Engadget Guide Explains Why Xiaomi Phones Carry So Many Ads and How to Reduce Them
Engadget explains why Xiaomi phones carry so many ads and how users can reduce them through system and in-app settings.
According to Engadget, US users who encounter a Xiaomi phone may experience culture shock because ads are woven into file management, music and basic UI. The report notes that Xiaomi once placed ads in the Settings app, though that was rolled back.
Engadget’s first step is to disable the MSA (MIUI System Ads) app. On older MIUI devices, users go to Settings, then Passwords & Security, then Authorization & revocation, and toggle off msa. On HyperOS phones such as the Xiaomi 17, the report says the equivalent path begins with Fingerprints, face data, and screen lock. Users then return to Passwords & Security or its HyperOS equivalent and go to Privacy, then Ad Services, to turn off Personalized ad recommendations or Personalize ads.
Commercial content remains in individual apps, according to the report. In Downloads, users can turn off Show Recommended Content in the app’s Settings. In Themes, they can turn off Personalized recommendations and Show ads. In Music, the path is Settings, then Advanced Settings, then Show Ads. In Mi Browser, users go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, then turn off Personalized services.
Security and File Manager require different steps. In Security, Engadget says users tap the hexagon icon in the top-right corner to turn off Receive recommendations, then go to Cleaner and turn off Receive recommendations there. On older MIUI phones, File Manager ads can be turned off by tapping the three lines in the top left, going to Settings and About, and turning off Recommendations. On newer HyperOS phones, the report says the best available option is to tap the three dots in the right corner of File Manager, go to Settings and toggle Withdrawal of Consent.
For additional limits on ad personalization, Engadget points users to Settings, then Google, then All Services, where they can select Reset advertising ID and Delete advertising ID. The report also says users can turn off notifications for any app that shows ads by going to Settings, then Apps, then Manage Apps and selecting the app. That step will also turn off useful notifications, not just advertisements.