Xiaomi smartphone owners often face intrusive advertising that appears not only in system applications, but also inside YouTube. Ad integrations can interrupt video viewing, overlap the interface and consume traffic.
Fortunately, there are several proven ways to minimize or completely remove ad units. MIUI The new HyperOS provides tools for fine-tuning, but they are often hidden in engineering menus or require the use of third-party tools. DNS-In this article, we will discuss secure methods that do not require root rights.
It’s important to understand that completely “cutting” ads embedded by Google itself into your YouTube Premium account is a system-wide challenge, but blocking Xiaomi trackers and ad domains is a huge comfort boost. The most effective method for 2026 is a combination of disabling MSA through ADB and setting up a private DNS. We’ll take a closer look at each step.
Disabling system advertising MSA and miui.da
The first step to a clean interface is to deactivate the system services responsible for (push) advertising content, the main culprit being the msa (MIUI System Ads) process, which blocks most banners in standard applications, indirectly affecting the overall noise of the system.
You first need to go to your phone settings, find the Password and Security section, and select Access to Personal Data, and then you can find the msa app and switch the slider to "Off," and the system will strongly discourage you from doing so by suggesting that you wait 10 seconds.
When the timer expires, press "Disable." If you fail the first time, repeat the procedure 3-4 times until the system accepts the command. In parallel, you should turn off the Mi Video Ads and GetApps service if you do not use them.
⚠️ Note: After disabling msa, ads in system folders and applications (Conductor, Themes, Security) will disappear, but banners may remain on YouTube, as they are often downloaded separately through the Internet. DNS-request.
The next important step is to turn off ad personalization. Go to settings, select Password and Security -> Privacy -> Advertising Services. You need to turn off Ad Personalization and click Reset Ad ID. This will not remove the ads completely, but it will make them less targeted.
Set up a private DNS to block ads
The most powerful method that works at the network level is using the DNS over TLS protocol, which allows you to filter traffic before it even reaches applications, including YouTube, you don't need to install additional applications, just change one setting in Android.
Open your smartphone settings and search for settings for the word “DNS.” Select Private DNS (may be in Connection and Sharing or Wi-Fi) and the default is “Auto.”
Switch to “DNS Host Name” (or “Manual”) and enter the address of one of the verified blockers. The most popular and stable service is AdGuard.
dns.adguard.comOnce you enter the address, save the settings, and the system can lose the Internet connection for a second, and then restore it, and now all requests to known ad servers will be blocked.
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If some websites or apps have stopped opening after the DNS change, try an alternative address: dns-family.adguard.com. It also blocks adult content.
It is worth noting that the method of DNS YouTube is actively fighting blockers by changing the domain names of ad servers, so the effectiveness can fluctuate: today the ads disappeared, and a week later they reappeared. DNS-cache or temporary switch to mobile network.
Use of modified YouTube clients
If standard methods don’t produce the desired result, users often turn to third-party customers.The official YouTube app contains built-in ads that are difficult to filter without Premium. Alternative builds like YouTube ReVanced or NewPipe don’t have this drawback.
YouTube ReVanced is a patcher that modifies the original APK-YouTube app, adding ad blocking, playback in the background and returning the dislike counter. APK-YouTube file of a specific version.
The installation process is as follows:
- 📥 Download ReVanced Manager from the official GitHub repository.
- 📦 Find and download. APK-YouTube file (recommended to be taken from APKMirror, based on recommendations in the ReVanced community).
- 🔧 Open the manager, select "Patch" and indicate the path to the downloaded APK.
- ⚙️ Select patches (enable Ads, Background Play, and other necessary ones).
- 🚀 Click “Start” and wait until the process is over, then install the resulting file.
⚠️ Warning: Installing modified applications requires permission to install from unknown sources. APK-files only from verified resources to avoid viruses.
The alternative is NewPipe, which is a light client that doesn't use Google Services, which allows complete anonymity and no advertising, but it doesn't have to sign in to your Google account, which makes it impossible to access subscriptions and history synced to the cloud.
Is it safe to use a modified YouTube?
Disabling optimization MIUI through USB-debugging
For advanced users who want to get deeper into the system, there is a method to disable MIUI Optimization, a feature that is responsible for many system constraints and integrations, and that is often required to allow some applications to function properly and can help combat system advertising processes.
To access hidden settings, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to About Phone and quickly press 7 times on the MIUI Version (or OS Version) and the notification will appear “You became a developer”.
Next, go to Advanced Settings -> Developer. Find USB Debugging and turn it on. Then scroll down to Enable MIUI Optimization. Turn off this switch.
☑️ Preparation for debugging
The system will warn you that the phone will restart. Once you reboot, the interface may change, with fonts becoming standard Android, and application permissions resetting every time you run, which is normal behavior when you turn off optimization.
It is important to know that on some new versions of HyperOS, access to this switch may be hidden, in which case it can be activated via a new version of HyperOS. ADB-team by connecting the phone to the computer.
adb shell settings put global miui_optimization 0Comparison of Ad Blocking Methods
There are pros and cons to eliminating ads, and the method you choose depends on your technical background and security requirements. Below is a table comparing the basic approaches.
| Method | Efficiency | Difficulty | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSA shutdown | Medium (system only) | Low. | Tall. |
| Private DNS | High (browsers + applications) | Low. | Tall. |
| YouTube ReVanced | Maximum | Medium | Medium (third-party APK) |
| Root + AdAway | Maximum | Tall. | Low (risk of breakdown) |
For most users, the best solution is to disable MSA + Private DNS. This gives a good balance between cleanliness and stability. Modified clients are worth using if you are willing to put up with potential risks for the sake of a complete absence of advertising on YouTube.
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Combining methods (DNS + disabling system services) gives the best result, blocking most channels of advertising traffic.