Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face intrusive advertising that appears in system applications, including the standard Mi Music audio player. It is annoying, distracts from listening to favorite songs and sometimes even blocks the audio management interface. Fortunately, most ad units can be easily disabled without resorting to complex manipulation of superuser rights or reflashing the device.
Advertising integrations are built into the MIUI and HyperOS shell at the system service level, but developers have left the option to partially or completely block them through the application’s settings and system settings. Disabling advertising will not only improve the visual experience, but can also reduce mobile traffic consumption slightly. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways to clean the player interface from banners and pop-ups.
It is important to understand that the methods may vary slightly depending on the version of the operating system and the region set in the smartphone settings. If you do not find a menu item, check the relevance of the version of the application in the GetApps store or Google Play. Let's start with the simplest and most effective actions to help you return a clean interface.
Disabling recommendations in the application settings
The first and most obvious step is to check the internal settings of the player itself, and users often ignore this section, relying only on system blockers, but this is where the main switches responsible for content recommendations are hidden. Mi Music has a built-in mechanism for displaying promotional materials, which is activated by default.
To start, open the app and navigate to the user profile or settings menu, which is usually indicated by three dots or a gear.Look for the section related to "Recommendations" or "Personalization." Here you need to deactivate sliders responsible for displaying news, hot tracks and banner ads on the home screen. The interface can be a little confusing, as some options have a dual purpose.
⚠️ Note: After disabling recommendations, the list “For You” may cease to be updated or disappear completely, as it is formed on the basis of advertising algorithms.
If the standard switches didn’t help to completely clean the screen, try resetting the application settings through the Android system menu.This will return the player to its original state by removing the accumulated cache of advertising identifiers. However, before you do it, make sure that you are logged into your Mi Account so you do not lose the created playlists.
Use of the msa system switch
One of the most effective ways to combat advertising in all Xiaomi system applications is to disable the msa service (MIUI System Ads), a system process that is responsible for delivering and displaying advertising content in the interface.
To access this feature, you need to go to the Passwords and Security menu in your smartphone settings, and there you will find the "Access to Personal Data" or "Special Features" option (the name may vary depending on the version of MIUI). In the process list, find msa and turn off the switch. The system will ask you to wait 10 seconds, after which the "Cancel" button will be active.
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Passwords and security.
- 🔍 Find the access to personal data (or special features).
- 🚫 Find the msa process in the list and turn it off.
- ⏳ Wait 10 seconds and confirm the withdrawal of permissions.
It is worth noting that the first time to disable the service may not work due to software bugs shell. If the button "Revoke" is inactive or the process immediately turns back on, try to repeat the procedure 3-4 times in a row. msa service sometimes requires several attempts to completely deactivate, which is a known feature of the protection of the ad module.
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If the msa switch is turned back on immediately, try to turn off the Internet (Wi-Fi and mobile data) before performing the procedure, which will prevent the server from reactivating the service instantly.
Set up a private DNS to block ads
A more advanced and effective method is to use private DNS, which allows you to block ad requests at the network level, preventing the Mi Music application from downloading banners from the servers of advertisers.
To implement this method, you will need a reliable address. DNS-So you have to go to the settings of your smartphone network, and the path is usually this: → Wi-Fi and Internet → Private DNS. Select the mode "Host Name provider" DNS" and enter the address dns.adguard.com.
| Parameter | Meaning/Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| DNS mode | Provider host name | Manual address setting |
| Server address | dns.adguard.com | Advertising blocking server |
| Impact on speed | Minimum | The delay is imperceptible. |
| Compatibility | Android 9.0+ | It works for all modern Xiaomi |
After saving the settings, it is recommended to restart the smartphone. Private DNS will start filtering traffic and in-app advertising should disappear. If some sites or applications stop opening after DNS is turned on, try changing the provider to dns-family.adguard.com, which also blocks adult content.
☑️ Checking the settings DNS
Limitation of background activity and permissions
Another way to minimize intrusiveness is to restrict the rights of the application. Advertising often requires an active Internet connection to download current banners. If you deny the Mi Music app access to the network in the background or completely, banners will stop loading, although the functionality of online radio may stop working.
Go to Settings → Applications → All apps, search for Music, and select “Activity Control” or “Data Use.” You can prevent background internet connection here, which is especially useful if you are listening to music stored in your device’s memory and you don’t need online features.
⚠️ Warning: A complete internet shutdown for the Music app may make it impossible to display album covers and song lyrics unless they are stored in metadata files.
It’s also worth checking the permissions to display on top of other apps. Sometimes the ad windows are disguised as system notifications. In the “Special features” or “permissions” section, look for “Display on top of other apps” and make sure the player doesn’t have any unnecessary rights that he can use to show pop-ups.
Alternative audio players as a solution
If the built-in app continues to annoy with ads even after all the settings, the most radical and effective solution will be to install a third-party player.The Google Play store offers many great alternatives that lack Xiaomi system integration and, accordingly, are deprived of the manufacturer's built-in advertising.
Popular options like Musicolet, Pulsar or AIMP consume less battery life and provide a more flexible equalizer. Third-party players often support more audio formats and have a user-friendly interface without unnecessary smart recommendations.
- 🎵 Musicolet: Free, no advertising, and no Internet access.
- 🎚️ Pulsar: Lightweight, fast and with great design, there is a free version without ads.
- 🎧 AIMP: powerful engine, support for plugins and classic interface.
If you install an alternative player, you can make it the default application for opening audio files, and when you first start a file, the system will ask you what to open a track -- select a new player and hit "Always." That will save you from having to see the Mi Music interface forever.
Why are third-party players better?
Frequent Questions and Challenges (FAQ)
In this section, we’ve collected answers to the most popular questions users have when trying to clean the smartphone interface from advertising. If you are faced with an unusual situation, perhaps the solution is already found below.
Why did the MIUI update reappear?
Is it safe to use a private DNS to block ads?
Can I remove the Mi Music app completely?
Does the ad blackout affect the work of online radio?
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A comprehensive approach, including disabling msa, setting up DNS and using third-party players, guarantees complete elimination of advertising in the Xiaomi music application.
To sum up, fighting advertising in Xiaomi requires a holistic approach: Start with the app’s internal settings, then turn off the msa system service and use it if necessary. DNS-These actions will help make your smartphone more comfortable and enjoyable by returning the focus to music, not to advertising banners.