Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often encounter intrusive banners that appear in system applications, a phenomenon dubbed Xiaomi Ads or MIUI advertising system, built deep into the shell and designed to monetize the low cost of devices by displaying commercial content.
Ads can pop up in folders, when you unlock the screen, in the Security app, or even in the standard calculator, and users are annoyed by the distraction and the consumption of Internet traffic, but the system is flexible enough that, with the right approach, you can reduce the amount of advertising to zero.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the mechanisms of operation of advertising modules and provide step-by-step instructions for deactivating them. You will learn which services are responsible for displaying banners and how to configure your smartphone so that it works only for you.
What is hidden behind the term Xiaomi Ads
The generic name Xiaomi Ads refers to a set of software solutions integrated into the Android operating system with the shell MIUI or HyperOS. The main executor is the system application msa (MIUI System Ads), which collects data about your preferences and selects relevant ads for display.
Other components are responsible for advertising, such as GetApps (similar to Xiaomi’s Google Play) which often offers game installations, and the standard Mi Browser browser also contains news feeds and ad units on the homepage.
⚠️ Note: Complete removal of system applications through ADB This can cause system instability, and it is recommended to disable them first using standard methods of configuration.
Developers attribute the availability of advertising to the low margin of hardware products; by buying a phone at a competitive price, the user indirectly agrees to view advertising content, but this agreement can be terminated manually by disabling the relevant services.
The main sources of advertising traffic
Ads don't come out of nowhere. Each pop-up banner is a service-specific service. Understanding which component generates traffic allows you to customize the device point by point, most often from standard utilities.
Among the main culprits are Explorer, Music, Themes, and Security, each with its own customization settings that often duplicate the system’s global settings, and disabling in one place does not guarantee that ads will disappear in another.
- 📱 System folders: Application recommendations when opening folders on the desktop.
- 🔒 Lock screen: Wallpaper carousel with advertising integrations (Glance).
- 🛡️ Security app: Pop-ups after checking viruses or cleaning up memory.
- 🌐 Mi Browser: News Feed and Push Notifications from Partners.
Also worth mentioning is the DMS service, which can be responsible for delivering content. With new versions of HyperOS, mechanisms have become more complex, and some ad elements have migrated to the Mi Account services.
Global Disabling Advertising Through Settings
The first and most important step is to disable the MSA's main advertising module, and without that, the rest of the manipulations will have a temporary effect, and the process requires care, as the system tries to prevent the shutdown by hiding the switches or demanding a wait.
Go to the settings menu, select Passwords and Security, then Access to Data, and search the msa app and deny it access to Wi-Fi and mobile network, then go back to the app menu, find msa, and click Turn off ads.
☑️ Shutdown checklist MSA
It is important to note that the "Disable Ads" switch may be inactive on the first attempt. The system will suggest waiting 10 seconds. If the button is not pressed, repeat the procedure 2-3 times. Usually 3-4 times the restriction is removed.
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If the “Disable Ads” switch is inactive, try first to turn off the internet on your phone, press the “Disable” button, and then turn the network back on.
After a successful MSA shutdown, it is also recommended to limit personalization, and to do this, in the privacy settings, look for the Advertising Services section and disable Personalized Ads, which will prevent the system from using your data to select ads.
Setup of system applications
Even after the core module is disabled, individual applications can continue to show content, you have to go through each system tool and remove the extra one, and it will take time, but it will provide a clean interface.
In the Topic app, open your profile, go to settings, and turn off "Receive recommendations." In Explorer, go to settings and uncheck "Receive recommendations." Similar actions are required for the Downloads app.
| Annex | The path to adjustment | What to turn off |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Settings (cogs) | Receive recommendations |
| Music. | Settings → Additional | Showing advertisements |
| Downloads. | Three points → Settings | Showing Recommended Content |
| Cleanup | Cleaning settings | Receive recommendations |
The Mi Browser needs special attention, and its settings must disable the News Feed and notifications, and it is best to use alternative browsers such as Chrome or Firefox, which do not have built-in advertising from the manufacturer.
⚠️ Warning: After the firmware update, the settings may reset. Check the app settings after each major update MIUI.
Hiding recommendations on the desktop
One of the most annoying features is the recommendation feed in folders. When you open the app folder, the list of Recommended Apps appears at the bottom. This is pure Xiaomi Ads that you can take down.
To do this, open any folder on your desktop. Click on the folder name to edit it, or simply find the Recommended Apps switch (sometimes hidden in a three-dot menu inside the folder).
Users also often complain about the wallpaper carousel slider on the lock screen. To remove it, go to Settings → Always on screen and lock screen → Wallpaper carousel and turn off the feature. This will remove ads and save battery power.
Secret code for verification
Advanced methods: DNS and ADB
If standard methods don't help remove Xiaomi Ads completely, you can use more radical methods, one of the most effective is setting up a private DNS, which blocks ad requests at the network level.
Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Private DNS. Select the DNS Host Name option and enter the address: dns.adguard.com. Save settings. All advertising requests will now be blocked by the DNS system.
dns.adguard.comFor experienced users, the method is available through ADB (Android Debug Bridge.By connecting your phone to your computer, you can delete system ad packages forever.com command to remove the module MSA looks like this:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.msa.globalUsing ADB requires you to enable USB debugging mode in the Developer Menu. Be careful: removing critical system components can result in a cyclical reboot of the device.
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The combination of MSA disabling, DNS settings and manually cleaning apps gives a 99% guarantee of no ads on the system.