Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face intrusive ads that appear as floating windows on top of a working interface, a phenomenon known as MSA (MIUI System Ads) that annoys users, overlaps content and distracts from tasks. Especially frustrating when a banner ad pops up while playing or watching a video, demanding immediate closure.
Fortunately, MIUI and its current version of HyperOS provide users with a wide range of privacy settings, so you can prevent the system from showing advertising recommendations, disabling marketing services, and blocking access to personal data for advertising modules. In this article, we will discuss all effective methods to help you clean your smartphone screen.
The process of disabling does not require obtaining superuser rights or flashing the device. It is enough to consistently go through the settings menu and deactivate several switches. It is important to understand that advertising mechanisms are deeply integrated into the shell, so to fully achieve the result, it is recommended to perform the set of actions described below.
MSA Disconnection: The Main Source of Advertising
The main component that is responsible for displaying pop-ups and banners in the system is the MSA system application (MIUI System Ads), which collects data about your actions and generates advertising results, and to remove floating windows, you first need to limit the operation of this service.
To start, go to your device's settings menu. Find the Password and Security section and select Access to Personal Data. From the app list that opens, find msa and put the switch to an inactive state. The system will warn you of the consequences of a shutdown by suggesting that you wait 10 seconds.
After the timer has expired, press the Disable button. Note that the application may not turn off the first time, which is a feature of system protection. If the button remains active or the switch returns to its original position, repeat the procedure 3-4 times in a row. Usually on the 3rd attempt, the system is surrendered and allows you to deny access.
☑️ Checking the shutdown MSA
After successfully disabling msa, the number of pop-ups should be significantly reduced, but for guaranteed results, it is worth checking other system components that can also broadcast content.
Setup of system applications and recommendations
Ads are often hidden inside standard Xiaomi apps like Explorer, Music, Video, and Downloads. Even if you don’t use them often, they can run background processes that generate floating notifications, and you’d better go through each and turn off recommendations.
Consider an example of disabling ads in a standard video player: Open the Video app, go to the profile or settings (human icon or three dots). Find the Settings section and disable the Online Recommendations options and Get recommendations. Similar actions should be performed in the Music app (Settings → Advanced Settings → Receive recommendations) and Explorer (Settings → About the application → Recommendations).
Pay special attention to the Download app, which is often responsible for pop-ups when installing new programs. Go to the download settings, select Settings, and remove the checkmark from Get Recommendations, which will prevent ads from appearing when installing applications from third-party sources.
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For quick access to app settings, use the phone’s settings search: type the app name into the search bar to get straight to its control menu.
Remember that when you update your MIUI or HyperOS operating system, your settings may reset. Check these sections periodically to ensure that the ads don't come back.
Blocking advertising through DNS-filter
One of the most effective and versatile ways to combat floating windows is to use a private DNS. This method allows you to block advertising requests at the network level without installing additional applications.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS. The default mode is Auto. Select the DNS Host Name (or Manual) option and enter the address: dns.adguard.com. Save the changes.
| Parameter | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
| DNS mode | Host name | Manual address setting |
| Server address | dns.adguard.com | Traffic filtering service |
| Impact on the battery | Minimum | It's in the background. |
| Compatibility | Android 9+ | Available on all modern Redmis |
Use of the DNS-The filter not only removes advertising in the interface, but also speeds up the loading of pages in the browser, cutting off unnecessary scripts. However, it is worth considering that some free Wi-Fi networks in public places (cafes, airports) may not work with the enabled private private DNS, As they require authorization through the browser.
What to do if the Internet stops working?
This method is considered the “gold standard” for users who want a clean interface without deep interference with system files.
Managing permissions for floating windows
Android and MIUI have a special mechanism that allows apps to display content on top of other windows, often used by messengers, navigators, but also advertising modules, and controlling this resolution is a key step in the fight against intrusive banners.
Go to Settings → Applications → All Apps. In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select Special Opportunities (or Special Opportunities). Next, look for Display on top of other apps. In the list that opens, carefully examine the applications that have permission "Allowed".
Disable this access for any suspicious or unnecessary system services, such as GetApps, MIUI Daemon or programs you don’t know. Leave permission only for applications where it is really functionally necessary, such as video calls, a navigator or a player you use in the background.
Be careful: disabling access to “above other applications” for the system component of MIUI can disrupt some functions, such as displaying call times or working smart home.
Disabling Personalization and Analytics
Xiaomi is actively collecting user data to generate personalized ads. Even if you disable MSA, the system can continue to show recommendations based on your search history and app usage. To stop this process, you need to limit analytics collection.
Go to Settings → Password and Security → Access to Personal Data. Find the app miui.daemon and turn it off. Also check the Settings → Phone section, where you need to click on the MIUI version several times to open the hidden menu, and there find debugging options (although standard settings are enough for normal ad blocking).
The more important step is to disable ad personalization. Go to Settings → Password & Security → Privacy → Advertising Services. Here you need to activate the Ad Personalization switch to the Off (or Off) position. This will prevent the system from using your ID to select ads.
⚠️ Warning: A complete shutdown of analytics services may cause some smart interface features, such as news selection in widgets or music recommendations, to stop working properly.
It is also recommended to go to the settings of each standard application (Browser, Themes, Security) and find the item “Join the Improvement Program...” or “Send Statistics” and turn off these options.
Cleaning notifications from system services
Often, “floating windows” are meant to mean pop-up notifications that appear in a curtain or as banners on the lock screen, often from the Security app or the GetApps app store.
To clean up, open the Security app, click on the settings gear in the corner. Scroll down to the Get Recommendations section and turn it off. Also check the Cleanup section inside the app - there may be a separate switch for post-scan advertising.
For the GetApps store, the way to go is to open the app, go to Profile → Settings. Find App Auto Update and select “Wi-Fi Only” or turn off notifications about new products. In the General Inside Store Settings section, you should also remove the tick from the Receive Notifications item.
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Comprehensive disabling of advertising in system applications (Security, GetApps, Themes) eliminates 90% of pop-ups without requiring the installation of third-party software.
After performing all the manipulations, it is recommended to restart the smartphone so that all changes take effect and the cached advertising modules are unloaded from RAM.