How to turn off ads on Xiaomi Redmi 8: the full guide

Budget smartphone owners often face intrusive ads that appear in the most unexpected places of the interface. For users of the Xiaomi Redmi 8 model, this problem is especially relevant, since the device runs on the shell of MIUI, known for its aggressive monetization through system notifications. Permanent pop-ups are not only annoying, but also significantly consume battery power, as well as mobile Internet traffic.

The solution lies in deep customization of system parameters and disabling specific services responsible for collecting data and displaying content. In this article, we will examine in detail every step necessary to completely clean your smartphone from unwanted visual noise. You will learn to block advertising identifiers and configure embedded applications so that they cease to be a source of income for developers at the expense of your comfort.

Analysis of advertising sources in MIUI

Before you start taking action, you need to understand the way your advertising system works in the MIUI shell. The main source of pop-ups is the MSA (MIUI System Ads) system application, which is installed by default on all global firmware versions, and it is this process that collects data about your usage habits and translates targeted ads into folders, menus and even standard utilities.

In addition, the ad units are built directly into standard applications such as Explorer, Music, Video, and Cleanup. Even after the core MSA module is disabled, these programs can continue to display banners unless they change their individual settings. It is important to understand that completely removing system components without root rights is impossible, but effectively blocking them is quite real.

It's worth noting that some notifications may come from third-party apps you installed yourself, but if you see ads on your desktop or unlocking your screen, it's system integration. Shell algorithms analyze your actions and suggest content that developers think you might be interested in.

Disable MSA service through settings

The first and most important step is to deactivate the MSA service. This action does not remove the application completely, but prevents it from running and transmitting data to the company's servers. First, go to the Settings menu → Passwords and security → Access to personal data. In the list that opens, find msa and put the switch inactive.

The system will try to dissuade you by running a countdown timer for 10 seconds. After it ends, press the Stop button. If an ad window pops up, select the Disable option. This process may require repetition several times, since MIUI often "forgets" settings on the first attempt.

⚠️ Note: If after disconnecting the service, the advertisement is not completely lost, try to repeat the procedure of disconnection. MSA 3-4 Sometimes a system takes several cycles to apply changes.

Next, you need to disable recommendation receipt. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Advertising Services. Here you need to activate the To Limit Tracking or Remove Ad ID switch. This action will reset your unique identifier, which will make targeted ads less accurate, although it will not remove it completely without previous steps.

Setup of system applications

Once the main module is blocked, you should clear each built-in app separately. Start with the Security app, which is often the source of pop-ups. Open it, click on the gear in the upper right corner, and find Receive recommendations. Make sure the switch is off.

You need to do the same thing with the Downloads app. Go to it, select the menu (three dots) and click Settings. Uncheck the Recommended Content box, and this will remove banner ads from the downloaded files list that often interfere with navigation.

Don't forget Music and Video. In each of these apps, you'll go to the settings and find the Additional or Notification Settings section, and you'll turn off the Receive Recommendations and Show Online Content options, which will free the interface from unnecessary elements and speed up the applications.

Blocking through DNS and debugging via USB

To clean it further, you can use DNS blocking. This method does not require third-party software installation and works at the network level. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi, click on the arrow next to your network and find the DNS settings. Enter dns.adguard.com. This will cut off most advertising requests.

Another effective method is to use the USB debugging function to reset your ad settings. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7-10 times on the MIUI version until you become a developer. Then in Additional → For developers, turn on USB debugging.

After debugging is enabled, wait a few seconds. In some firmware versions, this action automatically resets some of the privileges of system services. Remember to turn off debugging after use, as this is a potential security vulnerability when connected to someone else's chargers.

Removal of system debris and cache

Accumulated data from ad units can be stored in cache, continuing to cause problems even after the services are turned off. To clean up, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Find the Get Content (or Content Center) app in the list and click Clear → Clear Everything.

It is also recommended to clear the Mi Credit app data (if it is present in your area) and Mi Video. Even if you do not use them, they may have background processes. In the menu of each application, select Memory and then Clear Data, which will return the applications to the post-installation state.

Periodic cleaning of the browser cache is also important, as many ad scripts live there.In the browser settings (Chrome or Mi Browser), find the Privacy section and select Clear History. Make sure that the "Cookies" and "Images and other files saved in the cache" are marked.

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Use the built-in Security app to clear the cache, but only do so after all advertising services are turned off, otherwise the cleanup may trigger a reload of the ad modules.

Use of third-party blockers

If standard methods aren't enough, specialized applications come to the rescue. One of the most effective solutions is AdGuard. It creates on-premises applications. VPN-A tunnel on the device, filtering all incoming traffic, which allows you to block ads not only in the browser, but also inside other applications.

Another popular option is Blokada, which is an open source application that works by blocking hosts, and it automatically updates lists of ad domains and prevents them from being connected. VPN-Connection that is requested at the first start.

Consider that using permanent blockers can slightly increase battery consumption, since the filtering process requires processor resources. However, on Redmi 8 with its capacious battery, this effect is almost imperceptible.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install questionable blockers from unknown sources. They may themselves contain malicious code or miners that will harm the device more than advertising.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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A comprehensive approach combining MSA disabling, DNS setup and cache clearing ensures 99% of ads are eliminated on your Xiaomi Redmi 8 without losing functionality.