How to disable advertising in Yandex.Browser on Xiaomi: the Complete guide

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face intrusive advertising that appears not only in apps but also directly in the browser. Yandex.Browser, one of the most popular surfing tools on the Runet, is set to display ad units by default, which can significantly slow down page loading and consume traffic. This is especially noticeable on low-cost models of the Redmi or POCO series, where the processor resources are limited. Eliminating this digital noise is not just a matter of aesthetics, but a necessity to improve the performance of the device.

The process of cleaning up ads requires a comprehensive approach, since the sources of its appearance can be different from built-in functions of the browser itself to aggressive extensions or settings of the MIUI system. The user needs to consistently check several levels of protection. Ignoring at least one step can reduce all efforts to zero, and banners will again pop up at the most inopportune moment. Below we will discuss in detail each stage of settings.

It's important to understand that removing ads completely often requires manually adjusting settings that are hidden in deep menus. Automatic solutions don't always work correctly, especially after major updates to the Android shell or the browser app itself. So manual configuration remains the most reliable way to ensure that the gadget is comfortable. Let's get to the specifics.

Use of built-in blocker in Yandex.Browser

The first step in combating unwanted content is to activate the regular security features that are already built into the application. The developers of Yandex.Browser have implemented a basic filtering mechanism that can be turned off by default or work in a gentle mode. To access these settings, you need to open the main menu, usually located at the bottom of the screen or as three dots in the corner, and go to the Settings section. Here you should find the item related to security or blocking advertising.

Inside the settings menu, you need to find the Ad Block section and make sure the switch is activated. However, a standard blocker often skips some types of banners that don't formally violate the rules but annoy the user. For a more subtle setup, go to Additional Settings and check JavaScript settings. Disabling script execution for all sites can break the layout of many resources, so it's better to use selective blocking or move to more advanced methods.

⚠️ Note: Disabling JavaScript completely in your browser settings can lead to incorrect display of sites, since many modern web pages do not work without executing scripts.

Also worth noting is the Turbo Mode feature, which sometimes helps to compress traffic and cut out some of the advertising elements on the fly, although in today's high-speed Internet, its usefulness is reduced. In some versions of the application, there is an option "Blocking Amazing Ads", which is also recommended to activate, these measures are basic and must be performed first before installing third-party solutions.

Set up a secure DNS for network-level locking

The most effective method, which works not only in Yandex.Browser, but also in the entire Android system, is the use of DNS filtered. This method allows you to block requests to known advertising servers before they download content to your device. To implement this method on Xiaomi smartphones with Android 9 and above, you do not need to install additional applications or obtain root rights. All the necessary settings are in the system menu.

You need to go to Settings smartphone, then select the section Connection and Sharing (or just "Wi-Fi and Internet"). in the list of options, find the item Private DNS-server. The default is Auto or Disconnected. You need to switch to Host Name of the provider. DNS (Or manually, and you can type in the address of a trusted blocker server, and one of the most popular and proven options is the AdGuard server. DNS.

In the field for entering the hostname, you should specify the address: dns.adguard.com. After saving the settings, the system will begin to redirect everything. DNS-This means that when Yandex.Browser tries to download a banner from a known advertising domain, the request will be blocked at the network level, which significantly speeds up the loading of pages and saves battery life, since the device does not need to download unnecessary data.

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If some applications or websites (such as online banks or children’s services) stop working after changing the DNS, temporarily return the DNS setting to Auto or Disconnected mode.

It's worth noting that this method is universal and suitable for any browser installed on your Xiaomi. However, it does not block ads inside the apps themselves if they are sewn into their code, but for web surfing, it is the "gold standard." You can check the performance by opening a site with usually abundant advertising - the number of banners should be reduced to zero or minimum.

Installation of extensions for extended protection

Although the mobile version of Yandex.Browser has limited functionality compared to desktop, it supports the installation of some add-ons from the directory. Using specialized extensions allows you to introduce powerful filters, such as AdGuard or uBlock Origin, directly into the browser engine, which provides more flexible management of locking rules than standard settings.

To install the add-on, open the browser menu, select the Add-on and go to the directory. Search for the desired filter name, such as "AdGuard Ad Blocker." Once you find the plugin, click the Install button. It is important to update the filter databases regularly in the extension settings, as advertisers constantly change the addresses of their servers, and the old rules may stop working.

Extensions also allow you to create your own rules. If you see a specific banner that is skipped by the filter, you can use the Element Lock feature (if available in the Android version) or add the domain address to the blacklist manually. This requires some knowledge, but gives you full control over what is displayed on your smartphone screen.

Don't install too many extensions at once, as each one consumes the device's RAM. On budget Redmi or POCO models, this can lead to a slowdown of the interface. The optimal choice is one high-quality blocker with up-to-date bases.

Clearing permissions and notifications from websites

Users often confuse ads on websites with intrusive push notifications that allow them to appear on the lock screen. This happens when you accidentally click “Allow” in a request to display notifications, which results in spammy messages even when the browser is closed, and you can delete them through the settings of Yandex.Browser itself.

Go to your browser settings, scroll down to Site Settings or Additionals. Find Notifications. This will show you a list of all sites you have given permission to, carefully review the list and delete any suspicious or unfamiliar domains. For each site, you can select the Block or Remove Allowance option, which will force the site to request access again on your next visit.

Also in this section, check pop-up permissions and geolocation. Many sites use geolocation for targeted advertising, so limiting location access to unknown resources will increase your privacy.

⚠️ Note: If notifications continue to arrive even after cleaning the list in your browser, check if you have accidentally installed a malicious application that masquerades as a system process and generates ads.

Beyond the browser, you should do a similar check in Android system settings. Go to Phone Settings → Apps → All apps → Yandex.Browser → Notifications. You can completely prevent the app from sending any notifications unless you use it to read news or mail.

Xiaomi system settings and MSA lock

Xiaomi devices have their own advertising system called MSA (MIUI System Ads), which can broadcast banners including in the browser recommendation feed, if it is integrated into the system. Although Yandex.Browser is a third-party application, it can receive data from system services to form Zen tape or recommendations. Disabling system advertising is an important step for MIUI owners.

To disable MSA, go to Smartphone Settings, select Password and Security (or Advanced Settings) → Access to Personal Data. Find the msa process in the list and turn off the access slider. The system will require you to wait 10 seconds, after which you will need to confirm the action. If the first time failed (this happens due to system errors), try repeating the procedure 3-5 times in a row.

It is also recommended to disable the personalization of ads in your Mi Account. Go to the settings of your Xiaomi account, find the Ads section and turn off the Ad Personalization function. This will not remove the ads completely, but will make it less intrusive and stop using your data to select content. These actions affect the entire MIUI shell, making use of the smartphone as a whole more comfortable.

In Yandex.Browser itself, you should turn off the news feed if you are not using it, since it often contains promotional materials. On the browser's home page, click on the settings icon (usually a gear) and turn off the display of the recommendation feed. This will free the screen and remove the source of visual noise.

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Combining DNS and disabling MSA system service gives the best result for Xiaomi devices.

Frequent questions and problem-solving

Even after all the recommendations are followed, there may be nuances related to specific firmware versions or app updates. Users often ask why ads are coming back or what to do if the browser is running slower. Below are answers to the most common questions that will help fix residual problems.

If after installing the DNS, Wi-Fi stopped working in some public places (for example, in cafes or shopping centers where browser authorization is required), temporarily disable the private DNS. This is necessary, since captive portals often cannot redirect you to the authorization page via a secure DNS. Once connected to the network, you can activate the filter again.

In case Yandex.Browser started consuming too much power after installing extensions, try turning off background activity for it in Xiaomi battery settings. Also make sure you don't install multiple conflicting blockers at once.One quality tool works better than three mediocre ones.

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For maximum privacy, combine ad blocking with Incognito mode and regular cleaning of the browser cache in the device settings.