Brand smartphones Redmi have long gained popularity due to their excellent price-performance ratio. However, users often encounter one unpleasant feature of the shell: intrusive advertising that appears in the most unexpected places. These could be banners in system applications, pop-up windows after installing apps, or even full-screen ads when the screen is unlocked. MIUI - intrusive advertising that appears in the most unexpected places. These could be banners in system applications, pop-ups after installing apps, or even full-screen ads when the screen is unlocked.
Such system behavior is annoying, slows down the device and wastes mobile traffic. Fortunately, most advertising mechanisms are built into the software shell and can be deactivated without receiving root access. You do not need complex software or contacting a service center.
In this article we will analyze in detail all possible sources of annoying notifications and show you how to get rid of them forever. We will look at the settings of system services, browser settings and methods of dealing with hidden malware, which is often disguised as useful utilities.
Disabling MSA system advertising
The main source of banners in the interface Xiaomi is the system service MSA (MIUI System Ads). It is he who is responsible for loading and displaying advertising content in standard applications. To stop it from working, you need to change the authorization parameters in the security settings.
Go to the settings menu and find the section Passwords and security. Inside this item, select the option Access to personal data. In the list that opens, find the line with the name msa and turn the switch to inactive. The system will warn you about the consequences of disconnection, asking you to wait 10 seconds.
After the timer has expired, press the button Recall. It is important to understand that the service may not be disconnected the first time. If the button remains active or an error message appears, simply repeat the procedure for revoking access 2-3 more times. Usually after the third attempt MSA service it turns off completely.
If the "Recall" button is inactive immediately after entering the menu, try turning off the Internet (Wi-Fi and mobile network), go to settings and try to recall again access.
⚠️ Attention: After disabling MSA, advertising in most system applications will disappear, but some functions related to personalizing content in the theme store or browser may not work correctly.
Setting up personalization and recommendations
In addition to the main service, in the shell MIUI there are separate modules responsible for displaying recommendations in folders and on the desktop. Even when disabled MSA, these settings may continue to generate advertising junk. They must be disabled manually for each system component.
Start with the Security application. Open it, click on the gear in the upper corner and find the item Receive recommendations. Make sure the switch is off. Next, go to the application Music, open the menu and in the “Advanced settings” section also disable receiving recommendations.
Similar actions are required for the “Downloads”, “Themes” and “Explorer” applications. In each of them you need to find privacy settings or advanced options and uncheck the “Show ads” or “Receive recommendations” checkbox. This will take a few minutes, but will ensure a clean interface.
- 📱 Open the application Themes, go to your profile and disable personalization.
- 🎵 In the player Music go to settings and uncheck the “Show ads” item.
- 📂 In Explorer, select settings and disable the “Receive recommendations” function.
Fighting viral advertising and hidden applications
Sometimes pop-ups have nothing to do with system advertising Xiaomi, but are a consequence of the installation of malicious software. Often, users accidentally download “memory cleaners,” “flashlights,” or games from dubious sites that introduce hidden modules into the system.
Such applications may not have an icon on the desktop, but continue to run in the background. To identify them, go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Please review the entire list carefully. Look for apps without a name, without an icon, or with a suspicious name that you do not remember.
If you find such an application, remove it immediately. In some cases, malicious code grants itself device administrator rights, preventing normal removal. Then you need to go to Settings → Passwords and security → Confidentiality → Special access rights → Device administrator applications and uncheck the suspicious app.
Settings → Passwords and security → Privacy → Special access rights⚠️ Attention: Never grant device administrator rights to applications from unverified sources. This may block the ability to remove them using standard means.
Clearing notifications from the browser and sites
A frequent reason for the appearance of pop-up advertisements is permissions that the user inadvertently granted to websites in the browser Chrome or MIUI Browser. Sites get the right to send push notifications, which look like system messages, but lead to advertising pages.
To solve the problem, open your browser settings. In Google Chrome this is done through a menu of three points: Settings → Site settings → Notifications. Here you will see a list of all sites that are allowed to send notifications. Click on each suspicious address and select Block or Delete.
A similar procedure is carried out in standard browser MIUI. Go to its settings, find the section Notifications or Push notifications and clear the list of allowed resources. This action will instantly stop the flow of spam into the notification curtain.
☑️ Checking your browser for viruses
Table of advertising sources and methods of disabling
For convenience To systematize knowledge, we have compiled a table that will help you quickly determine the source of the problem and choose the right method to combat it. Different types of pop-up windows require different approaches to solution.
| Advertising type | Probable source | Solution method | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banners in folders | MSA System Service | Revoke access in security settings | Low |
| Full screen windows | Malicious application | Search and remove hidden APK in the application list | Medium |
| Spam in the curtain | Browser permissions | Blocking notifications in site settings | Low |
| Advertising in "Security" | Built-in recommendations | Disable the "Receive recommendations" option | Low |
System advertising MIUI and viral advertising from third-party applications are of a different nature, so the methods for disabling them are fundamentally different.
Using private DNS for blocking
There is a more advanced method of protection that works at the network connection level. Setting Private DNS (Private DNS) allows you to redirect requests to advertising servers to nowhere, blocking the loading of banners before they even appear on the screen.
This method is effective not only for system applications, but also for most games and third-party apps. To activate this feature, go to Settings → Connection and sharing → Private DNS. Select the “DNS Provider Hostname” mode.
In the input field you must enter the address of a reliable ad blocker. One of the most popular and stable solutions is the service AdGuard. Enter the following line in the settings field:
dns.adguard.comAfter saving the settings, the phone may require a reboot. This method does not require the installation of additional applications and works automatically, filtering traffic at the system level. However, it is worth considering that in rare cases this may slow down the loading of some legitimate sites.
What to do if DNS does not work?
If, after enabling private DNS, the Internet disappears or sites do not load, return the setting to “Auto” mode. Your mobile operator may be blocking third-party DNS servers, or there may be a temporary network outage.
⚠️ Attention: DNS server addresses may change over time. If the specified address stops working, check the latest data on the official website of the filter developer or on the community's technical blog.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does advertising appear again after updating MIUI?
During a major firmware update, system settings may be reset to factory settings. The service MSA and recommendation modules are automatically activated by developers after the update. You need to repeat the procedure for revoking access and disabling recommendations in each application.
Is it possible to remove advertising without disconnecting the Internet?
Yes, methods for revoking access to personal data for msa and disabling recommendations in application settings work regardless of whether there is a network connection. Only setting up a private DNS requires an active Internet to check the server address.
Is it safe to use third-party ad blockers?
Using applications such as AdGuard (in APK form, since versions from the Play Market are limited) is safe if you download them from the official website of the developer. They create a local VPN tunnel to filter traffic without transferring your data to third parties.
Does disabling advertising affect the operation of the phone?
Disabling advertising modules has a positive effect on battery life and performance. The phone spends less processor and battery resources on loading and displaying banners, and also saves mobile traffic.
What to do if you cannot remove a virus application?
If the application cannot be removed through the settings, try booting the phone into Safe Mode. To do this, hold down the power button, and when the power off icon appears on the screen, press and hold it. In safe mode, third-party applications will not be launched, which will allow you to safely remove the virus.