Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face intrusive operating system behavior when advertising content or system notifications suddenly appear on the screen.
These pop-ups can block the interface of messengers, block the work of games or suddenly appear on the desktop, creating the feeling that the device is infected with a virus.
However, in most cases, this is not malware, but regular MIUI shell functions aimed at monetizing budget devices.
Understanding the nature of these processes allows you to effectively manage them without losing the warranty and functionality of the gadget.
The Nature of Advertising Windows in MIUI
The main source of annoying banners is the system service msa (MIUI System Ads), which is pre-installed in the factory.
This program collects anonymized data about user habits and displays targeted advertising in standard applications such as Music, Explorer or Downloads.
Sometimes pop-ups appear because of permissions that the user unknowingly gave to third-party apps when installing.
⚠️ Note: if the ad appears even on a locked screen or on top of other apps without your involvement, it may be a sign of installing malicious software from unverified sources.
Xiaomi developers are implementing these mechanisms to compensate for the low margin of iron, offering users more affordable prices for smartphones.
Disabling these functions requires sequential execution of actions in the system settings, since there is no single button “Remove all ads”.
Disabling MSA System Advertising
The first step to clean the interface is to deactivate the MIUI System Ads service, which is responsible for most embedded banners.
You need to go to the settings menu, find the Passwords and Security section and select the Access to Personal Data item.
In the list you should find the msa service and transfer the switch to an inactive state, confirming the countdown timer.
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Passwords and security → Access to personal data.
- 🔍 Find the msa service in the list and turn off the slider.
- ⏳ Wait until the timer ends (usually 10 seconds) and click Cancel or Stop».
- 🔄 Repeat the procedure. 3-4 When the system reports a network error.
The system can resist shutdown several times, reporting a network absence or server error, so the procedure often has to be repeated.
After successful execution of actions background loading of advertising modules will stop, which will also have a positive impact on battery autonomy.
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The msa service is responsible for 90% of all system advertising, and disabling it is a priority for the owner of Xiaomi.
Configuring standard applications
Even after disabling the msa service, individual apps can continue to show recommendations and news feeds.
Each standard MIUI application has its own privacy settings where you can remove personalized recommendations.
For example, in the “Security” application, you need to click on the gear in the corner and turn off the “Receive recommendations” option.
Similar actions are required for the Downloads app, where a window often pops up offering to install other games or programs.
| Annex | The path to adjustment | What to turn off |
|---|---|---|
| Security | A gear. → Settings | Receive recommendations |
| Downloads. | Three points → Settings | Show recommended |
| Music. | Menu → Settings → Additional | Showing advertisements |
| Topics | Profile → Settings | Personal recommendations |
The Themes app also recommends disabling auto-update and personal recommendations to avoid pop-ups when unlocking the screen.
These settings can be reset after major system updates, so it makes sense to periodically check their relevance.
☑️ Verification of system applications
Blocking pop-up windows in the browser
The most common reason for the appearance of advertising is not system services, but permissions issued to sites in the Chrome browser or MIUI Browser.
Some resources request permission to display notifications, and the user, without reading the text, agrees, and then receives spam.
To correct the situation, you need to go to the browser settings, find the Notifications or Sites section and delete suspicious addresses.
It is also recommended to install an ad blocker that will filter traffic at the network level.
⚠️ Warning: Never enter credit card details on sites that require you to click “Confirm that you are not a robot” through a pop-up window.
In the standard MIUI browser, you can activate built-in advertising protection in the Privacy and Security section.
This will help prevent the opening of new tabs with advertising when accidentally clicking on banners on the Internet.
Virus detection and removal
If the system services shutdown didn’t help and the windows continue to appear chaoticly, it’s possible that an ad virus has settled on the device.
Such programs are often disguised as useful utilities: flashlights, memory cleaners or simple games.
To diagnose, run the built-in scanner in the Security app or install a reliable antivirus, such as Dr.Web or Kaspersky.
The malware application may not have an icon on the desktop, but will appear in the list of installed programs.
- 🕵️ Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
- 👀 Carefully check the list for programs without a name or with a transparent icon.
- 🗑️ If you find suspicious software, remove it immediately.
- 🛡️ Run a deep antivirus check.
Sometimes the virus blocks the possibility of removal, in which case you will need to go to safe mode or use ADB to uninstall.
How do you get into safe mode?
Using DNS to block
An effective method of combating pop-up advertising is the use of private advertising. DNS-server that filters advertising requests.
This method does not require root rights and works at the system level, blocking connections to known ad servers.
The most popular and reliable solution is to use the server dns.adguard.com.
To set up, go to Connect and Share or Wi-Fi in your phone’s settings.
dns.adguard.comEnter this address in the Private DNS field (or Private DNS Host Name) and save the changes.
After that, most banner ads in apps and browsers will stop loading, as the request for them will be blocked at the network level.
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Using AdGuard DNS also improves page load speeds, as the browser does not have to wait for a response from advertising servers.
Advanced Methods: ADB and Debloat
For experienced users who want to completely clean the system of excess software, there is a method of removing system applications through ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
This method allows you to remove even those components that are hidden from the average user, including the theme store and the browser.
You'll need a computer to work, USB-cable and on-line debugging USB menu "For developers».
With the adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name.packet command, any system process can be deactivated.
⚠️ Note: Removing critical system packets ADB It can cause a phone to fail or a cyclical reboot (bootloop).
Before using this method, it is strongly recommended to make a complete backup of the data and to examine the safe-to-remove lists.
There are ready-made scripts and GUI programs like Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools that simplify the process.