Xiaomi smartphone owners often face intrusive advertising that appears in system applications, including the standard browser.It is not just an annoyance, but also a way to monetize budget devices, which, however, can and should be turned off for comfortable use of the gadget.The built-in Mi Browser is set by default to show recommendations and news feeds that consume traffic and distract from work.
The process of cleaning the interface does not require obtaining superuser rights (Root) and is available to any user. We will consider a comprehensive approach, ranging from the basic settings of the browser itself to the system restrictions for MIUI advertising services. The correct configuration will allow you to enjoy a clean Internet without pop-ups and banners.
It is worth noting that advertising in the Xiaomi ecosystem is often integrated at the level of system processes, such as MSA (MIUI System Ads).So simply switching the toggle in the browser settings may not be enough. You need to perform a number of actions, which we will describe in detail below, to ensure that you get rid of visual noise.
Disable personalized advertising in Mi Browser
The first step is to work directly with the browser app, and developers have made it possible to turn off personalized ads, but this option is often hidden in the depth of the menu or represented in small print. First, open the app and go to the settings menu, usually represented by a three-dot icon or a gear.
In the settings section, look for the privacy or security item, and that's where the switch is hiding, blocking the collection of data for targeted advertising, and importantly, once you turn off this feature, the ads won't disappear completely, but they won't be personalized based on your browsing history.
⚠️ Warning: Complete absence of advertising in free services is rare. When you turn off personalization, you can see less relevant, but still present banners.
Next, clear the news feed from the start page. In the settings, look for the Home or Start page. You should turn off recommendations, news and hot topics, which will significantly speed up the browser launch and remove visual debris from the first screen.
Configuring the MSA system service
MSA (MIUI System Ads) is the primary source of advertising across the entire MIUI shell, including the browser. Disabling this system component is a critical step. Find the Passwords and Security section in your phone settings, then go to Access to Data.
In the application list, find msa and turn off the network access slider. The system will alert you that the application will stop working correctly and prompt you to wait 10 seconds. Press OK and wait for the countdown to end, then confirm the shutdown.
☑️ Checking the shutdown MSA
Sometimes the first time you can't turn off the service because of the way the shell works. If the slider returns to its original position, repeat the procedure 3-5 times in a row, a common "protection" from users that can be avoided by persistence.
Using DNS to Block Advertising
One of the most effective methods is to use a private DNS with ad filtering, which works at the device level, blocking requests to known ad servers before they even reach the browser.
To set up, go to Connections and Sharing or Wi-Fi. Find Private DNS» (Private DNS). Select the mode "Host Name provider" DNS» and enter the address of the verified blocking service, for example, dns.adguard.com.
| Parameter | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Regime. | Host name | Manual indication of the server |
| Address | dns.adguard.com | Traffic filtering service |
| The effect | Lockdown | Hiding banners in apps |
| Impact on speed | Minimum | Often speeds up the loading |
After saving the settings, it is recommended to restart the device, the advantage of which is that it does not require installing additional software and works even in free versions of games and applications where advertising is broadcast over standard networks.
What to do if some applications stop working?
Blocking Push Notifications from Websites
Users often confuse ads in the browser interface with intrusive push notifications from visited sites. These are different things: if you receive messages about “winning iPhone” or “viruses” in the notification curtain, then you accidentally allowed the site to send you notifications.
To fix this, open Mi Browser settings, go to Privacy & Security and look for Site Settings or Notifications, and there will be a list of all the resources that are authorized to send you messages.
- 🚫 Total ban: The most radical method is to completely ban all sites from sending notifications.This is guaranteed to eliminate spam, but you can miss important notifications from web versions of instant messengers.
- 🔍 Selective cleanup: Go through the list and disable any suspicious or unfamiliar domains. Leave only those resources you fully trust.
- 🧹 Resetting Permits: In some versions MIUI A button “Reset all permissions” is available, which will return site settings to factory values.
Look at the pop-ups section in the same settings. Make sure you don't have to, and many ad networks use this mechanism to open new tabs when you click at random.
Installation of third-party blockers
If there's not enough built-in tools, there are specialized blocking apps that come to the rescue. For Android devices, including Xiaomi, AdGuard or Blokada is a great solution. They create local ones. VPN-tunnel through which all traffic is filtered.
When installing such an application, the system will request permission to create VPN-It's normal and necessary for the filter to work, and when you activate it, you'll notice the key or shield icon in the status bar.
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Use open source blockers like Blokada 5 if you’re worried about privacy.They’re transparent about what traffic they send and where they’re sent.
You can also install extensions in the browser settings if you use alternative versions that support add-ons (such as Kiwi Browser or Firefox Mobile), and these are available with powerful filters like uBlock Origin that work better than any system settings.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install multiple blockers at the same time, this can cause a conflict of network protocols, which will lead to loss of Internet connection or a strong battery discharge.
Clearing the cache and resetting browser settings
After making all the changes, it is recommended to perform a deep browser cleanup. The accumulated cache may contain old ad scripts that will continue to appear. Go to Settings of the phone, select Apps, find Mi Browser and click Clear.
Select the option “Clear Everything” or “Reset Settings” that will return the browser to the “shop-like” state, but with the system restrictions on advertising already applied by you. Don’t worry, bookmarks and saved passwords (if they are synced with a Google or Mi Account) will not disappear.
If the problem is chronic and the ads come back after the system updates, it makes sense to consider alternative browsers. The market offers many easy and fast solutions, such as Via Browser or DuckDuckGo, which are initially focused on privacy and do not have built-in advertising tinsel.
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A comprehensive approach (DNS + disabling MSA + browser settings) provides a 99% guarantee of no advertising, while using only one method is often not enough.