations.” Disabling this option will remove ads from the main window of the virus scanner and accelerator.

⚠️ Note: Menu item names may vary slightly depending on the version MIUI and the firmware region (Global, EU, Search for keywords: “recommendations”, “advertising”, “content».

USB Debugging and Removing System Components

For a deeper cleanup, you can use the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) debugging mode, which allows you to remove or freeze system applications that cannot be disabled through the standard menu. For the POCO X3 Pro, this is especially true, since some services are hidden from the average user.

First, activate the developer menu. Go to Settings → About Phone and click 7 times in a row on MIUI Version. Then the option “Developers” will appear in the “Additional” or “Extended Settings” menu. Inside, find and enable “Debugging on USB”.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.misys


adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analytics

Executing these commands via a computer will remove analytics and system advertising services. However, be extremely careful: removing critical system packages can lead to a bootloop. Before removing any package, make sure you know its purpose.

Using ADB gives you maximum control, but requires technical literacy. If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to limit yourself to the software methods of disabling described in the previous sections.

Using a Private DNS to Block Advertising

One of the most effective and safest ways to remove ads from all apps, including browsers and games, is to set up a private DNS. This method does not require the installation of third-party programs and works at the network connection level.

Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS. Select the option “Host Name of the DNS Provider” and enter the address: dns.adguard.com. Save settings. Now all requests to known ad servers will be blocked at the network level.

The advantage of this method is that it doesn't load the POCO X3 Pro processor or consume battery, unlike blocking applications. However, if you use public Wi-Fi networks with authorization through a web page, you will temporarily have to turn off the DNS, otherwise the authorization page will not load.

Setup of system applications: Browser, Explorer, Downloads

Even after the MSA is disabled, some embedded apps can continue to show content, and you have to do a "cleanup" on each of them, and it takes a few minutes, but it's worth it.

Start with the Mi Browser. Go to its settings, select Privacy & Security, and turn off all recommendations and personalization items. Better not use it as a primary browser at all, replacing it with Chrome or Firefox. Downloads in the top right corner has a three-dot menu where you also need to check the Receive Recommendations box.

• 📂 Explorer: Open the app, click on the menu (three bars), select Settings» → «About the program and quickly click on the logo 5-10 once to activate a hidden menu where you can turn off ads.
• 🎵 Music: In the application settings, find the “Advanced Settings” section and remove the ticks from “Show Ads” and “Receive Recommendations».
• 🌤️ Weather: Click on three dots in the corner, select Settings» → «Get recommendations and disable this function.

Keep in mind that system application updates can reset some settings. Check these items periodically, especially after a major MIUI update. This will ensure stable operation without suddenly appearing banners.

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Use alternative apps from Google Play (e.g. Files by Google instead of the standard Explorer) to completely eliminate the appearance of advertising in file managers.

Frequent Questions and Troubleshooting (FAQ)

Users often face similar problems during the setup process, and the following are answers to the most pressing questions that will help solve the problems that arise without searching for information on forums.

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The comprehensive approach (disabling MSA + DNS + manual configuration of applications) guarantees maximum results and comfortable use of the POCO X3 Pro.

To sum up, the POCO X3 Pro remains a powerful device that requires only initial customization, and with 15-20 minutes to eliminate advertising noise, you have a clean and fast system ready for productive work.