The inscription on the lock screen Xiaomi: how to remove and disable advertising

Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often encounter intrusive interface elements that appear at the most inopportune moment, especially when a mysterious sign, banner or system “infection” notification appears on the lock screen, which cannot be immediately closed, a problem that becomes especially acute after updating MIUI firmware or installing a new application from unofficial sources.

There are a number of reasons for the presence of extraneous text on a locked display, from the usual features of the Wallpaper Carousel to malicious software. In some cases, it is simply a reminder of the charger or SIM card being connected, and in others, aggressive advertising of the browser, and understanding the source of the problem is the first step to fix it.

In this article, we will look at all the possible options for the appearance of inscriptions and provide step-by-step instructions for turning them off. You will learn how to configure system notifications, clear the cache of advertising services and protect the device from viruses. Careful follow the instructions will help return a clean and convenient interface.

Diagnostics of the source of the inscription

Before we take drastic measures, we need to determine exactly which component of the system is generating text on the screen, and most often the culprits are MIUI system applications, such as Security or Explorer, which have access to display information on the locked device, and the source can also be a third-party browser or file manager.

Notice the nature of the sign. If it's a banner that suggests you download a game or clear your memory, it's probably the application that has permissions to display over other windows. If it's technical, like, "No." SIM-cards" or "charge connected", then the problem lies in the settings of the interface or hardware.

⚠️ Warning: If the message appears randomly and blocks the ability to unlock your phone, immediately check the list of newly installed apps.

For an accurate diagnosis, you can use the Active App View feature, and when you see unwanted text on your screen again, try going to the Tasks menu or using the Application Manager to see which process is currently active, which will help you determine whether you need to delete a particular software or simply change your settings.

• 🔍 System Notifications: Check the status bar and notification center for messages from Security or MIUI.
• 🌐 Advertising modules: Pop-ups are often associated with MSA (MIUI System Ads) or browsers.
• 📱 Third-party launchers: Installed themes or shells can change lock screen behavior.

Disabling Advertising in MIUI System Applications

One of the most common reasons for advertising labels and recommendations is the built-in MIUI advertising system, which can prompt the user to install apps, read news or clear memory directly on the lock screen or in notifications, and to get rid of this, you need to turn off receiving recommendations in key system utilities.

Start with the Security app. Open it, go to the settings (cog icon) and find the "Receive recommendations" option. The switch should be in the "Off" position. The same procedure should be repeated for the File Manager and Downloads application. In each of them, you need to find and deactivate the "Recommendations" option in the settings.

Settings → Passwords and security → Access to personal data → msa (MIUI System Ads) → Select rights

Once the permissions are disabled from the msa service, the system can request confirmation several times or offer to wait 10 seconds, this is a security mechanism that you just wait and click “Select” again. Without this service, the number of ad integrations in the Xiaomi interface will be significantly reduced.

Don't forget to also check the settings of the Themes app. Even if you don't change the design often, it can broadcast banner ads. Go to the user profile in the Themes app and turn off personalized recommendations. This action doesn't affect the phone's performance, but makes the interface cleaner.

Setting up the wallpaper carousel and lock screen

Wallpaper Carousel is a Xiaomi tool that automatically changes the wallpaper on the lock screen, but often with beautiful pictures, users are shown advertising, sponsor logos or offers to sign up for services, and if you don't need this functionality, you can easily turn it off.

To manage settings, go to Settings → Lock screen. Here you will find the option “Wallpaper Carousel”. If the switch is active, the system will download new images and related content. Disabling this feature will return the static image to the lock screen and remove unnecessary text elements.

It’s also worth checking the notifications display settings on the locked screen. Sometimes the message that seems to be part of the system is actually a message from a messenger or social network. In Settings → Notifications and Control Center → Notification format, you can select the “No text and images” option, which will hide the contents of the messages before unlocking the device.

Removing viruses and malware

If the message on the lock screen is aggressive, warns about viruses or requires an urgent call to the technical support number, with a high probability your smartphone is infected. Such messages often mimic system windows, but are actually the work of a malicious script or application.

The first thing you need to do is go to Safe Mode, and to do this, press the power button, and when the turn off menu appears, press and hold the "Stop" (or "Reset", depending on the version of MIUI) until the prompt to go to Safe Mode appears, in this mode only system applications are downloaded, which allows you to safely remove the pest.

• 🛡️ Antivirus check: Use the built-in scanner in the Security app or install a reliable antivirus, such as Dr.Web or Kaspersky.
• 📂 Analysis of installed applications: Carefully review the list of all programs.Look for apps without icons, with weird names or ones you haven't installed.
• 🔒 Clearing access rights: Check which apps are allowed to “Map on top of other windows” – a key feature for screen-blocking viruses.

If you can't remove a malicious application in the usual way, use your computer and the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool. Connect your phone to your PC, enable USB debugging, and use a command to force the packet to be removed. For example, adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name.

⚠️ Warning: Never click on links or call numbers listed in suspicious windows demanding payment for unlocking.

Resetting and extreme measures

In situations where the lock screen doesn’t disappear after all the manipulations and the source of the problem can’t be found, a complete reset may be required, a radical method that will return the phone to factory status by removing all user data, but is guaranteed to eliminate software errors and hidden viruses.

Before you reset, make sure to back up your important data. You can use Mi Cloud, Google Photos, or just copy files to your computer. After you save the data, go to Settings menu → About phone → Settings reset → Erase all data.

If the phone is locked so tightly that it is impossible to get into the settings menu, you will have to use Recovery Mode. To do this, turn off the device completely, and then press the power and volume buttons at the same time. In the menu that appears, select Wipe Data and confirm the action.

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Before resetting, make sure that the battery is at least 50-60%. interruption of the reset process due to battery discharge can lead to serious errors in the system.

Once the process is complete, the phone will restart as a new one, you will need to reset the original setup, if the problem was caused by a software failure or a virus, it will disappear, and if the label appears again immediately after setting up (before installing the apps), this may indicate a firmware problem or a hardware malfunction.

Preventing unnecessary notifications

To avoid future media exposure, it is important to maintain digital hygiene when using a Xiaomi smartphone. First of all, avoid installing apps from unknown sources. Only download programs from the official Google Play store or Xiaomi's trusted GetApps store.

Check access rights for installed applications regularly. New programs often ask for redundant permissions they don't need to work with, pay special attention to permissions to display over other windows and access notifications. If a simple flashlight asks for access to contacts and texting is a clear sign of a dishonest developer.

It is also recommended to periodically clean the cache of the browser and system services. Accumulated temporary files may contain remnants of advertising scripts. Use the built-in Cleanup app in the Security section, but do so knowingly without deleting important account data.

• 🚫 Ad Blockers: Consider Installation DNS-filter (e.g. AdGuard) DNS), which blocks advertising requests at the network level.
• 🔄 System Update: Keep an eye out for updates MIUI. In new firmware versions, the company often closes vulnerabilities used to display ads.
• 👁️ Installation control: Disable the installation of applications from unknown sources in the security settings so that accidental clicking on the banner ad does not lead to the installation of a virus.

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Timely system updates and attentive attention to application access rights requests are the best protection against unwanted labels and advertising.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)