Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often encounter intrusive banner ads that appear in the most unexpected places: when unlocking the screen, in standard applications or even on top of the interface of other programs. This is the result of system services that are default set to display content from partners. For many device owners, this situation becomes an annoying factor that reduces the comfort of using the gadget.
Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS shell architectures allow for a lot of flexibility in managing these processes without having to be a super-user (root) right. You don't have to be a programmer to clear the interface of unnecessary visual noise. You just need to go through multiple settings menus consistently and disable specific services that collect data and show promotional materials.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to block advertising, ranging from system switches to advanced methods through DNS settings. Attention: the names of menu items may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and region, but the logic of actions remains the same for all models.
MSA Disconnection: The Main Source of Advertising
The main driver of ad integrations in the system is the MSA (MIUI System Ads) service, which analyzes your actions and selects the appropriate banners. The first and most important step is to force the stop and revoke permissions for this component. Without disabling the MSA, the rest of the settings may not be effective.
To get to the menu, go to Settings → Passwords & Security → Access to Personal Data. In the list that opens, find msa and put the switch into an inactive state. The system will warn you of the consequences and prompt you to wait 10 seconds before confirming. Press Stop button, and then confirm the action.
Sometimes you can't turn off the service the first time because of software errors or a timeout. If the switch returns to its original position, repeat the procedure 3-5 times in a row. It's also important to check neighboring items on the same menu, such as GetApps or miuiDaemon, and limit their access to personal data if you are not actively using them.
☑️ Checking the shutdown MSA
After successfully blocking the service, ads in the system folders and desktop should disappear, but this is not the only channel for distributing commercial content, so we move on to the list of settings.
Setup of system applications: Explorer and Security
Even after the main (advertising) service is turned off, individual utilities can continue to show recommendations, most often for standard Explorer and Security, and they have separate mechanisms for receiving news and promotions that require customization.
To start with, we'll do Explorer. Open the app, click on the menu (three bars) and select Settings → About. Here you need to find Receive recommendations and turn it off. It's also worth checking the Settings → About section (if you have one in your version) and unchecking the Recommendations item.
The Security app is the control center of the system, so it's often overloaded with unnecessary features. Click on the gear in the top right corner, scroll down to the Additional Settings block and find the Receive Recommendations switch. Disable it. It's also helpful to go to the Cleanup section inside the app and remove the Receive Recommendations box there.
⚠️ Warning: After updating the firmware, the application settings may reset to factory values. Periodically check these items so that the ads do not come back unexpectedly.
Also, be sure to check the Music and Video app settings, which often hide items like Online Services or Recommendations that also broadcast advertising content in their settings menus, and disabling these features will make the interface cleaner, although it will deprive you of access to online track directories if you use them.
Removing Advertising in a Standard Browser
The standard Mi Browser (or Chrome with MIUI synchronization) browser often becomes a source of pop-ups and push notifications from sites. Even if you have disabled system advertising, the browser can continue to show news feeds and promo blocks on the homepage.
To clear your browser, open it and go to settings (three dots or bars). Find Settings → Privacy and Security. Here you should activate the ad blocker if it is available in your region. Next go to Settings → Homepage and turn off the display of the news feed or select Tab Only mode.
It is also critical to check permissions for notifications. Go to Phone Settings → Apps → All apps → Mi Browser → Notifications. Disable all notification categories, especially those labeled as Marketing or Recommendations. This will prevent pop-ups from appearing on top of other apps.
Alternative browsers
For advanced users, it is recommended to use the Safe DNS feature, which filters traffic at the connection level, and we will talk about this in a separate section, since this solution works globally for all applications, not just for the browser.
Blocking through DNS settings (AdGuard DNS)
One of the most effective methods that does not require the installation of third-party software is to change DNS-This method redirects requests to known ad servers to nowhere, making displaying banners technically impossible.
To set up, go to Settings → Wi-Fi. Click on the arrow next to your network name (or select DNS Settings). Change from Automatic to Manual (or Static). In the DNS 1 Host Name field, type in the address: dns.adguard.com. In the second field, you can enter a backup server, for example, 1.1.1.1.
Save settings and reset your network connection. Now all traffic that passes through Wi-Fi will be filtered. For mobile, the path may be different: Settings → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS. Select the DNS provider hostname option and type dns.adguard.com in.
| Parameter | Value for blocking advertising | Alternative meaning |
|---|---|---|
| DNS hostname | dns.adguard.com | dns-family.adguard.com |
| Protocol | TLS / HTTPS | Standard |
| Port (if required) | 53 / 853 | 443 |
| Efficiency | High (systemic) | Medium |
Using family DNS (dns-family.adguard.com) also allows you to block adult websites, which can be useful if children use the phone.This method works silently and does not consume battery power additionally, unlike active blocking applications.
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Check DNS: Open a site with aggressive ads after setting up, and if you see empty seats or loading errors instead of banners, then the setup was successful.
Disabling personalization and debugging via USB
Deep in the system settings, there are parameters that allow Xiaomi to collect data about your device usage for targeted advertising, and disabling these features not only increases privacy, but also reduces the number of personalized but intrusive offers.
Go to Settings → Passwords & Security → Privacy → Special Permissions (the path may vary). Find Ad Personalization and disable it. Also, go to Mi Account (if active) and check the Privacy section for user experience and enhancement programs.
Another strange but effective method is to disable debugging over USB. Paradoxically, enabled debugging is sometimes used by some services for Injection advertising. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI Version to become a developer. Then go to Advanced Settings → For developers and make sure that the Debugging over USB option is turned off.
⚠️ Warning: Do not turn on debugging by USB, If you don't know exactly why you need it, it opens up a lot of access to the system for the connected computer, which can be used by attackers when charging in public places.
Adherence to digital hygiene and regular checks on these settings will help mantener keep the system clean throughout the life of the smartphone. Advertising tends to come back after major updates, so knowing these paths is essential for every Xiaomi owner.
Specificity of HyperOS version and global firmware
With the release of the new HyperOS shell, Xiaomi has slightly changed the structure of the menu, although the principles remain the same. In HyperOS, advertising settings are often aggregated in a single security center or made into the profile of the user Mi. Global firmware (Global ROM) usually contain less advertising out of the box than the Chinese version (CN ROM), but it is not completely free of it.
Owners of Chinese versions of phones (CN) are advised to immediately after purchase reflash to the global version or at least change the region in the settings (Settings → Additional settings → Region).Installation of the region Russia, Kazakhstan or the United States often automatically disables some of the advertising modules that are active when choosing a region China or India.
If you upgrade to HyperOS and notice a return of ads, check Settings → About Phone → MIUI/HyperOS version (click on three dots) and make sure Auto Update is disabled if you want to control the process. Sometimes ad modules come with the next security patch.
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Changing the region to the CIS countries or the USA in your phone settings is the fastest way to reduce the amount of system advertising without deep interference with settings.
Understanding the differences between software versions helps you find the right switches faster. In HyperOS, a search by settings (the top line in the settings menu) works great: type in the word "ad" or "msa", and the system will take you to the desired point.