Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face intrusive advertising built into the shell of MIUI. This is a fee for the affordable cost of the device, but it is not necessary to put up with constant pop-ups in system applications. Modern versions of firmware, including the latest HyperOS, provide users with tools to fine-tune privacy and cleanliness of the interface.
The process of deactivating advertising modules requires sequential action in several menu sections. MSA (MIUI System Ads) is the main system service responsible for displaying banners. its disabling is the first and most important step towards comfortable use of the gadget. Without this action, other settings may not have a full effect.
In this article, we will discuss a detailed algorithm that will allow you to remove ads from the Explorer, browser, Security app and system folders. We will also look at advanced methods of blocking through DNS and ADB, which guarantee results even in the most difficult cases. Your goal is to turn your smartphone into a pure tool, not an advertising platform.
Disabling the MSA system advertising service
The first step is to disable the key component of the system that is responsible for collecting data and showing targeted advertising. MSA (Miui System Ads) has built-in protection against accidental removal, so the procedure requires care. You do not need root rights, standard access settings are enough.
To start, go to the settings menu and find the Password and Security section. Inside this menu, select Access to Personal Data. This lists all the apps that request access to your data. Find the msa list and turn off the switch to the right. The system will alert you to the consequences and start a countdown timer for 10 seconds.
⚠️ Warning: If the Cancel button remains active after the timer is turned off and the switch returns to its original position, don't panic. MIUI. Repeat the shutdown attempt again. 2-3 once in a row until the system finally allows the access to be denied.
After a successful disabling of msa, it is also recommended to find and restrict the MIUI Daemon and MAB services, if they are present in the list, this will reduce background activity associated with analytics. Remember that complete removal of system components without root rights is impossible, but restricting their access rights effectively blocks functionality.
☑️ Shutdown checklist MSA
Customization of personalized recommendations in the system
Even after the main ad engine is turned off, what's called "recommendations" remain in the system, appearing in application folders, settings menus, and standard utilities interfaces, and to clean the interface, you have to deactivate the personalization function in each system application separately.
Start with general system settings. Go to Settings → Password and Security → Access to Personal Data (if not there already) or immediately to Settings → Advanced Settings. Different versions of MIUI may have different paths, so it’s easier to search by settings. Type the word “advertisements” or “recommendations” into the search bar. You will open a Receive recommendations menu that you need to turn off.
Pay special attention to the Security app. This is one of the main sources of pop-ups. Open the app, click on the settings gear in the corner, and find Receive recommendations. Turn it off. Also, this menu should remove the ticks from the Security Notices and Virus Status if you don't want to see constant reminders.
- 📱 Mi Browser: Open your browser, go to settings (three dots), select Settings» → «Privacy and Security and disable Personal Recommendations».
- 📁 Explorer: Open the Explorer app, click on the menu, select Settings» → «About the program (or simply “Settings”) and turn off “Receive recommendations».
- 🧹 Cleaning: In the Security Annex» → «Clean up" press the gear and turn off "Get recommendations».
💡
Once you turn off the recommendations in each application, completely close them through the menu of running tasks and reopen them. The changes only take effect after restarting the application process.
Removing Advertising from Standard Applications
Xiaomi system applications such as Music, Video, Themes and Downloads often contain built-in banner ads, and the method of eliminating them is the same for most utilities, but has its own nuances depending on the version of the shell.
In the Topics app, ads are most aggressive. Open the app, go to profile (human icon), then to settings (cogs). Find the Settings section and disable the "Show ads," "Personal recommendations" and "Autoplay video" items, which will clear the main theme store screen from intrusive banners.
The Download app also requires customization. Open it, click three dots in the corner, select Settings. You turn off "Show recommended content." If you don't, every time you open the folder with the uploaded files, you'll see the news feed and the ads.
The Music and Video app has the same procedure: settings (cogs) → Advanced settings → Get recommendations. In some regions, these apps may be called Mi Music and Mi Video. It is important to check each one, as turning off one doesn't affect the others.
What to do if the advertisement returns?
Blocking Advertising through DNS (Private DNS)
The most effective method, which works at the level of the entire Android operating system, is the use of a private DNS. This method does not require the installation of third-party applications and blocks advertising requests before they reach the screen of your smartphone.
To implement this method, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS. In the menu that opens, select the option “Host Name of the DNS Provider” (or “Manual”). In the input field, you must specify the address of the server that filters traffic. The most reliable and free option is the server from AdGuard.
dns.adguard.comType this address into the field and click Save. The system will then check the connection. If the address is entered correctly, the status will change to Connected. Now all traffic on your device will pass through AdGuard filters that cut off known advertising domains.
| Parameter | Default value | Recommended value | The effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type DNS | Auto (ISP) | Manually (Host) | Forced use of the selected server |
| Server address | - | dns.adguard.com | Blocking Advertising and Tracking |
| Impact on speed | Standard. | Minimum | A slight increase in response time is possible. |
| Security | Depends on the provider. | Encryption of DNS-over-TLS | Protection against DNS substitution by the provider |
💡
Using a private DNS is a silver bullet against advertising, blocking banners not only in the system, but also in many free apps and games where embedded ads are broadcast through web queries.
Specifics of cleaning the interface in HyperOS
With the release of the HyperOS shell, which replaces MIUI, Xiaomi has slightly changed the structure of the menu and item names. The principles remain the same, but the location of the switches may have shifted. Owners of new devices such as the Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13, should pay attention to new ways.
In HyperOS, the recommendation management center is often combined under Notifications and Status Bar. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status Bar → Recommendations. You can globally disable offers from the system. It is also worth checking the Ad Blocker section, which is included in a separate system application in the new versions.
Pay special attention to the desktop widgets. In HyperOS, they can load the news feed. Press and hold the widget (like News or Horizon), then tap the widget gear and turn off personalization. This will give the desktop a minimalist look.
- 🔒 Security: In HyperOS, the Security app has become even more integrated. Check the Memory Cleanup section inside it for the enabled accelerations that can show ads.
- 📂 Folders: When you open your application folders in HyperOS, you may also see "Recommended Apps." Turn this off in the folder settings (click on the folder name).
- 🌐 Browser: The built-in browser in HyperOS has become stricter on blockers. Make sure that its settings include “Tracking Protection».
Advanced Methods: ADB and System Limitations
For users who want to achieve the perfect result and are ready to work with a computer, there is a method of removing advertising components through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you not only to disable, but completely “freeze” or remove the system packages responsible for advertising.
To start, activate Developer Mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on MIUI Version (or OS Version) and then the Developer Menu will appear in Advanced Settings. Turn on USB Debugging there.
Connect your smartphone to your PC, install drivers and ADB tools. In the command line, type a command to remove ad packets. Be extremely careful: removing unnecessary system components can lead to unstable work.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.misys
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.msa.global
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.personalassistant⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Deleting critical system services (not just advertising) can lead to a cyclical bootloop.
An alternative to complete removal is to use helper apps like Universal Android Debloater, which provide a graphical interface to work with ADB and label safe-to-remove packages in green, which reduces the risk of error for inexperienced users.