Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often encounter intrusive content that comes at the most inopportune moment.Saveshow ads are not just an annoyance, but a monetization method that MIUI and HyperOS developers have integrated deeply into the system, usually popping up after unlocking the device or while using standard apps.
Many users mistakenly believe that it is a virus that requires urgent treatment, but in fact, these are regular functions of the system that can be manually deactivated, and the main source of advertising is often mSolutions application or MSA system service (MIUI System Ads), without them, fighting pop-ups will be useless.
In this article, we will discuss all the available methods for eliminating unwanted content, you do not need to obtain root rights or flash the device, we will look at security settings, personalization options and work with specific system applications.
The Nature of the Appearance of Advertising Banners in MIUI
To effectively combat the problem, you need to understand the source of the problem: system advertising in the shell of Xiaomi is broadcast through special service applications, most often, the mSolutions component is responsible for the appearance of images on a locked screen or when unlocking, it collects data about your interests for targeted results.
Another source could be standard utilities like Explorer, Music, or Security, and their default settings activate the recommendation option, which means that even when you turn off the main ad module, individual apps can still show banners.
It's important to distinguish between in-app ads and notifications from installed apps, and if you get messages from a browser or game, that's a separate category that requires you to configure Android notifications, and here we're talking about shell system integrations.
- 📱 mSolutions is the main service responsible for content on the lock screen and in folders.
- 🛡️ MSA (MIUI System Ads – background process that coordinates the display of advertising throughout the system.
- 📂 System applications – Explorer, Downloads, Cleanups that have their own recommendations settings.
⚠️ Note: Complete removal of system applications through ADB It can cause unstable operation of the shell. it is recommended to use the method of disconnection through settings or freezing.
Disabling MSA Service and Personalization
The first and most important step is to turn off the MSA service, which is a system process that collects statistics and displays ads, and without it, the rest of the settings may not work correctly, and it requires care, because the system will try to get things back to normal.
Go to your phone settings and find the Passwords and Security section. You should find System Services or access personal data in the authorization and security menu. You should find msa and turn off the slider in the list. The system will alert you to the consequences and start a countdown timer (usually 10 seconds).
When the time has expired, press Turn off. If the first time failed (which is often due to server errors), repeat the procedure 3-5 times in a row. Usually on the 4th or 5th attempt, the switch is fixed in the "Off" position.
☑️ Checking the shutdown MSA
Then you have to turn off ad personalization. In the same password and security menu, look for Privacy and then Advertising Services. Here you have to activate the option to disable ad personalization, which will prevent the system from using your data to select ads.
- 🔒 Disabling msa blocks the main channel broadcast banners.
- 📉 Personalization stops collecting data about your activities.
- ⏱️ It takes several attempts to successfully shut down the service.
Elimination of Advertising on the Lock Screen
If the advertisement appears on the screensaver (lock screen), then the most often responsible function "Wallpaper Carousel" or mSolutions application. Wallpaper carousel is a service that changes the background image with each screen turn on and shows the news feed with advertising inserts.
To turn off, go to Settings → Wallpaper → Wallpaper Carousel. In the upper right corner, find the gear icon or three dots. In the menu that opens, select Disable. The system may suggest going to the theme store — ignore this and confirm the disconnection.
Also, check the settings of the lock screen itself. In the Always On and Lock screen section, make sure that third-party themes or scripts that can load the content are not activated. Sometimes the ads are disguised as weather or news widgets.
What if the carousel doesn't shut down?
In newer versions of HyperOS, the mechanism may be called differently, for example, Lock Screen Magazine, the principle of operation is similar: find in the wallpaper settings and deactivate the receipt of content over the network.
- 🖼️ Wallpaper carousel is the main source of pictures on a locked screen.
- ⚙️ Settings are in the Wallpaper or Lock Screen section.
- 🧹 Cleaning the cache helps if the off button is inactive.
Setup of Xiaomi system applications
Even after global services are disabled, individual apps can continue to display ads, such as Xiaomi’s standard suite of utilities, each with its own recommendation switch that you need to find and disable manually.
Start with the Security app. Open it, click on the gear in the top right corner. Find Receive recommendations and turn it off. You should also go to the Cleanup in the app and remove the checkmark there.
Then we go to Explorer. Open the app, click on the menu (three bars), select Settings → About the app. In the Receive recommendations section, put the slider inactive. Similar actions should be done with downloads, music and video applications.
💡
After the system update, the recommendations settings may reset. Check these points after each major MIUI or HyperOS update.
Don't forget the GetApps app store (formerly Mi Apps), go to its settings and turn off notifications and recommendations. This app is often a source of pop-ups when installing other programs.
| Annex | The path to adjustment | Parameter for deactivation |
|---|---|---|
| Security | A gear. → Settings | Receive recommendations |
| Conductor | Menu → Settings → About the application | Receive recommendations |
| Downloads. | Three points → Settings | Showing Recommended Content |
| Music. | Menu → Settings → Additional | Showing advertisements |
Working with notifications and browsers
Often users confuse system advertising with browser notifications. If you accidentally allow a site to send notifications, it will show banner ads even when the browser is closed.
To check this, open a browser (such as Chrome or Mi Browser). Go to Settings → Site Settings → Notifications. See the list of permitted sites. If you see suspicious addresses or news aggregators there, click on them and select Clear Data or Block.
Also, check Notifications in Android General Settings. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification Management. Find browsers and unknown apps in the list. Turn off notifications completely.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install third-party antiviruses or cleaners from ads. They often themselves are the source of pop-ups and slow down the smartphone.
For Mi Browser (the standard Xiaomi browser), the procedure is similar: menu → Settings → Privacy and security. Turn off items related to personalization and news feed on the homepage.
Using DNS to Block Advertising
If manually shutting down all services seems too difficult or does not give 100% of the result, you can use the blocking method at the network level. DNS (Private DNS) It allows you to redirect requests to advertising servers to nowhere.
This method is effective against ads in apps and browsers, but it won’t remove the MIUI interface elements that are embedded in the shell code.
Go to Settings. → Connection and Sharing (or Additional Settings) Find Private DNS (Private DNS). Select the host name of the provider DNS (or "manually").
dns.adguard.comEnter dns.adguard.com in the input field and save it. Then reboot your smartphone. Now all requests to known ad networks will be blocked at the connection level.
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AdGuard DNS is the fastest way to remove 90% of ads in apps without installing additional software.
If the internet stops working or some sites start loading slowly, just return the DNS setting to Auto or Off.
- 🌐 The method works at the level of the entire device.
- 🚫 Blocks trackers and advertising servers.
- 🔄 Requires a stable internet connection to work DNS.