Users of Redmi smartphones often encounter intrusive advertising that appears in the most unexpected places: when unlocking the screen, inside system applications or even on top of games. This problem is not a virus in the classical sense, but represents an aggressive monetization of the shell MIUIbuilt in by manufacturers to reduce the final cost of the device. However, it is completely unnecessary to endure constant pop-up windows and banners, since most of them can be disabled using standard system tools.
In this article, we will analyze in detail the mechanisms by which advertising appears on Android brand devices Xiaomi and offer effective methods to combat it. You'll learn how to find hidden settings, block malicious apps, and clean your phone of junk that often triggers advertising content. Compliance with these rules will help restore the comfort of using the gadget.
Reasons for the appearance of pop-up advertising on Redmi
The main source of annoying banners is the service MSA (MIUI System Ads), which is preinstalled in the firmware by default. Its task is to analyze your actions and show targeted ads in folders, calendar, explorer and other standard utilities. Disabling this service is the first and most important step in the fight for a clean interface.
The second common reason is the installation of third-party applications with a dubious reputation. Many free apps, such as "optimizers", "virus scanners" or simple flashlights, contain advertising modules in their code. They can run in the background and initiate the appearance of full-screen windows on top of any other applications.
It is also worth considering the possibility of infection of the device with an advertising virus (adware). Unlike MIUI system advertising, such viruses penetrate the system through APK files downloaded from unverified sources. They are often disguised as useful utilities, but their main goal is to generate traffic and clicks, which leads to rapid battery drain and system slowdowns.
⚠️ Attention: If advertisements appear even on the desktop without launching any applications, there is a 99% chance that you have malware installed. Urgently check the list of recently installed apps.
Disabling MIUI system advertising through settings
First, you need to deactivate the main advertising service. Go to your phone settings and find the Password and securitysection. In the list of special features or permissions, find the item Access to usage data. Here you will see the application msa. The slider next to it must be switched to the inactive position.
After clicking the switch, the system will show a 10-second countdown and prompt you to confirm the action. Click the button Disable. If it doesn’t work the first time, try repeating the procedure 3-5 times in a row, as Xiaomi servers may temporarily reject the deactivation request.
Next, you should disable ad personalization. Go to menu Settings → Password and security → Privacy → Advertising services. Activate the option Disable ad personalization. This action will not remove advertising completely, but will make it less intrusive and irrelevant to your interests.
☑️ Settings to disable advertising
It is also important to revoke your consent to the use of advertising services in your Mi Account. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Privacy Agreement. Find the item Advertising and uncheck it. Confirm the action by entering your account password.
What to do if the "Disable" button is inactive?
If the msa slider is not is pressed, try temporarily turning off the Internet (Wi-Fi and mobile data), then go to settings and try turning off the service again. Without a connection to the server, checking rights is often more successful.
Searching for and removing virus applications
If the system settings do not help, the problem lies in the installed software. Adware viruses are often disguised by not having an icon on the desktop or by using neutral names like "System Service" or "Update". To find them, go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
Carefully scroll through the list. Look for apps without an icon (the empty space to the left of the name) or with suspiciously simple names. Also pay attention to the installation date - if the advertising started recently, sort the list by installation time and check for the latest apps.
- 🔍 Anomalies in the list: An application without a name or with a transparent icon is a sure sign of malware.
- 📉 Resource consumption: Go to the section
Batteryand see which application consumes power in the background, even if you did not use it. - 🛡️ Administrator rights: Check the section
Password and security→Privacy→Special access→Device administrator applications. Questionable apps should not have these rights.
If you find a suspicious item, remove it immediately. If the button Uninstall is inactive, it means the application has administrator rights. First, revoke these rights in the appropriate menu, and then uninstall.
⚠️ Attention: Do not download antiviruses from pop-up advertising windows! Often such “antiviruses” themselves are a source of infection. Use only the built-in security scanner or proven solutions from Google Play.
Blocking ads at the DNS level
One of the most effective methods that does not require the installation of additional apps is the use of private DNS. This method blocks advertising requests at the network level, preventing the phone from loading banners either in the browser or in applications.
Go to Settings → Connection and sharing → Private DNS. Select mode DNS provider hostname and enter address dns.adguard.com. Save your settings. Now most of the advertising traffic will be cut off automatically.
| Method blocking | Complexity | Efficiency | Impact on speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disable MSA | Low | Medium (only system) | No |
| Virus removal | Medium | High | Positive |
| Private DNS | Low | Very high | Minimum |
| Blockers (AdGuard) | High | Maximum | Small |
Using DNS filtering also increases security when visiting sites, since many resources with aggressive advertising will simply not load. This is a universal solution for any version Android.
If, after enabling private DNS, a specific site or application stops working, temporarily return the mode to "Auto" or "Off" to check whether this is due to blocking.
Clearing notifications in the Chrome browser
Often users confuse system advertising with spam notifications from sites. This happens when, while visiting a web page, you accidentally click "Allow" when prompted to show notifications. As a result, messages from dubious resources constantly appear in the notification shade.
To fix this, open your browser Google Chrome. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings. Go to section Notifications. Here you will see a list of sites that are allowed to send notifications.
Find unknown or suspicious addresses in the list and click on them. Select option Block or Delete. It is recommended to clear the entire list, leaving only those resources that you trust (for example, mail or news portals).
Reset settings as a last resort
If none of the above methods helped get rid of pop-ups, it is possible that the virus has deeply embedded itself in the system or that critical system files have been modified. In this case, the only reliable solution is a full reset to factory settings.
Before this procedure, be sure to create a backup copy of all important data: contacts, photos and documents. Resetting will delete all information from the internal memory of the phone, returning it to the “as from the store” state.
You can perform a reset through the menu Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Erase everything data. After rebooting, the phone will be clean. Important: when setting up for the first time, do not restore the backup copy of applications immediately, otherwise you may return the virus along with the data. Install apps manually and one at a time, checking their security.
A full reset guarantees the removal of any software virus, but takes time to re-set up the phone and install applications.
⚠️ Attention: The MIUI interface may differ slightly depending on the firmware version (Global, China, Russia) and Android versions. If you do not find the specified menu item, use the search in the settings.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does advertising appear even after removing a suspicious application?
Perhaps the application has residual files or it managed to install an additional one module. Try clearing the system cache or use the Private DNS blocking method, which blocks advertising channels at the network level.
Is it safe to disable the MSA service?
Yes, absolutely safe. The MSA service is solely responsible for displaying advertising. Disabling it does not affect the operation of the phone, calls, messages or other system functions, but only makes using the device more comfortable.
Can advertising be a sign of a broken phone?
No, advertising is exclusively a software problem. Hardware faults (broken screen, battery, board) do not cause pop-up windows to appear. If there is advertising, it means that the system has active code that generates it.
Will installing an antivirus from the Play Market help?
Modern antiviruses (Dr.Web, Kaspersky, ESET) can find known viruses, but they are often powerless against MIUI system advertising or new, unknown ad modules. An integrated approach (settings + DNS + manual check) is more effective.
What to do if advertising pops up when the screen is off?
This is a sign of a serious infection. Go to your battery settings and see what app is running in the background. Most likely, this is a malicious app masquerading as a system process. Delete it or reset the settings.