Smartphone users Xiaomi i Redmi often encounter intrusive banners that appear in system applications, folders, and even when unlocking the screen. These are not viruses, but a built-in shell function MIUI, designed to monetize the affordable cost of the device. However, most owners prefer a clean interface without unnecessary visual noise and distractions.
The process of deactivating advertising modules does not require obtaining root-rights or flashing the device. All necessary settings are hidden in the standard system menus, although some of them may be disguised as technical services. In this article, we will analyze a step-by-step algorithm for disabling advertising on all current firmware versions, including MIUI 12, 13, 14 and the new HyperOS.
It is important to understand that completely removing the advertising engine requires performing several sequential steps. Simply closing one window does not guarantee that banners in other sections will disappear. You will have to disable the recommendation service, disable ad personalization and configure network filters for maximum efficiency.
Disable the MSA service - the main source of advertising
The central element of the ad serving system in the shell is the service MSA (MIUI System Ads). It is this process that is responsible for loading and displaying advertising content in standard utilities. Without disabling this component, any other settings will have only a temporary effect.
First, you need to find the appropriate section in the device settings. The path may differ slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same for all models Redmi Note and budget series. Go to menu Settings → Passwords and security → Access to personal data. In the list that opens, find the application msa and set the switch to inactive.
The system will try to prevent your decision by starting a countdown (usually 10 seconds) and asking you to leave the service on. This is standard protection against accidental disabling of important functions. You need to wait until the timer ends and press the button Disable. If it doesn't work the first time, repeat the procedure - sometimes it takes several attempts.
⚠️ Attention: After disabling MSA, advertising may not disappear instantly, but within 24 hours. This is due to data caching on the company's servers.
If the “Disconnect” button is grayed out, check for an active Internet connection. The service requires status confirmation on the server before changing settings.
Removing advertising in system applications
In addition to the global service, each built-in application has its own settings for receiving recommendations. The developers Xiaomi have separated these parameters into different menus to complicate the process of disabling them en masse by the user. Let's look at the key apps where banners most often appear.
In the application Explorer advertising is usually displayed at the bottom of the screen or in the form of pop-ups when opening folders. Go to the Explorer settings, find the “About service and advertising” or “Receive recommendations” item and disable them. The situation is similar with the application Security, which scans the system and offers to “optimize” the phone, while showing advertising offers.
The application deserves special attention Downloads. Many users do not know that this is where notifications about downloaded files and advertising push notifications accumulate. Open the application, click on the three dots in the corner, select Settings → Show recommended content and uncheck it. This will clear the interface of unnecessary blocks.
- 📁 Explorer: Settings → About the service → Disable recommendations.
- 🛡️ Security: Settings (gear) → Receive recommendations → Off
- ⬇️ Downloads: Settings → Show recommended content → Off
☑️ Checking system applications
Setting up personalization and recommendations in the interface
The shell MIUI actively uses machine learning algorithms to select content that may interest you. This data is collected even when MSA is disabled and ad personalization is enabled. It analyzes your actions in the system and shows more relevant, but still intrusive ads.
To block the collection of targeting data, go to the section Settings → Passwords and security → Privacy → Special permissions → Ad personalization. Here you will see a switch that needs to be deaktivirovat. It is also worth checking the settings in the section Settings → Advanced settings → Privacy → Advertising and click “Reset ad ID”.
Another source of visual noise is the “Wallpaper Carousels” on the lock screen. This is a slideshow with pictures with advertising links embedded in them. You can disable this function via Settings → Lock screen → Wallpaper carousel. Just turn off the switch, and only a static image or your photos will remain on the lock screen.
What is an Advertising ID?
This is a unique code assigned to your device to track interests. Resetting this ID breaks the connection between your browsing history and current advertising offers, making ads less accurate, but not removing them completely without disabling MSA.
Ad blocking in the Mi Browser
The standard browser from Xiaomi is known for its aggressive content policy. Not only does it show banners on pages, but it also has its own news feed on the start page that is hard to ignore. For comfortable surfing, you need to deeply configure this application.
Go to the browser settings (profile icon or three bars). Find the section Privacy and security. Activate the “Ad blocking” option. This will enable a built-in filter that will hide most pop-ups and banners on sites you visit. However, this will not remove the advertising feed on the home page.
To clear the start screen, go to settings and find the “Home page” item. Select Blank Page or turn off news and recommendations. If the standard browser continues to be annoying, consider alternatives such as Via Browser or Chromethat do not have a built-in news feed by default.
| App | Advertising type | Opt-out method |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Browser | News feed, banners | Settings → Home page → Blank |
| GetApps | Push notifications | Settings → Notifications → Off |
| Music | Track recommendations | Settings → Advanced settings → Off |
| Video | Promo videos | Profile → Settings → Privacy |
Using private DNS for global blocking
The most effective method that works at the level of the entire operating system Androidis the use of private DNS with a filtering function. This method allows you to block requests to ad servers before they even reach your phone. The method is universal and suitable for any version of Android starting from 9.0.
You do not need to install third-party applications. Just go to Settings → Connection and sharing → Private DNS. Select the DNS Provider Hostname mode and enter the trusted filter address. One of the most popular and stable solutions is the service AdGuard DNS.
dns.adguard.comAfter entering the address, save the settings. The phone will redirect all DNS requests through a filtering server, which will “cut off” domains known as advertising sources. This will remove banners not only in system applications, but also in most mobile games and third-party apps.
⚠️ Attention: When using private DNS, some applications or sites may not work correctly or may not load. If you encounter problems, temporarily return the setting to “Auto” mode.
Setting up private DNS is a “silver bullet” that blocks up to 90% of all advertising on the system without having to manually disable each service.
Limitations and features of working in new versions of MIUI
The company Xiaomi constantly updates its shell, making the process of disabling advertising more difficult. In the latest versions HyperOS Some menu items have been renamed or moved deeper into settings. In addition, after major firmware updates, privacy settings may be reset to factory settings.
Users should be prepared for the fact that after each global software update, the procedure for disabling MSA and personalization will have to be repeated. Developers intentionally return these settings to an active state in order to continue monetizing the device. Regularly checking security sections will become a useful habit.
There is also a nuance with regional settings. In some regions (for example, India or Europe), the amount of built-in advertising may differ from the version for Russia or China. Changing the region in the phone settings sometimes helps reduce the flow of notifications, but may affect the operation of some local services.
Why are advertising coming back?
MIUI developers consider advertising as the main source of income to subsidize the cost of hardware. When updating the system, the initialization script often forces analytics and advertising services to be activated, ignoring the user's previous settings.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to disable the MSA service? Will this break the phone?
Yes, it is absolutely safe. The MSA service is solely responsible for serving advertisements. Disabling it does not affect calls, messages, camera or other critical system functions. The phone will continue to work as normal, but will become cleaner.
Why does it still appear after disabling advertising?
You may not have disabled all sources. Check the settings of each system application separately (Explorer, Downloads, Themes). Also make sure that you have denied access to personal data for advertising modules and configured private DNS.
Is it possible to completely remove Xiaomi system applications?
Without root access, complete removal is not possible, but they can be disabled through application settings. For advanced users, there is a method of removal through a computer using ADB commands, but this requires caution, since you can remove important system components.
Does blocking ads affect the speed of the phone?
On the contrary, disabling background services for loading advertising banners and analytics can slightly increase the speed of the interface and increase battery life, since the processor and network are less loaded with unnecessary ones tasks.
What to do if the “Disconnect” button in data access is inactive?
Make sure that the phone is connected to the Internet. The service requires communication with the server to confirm the action. Also try rebooting your device and trying again. In rare cases, clearing the cache of the Security application helps.