Budget smartphone owners often face intrusive ads that suddenly appear on top of the interface.The Xiaomi Redmi 9 device, despite its excellent performance for its class, is not without its MIUI branded shell, which is known for aggressive marketing.Pop-ups can block the desktop, block apps and just annoy with its constant appearance at the most inopportune moment.
The reasons for this can range from standard system settings to installing malware from unverified sources, and understanding the source of the problem is the first and most important step to solving it. In most cases, the user grants the application the rights to display notifications without realizing the consequences, or accidentally agrees to install a hidden ad module.
In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to eliminate intrusive advertising. We will look at both the standard tools for setting up Android and MIUI, and methods for finding hidden viruses. A comprehensive approach will allow you to clean your smartphone and return the comfort of using the gadget without unnecessary distractions.
Analysis of the source of pop-up windows
Before we take action, we need to determine exactly which app or system process is generating advertising content. On Xiaomi Redmi 9, both embedded services like MSA (Mi System Ads) and third-party programs received from outside can be responsible for this, often the culprits are “memory cleaners”, “lightlights” or low-reputation games.
The easiest way to identify culprit is to use the app manager when the ad appears. When the window pops up without closing it, click the Menu button (three bars or square, depending on the navigation version) or swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger to open the list of active processes. The icon of the app that generated the ad will usually be at the top of the list or have the appropriate name.
If you can't immediately identify the source, you can use battery usage statistics. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance and scroll down. Pay attention to apps that you haven't used in a long time but that have consumed a noticeable charge or were running in the background. Abnormal activity often indicates a hidden miner or ad module.
Another effective method is to check the list of installed applications for dummy files. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps and look carefully at the list. Look for programs without an icon, without a name or with a transparent icon. These objects are often disguised as system files, but when you click on them, an ad network opens.
Disabling MIUI system advertising
Xiaomi has built a monetization mechanism into the MIUI shell that displays ads in system applications. Fortunately, this feature can be turned off, which will significantly reduce the amount of pop-up content. The first step is to turn off the MSA (Mi Ad Service), which is responsible for collecting data and displaying banners.
To do this, go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Data Access. In the list, find the msa app and turn off the network access slider. The system will warn you that some features may stop working — agree and wait 10 seconds, then confirm the disconnect. If you fail the first time, repeat the procedure several times, sometimes it takes 3-5 attempts.
☑️ Confidentiality setting MIUI
Next, you need to turn off personalized advertising. Find passwords and security in the settings → privacy → advertising services. Here you need to activate the switch “Disable personalized advertising.” Also, reset the advertising ID by clicking the corresponding button on the same menu, this action breaks the connection between your device and advertising profiles.
⚠️ Note: After disabling msa, some built-in features, such as recommendations in the Music or Video app, may disappear. This is normal system behavior, indicating that the ad module has been successfully disabled.
Also, check the settings of the individual system applications. Go to Explorer, Music, Video, and Clean each of them, and find the settings menu (usually three dots or a gear) and turn off the "Receive recommendations" or "Show ads" option.
Search and Remove Malware Applications
If system settings didn’t help and ads continue to appear at random, it’s likely that your Redmi 9 has been infected with an adware virus, often disguised as useful utilities, and use a built-in security scanner or third-party antivirus software like Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light to detect them.
Run a deep system check. If the antivirus finds threats, follow its removal instructions. If the virus blocks the antivirus, try running your smartphone in Safe Mode. To do this, press the off button on the screen, and when the Safe Mode icon appears, press and hold it. In this mode, only system applications are downloaded, which allows you to safely remove the pest.
How to get into Safe Mode on Redmi 9?
Manually remove suspicious apps. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Sort the list by installation date. If you have recently seen an ad, remove any programs installed during that period. Pay special attention to apps with names like Flashlight, Clearer, Battery Saver, unless you have intentionally installed them.
Here is a list of signs that can be used to calculate malware:
- 📱 The application does not have an icon or name in the list of installed programs.
- 🔋 Excessive battery consumption in the absence of active work with the phone.
- 🌐 Unexplained notifications in the notification curtain leading to dating sites or casinos.
- 🚀 A sharp decrease in interface performance and heating of the body.
Cleaning Notifications in Chrome Browser
Often users confuse system advertising with site notifications. If pop-ups appear when the browser is closed, or as small plaques with text, chances are you accidentally signed up for the ad site's notifications. In Google Chrome's Android browser, this is solved through content settings.
Open the Chrome browser, click on the three dots in the top right and select Settings → Site Settings → Notifications. Here you will see a list of all sites that are allowed to send notifications. Carefully examine the list and find suspicious domains with unclear names or ones that you do not recognize.
For each suspicious site, click on the name and select the option “Delete” or “Block.” Once the list is cleared, it is also recommended to clear the cache and the browser itself. Go to Phone Settings → Apps → Chrome → Storage and click Clear Cache. If the problem is not solved, you can click “Clear all data”, but this will delete the browser history and saved passwords.
| Type of cleaning | What's removed | Impact on data | Recommended frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearing the cache | Temporary files, pictures of websites | Secure, data is stored | Once a week. |
| Clearing the data | Logins, passwords, history, settings | Complete reset of the annex | Problems. |
| Deletion of notifications | Permissions to display push notifications | Websites are Stopping Spaming | As it comes along |
| Resetting site settings | All permissions for all websites | We need to re-access. | As a last resort. |
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Use Incognito mode when visiting suspicious sites, in which history and cookies are not stored, reducing the risk of automatically subscribing to spam notifications.
Blocking Advertising through DNS and Antiviruses
To further protect Xiaomi Redmi 9 from advertising, you can use DNS-level blockers. This method does not require the installation of heavy applications and works for all connections, including Wi-Fi and mobile Internet. DNS over HTTPS technology allows you to filter traffic and cut off requests to known ad servers.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS. Select the DNS Host Name mode and enter the address: dns.adguard.com. Save settings. Now all traffic on your device will pass through AdGuard filters, which will cut off most of the banners and trackers.
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Using a private DNS (dns.adguard.com) is the most effective and easy way to block advertising in all applications without root rights and install additional software.
The alternative is to install specialized blocking applications, such as AdGuard (a version from the official website, not from the Play Market) or Blokada. VPN-A tunnel that allows you to flexibly configure filters, select lock lists, and monitor the activity of each application.
⚠️ Attention: When in use DNS-Blockers or apps like AdGuard may experience a slight increase in battery consumption.In addition, some applications (such as banking or marketplaces) may not work properly if their ads are blocked.
Radical measures: Resetting to factory settings
If none of these methods helped get rid of pop-up ads and the device continues to behave inappropriately, the last effective option is a complete factory reset.This procedure will return the Xiaomi Redmi 9 to the “out of the box” state, removing all user data, applications and, most importantly, malware.
Before starting the procedure, make sure to back up your important data. Photos, contacts and documents can be saved to the Google cloud or to your computer. Remember that after resetting, it will be impossible to restore deleted files without a backup. Charge your smartphone to at least 50% so that the process does not interrupt due to battery drain.
To perform the reset, go to Settings → About Phone → Reset. Select “Erase All Data” and confirm the action. The device will restart and begin the cleanup process, which can take 5 to 15 minutes. Once turned on, you will need to reset the initial system settings.
What if the phone doesn’t turn on after resetting?
After a successful reset, don't rush to install all the apps at once. Start with the basic set and observe the behavior of the system. If the ad doesn't appear, then the problem was in one of the previously installed applications. Install the programs in stages, so that if you relapse, quickly identify the culprit.
Preventing Advertising in the Future
To prevent the problem with pop-up ads on Xiaomi Redmi 9 from returning, you must observe digital hygiene. First of all, refuse to install applications from unverified sources. download programs only from the official Google Play store or GetApps. Avoid sites with hacked versions of games and modified applications, since they are the most often sewn into advertising modules.
Read carefully the permissions the app requests when installing, if a simple flashlight or calculator requires access to contacts, location and microphone, that is a clear sign of fraud, deny access to all features that are not needed for the main operation of the program.
Update your operating system and applications regularly. Xiaomi and Google are constantly releasing security patches to close vulnerabilities that viruses can penetrate, and it’s also helpful to audit installed apps once a month and remove those you’ve stopped using.
- 🛡️ Install a reliable antivirus for periodic system checks.
- 🚫 Do not follow suspicious links to SMS messenger.
- 🔒 Use two-factor authentication for your Google account.
- 📲 Keep an eye out for firmware updates MIUI under the heading “On the telephone».
Compliance with these simple rules will allow you to enjoy a fast and clean operation of your smartphone without unnecessary interruptions.