Owning a Xiaomi smartphone is often accompanied by one unpleasant surprise that users discover in the early days of use: intrusive advertising, which can appear in the most unexpected places: when unlocking the screen, inside standard applications like “Conductor” or “Music”, and even just on top of the desktop. It is not a random bug, but part of the company’s business model, which allows you to keep prices for devices competitive.
Fortunately, in the current versions of MIUI 14 and the new HyperOS, engineers have given users enough tools to minimize that digital noise, you don't have to be a programmer or get root rights to get the interface back clean, you just need to go through multiple hidden menus consistently and turn off specific services.
In this article, we will take a look at how to turn off ads on Xiaomi’s phone using only the system’s regular tools. We’ll look at settings for the system’s ad ID, disabling recommendations in folders, and cleaning popular apps. Follow the steps carefully, as some options may be hidden deep in the menu.
Disabling System Advertising through MSA
The central element in charge of data collection and displaying advertising content in the Xiaomi ecosystem is the MSA (MIUI System Ads) service, which analyzes your actions and selects targeted offers, and disabling this service is the first and most important step to a clean smartphone.
To get to the setup you want, go to Settings, then select Passwords and Security, and find Access to Personal Data. In the app list that opens, find msa and switch the slider to an inactive state. The system will alert you to the consequences, but it is necessary to turn off the ads.
⚠️ Attention: When trying to disconnect MSA The stop button may not work the first time. It's a well-known feature of the interface. Just wait 10 seconds and press the button again, usually the second or third time the service is turned off.
After successfully disabling MSA, you will notice that the number of pop-ups has decreased significantly, but to remove ads completely, you will also need to turn off the getapps service in the same menu if you do not use the Chinese manufacturer’s branded app store.
☑️ Checking the shutdown MSA
Set up personalization and advertising ID
Even after disabling the MSA, the system still has a mechanism that allows apps to request an advertising ID, a unique code that helps advertisers track your interests, and to break that link, you need to reset and deactivate that ID in your privacy settings.
Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy. Go to Advertising Services. Here you need to do two things: first click on Reset Advertising ID and then turn the Personalized Advertising switch off.
This procedure does not remove ads from the Internet completely, but makes them less intrusive and personalized, and the advertising ID will no longer be updated based on your actions, which will improve the level of digital hygiene of the device.
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After resetting the advertising ID, it is recommended to restart the smartphone to apply the changes to all background processes of the system.
Note that the path to these settings may vary slightly from firmware to firmware, and HyperOS often combines these options into the Security and Privacy menu. If you don't find the item right away, search the settings by typing in "advertisements."
Removing Advertising in Standard Apps
System applications are the primary channel for delivering ad content on Redmi and Poco devices, and fortunately, each has a hidden switch that removes promotional banners, starting with the most popular, Explorer.
Open the Explorer app, click on the menu (three bars) and select Settings → About. You need to find and turn off the Receive Recommendations Toggler. Similar situation with the Security app: go to it, click on the Settings gear and turn off Get Recommendations.
The Topic app is a little more complicated. Go to profile (human icon), select Settings and disable "Show Ads" and "Personal Recommendations" and remove banners from the theme and ringtones catalog.
- 📁 Conductor: Settings → About the programme → Receive recommendations (Off).
- 🛡️ Security: Settings (cogs) → Receive recommendations (Off).
- 🎨 Topics: Profile → Settings → Showing ads (off).
- 🎵 Music: Menu → Settings → Advanced settings → Receive recommendations (Off).
- 📺 Mi Video: Profile → Settings → Receive recommendations (Off).
Also, be sure to check the Downloads app. Sometimes banner ads appear there after downloading files, and in the bootloader settings, you should also look for the item associated with the recommendations and deactivate it.
Cleaning the desktop and folders
One of the most annoying features of MIUI shells is the appearance of ad carousels in folders on the desktop. When you create an application folder, a line of “Recommended Apps” may appear at the bottom with suggestions to install games or utilities.
To remove this, open any folder on your desktop. Click on the folder name to edit it, or just pay attention to the area called. There should be a Recommended Apps switch. Put it inactive. Now the folder will only contain shortcuts to your programs.
Also, check the settings of the desktop itself. Hold your finger on the blank spot of the screen, go to Settings and find Wallpaper Carousel (or Glance). If this feature is enabled, when you unlock the screen, you will be shown news and advertising. It is better to turn off this service completely if you do not use its functionality.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling the Wallpaper Carousel may cause a static black image to appear when unlocked until you install new wallpaper through the Gallery.
For users who prefer minimalism, it is also recommended to disable the Lenta widget (swig left on the desktop). In the desktop settings, find the Lenta and select No or turn off the news display, which will speed up the launcher and remove information noise.
Blocking ads in the browser and notifications
Users often confuse Xiaomi system ads with ads from sites they accidentally subscribed to or ads in your browser. If you have windows popping up with the message “Your phone is infected,” it’s not a virus, it’s spam from your browser.
To resolve the problem, open Google Chrome (or any other browser), go to Settings → Site Settings → Notifications. Here you will see a list of sites that have the right to send you notifications. Click on suspicious sites and select Delete or Block.
If you use a standard Mi Browser browser, the situation is similar, but it adds built-in advertising. Go to your browser settings, look for Privacy and Security, and turn on the ad blocker. Also, in the general browser settings, turn off "Receive news and notifications."
| source of advertising | Elimination method | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| MSA Service | Disconnection in “Access to Personal Data” | Low. |
| Folders on the desktop | Disabling “Recommended Applications” in the folder | Low. |
| Browser spam | Clearing Notification Permits in Chrome | Medium |
| Wallpaper carousel | Disconnection in the settings of the themes / wallpapers | Low. |
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A comprehensive approach, including disabling MSA, cleaning notifications and configuring applications, allows you to remove 99% of all advertising without installing third-party software.
Advanced Methods: DNS and Private Access
For those who want to achieve maximum results and block advertising not only in the system, but also in applications and games, there is a method of using a private DNS. This method does not require the installation of applications 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 traffic on your device will pass through AdGuard filters, which will cut off known ad servers.
dns.adguard.comThis method is particularly effective for blocking ads in free mobile games and on sites you visit through your browser. However, it is worth remembering that if the DNS server stops responding, the Internet on the phone may temporarily disappear, in which case, return the setting to Auto mode.
What if the Internet disappeared after the DNS change?
Using a private DNS also improves security by blocking access to known phishing and malicious sites, a great way to enhance Xiaomi smartphone protection without installing heavy antiviruses.