Owners of smartphones of the brand Xiaomi and sub-brand Redmi often encounter intrusive banners, pop-ups and promotional offers directly in system applications. This is a fee for the affordable cost of devices, since the company partially compensates for costs by displaying content in the shell MIUI. However, for most users this becomes a serious problem, distracting them from work and reducing page loading speed.
Fortunately, modern firmware versions make it possible to almost completely rid the interface of marketing inserts without the need to obtain root access. The deactivation process requires sequential passage through several menu items, since there is no single “Disable all” button. In this article we will look at all the legal methods of cleaning the system from spam.
It is worth noting that proper configuration will not only remove visual noise, but will also have a positive effect on autonomy devices. Background processes responsible for loading ad modules consume CPU resources and traffic. By disabling them, you will make the smartphone's operation smoother and more predictable.
Disabling the MSA service is the main source of advertising
The central element of the advertising ecosystem in MIUI is the system application MSA (MIUI System Ads). It is this process that collects data about your preferences and loads banners into the calendar, music, explorer and application installation menu. The first and most important step will be to deactivate it.
To stop the service, you need to go to the smartphone settings and find the section Passwords and security. Inside this menu, select the item Access to personal data. In the list of applications that opens, find the line msa and move the switch to the inactive position. The system will require you to wait 10 seconds for confirmation of the action.
⚠️ Attention: The "Revoke" button may be inactive on the first try. If it doesn't click, just wait a few seconds for the countdown timer to expire and click again.
Once permission is revoked, the application will no longer have access to the network and databases. However, some firmware versions also require you to disable ad personalization. To do this, go to Settings → Passwords and security → Privacy → Advertising services. Here you need to disable the option Personalized advertising. This action will reset your advertising ID.
If the MSA disable button remains grayed out, try disabling the Internet (Wi-Fi and mobile network) before trying to revoke permission again.
Cleaning built-in system applications
Even after disabling the main MSA module, some standard utilities may continue to show recommendations. This is because each app has its own content settings. You'll need to manually go through key apps and turn off recommendations.
Start with an app Securitythat often contains news and cleaning tips. Go to the application settings (gear icon at the top) and find the item Receive recommendations, disabling it. A similar procedure must be carried out in the application Topics. Go to the user profile, click on settings and uncheck the item Show advertisements or Personal recommendations.
- 📂 Explorer: Click on the three menu bars → Settings → About → Disable "Recommendations".
- 🎵 Music: Menu → Settings → Advanced settings → Disable "Recommendations" and "Show ads."
- 📅 Calendar: Settings → Accounts → Disable synchronization with advertising services or subscriptions.
Don't forget to check the application Downloads. Often this is where banners offering to install games or boosters accumulate. In the bootloader settings there is also a switch Recommended contentthat should be set to the "Off" position. An integrated approach ensures that no window pops up unexpectedly.
☑️ Checking system applications
Setting up the Mi browser Browser and spam removal
The standard browser from Xiaomi is known for its aggressive monetization. The news feed on the start page and push notifications from sites can be very annoying. If you prefer to use a built-in solution, it needs to be deeply customized.
Open your browser and go to settings through the bottom menu. Find the section Privacy and Security. Here it is important to disable the option Personalized Recommendations. Next, return to the main settings menu and find the item Home Page. Select Blank Page or turn off news and video feeds.
| Settings Option | Recommended value | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|
| Push notifications | Disabled | Removes spam in the notification curtain |
| Feed news | Hidden | Speeds up browser launch |
| Autostart video | Only via Wi-Fi / Off | Saves mobile traffic |
It is also worth checking your browser permissions in the main Android settings. Prevent an app from sending notifications unless you use it for important notifications from web services. An alternative solution is to install a third-party browser, for example Chrome or Firefox, where advertising is controlled by extensions.
Alternative browsers
If the standard browser continues to bother you, install Brave or DuckDuckGo. They have built-in tracker and ad blockers at the DNS level.
Managing notifications and pop-ups
Often users confuse system advertising with notifications from installed applications. Social networks, games and news aggregators can send promotional messages that look like part of the interface MIUI. Control over this flow of information is in your hands.
Go to the Notifications and status bar section in the main settings. Here you will see a list of all applications that have the right to display information on the screen. Carefully study the list and turn off notifications for those apps that send advertising junk. Pay special attention to application stores and launchers.
⚠️ Attention: Do not disable notifications for system services, instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and banking applications so as not to miss important messages or confirmation codes.
To combat pop-up windows on top of other applications, use the function Special. features → Access control. Check which applications are allowed to display windows on top of others. This function is often abused by “memory cleaners” and “antiviruses”, showing fake virus reports in order to sell the premium version.
Regularly reviewing the list of applications with access to notifications helps keep the interface clean and saves battery power.
Advertising identifier reset and privacy
For maximum efficiency, it is recommended to periodically reset the device's advertising identifier. This does not remove advertising completely, but it breaks the connection between your profile and the content shown, making targeting less precise and intrusive.
In the menu Passwords and security find the section Privacy. Inside there is an item Advertising services. By clicking on it, you will see the option Reset advertising identifier. Complete this action. Also here you can completely remove the advertising identifier, if such an option is available in your version Android.
Additionally, it is worth limiting activity tracking. In the Google settings (not to be confused with the phone settings), go to the Advertising section and turn on the Disable ad personalizationoption. This action will apply to all Google services on your device Redmi.
Advanced methods: DNS and third-party blockers
If the standard settings are not enough, you can use ad blocking at the network connection level. The method using Private DNS is one of the most effective and does not require the installation of additional software. It works at the level of the entire operating system.
Go to Settings → Connection and sharing → Private DNS (or Private DNS). Select the "Provider Host Name" mode and enter the address in the field: dns.adguard.com. Save your settings. Now most advertising requests will be blocked before they reach your screen.
dns.adguard.comAn alternative is to install applications type AdGuard or using browsers with built-in protection. However, using a system DNS filter is preferable, since it does not drain the battery by constantly running a background application and blocks ads even inside some games and simple applications.
⚠️ Attention: When you enable private DNS, some sites or applications may not load correctly. If you encounter problems accessing the Internet, return the setting to "Auto" mode.
What to do if the Internet is lost?
If, after entering the DNS addresses, the pages no longer open, try restarting your smartphone. If this does not help, remove the address from the DNS settings.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will advertising return after updating the MIUI firmware?
Yes, major system updates can reset some privacy settings or return permissions for the MSA service. It is recommended to check the "Access to personal data" item after each major update.
Is it safe to disable the MSA system application?
Absolutely. MSA is only responsible for displaying advertisements. Disabling it does not affect the phone's operation, calls, messages, or system stability. This is a standard shell feature.
Why do ads appear in a blocked state?
This is usually caused by installed third-party applications with malicious behavior. Check the list of recently installed apps and remove suspicious "flashlights", "cleaners" or unknown utilities.
Is it possible to remove advertising in the Music application forever?
Yes, if you disable recommendations in the settings of the application itself and deny Internet access for it through the data access settings, advertising will disappear, but album covers will not be downloaded from networks.
Do you need Root to completely block ads?
No, the methods described above work on standard firmware. root access provide more options, for example, the use of system host files, but for the average user they are redundant and can void the warranty.