The unexpected appearance of advertising banners on the screen of a Redmi smartphone is a common problem faced by many users of the Xiaomi ecosystem. Pop-up windows can overlap the interface, launch when unlocked, or appear directly on the desktop, significantly reducing the comfort of using the device. Gadget owners often confuse system recommendations of the MIUI shell with the activity of malware, although the nature of these phenomena can be completely different.

To effectively solve the problem, it is necessary to clearly identify the source of the irritant. In most cases, advertising is built into the firmware and is a way to monetize budget devices, but sometimes the cause is accidentally installed parasitic applications. In this article, we will analyze in detail the algorithms of actions for both scenarios, using both built-in settings and third-party security tools.

The nature of advertising in the MIUI shell

The Xiaomi company openly states that the sale of equipment with a minimum markup is compensated by providing advertising services to users. That is why the system has a service activated by default MSA (MIUI System Ads), which is responsible for targeted display of content in standard applications. If you notice banners in Explorer, Music, or Cleanup, it's likely a legitimate, albeit annoying, part of the interface.

However, the situation changes dramatically if ads appear in the browser or on top of other applications without your knowledge. This is a clear sign that the device has been infiltrated by software designed to display ads. Such apps are often disguised as useful utilities: flashlights, QR code scanners, or simple games from unofficial sources. adware - software created to display ads. Such apps are often disguised as useful utilities: flashlights, QR code scanners, or simple games from unofficial sources.

It is important to distinguish between system notifications and intrusive pop-up windows. The former can be disabled in the settings of a specific application, the latter require searching and removing the malicious installer. Ignoring the problem can lead not only to discomfort, but also to decreased performance Android due to the constant background activity of advertising modules.

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Advertising often appears after installing APK files from unverified sources. Always scan downloaded files with an antivirus before installation.

Disabling system advertising through MSA settings

The first and most effective step for Redmi owners is to disable the MSA service. This action will stop the collection of data about your behavior and stop the flow of personalized offers from the system itself. The deactivation process requires care, since the MIUI interface may try to “dissuade” the user from this decision.

Go to the menu Settings and find the section Passwords and security. In the list of parameters you will need the item Access to personal data (or “Authorization and revocation”). This displays a list of system services that have permission to collect information. Find the service in the list msa and set the switch to inactive.

⚠️ Attention: When you try to disable it, the system will show countdown timer (usually 10 seconds) and will suggest a reason for failure. You will need to wait and select the “Withdraw Anyway” option. If it doesn’t work the first time, repeat the procedure - Xiaomi servers sometimes do not respond on the first try.

After successfully revoking permissions, it is also recommended to disable ad personalization in additional menus. Go to Settings → Passwords and security → Privacy → Advertising services. Activate the option Disable ad personalization. This will not remove banners completely, but will make them irrelevant and less aggressive.

☑️ MIUI privacy settings

Done: 0 / 1

Search and remove virus applications

If disabling system services did not help and advertisements continue to appear at unexpected moments, which means that a third-party malicious application has settled on the phone. The peculiarity of such viruses is that they often do not have an icon on the desktop or are disguised as system processes in order to avoid detection.

The most reliable way to identify a parasite is to analyze the list of installed apps through the standard Android menu. Open Settings → Applications → All applications. Carefully scroll through the list, paying attention to apps without a name or with a blank icon. Typically, such malware is located at the very bottom or top of the list.

It is also worth checking recently installed utilities. Remember after installing which software the problem started. Often the culprits are “memory cleaners”, “game boosters” or flashlights requested through the browser and not through the official store Google Play. Removing the suspicious object usually completely solves the problem.

  • 🔍 Look for applications with strange names or missing icons in the general list.
  • 📉 Pay attention to apps that consume a lot of traffic in the background, but are rarely used by you.
  • 🛡️ Check permissions: if a simple calculator requires access to contacts and SMS, this is an alarming signal.

In some cases, the virus blocks entry to the settings, preventing itself from being deleted. If you cannot open the application menu, try restarting your phone in Safe Mode. To do this, hold down the power button, and when the power off icon appears on the screen, hold it with your finger for a few seconds until you are prompted to switch to safe mode. In this mode, only system applications work, which will allow you to safely remove the virus.

What to do if the “Delete” button is inactive?

If the system does not allow you to delete an application, then it has device administrator rights. Go to Settings → Passwords & Security → Privacy → Special Access Rights → Device Administrator Applications. Uncheck the suspicious app, after which it can be removed in the standard way.

Ad blocking in Xiaomi system applications

Even after disabling the MSA service, some built-in Redmi applications may continue to show recommendations. This is due to the fact that each system module has its own content settings. To achieve a completely clean interface, you need to go through key applications and turn off recommendations manually.

Start with the application Securitywhich is often the main source of pop-ups. Open it, click on the settings gear in the corner and find the item Get recommendations. Move the toggle switch to the “Off” position. A similar procedure should be carried out for the Music, Video, Themes and Explorer applications.

In the Themes application, advertisements may appear during a search or in the popular wallpaper section. Go to the user profile (little man icon), open settings and disable the setting Show advertising. This action will remove banners from the design catalog, making navigation more pleasant.

Application Path to settings What to disable
Security Settings (gear) Get recommendations
Cleaning Settings (ellipsis) Get recommendations
Music Settings → Advanced Show ads
Topics Profile → Settings Show ads
Downloads Ellipsis → Settings Show recommended content
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Comprehensive interface cleaning requires disabling recommendations in each system application separately, since there is no global switch for all modules.

Configuring DNS to block adware servers

One of the most modern and effective methods of combating advertising is the use of private DNS. This method does not require the installation of third-party applications and works at the network connection level, blocking requests to known ad servers before they reach your phone.

To implement this method on Redmi with Android version 9 and higher, go to Settings → Connection and sharing (or “Other settings” in older versions). Find item Private DNS server. By default, it is set to “Auto” or “Disabled”. You need to select the mode DNS provider hostname.

In the field that appears, enter the address of a trusted blocker. The most popular and proven solution is the AdGuard service. Enter the following value into the line:

dns.adguard.com

After saving the settings, the phone will redirect all DNS requests through AdGuard filters. This will allow you to get rid of banners not only in the system, but also in mobile browsers, as well as in some free applications. If after enabling DNS the Internet stops working, try changing the server to dns-family.adguard.com or disabling the function.

⚠️ Attention: Changing DNS settings affects all connections, including Wi-Fi and mobile network. If you are using a corporate network or ISP-specific settings, enabling private DNS may cause conflicts. In this case, return the value to “Auto”.

📊 Which ad blocking method do you consider the most effective?
Disabling the MSA service: Manually removing viruses: Setting up private DNS: Installing an ad blocker

Resetting settings and extreme measures

In situations where advertising is the result of a deep infection of the system or incorrect operation of the firmware, and manual removal does not help, a radical step may be required. A full data reset to factory settings (Hard Reset) deletes all user data and returns the phone to its original state, guaranteed to get rid of software viruses.

Before starting the procedure, it is critical to create a backup copy of all important data: photos, contacts and documents. Resetting will destroy all information in the internal memory. Go to Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Delete all data.

If the phone is blocked by a virus so much that it does not allow you to enter the menu, use Recovery mode. Turn off the device completely. Then press the Volume up button and the Powerbutton simultaneously. Hold them until the Mi logo appears. In the Recovery menu, select a language (usually only English and Chinese are available), then go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data and confirm the action.

  • 🔄 Resetting through the settings menu is safer and easier for the average user.
  • ⚡ Recovery mode is necessary if the system does not boot or is blocked by malware.
  • 💾 Do not forget to synchronize the data with your Google or Mi Cloud account before formatting.

After the reset is complete, the phone will reboot and start as new. You will need to go through the initial setup again. At this stage, be careful: do not restore the backup copy of applications immediately if you suspect that the virus may have been preserved in the backup. It is better to install the necessary apps manually from the official store.

Is it possible to restore data after a reset?

If you have not made a backup copy in advance, it is almost impossible to restore photos and files from the internal memory after a reset. Data on the memory card (SD) is usually saved unless you select the option to format the SD card.

Preventing future advertisements

To prevent the problem from returning, you must practice digital hygiene when using your Redmi smartphone. The main source of infection is the installation of applications from unverified sources. Try to download software exclusively from the official store Google Play or GetApps, where apps are moderated for the presence of malicious code.

Regularly check the list of installed applications. Remove utilities that you no longer use. The less foreign code there is on the device, the lower the risk of catching an adware virus. It's also a good idea to check application permissions every few months and revoke permissions from apps that no longer need them.

Be careful with your browser. Don't click on pop-ups with messages like "Your phone is infected" or "You've won a prize." These are classic social engineering techniques that force the user to download and install a malicious application on their own. Use browsers with built-in protection against trackers and ads.

Why do ads appear even after deleting the application?

Some malware create hidden shortcuts or task schedulers that continue to work even after the main APK file is deleted. In such cases, it is recommended to use specialized anti-virus scanners, such as Malwarebytes or Dr.Web, for a deep scan of the system.

Is it safe to disable the MSA service?

Yes, disabling the MSA service is completely safe for the operation of the phone. This is a system module responsible only for displaying advertising. Disabling it will not affect calls, messages, camera or other basic functions of the Redmi smartphone.

What to do if the MSA service turns on itself?

Sometimes, after a global firmware update, privacy settings may be reset. If you notice that the MSA is active again, simply repeat the procedure for revoking permissions. Also check if you have recently installed an application that requires re-activation of system services.

Will installing an antivirus help remove ads?

Antivirus is effective against parasitic viruses, but is powerless against Xiaomi's built-in system advertising. To combat system banners, you need to use privacy settings and disable MSA, and you should keep the antivirus to protect against external threats.

Does blocking ads affect the speed of the phone?

Yes, disabling advertising modules and blocking requests to ad servers via DNS can have a positive effect on the speed of operation. The phone spends less resources on loading banners and consumes less traffic, which is especially noticeable on budget Redmi models.