How to remove ads on Xiaomi Redmi 6A: step-by-step instructions

Owners of budget smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 6A often face an intrusive stream of ads built into the MIUI shell.This is a fee for the affordable cost of the device, however, for many users, constant notifications become a major distraction.

Fortunately, the system allows you to disable most marketing content without having to obtain superuser rights or flash the device. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the steps of cleaning the interface from banners that appear in folders, when you unlock the screen and in system applications.

MSA service shutdown is the main source of banners

The main source of intrusive ads in the system is the MIUI System Ads service, also known as msa, which is responsible for collecting data on user behavior and displaying targeted advertising in various corners of the interface.

To turn it off, you need to go to the advanced settings of your smartphone. Find password and security, then go to Access to data. In the list of applications that opens, find msa and put the switch to an inactive state.

The system will warn you that after the service is disabled, some functions may not work properly, and will suggest waiting 10 seconds. It is important to wait for the countdown timer to expire, after which the switch button will become active.

Sometimes the first time the process is not successful. If you see an error message or the timer resets, repeat the procedure 2-3 times. Usually, on the second or third attempt, the system still allows you to deactivate this module.

โ˜‘๏ธ Checking the shutdown MSA

Done: 0 / 4

Set up personalized recommendations

Even after disabling the msa service, some system applications may continue to show recommendations, due to a separate setting that allows Xiaomi to use your data to personalize content.

To disable this feature, go back to the Password and Security menu and select Privacy. At the bottom of the page is the User Guidelines (or Receive Recommendations) section. Translate the slider to the Off position.

This setting prevents the system from analyzing your actions in standard applications such as Music, Video or Browser to form advertising tape. Without this step, complete cleaning of the system is impossible.

โš ๏ธ Note: After disabling user recommendations in folders on the desktop, icons of frequently used applications may stop showing, as this is also considered personalization.

Cleaning system applications from advertising

Advertising modules are built directly into the standard utilities that are pre-installed on Redmi 6A. To get rid of banners, you need to configure each application separately, this process requires care, but takes no more than 5-7 minutes.

Consider the main applications where advertising most often pops up, and the algorithm of actions for each of them:

  • ๐Ÿ“‚ Explorer: Open the application, click on the menu (three bars), select Settings and disable Receive recommendations.
  • ๐ŸŽต Music: Go to the settings of the application (cogs), find the section Advanced settings and remove the tick from the item Get recommendations.
  • ๐ŸŒค๏ธ Weather: Click on three dots in the corner of the screen, select Settings โ†’ Additional settings and disable Receive recommendations.
  • ๐Ÿ“„ Cleaning: In the Security app, go to Cleanup, click on the gear and turn off Get recommendations.

Donโ€™t forget to check the settings of the Downloads and Themes app, too, and in the latter case, the profile menu (human icon) also has a switch that removes personalized offers.

What if the โ€œReceive recommendationsโ€ item is not available?
In some versions of MIUI, this item may be hidden or called something else, such as "Show recommendations." If you haven't found it, try updating the app through the GetApps store or Mi Store.

Notification management and blocking in the browser

Users often confuse Xiaomiโ€™s system ads with intrusive notifications from sites they accidentally subscribed to while surfing the Internet.These pop-ups are not related to the MIUI shell, but are no less troublesome.

If the ads appear as push notifications, itโ€™s likely the browserโ€™s fault. Go to your browser settings (Chrome, Mi Browser or another), look for Notifications or Site Settings, and youโ€™ll see a list of resources that are allowed to send notifications.

Remove or block all suspicious sites from this list, and they are often the reason for the โ€œyou won the iPhoneโ€ or virus warnings on the lock screen.

source of advertisingType of manifestationElimination method
MSA ServiceBanners in folders, systemDisabling access to the network in the settings
System applicationsRecommendations inside utilitiesSettings of each application separately
WebsitesPush notificationsClearing permissions in the browser
Garbage applicationsFull-screen pop-upsDeletion of suspicious programmes
๐Ÿ“Š What type of advertising annoys you the most?
Banners in folders
Pop-ups
Notifications in the curtain
Advertising in annexes

Finding and Removing Hidden Malware Applications

Sometimes, the source of chaos is third-party applications that you may have accidentally installed along with a useful program, often without an icon or name, masquerading as system processes, but their purpose is to display ads on top of all windows.

To find a parasite, go to Settings โ†’ Apps โ†’ All apps. scroll through the list carefully. Look for lines without a title or with a transparent icon. Also look for apps with suspicious names like Flash Player, Clearer or Battery Saver if you haven't installed them specifically.

When a detection element is detected, immediately click on it and select Delete. If the delete button is inactive, the application has administrator rights. In this case, you need to password and security โ†’ Privacy โ†’ Special features (or device administrators) and revoke the rights of the suspicious object.

โš ๏ธ Warning: Be careful when removing system components. only delete what is certain or clearly lacks a logo and name. Deleting critical system files can lead to unstable Redmi operation 6A.

Using DNS to Block Advertising

The most effective and elegant way to remove ads from all apps at once, including games and browsers, is to use a private DNS. This method does not require the installation of additional programs and works at the network connection level.

To set up, go to Settings โ†’ Connection and Sharing (or Additional) Find a Private Item DNS (Private DNS). Select the host name of the provider DNS (or manually and enter the address in the field:

dns.adguard.com

Save your settings. Now all your smartphone traffic will go through AdGuard filters, which automatically cut off ad requests. This solution is universal and suitable for any version of Android.

However, it is worth considering that when using this method, some applications may stop downloading content if they rely on ad networks to work (although this is rare).

๐Ÿ’ก

If, after the inclusion of a private DNS Internet stopped working in some applications, try temporarily disabling this feature or using another one DNS-1.1.1.1, although it does not block advertising.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to disable the MSA service?
Yes, absolutely safe. Disabling msa does not affect the stability of the operating system, the ability to make calls or use the Internet, the only consequence is the disappearance of banner ads.
Will the ads disappear after resetting?
No, when you reset to the factory settings (Wipe data), all system parameters return to the original state, and the ads will appear again. You will have to repeat the procedure of disabling the MSA and configuring the applications.
Why does the advertisement appear again after a while?
This can happen after a major MIUI system update, when settings are reset, or if you accidentally gave permission to a new application.
Can you remove all ads, including in games?
Advertising inside third-party games and apps (such as YouTube or Play Market games) cannot be systematically removed, requiring dedicated root blockers or paid subscriptions within the services themselves.

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Integrated approach including shutdown MSA, customization of recommendations and use DNS-This filter allows you to remove 99% of all advertising on Xiaomi Redmi. 6A.