Brand smartphones Xiaomi are deservedly popular due to their excellent price-performance ratio, but owners are often annoyed by intrusive marketing. Users of the model Redmi 8 face banners in system applications, pop-up windows after installing apps, and advertisements in folders on the desktop. This becomes a real problem, reducing the comfort of using the device in everyday tasks.
Advertising integrations are built deep into the MIUI shell, but they can be deactivated without obtaining root access and complex flashing. In this article we will analyze in detail the mechanisms of the system agent msa, configure DNS privacy and disable personalized ads. You will learn how to completely clear the interface of excess visual noise, turning your gadget into a convenient tool.
The optimization process will take about 15-20 minutes, but the result will last for the entire life of the device. We'll go through all the hidden settings menus that are usually ignored during the initial configuration of the phone. Are you ready to make your use Redmi 8 as clean and fast as possible?
Disabling the system advertising agent MSA
The main source of intrusive ads in the ecosystem Xiaomi is the system application with the abbreviation msa (MIUI System Ads). It is this process that is responsible for collecting data about user behavior and demonstrating targeted content in various sections of the interface. The first step to a clean system will be to force stop and revoke permissions from this service.
Go to the smartphone settings and go to the section Passwords and security. Here you need to find the item Access to personal data. In the list of applications that opens, find the line msa and switch the slider to the inactive position. The system will require you to confirm the action by showing a 10-second countdown timer.
⚠️ Attention: The confirmation button may be inactive or hidden in the first seconds of waiting. Do not close the settings window, wait until the timer ends until the “Revoke” button becomes clickable.
If you were unable to revoke the permission the first time, repeat the procedure 2-3 times in a row. Sometimes the company's servers respond with a delay, and the system blocks the action. After successfully revoking rights, the application will stop receiving data to create advertising profiles.
If the "msa" item is not in the data access list, go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find MSA in the list and click "Uninstall updates", and then disable the application itself.
Next you need to prevent this service from running in the background. In the same application menu, find msa, go to the Battery saving section and select the option No restrictions, then go back again and select Limit background activity. This double action ensures that the process will not start on its own after a reboot.
Setting privacy and ad personalization
In addition to the explicit agent, there are settings in the system that are responsible for collecting usage statistics. This data is used to improve services, but in practice often leads to advertising offers in system utilities. Disabling these functions is critical for the complete privacy of your Redmi 8.
Return to the main settings menu and select the section Passwords and security, then go to the subsection Privacy. Scroll to the bottom of the page to the “apps and Services” block. Here you will see a switch Receive recommendations. Make sure it is turned off.
A little higher in the same menu there is an item Advertising services. Clicking on it will take you to the advertising identifier management menu. Activate the option Turn off ad personalization. This action will reset your current advertising ID and prevent apps from using it for targeting.
☑️ Check your privacy settings
It is also worth checking the settings for individual system applications that often display banners. Go to applications Music, Video and Downloads. In the settings of each of them (usually through the gear icon or three dots in the corner), find the item Show ads or Recommendations and deactivate them.
Removing ads from folders and desktop
One of the most annoying features of the MIUI shell is the appearance of promotional blocks inside folders on the desktop. When you open the application icons folder, a feed with game or news recommendations may appear at the bottom. This feature is managed separately from global advertising settings.
To remove this block, open any folder on the main screen. Click on the folder name to open the name editing field. Next to the name you will see a small switch or settings icon (depending on the MIUI version). By clicking on it, disable the option Recommended content.
| Interface element | Switch location | Default status | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Folders on the desktop | In the folder header | Enabled | Disabled |
| News feed (Left Screen) | Desktop settings table | Enabled | Disable |
| Wallpaper carousel | Lock screen settings | Enabled | Disable |
| Storage & Performance | Security Application | Enabled | Disable Ads |
Another source of visual noise is the “News Feed” or “Google Discover”, which opens by swiping left from the main screen. On Redmi 8 this is often an aggregator of news from Yandex or Xiaomi’s own services. To disable it, long press on an empty space on the desktop, select Settings and disable the item News feed or -1 screen.
Blocking ads via private DNS
The most effective method that works at the level of the entire operating system is to configure a private DNS. This method allows you to filter traffic and block requests to known ad servers before they even reach your screen. The method does not require installing third-party software.
Go to Settings → Connection and sharing (or Advanced settings in older versions). Find item Private DNS. By default it is set to “Auto”. Select mode DNS provider hostname.
dns.adguard.comEnter the address dns.adguard.com in the field that appears and save the settings. After this, the smartphone will begin to redirect all DNS requests through AdGuard servers, which automatically cut off domains known as advertising sources. This will remove banners not only in the system, but also in many free applications and browsers.
⚠️ Warning: Using a third-party DNS may slightly increase network response time or cause connection problems on rare corporate Wi-Fi networks. If the Internet stops working, return the setting to “Auto” mode.
The advantage of this method is its versatility. You don't need to go through the settings of each application separately. However, it is worth remembering that some services can block work when using public DNS servers, although for home use Redmi 8 this is almost unnoticeable.
Clearing notifications and browser
Users often confuse system advertising with spam notifications from sites they accidentally subscribed to in the browser. If you see pop-up messages about winnings, viruses or news even when the browser is closed, the problem lies in the permissions of the web browser.
Go to the settings of your browser (Chrome, Mi Browser or another). Find the section Site settings or Notifications. Review the list of allowed resources and remove any suspicious addresses. It is best to select the option Block notifications from all sites for full guarantee.
If you are using a standard browser Mi Browser, it also has a built-in news and advertising feed. Go to your browser settings, find the item News feed and disable it. It is also recommended to disable the option Push notifications directly in the browser application settings on Android.
What to do if advertising returns after an update?
After major updates MIUI some settings may be reset to factory settings. It is recommended to recheck the msa service status and private DNS settings a week after updating the system.
For advanced users, it is recommended to install lightweight browsers with built-in blockers, such as DuckDuckGo or Brave. They consume less CPU resources Redmi 8than heavy standard solutions and provide better protection against trackers.
Additional methods and precautions
There are more radical methods of removing ads, such as using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to completely freeze system applications. This method requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and having basic knowledge of the command line. The command to disable the advertising service is as follows:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.msa.globalUsing ADB allows you to remove applications that cannot be disabled through the standard settings menu. However, this method requires caution. Incorrectly disabling system components can lead to unstable operation of the interface or cyclic reboot of the device.
⚠️ Attention: Before using ADB, be sure to create a full backup of your data. Incorrect tampering with system packages may void the warranty or require reflashing the device.
It is also worth mentioning the application GetApps (formerly Mi Market). This is Xiaomi's app store, which often sends notifications about discounts and new games. If you do not use this store, go to its settings and disable all types of notifications, or simply uninstall application updates and deny it access to the Internet through the firewall settings (if your version of MIUI supports this function).
A comprehensive approach that combines disabling MSA, setting up DNS and clearing notifications, gives a 99% guarantee of no advertising in the Redmi 8 system.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to disable msa service on Redmi 8?
Yes, it is absolutely safe. The service msa is solely responsible for displaying advertising and does not affect the operation of calls, messages or basic system functions. Disabling it can even speed up the smartphone a little and save battery power.
Why did it appear again after disabling advertising?
This can happen after updating the MIUI system, when the settings are reset. Also, some applications may have their own built-in mechanisms for displaying banners, independent of the msa system service. In this case, setting up a private DNS will help.
Will setting up a DNS remove advertising on YouTube?
No, a private DNS like AdGuard blocks banners on websites and in simple applications, but cannot remove advertising inside the YouTube video player, since it is loaded from the same domain as the video itself. To block ads on YouTube, modified clients or a Premium subscription are required.
Is it possible to completely remove the GetApps application?
Without root access, you cannot completely remove the GetApps system application, but you can turn off its notifications, deny Internet access and hide the icon from the desktop. This will make its presence in the system invisible to the user.
Does disabling advertising affect the speed of the Internet?
On the contrary, using a blocking DNS (for example, dns.adguard.com) can speed up page loading, since the browser will not waste time loading advertising scripts and banners. In rare cases, there may be a slight increase in ping when connecting to a new site for the first time.