Xiaomi, like any other smartphone brand, has pre-built apps like Security, Mi Video, Mi Cloud, Mi Browser, Mi Music, Mi Credit, etc. Redmi Note 4 also has many of these apps. MIUI 10 is the latest version of the user interface framework sitting on top of Android OS.
Despite its aim to simplify the appearance and functionality of Xiaomi phones, the MIUI system still has some drawbacks. The main complaint from Redmi users is that system apps show different notifications and ads.
Why Remove Ads in Mi Phones
This is unlike browsers, where you can install Ad Block extensions to prevent ads from showing.
It is very irritating for a normal user of Redmi phones to see pop-up ads while doing important work.
For example, Mi Browser is the default browser for Redmi phones.
While browsing, users encounter a plethora of interstitial ads and inline display ads. Similarly, the Security app, which cleans junk and boosts memory, also displays ads between notifications.
There is no one-general solution to remove ads in Xiaomi Redmi system apps. You have to follow the below recommendations for each app.
1. How to Remove Ads in Redmi Note 4
In general, you need to disable the “msa” app. This task can be done by turning off the authorization and revocation setting for the “msa” app. Xiaomi made sure that it doesn’t work out easily. In MIUI 9, it was easy with 4 or 5 attempts.
But in MIUI 10, you have to make several attempts. You also need to wait 10 seconds for each revoke attempt.
1. Your Redmi phone should be connected to Wi-Fi or mobile internet. The permission granted cannot be revoked without internet.
2. Go to Settings > Additional Settings > Authorization & Revocation, and set MSA to Off.
3. Wait 10 secs to see the “Revoke” button.
4. Tap it, and you may see “Couldn’t revoke authorization” for the first time.
5. This error is displayed 9 to 10 times before it works out.
Even if this trick does not work out, you can follow the below multiple tweaks to block ads in system apps of your Redmi phone.
2. Privacy Settings to Block Personalized Ads
Go to this path: Settings > Additional Settings > Privacy
Under “User Experience Program,” you can find the following options.
1. User Experience Program
2. Send diagnostic data automatically
3. Ad services
The first two options will prevent sharing of usage stats and personal data, which can hinder your privacy.
If you tap the “Ad services” option, then you can see the following option.
1. Personalized ad recommendations
When recommendations are off, you’ll see the same number of ads, but they won’t be based on your data.
3. How to Block Ads from Mi File Manager in MIUI 10.2
The following steps will help remove the ads in File Manager.
1. Open the Mi File Manager app.
2. Tap the three lines on the top left-hand side.
3. Tap Settings > About
4. Tap Recommendations to turn it off. (By default it is on, shown in blue color. On disabling it, it will turn grey in color.
4. How to Block Ads in Cleaner app in Redmi
This app also shows ads. To remove them, follow these steps.
1. Open Cleaner
2. Tap the brush icon in the top right.
3. Tap the gear icon on the top right.
4. Tap “Receive Recommendations” to turn off ads in this app.
5. How to Block Ads in Mi Video app in Redmi
1. Tap the app to open.
2. Tap Profile on the bottom right.
3. Tap Settings.
4. The following two options can be turned off.
- Online Recommendations—Turn off to stop receiving online video recommendations.
- Push Notifications—Turn off to stop receiving push notifications.
You can prevent ads from appearing in the Mi Browser, Security, and Mi Music Apps.
These apps also show ads by default, which is a little annoying. The more ads, the more you have to scroll through and the more taps. To stop them, just remove ad recommendations by following these steps.
1. Open the Security app.
2. Tap on the gear icon at the top.
3. Tap Receive Recommendations to turn it off.
4. Ads will not show in the Mi Security app.
Otherwise, you can follow a different method.
1. Open Settings > System Apps.
2. Tap the required app.
3. Tap Music, for example.
4. Tap “Receive recommendations” to turn it off.
5. Tap Browser > Privacy & Security.
6. The following options can be turned off.
Personalized Services and Authorisation
Disabling these features will prevent receiving personalized content recommendations and ads in Mi Browser.
You can also turn the Authorisation switch on or off to grant or revoke authorization for this app.
To completely remove ads from Mi Browser, you can try these settings.
Settings > System Apps > Browser > Advanced > Set start page.
You can enter a custom URL here—like google.com or bing.com. This will remove the Xiaomi default page, which has many recommendations and ads.
How to Block Spam Notifications in Redmi MIUI 10.2
You can go to Settings > Notifications & status bar > App notifications.
It will take a few seconds to open.
Now scroll through the list of apps for which you want to disable spam notifications.
If you want to block all notifications, tap “Show notifications” to turn it off. But if you want to disable only promotional notifications for that app and get regular notifications, you can turn on/off the following settings here.
1. Priority—Show notifications at the top of the list.
2. Floating Notifications—Allow important notifications at the top of the screen.
3. Lock Screen Notifications—Allow important notifications on the lock screen.
4. Notification light.
The above settings will only help you prevent ads in some of the Mi apps that come pre-installed with the Xiaomi phone.
