If you own a Xiaomi phone with HyperOS, you've likely encountered inconvenient ads and unnecessary programs (bloatware) that take up space and resources, diminishing your experience's fluidity and privacy. While Xiaomi offers phones at unbeatable prices, thanks in part to built-in advertising, all is not lost for those who want a clean and efficient phone. In this article, you'll learn how to get rid of ads and pre-installed apps so you can finally enjoy your device without any hassle.
Over the past few years, Xiaomi's custom skins like MIUI and now HyperOS have included both in-app ads and a significant number of unnecessary apps. While the presence of these elements can be irritating, the good news is that there are effective and simple methods—and more advanced ones for demanding users—to remove them or at least minimize them. Below is the most detailed, up-to-date, and easy-to-understand guide for achieving a clean HyperOS experience.
Why do ads and bloatware appear in HyperOS?
Xiaomi has opted to incorporate ads and additional apps into its devices in an effort to lower the price of the devices and compete on price. While understandable for many, advertising can be very annoying, especially when it appears in notifications, system apps, or during everyday tasks like downloading an app from the Play Store.
Bloatware, or unnecessary pre-installed software, is also common on HyperOS models like Redmi, POCO, and Mi. These include games, tools, and promotional apps that take up memory and can display persistent notifications. The good news is that you can eliminate much of this discomfort with a few adjustments and tools.
Main sources of advertising on Xiaomi HyperOS
Although Xiaomi promises a cleaner experience with HyperOS compared to MIUI, ads still persist in several key areas of the system. Here's a summary of the places where ads and recommendations most often appear:
- System applications: Security, File Explorer, Downloads, Gallery and Music are common in displaying banners, suggestions and recommendations.
- Notifications: The MSA (Mobile System Ads) service may send advertisements and application suggestions.
- Lock screen: The Wallpaper Carousel often includes integrated advertising as part of the rotating images.
- Installing apps: When downloading applications, the system may display commercial suggestions or sponsored apps.
There's no magic button to disable all ads altogether, but with a few tweaks, you can eliminate or mitigate the vast majority of ads.
Remove or limit advertising in HyperOS step by step
Disable MSA (Mobile System Ads) service
MSA is the basis for advertising in HyperOS and MIUI. Although it can't be completely erased, you can disable access and notifications to stop it from bothering you.
- Accede to Settings> Applications.
- Open the three-dot menu at the top right and select Show all applications.
- Search msa in the list. In its settings, disable Show notifications.
- Then go to Fingerprints, Face ID, and Screen Lock > Authorization and Revocation, locate msa and disables authorization.
By doing this, you will have already limited most of the intrusive notifications promoted by Xiaomi.
Remove suggestions and ads in system apps
Many pre-installed apps continue to display banners and suggestions even after disabling MSA. It's important to go into the internal settings of each problematic app and override the recommendations. These are the steps for the most common ones:
- Security: Open the app, tap the Settings gear and turn it off. Receive recommendations.
- Downloads: Press the three dots, go to Settings and uncheck Show recommended content.
- Music: Go to Advanced Settings and disable show ads o Receive recommendations.
- File Browser: Go to Settings (gear icon), look for the option Receive recommendations and disable it.
Repeat this process for any other apps you find with ads, such as the Gallery.
Block ads from the wallpaper carousel
The lock screen can be another source of ads through the Wallpaper Carousel. To avoid this:
- Accede to Settings.
- Sign in Lock screen, then Wallpaper Carousel.
- Disable the corresponding option and thus remove the ads on the lock screen.
Remove suggestions in the HyperOS launcher
The launcher or home screen may display app or game recommendations. To disable them:
- Press and hold an empty space on the home screen.
- Choose Launcher settings.
- Deactivate Display suggestions or any recommended content options.
How to remove bloatware on HyperOS: all levels
The presence of pre-installed apps isn't always limited to what you can see with the naked eye. There are different layers of bloatware, from apps that can be easily uninstalled to protected software that requires additional procedures to remove or disable. Here are the main methods:
1. Remove unnecessary apps from the system itself
The easiest way to remove bloatware from HyperOS is to uninstall everything you don't need as soon as you set up your phone. Here's how to do it:
- Sign in Settings > Apps > Manage Apps.
- Press the icon uninstall on top.
- Mark all the apps and games you don't recognize or use and delete them all at once.
Nota: Some system apps won't let you delete them, but this will make your phone cleaner and more usable.
2. Disable system apps you don't need
Some protected system software doesn't allow uninstallation, but you can disable it if Xiaomi allows it. This process is safe as long as you don't disable critical components, but you should be careful:
- Accede to Settings > Applications > Application management.
- Activate 'Show all apps' from the three-dot menu.
- Review the full list and go to the apps you don't use.
- Balance Force stop & AFTER Disable.
Caution! Not all apps can (or should) be disabled; if in doubt, leave it as is.
3. Remove stubborn system apps with Universal Debloater
For advanced users who want maximum cleanup, Universal Debloater is the solution. This tool allows you to remove system apps using ADB and a computer:
- Prepare your PC with ADB installed (search for it as 'platform-tools').
- Download Universal Debloater suitable for your operating system.
- Place Universal Debloater in the same folder as ADB.
- Activate the USB debugging on your mobile (Developer Settings).
- Connect your phone via USB and accept the RSA key.
- From Universal Debloater, choose the recommended apps to delete and tap Uninstall Selection.
- If you change your mind, you can restore apps from the menu. Uninstalled using the option Restore.
Important warning: Only delete apps that you understand and aren't critical to the system. If you do this, your phone could stop working properly. And, after each HyperOS update, you'll have to repeat the process because deleted apps often reappear with the system.
Block ads at the network level with private DNS
For those looking to block ads even more comprehensively (both system and external apps), Using a private DNS is a simple and useful option. Here's how:
- Accede to Settings > More connectivity options > Private DNS.
- Choose Private DNS provider hostname.
- Introduces:
dns.adguard.comto filter advertising requests across the entire device.
This method doesn't affect performance and works to block most ads in browsers and some apps, although it's not foolproof with ads embedded in Xiaomi apps.
Turn off ad personalization and privacy
Data collection for ad personalization is another area of ​​concern for many users. You can limit it by:
- Go to Settings > Fingerprints, face & screen lock > Privacy.
- Sign in Advertising services and disable the option for personalized ads.
Extra tips to keep your Xiaomi clean and ad-free
- Run these settings as soon as you start using your phone. to save time and future hassle.
- Don't trust miracle apps from Google Play, Since some promise to remove ads, they only add more bloatware or privacy risks.
- Check app permissions periodically to ensure that no new sources of advertising or tracking emerge.
- Consult forums and updated specialized guides, since HyperOS may change configuration details with each new version or system update.
By applying these steps and recommendations, your Xiaomi with HyperOS can run noticeably better, faster, and with fewer annoying interruptions. Ads and bloatware are part of Xiaomi's business model, but as a user, you have the freedom to configure your device to limit their impact and get the most out of the hardware you paid for. Enjoy your phone in a more agile, private way, without unnecessary clutter. Share this information so other users can remove ads and bloatware from HyperOS.