Owners of the brand's smartphones Redmi i Xiaomi often encounter intrusive banners that appear in the most unexpected places: when unlocking the screen, in application folders or even in system utilities. This so-called monetization of MIUI can turn the use of the device into a real quest to find a cross to close the window. Fortunately, the shell architecture allows you to deeply customize the system and get rid of information noise.
The process of cleaning the interface does not require obtaining superuser rights or installing complex modified firmware. All you need to do is go through the hidden settings and turn off personalized recommendations. In this instruction, we will analyze each advertising source separately so that your Android becomes clean and fast.
Global disabling of the MSA recommendation service
The central element of the advertising display system in the MIUI shell is the system application MSA (MIUI System Ads). It is this service that collects data about your preferences and loads content into various sections of the interface. Without disabling this service, any other manipulations will be temporary, since advertising will return after the update.
To deactivate the service, you need to go to settings and find the section with application management. Please note that the withdrawal consent button may be inactive for the first few seconds after opening the window - this is an intentional delay in the interface. You will need to wait about 10 seconds before the item becomes clickable.
After successfully revoking permissions, the system may issue a warning that some functions will no longer work correctly. Don’t be alarmed, we are talking exclusively about advertising modules. To consolidate the effect, it is also recommended to clear the data of this application through the storage menu.
⚠️ Attention: If the “Recall” button is gray and cannot be pressed, check your Internet connection. The Xiaomi server requires a connection to process your request to disable advertising.
If you are unable to revoke permission the first time, try switching the system language to English, performing the action, and then returning the Russian language. This often bypasses interface software bugs.
Setting up system applications: Security and Explorer
Even after disabling the main service, built-in utilities can continue to show news and offers in their interfaces. The application Security is one of the main sources of such content, since it is launched most often when cleaning memory or checking viruses.
Go to the settings of this application and find the “Receive recommendations” item. The switch must be inactive. A similar procedure must be carried out for the application Explorer, which often offers to download games or watch hot news at the bottom of the screen.
In some versions of the firmware, advertising settings are scattered across different subsections. For example, in “Cleaning” there may be a separate toggle switch for displaying promotional materials. Carefully study each section of the system utilities menu so as not to miss anything.
- 📂 Open the settings of the "Explorer" application and disable "Recommended content".
- 🛡️ In the "Security" application, find the "Settings" section and uncheck the "Receive recommendations" box.
- 📱 In the "Task Manager" (menu of open applications), disable the "Recommendations" button in the settings.
☑️ Checking system utilities
Removing ads in folders and on the desktop
One of the most annoying features of older versions of MIUI was the appearance of advertising banners inside application folders on the desktop. You open the “Tools” folder, and there you are asked to install a new game or subscribe. This function is controlled by the settings of the desktop shell itself.
To disable it, you need to hold down an empty space on the desktop and go to settings. Here you should find the item “Recommended Content” or “Wallpaper Carousel” and deactivate them. The wallpaper carousel often loads not only beautiful pictures, but also advertising slogans onto the lock screen.
It is also worth checking the widget settings. Some standard weather or news widgets have built-in promotional feeds. If the widget is not critical, it is easier to remove it and replace it with a third-party analog from Google Playthat does not contain advertising.
⚠️ Attention: Disabling the "Wallpaper Carousel" will result in only static images that you set manually being displayed on the lock screen.
What is msa service?
The msa service (MIUI System Ads) is a system process responsible for collecting smartphone usage statistics and displaying targeted advertising in the interface. Disabling it does not affect calls or messages, but may remove personalized offers in the theme store.
Disabling personalization in the Mi browser
The standard browser from Xiaomi, Mi Browser, is known for its aggressive policy of displaying news and video content on the start page. Even if you don't use it as your primary user, it can send notifications about "breaking news" that are actually clickbait.
Go to your browser settings and find the "Privacy and Security" section. Here you need to disable ad personalization. In addition, in the “Home Page” section it is worth removing the display of the news feed, leaving only the search bar and quick links.
An alternative solution is to completely replace the browser with Chrome, Firefox or Brave. This will not only get rid of built-in MIUI advertising, but will also increase the safety of surfing the Internet thanks to more advanced tracker filters.
| Application | Advertising source | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Browser | News feed | Disable in the home page settings |
| GetApps | Push notifications | Disable notifications in the system settings |
| Music Mi | Banners in the player | Disable "Recommendations" in the application settings |
| Themes | Advertising slides | Uncheck “Show ads” |
Ad blocking at the DNS level (private DNS)
The most effective method that works globally for all applications and browsers at once is setting up a private DNS. This feature appeared in Android 9 and higher, allowing you to redirect all requests to ad servers to “nowhere” even before the banner loads on the screen.
You do not need to install third-party applications. Just go to your phone settings, select the “Connection and sharing” section (or “Advanced settings”) and find the item Private DNS. In the “DNS Provider Hostname” mode, you need to register the blocker address.
dns.adguard.comAfter saving the settings, the phone may lose the Internet for a couple of seconds, and then the connection will be restored with active protection. This method blocks most banners in free games and websites, significantly saving traffic and battery power.
ℹ️ Information: The settings interface may vary slightly depending on the Android version and regional firmware (Global, EU, Russia). If you do not find the item in the specified location, use the search in the settings by entering the word “DNS”.
Setting up a private DNS is the only way to block advertising inside third-party applications without obtaining root access and installing complex filters.
Banning notifications from system services
Advertising often comes not in the form of banners, but in the form of push notifications in the “curtain”. Sources can be services GetApps (Xiaomi application store), “Music” or “Video”. These notifications are often disguised as system messages.
To get rid of them, go to the notification settings of a specific application. Don't just turn off the sound, but completely disable notifications. This is critically important for the GetApps service, since it is the main spam delivery channel.
It is also recommended to check the “Special. capabilities" in settings. Some advertising modules require permission to display on top of other windows. If you see suspicious system services there with names like “msa” or “daemon”, restrict their rights.
- 🔕 Go to
Settings → Notifications and status bar. - 📦 Find the application GetApps and completely disable notifications.
- 🚫 In application settings, find MSA and block it from displaying on top of other windows.
Why are ads coming back?
Sometimes after a major firmware update, the settings are reset to factory settings. In this case, you will have to disable the MSA service again, and re-enter the DNS address.
Frequently asked questions about clearing Redmi from advertising
Is it safe to disable the MSA service?
Yes, it is absolutely safe. The MSA service is solely responsible for serving advertisements and collecting statistics for marketing purposes. Disabling it will not affect the operation of calls, messages, the camera or the main functions of the system.
Advertising disappeared, but the phone began to work slower?
This is unlikely. Typically, disabling advertising modules, on the contrary, relieves the processor and RAM. If you notice slowdowns, try rebooting the device or check if the power saving mode has turned on.
Is it possible to remove Xiaomi system applications completely?
You cannot delete them without obtaining root access, but you can “freeze” or disable them via ADB commands from the computer. However, for the average user, it is enough to simply turn off notifications and recommendations, as described in the article.
Will installing an antivirus help with advertising?
Conventional antiviruses do not block MIUI system advertisements, since they come from legitimate system processes. To block, it is more effective to use private DNS settings or specialized content blockers.