How to disable ads in MIUI on an Android device

There’s nothing more annoying than serving ads on an otherwise well-integrated operating system. Imagine that you just bought a Xiaomi phone and almost everything is perfect except the ads. Since Xiaomi started running ads in 2018, things have not been the same.

If you are tired of ads spoiling your Xiaomi experience, read on. We will explain how to disable ads in MIUI using various methods.

The easiest method to disable ads in MIUI

There are several ways to remove ads from your MIUI phone. We wanted to start with one of the simplest.

1. Access the device settings.
   
2. Find “Passwords and security”
   
3. Go to the “Authorization and Revocation” section.
   
4. Locate “MIUI system ADS (MSA)” which is responsible for collecting data for advertising purposes.
   
5. Turn it off and revoke your authorization.
   
6. Confirm your action to revoke the authorization.
   

This general method should remove most of the ads displayed on your phone. But there are still other ways to go a step further if you’re still encountering ads.

Disable ads in MIUI by turning off personal ad recommendations

Think of Xiaomi phone recommendations as targeted ads. It may not have the same name, but it is essentially the same. The purpose of this feature is to present relevant ads that are personal to your specific tastes. Here’s how to get rid of it.

1. Go to your settings and navigate to the “Passwords and security” section.
   
2. Select “Privacy” and go to “Advertising Services.”
   
3. Disable the “Personalized recommendations” option.
   

Once you do that, you’re ready to go. You should no longer see ads on your Xiaomi phone.

MIUI removes ads in the system app

Using the system app is another way to remove ads that clutter your phone. Xiaomi usually has ads in system apps, but you can get rid of them manually. Here’s how to do it:

1. Start by selecting the Downloads app or any other app that displays add-ons.
   
2. A three dot icon should appear in the upper right corner. Play that.
   
3. Open configuration.”
   
4. Turn off the switch next to “Show recommended content.”
   
5. Tap “OK” to confirm your choice.
   

You can repeat this process for each app as an added precaution if you are still receiving ads linked to certain apps. We won’t go over all the apps in this guide because they essentially involve the same process. You navigate to settings from the top corner of the app and reach for a switch to turn off recommendations.

MIUI How to disable promoted apps

There is a folder on most MIUI systems that is famous for displaying annoying ads, known as “Tools & More Apps” folder. It’s actually useful and there’s a lot of good stuff for your phone here, but it also pushes promotions for certain apps and ads.

For example, you can organize your different applications in folders. However, you may notice that your phone starts showing ads there. This is because MIUI will show ads in every new folder you create.

Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to get rid of this feature. This is all you need to do:

1. Access the Tools folder and more applications on your phone
   
2. Long touch the space where the folder name is displayed. This will open the option to rename it.
   
3. Near the rename section, there will be an option to toggle promoted apps. Just turn it off.
   

Additional FAQs

Do all MIUI systems have ads?

Currently, all versions of MIUI have ads. There don’t seem to be exceptions. Over the years, the number of ads on MIUI and other platforms has been steadily increasing.

Can I use an ad blocker to get rid of ads in MIUI?

Yes, you can use an ad blocker to get rid of ads in MIUI. There are several ad blockers available on the Google Play Store. However, not all ad blockers work equally well on MIUI and some may be more effective than others.

Is it safe to disable ads and MSA in MIUI?

Yes, it is safe to disable MSA. Doing so will stop data collection for advertising purposes and prevent intrusive ads from appearing on your device. You may have heard that disabling certain apps in MIUI can negatively affect the system as a whole. However, this is not the case with MSA.

Will I still receive ads after deactivating MSA?

It depends on the type of ads. After disabling MSA, you may still receive some system-level notifications, but they should be less intrusive than before. You can use the other steps mentioned above to remove the remaining ads.

Will disabling ads affect the performance of my device?

No, disabling MSA should not affect the performance of your Xiaomi device.

Why does MIUI show ads?

Xiaomi shows ads on MIUI to generate revenue. The company collects data for advertising purposes and uses it to target ads to users based on their interests and usage patterns. Doing so helps keep the price of the devices relatively low.

How do I report an issue with an ad in MIUI?

If you encounter an issue with an ad in MIUI, you can report it by sending feedback to Xiaomi via the device settings or by contacting their customer support team. This can help ensure that the ad in question is removed and prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.

Block ads like a pro

Getting rid of apps on Xiaomi and MIUI systems doesn’t have to be difficult.

Most (if not all) of these ads can disappear by playing with the settings and turning off recommendations in most cases. Once that’s done, there’s not much left other than the smooth functionality of a well-put together phone.

Which of the above methods do you prefer to get rid of ads? Did you follow our steps? Let us know in the comments section below.