Owners of budget smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 4X often face intrusive system advertising that appears in standard apps and on the desktop.The source of this phenomenon is a system process called MSA (MIUI System Ads), which is activated by default in the MIUI shell to monetize the device. Removing or disabling this component is the only way to return the phone to its original performance and get rid of visual noise.
The deactivation process does not require root rights, but it does require careful follow-up in the settings menu. In this article, we will discuss how to safely disable ads on your gadget using built-in system features, as well as more advanced methods for power users.
It's worth understanding that completely removing the system package may require the use of a computer and the ADB toolkit, while the standard shutdown is available to everyone.The MSA process is not only responsible for banners, but also for collecting usage statistics, so deactivating it also increases the level of privacy. Let's get started setting up your Redmi 4X.
What is the MSA process and why it burdens the system
MSA stands for MIUI System Ads, and this component is an integral part of the Chinese manufacturer’s ecosystem. It works in the background, constantly accessing the company’s servers to download relevant ad units, which are then displayed in the Security, Music, Themes and even standard Explorer apps.
On a budget device like the Redmi 4X, which is based on the Snapdragon 435 processor, the service can be tangible, with persistent network queries and ad rendering consuming RAM and CPU time, resulting in micro-latency interfaces.
Users often notice that after the update MIUI The phone starts to run slower, and it's the background processes that are often the reason for this behavior. MSA permitting:
- 📉 Reduce the consumption of RAM on 100-200 MB.
- 🔋 Increase battery life due to the absence of constant network requests.
- 🚀 Accelerate the opening of system applications.
- 🔒 Stop transmitting your activity data to analytics servers.
⚠️ Note: Before making changes to system settings, it is recommended to create a full backup of important data to eliminate the risk of information loss in case of accidental errors.
Understanding the nature of this process helps you realize that turning it off won’t disrupt basic phone functions like calls or SMS, but will make using the interface much more comfortable and clean.
Preparation of the device before making changes
Before you start manipulating system services, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps, which will ensure the stability of the Xiaomi Redmi 4X during the procedure and will allow you to easily roll back changes if necessary.
First of all, make sure your device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network.Some settings require license checks or component updates, and interrupting the connection can cause the process to freeze.
☑️ Redmi Preparation 4X
It’s also worth checking out the current version of MIUI. Path to Information: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Depending on the shell version (Global or China), the names of some menu items may vary slightly, but the logic of actions remains the same.
It is important to disable automatic system updates during work so that the background update does not overwrite the modified configuration files, and this is done in the same menu where you check the version of the software, through the button with a tripod.
It's good to make room in the internal storage, and while we don't install heavy applications, the system needs space for temporary files and cache while it's reshaping the back-end processes.
Disconnection method through system settings
The safest and easiest way to remove ads is to use the built-in switch in your system settings, which does not physically delete files, but prevents the MSA process from running and displaying content.
To start, go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Access to Personal Data. In this list, you need to find the MSA (MIUI System Ads) item and switch the slider to the “Switched Off” position.
The system will try to convince you to leave the ad on by offering to wait 10 seconds before trying to shut down again. UI-Design to reduce the number of shutdowns.
If you fail to disable the first time, repeat the procedure 3-4 times. Often it takes several attempts for the server to authorize the deactivation on the device side.
After a successful switch, it is recommended to restart the smartphone, which is necessary in order for all background services to update their status and stop trying to connect to advertising servers.
Additionally, you should disable receiving recommendations in specific applications. For example, in the Music app, go to the settings and remove the tick from the "Receive recommendations" item, and in the "Temes" turn off push notifications.
Using DNS to Block Advertising
A more radical but effective method is to configure a private DNS, which blocks the MSA process from being accessed at the network level, preventing the phone from downloading advertising content even if the service is formally enabled.
In the current versions of MIUI available for Redmi 4X, DNS is configured via the Settings menu → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS. Select the DNS Provider Host Name mode.
In the input field, you need to specify the address of a trusted blocker. One of the most popular and proven options is dns.adguard.com, which filters traffic and trims requests to known advertising domains.
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Use it. DNS-filters not only to remove ads, but also to protect against phishing sites, as many blockers have databases of malicious addresses.
The advantage of this method is its versatility: it works in all applications, including browsers and games, where advertising can pop up. DNS-The server will be unavailable, some applications may stop downloading content or run slower.
The table below shows the popular DNS-Services that can be used to block:
| Service | Host address | Features |
|---|---|---|
| AdGuard DNS | dns.adguard.com | Blocks ads and trackers |
| Cloudflare Family | family.cloudflare-dns.com | No Advertising + Malware Protection |
| Quad9 | dns.quad9.net | Focus on security and privacy |
| NextDNS | custom.nextdns.io | Customized filters (account required) |
After entering the address, save the settings. The changes take effect instantly, a reboot is usually not required, but is desirable for resetting the DNS cache.
Advanced removal through ADB (for experienced)
If standard methods fail, you can use the com.miui.msa.global package to remove it completely using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) toolkit, which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer.
First, you need to activate the USB debugging mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI build number 7 times. In the Developer menu, turn on USB debugging.
Connect Redmi 4X to your PC with a cable. On your computer, in the command line (terminal), run a command to check the connection:
adb devicesYou'll see a request for debugging permission on your phone screen, confirm it. Once you pair it successfully, you can start deleting it.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.msa.global⚠️ Note: Be extremely careful when entering commands. removing system packages that are not associated with advertising (for example, system). UI), can cause a “bootloop” (cyclic reboot) of the device.
To return the remote component (if something goes wrong), use the command:
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.msa.globalThis method is the most effective because it physically removes the APK-file from user space, making running ads technically impossible until the next system reset or update.
Cache cleanup and final check
After completing all the procedures to disable or remove the MSA, you need to clean up the accumulated garbage. Old banner ads could be stored in the cache of applications and will be displayed for some time.
Go to Settings → Memory → Clean up or use the standard Security app. It is also recommended to go to the settings of each heavy application (browser, theme store) and clear their cache individually through the Applications → All applications.
What to do if the advertisement remains?
And you can look at the battery in the first few days after cleaning, and the system can re-index files and re-engineer background processes, which will temporarily increase power consumption, which is normal.
Check if banners have disappeared in the folders on the desktop and in the notification curtain, and if the system is stable and the interface is more responsive, then the procedure was successful.
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A comprehensive approach (disabling MSA + DNS + cache cleaning) gives the best result for eliminating advertising on Xiaomi.
Check MIUI updates regularly. Sometimes, after a major update, privacy settings may reset and you will have to repeat the procedure. However, new versions of MIUI are no longer available on Redmi 4X, so the risk of resetting is minimal.