How to disable ads in the browser on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their excellent price-performance ratio, but their MIUI (and now HyperOS) shell is often criticized for intrusive advertising: pop-ups, banners in system applications and, most irritatingly, browser inserts can make using the device into torture. Users often face a flood of commercial offers after opening a new tab instead of a usual search.

Fortunately, there are many effective ways to completely clear the interface of unwanted content. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to disable ads in the browser on Xiaomi using the built-in system settings, third-party DNS-You don't have to be a programmer to take back control of your device.

We're going to look at both the standard methods available to every owner and the more advanced techniques for those who want to maximize privacy. It's important to understand that some steps require careful attention because they affect system services. Follow the instructions consistently to avoid errors.

The Nature of Intrusive Advertising in MIUI and HyperOS

To effectively combat the problem, you need to understand the source of the problem. Unlike many competitors, Xiaomi actively monetizes its low-margin devices by embedding advertising modules in firmware. The main service responsible for this process is called MSA (MIUI System Ads), which collects data about your actions and generates personalized offers that you see in the browser and other applications.

In addition, smartphones pre-installed browser Mi Browser, which is set by default to show news feeds and recommendations. Even if you use Google Chrome or Yandex, system mechanisms can block content pop-ups. Often users confuse viral activity with the usual features of the shell, although in most cases it is just aggressive, but legal (from the point of view of the license agreement) policy of the manufacturer.

⚠️ Warning: A complete shutdown of system services may cause some features, such as the Widget Tape or personalized recommendations in application folders, to malfunction.

Understanding that advertising is not a random bug, but a feature of the system helps to set up filters correctly. Standard blockers in the browser often are powerless against system integrations, so a comprehensive approach is required. From the browser itself to the system settings DNS-filter.

Basic setting of the built-in browser Mi Browser

If you use a standard browser from Xiaomi, the first step is to deep customize it. The developers have left behind a few hidden switches that can significantly reduce visual noise, starting with turning off the news feed, which is often the main source of annoyance on the start page.

To do this, open the app, go to the menu (three bars or dots), and select Settings. Find the Home page or Home Page Settings. You need to deactivate the option "Receive recommendations" or "News Feed" and this action will remove the endless stream of articles and videos, replacing them with a pure search query.

Next, check your privacy settings. In the same settings menu, look for Privacy and Security. Make sure Ad Block option is enabled (if available in your firmware version) and it’s also helpful to disable ad personalization by removing the tick from the appropriate item in your Mi Account settings or in the Password & Security section of your phone settings.

Remember to also clear the accumulated data. Often the browser stores cached banners that continue to appear even after changing the settings. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Browser → Clear and select Clear Cache. This will not delete your bookmarks, but will remove temporary files containing advertising junk.

Using DNS to block ads throughout the system

The most effective way, which works not only in the browser, but in all applications, is to use a private DNS with filtering, which allows you to redirect queries to known ad servers to nowhere, making it impossible to download banners. It is a universal solution for all versions of Android and MIUI shells.

You don't need to install additional apps to implement this method. You just need to go to your smartphone's network settings. The path may vary slightly depending on the Android version, but it's usually at Settings → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS. In some cases, this item may be called Personal DNS.

In the menu that opens, select the option “DNS Host Name” (or “Manual”). The box that appears will include the address of the trusted server of the blocker. One of the most popular and proven options is the AdGuard DNS service.

dns.adguard.com

Once you enter the address, click Save. Your phone will now filter all Internet traffic through AdGuard servers, screening out ads before they hit the screen, which is especially effective for blocking pop-ups in apps and sites that bypass standard browser blockers.

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If some sites or images stop loading after changing the DNS, try temporarily disabling the setting or using an alternative address, such as dns.familyadguard.com, which also blocks adult content.

It’s worth noting that using a third-party DNS can slightly increase network response time, although at current speeds it’s almost invisible, and the main advantage is that you get global protection without installing heavy background processes that land the battery.

Disabling the MSA System Service

MSA (MIUI System Ads) is a key component in collecting data and displaying ads on the system, and although you can't completely remove it without root rights, you can block it from accessing the Internet and shut it down, a critical step for those who want to remove ads from system widgets and folders.

The shutdown process requires care, as the shutdown button may be inactive the first time. Go to Settings → Password and Security → Data Access. Find the msa app (may be called "MIUI System Ads" or have a security logo) on the list. Disable Wi-Fi and mobile network access for this application.

Then go back to the app menu (Settings → Apps → All apps), find msa and click “Disable.” The system will warn you that this may affect the operation of other components, and prompt you to wait 10 seconds. After the timer expires, press “Disable.” If the button is inactive, try again 2-3 times – this is a known feature of the shell that requires persistence.

⚠️ Attention: After disconnection MSA It can take up to 24 hours to fully update the interface and clear the cache. Don't panic if the banners reappear in the first hours.

In addition to the main service, you should check other system components that can broadcast content, for example, the Mi Video or Mi Music app also have their own ad settings, and turning off the Internet for them in the Access to Data menu will help reduce overall information noise.

Configure third-party browsers (Chrome, Yandex)

Many users prefer to install alternative browsers like Google Chrome or Yandex, considering them more secure. However, they also require the right setup to avoid skipping ads, especially at the DNS level or through extensions. Mobile Chrome does not support full extensions like on a PC, but basic settings will help.

In Google Chrome, go to Settings → Privacy & Security. Make sure that Safe Browsing and Dangerous Software Protection are enabled. While this does not block all ads, it prevents malicious scripts that are often used for mining or intrusive redirects from downloading. For more severe blocking in Chrome on Android, it is recommended to use the bundle with a private DNS described above.

Yandex with Turbo technology and built-in blocker offers more flexible features out of the box. In settings (Ad Blocker), you can enable pop-up filtering and tracker blocking. It is also useful to activate the Traffic Saving mode, which skips pages through Yandex servers, where some of the ads are cut out automatically.

Remember to update browsers regularly. Developers are constantly closing vulnerabilities that advertisers can bypass, and the old version of the browser is a security hole through which unwanted content can enter your Xiaomi.

Comparison of blocking methods and efficiency table

There are many ways to combat intrusive content, but not all of them are equally effective in different situations: some methods require root rights, others work at the network level, and others only cosmetically change the interface, and so you can choose the best strategy, we have prepared a comparative table of basic methods.

As you can see from the table, the combination DNS-filtering and shutting down the service MSA This will give you the best results without the need to install additional software. Installing a full-fledged blocking application (for example, AdGuard from the official website, not from the Play Market) gives maximum control, but requires more fine-tuning and can consume battery power.

For most users, the first two steps are enough, but if you're actively using free apps and games that are themselves advertising, you can use the first two steps. DNS-The filter will be your salvation, and it will cut the ads into the root, preventing them from showing up on the screen.

Additional security and optimization measures

Beyond direct blocking, it’s important to minimize the risks associated with data collection. Xiaomi’s settings have a Password & Security section → Privacy → Special Permits. Here, check which apps have access to “Display on top of other apps.” This resolution is often used by ad modules to show pop-ups on top of the desktop.

Go through the list and turn off this access for all suspicious or unnecessary system applications, such as Scanner, Cleanup or Music, if you don’t actively use their widget features, and this will prevent sudden windows with suggestions to “speed up your phone” or “clean up your memory.”

It's also a good idea to disable Google account personalization. Go to adssettings.google.com in your browser and turn off personalization. This won't eliminate ads completely, but it will make them less intrusive and more tailored to your interests. When combined with MIUI settings, it creates a powerful security perimeter.

⚠️ Warning: Be careful of apps from unknown sources that promise to “speed up the phone” or “cool down the processor,” often the source of aggressive ads and viruses on Android.

Regularly reviewing installed applications is a good habit. If you notice that the ad appears suddenly after installing a program, feel free to delete it. Use Safe Launch Mode for diagnosis if you can't find the source of the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)