Ownership of a Xiaomi smartphone is often overshadowed by intrusive ads that appear in the most unexpected places, including the lock screen. MIUI or the new HyperOS are set to monetize free services by default, leading to periodic banners and offers. Many users mistakenly believe that this is a virus or an ineluctable feature of budget models, but these are just software settings.
Fortunately, the company's engineers have made it possible to turn off most of these features, although they are not always easy to find. You will need to go through several stages of configuration to completely clean the interface. Advertising ID and system service MSA are responsible for collecting data and displaying content, so work with them.
Below we will discuss in detail all available methods, from standard system settings to more advanced methods of locking. It is important to understand that after updating the firmware, some switches can return to their original position, so it is worth checking the relevance of the settings periodically.
Disabling the MSA system service
The centerpiece of the advertising ecosystem in Xiaomi smartphones is the service. MSA (MIUI System Ads is responsible for analyzing your actions and selecting the appropriate advertisements, and to remove the ads from the lock screen and from the system, you first need to disable this component.
The deactivation process doesn't always go away the first time because of artificial delays introduced by the developers. You need to find the password and security item on the menu and go to Access to Personal Data. In the list that opens, find msa and turn off the switch.
⚠️ Note: When you try to shut down, the system will insistently prompt you to stay by showing a countdown timer in the 10 If the "Disable" button didn't press the first time, just repeat the procedure. 3-4 This is the standard behavior of the protection system.
Why is the system resisting shutdown?
After successfully disabling the MSA, you will notice that the number of pop-ups will be significantly reduced, but to fully effect, you also need to block access to data from other system applications such as GetApps and Mi Video.
Setting up the lock screen and wallpaper carousel
Often the source of irritation is not just banners, but the so-called wallpaper carusole, which automatically changes the background image and shows promotional offers on the lock screen, and to remove ads from the lock screen on Xiaomi, you need to completely disable this service.
Go to Settings, select Lock Screen, find Wallpaper Carousel (or Glance in the newer versions) and move the slider to Turn Off, and it is also recommended that you clear the app's cache to remove the ads you've already downloaded.
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Lock screen.
- 🚫 Find the wallpaper carousel section and turn it off.
- 🗑️ Clear the data of the "Wallpaper Carousel" application in the "Applications" menu».
- 🔄 Restart the device to apply changes.
If you don't use the automatic wallpaper change feature, turning it off is the surest way to get rid of surprises when you turn on the screen. Standard wallpaper won't go anywhere, but it won't be accompanied by intrusive texts.
☑️ Checking screen settings
Blocking Advertising Notifications in Applications
Even after system services are disabled, individual applications may still show recommendation notices, including the standard suite of software: Security, Downloads, Themes, and Music, each with its own hidden ad settings.
For example, in the Security app, you need to click on the settings gear and find Receive recommendations by disabling it. Similar actions are required for the theme store and the browser. The advertising ID is also worth resetting to break the link with previously collected data about your preferences.
| Annex | The path to adjustment | What to turn off |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Settings (cogs) | Receive recommendations |
| Downloads. | Three points → Settings | Showing recommended |
| Topics | Profile → Settings | Personal recommendations |
| Music. | Settings → Advanced | Showing ads |
Remember that after major MIUI updates, these settings may reset, and checking these items regularly will help keep the interface clean.
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If you are not using the standard Mi Browser browser, it is better to delete it immediately or disable it in the settings, as it is one of the main sources of advertising traffic.
Disabling personalized advertising
The global setting that affects the entire Xiaomi account is in the privacy section, where you can prevent the system from using your data for targeted advertising, which won’t remove the ads completely, but will make them less intrusive and random.
Go to Settings → Password & Security → Privacy → Advertising Services. This menu must disable Personalized Advertising. It also allows you to reset your OAID advertising ID, which is useful to do periodically.
In some firmware versions, this item may be called “Advertising Services” or under “Advanced” and it is important to do this on all devices associated with your account, if there are more than one.
Using DNS to block
The most effective method that works at the network level is using DNS (Private DNS), which allows you to block ad servers before they reach your phone, without needing root rights or installing third-party software.
You need to prescribe the address of a special server in the connection settings. Open Settings, go to Connection and Sharing (or Wi-Fi → Additional). Find DNS (Private DNS) and select Host Name of DNS Provider.
dns.adguard.comType that line into the input box and save the settings. This method blocks ads not only in the system, but also in many applications and games, significantly speeding up the loading of pages. If the Internet stopped working, check the correct spelling of the address or try an alternative DNS.
⚠️ Attention: When using private DNS Some bank applications or local services may not work properly. If you encounter problems accessing sites, temporarily return the setting to Auto mode».
Solving problems with undeleted advertising
Sometimes, the ads appear even after all the settings are done, and this can be caused by third-party apps installed that disguise themselves as system processes, often by flashlights, memory cleaners, or aggressive monetization games.
To identify the culprit, pay attention to the time the ad appears. If the banner is on your desktop, try to remember which app you last launched. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps and carefully study the list.
- 🔍 Look for apps without an icon or with a strange name.
- 📉 Check out apps that have recently been launched in the background.
- 🗑️ Remove suspicious software, especially cleaners and boosters.
- 🛡️ Use the built-in antivirus to scan the system.
In rare cases, a full factory reset helps, but this is an extreme measure. Before you try to remove newly installed programs. Xiaomi strictly monitors security on Google Play, but third-party sources can be dangerous.
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A comprehensive approach, including disabling MSA, configuring DNS and checking installed applications, ensures complete elimination of advertising in 99% of cases.