Recently, there was a leak suggesting that Xiaomi might finally be working on a single toggle to switch off system ads entirely. Unfortunately, the company has now confirmed that this toggle won’t be appearing on its Android skin anytime soon. In a statement to Android Authority, Xiaomi acknowledged plans to improve the user experience by reducing pre-installed apps and “content display entry pages,” hinting at a potential decrease in bloatware. However, the statement explicitly rejected the idea of a dedicated ad-disabling toggle:
“We aren’t currently planning to add a toggle that realistically, only a small number of users would discover and use.”
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This reasoning is likely to frustrate many users. Currently, disabling ads requires a multi-step approach. Users must locate the obscure MSA app within the settings and then delve into individual app settings like File Manager, Music, and Downloads to eliminate all unwanted promotions. This cumbersome process stands in stark contrast to the simple solution users were hoping for.
While the news of reduced bloatware is positive, it doesn’t address the core issue of a scattered and frustrating ad-disabling experience. Xiaomi’s justification for refusing a dedicated toggle seems particularly disingenuous, given that the current system requires users to navigate deep into settings menus across multiple apps.
It remains to be seen if Xiaomi will reconsider its stance in the future. Until then, users yearning for a streamlined ad-free experience may need to look elsewhere or resign themselves to the current convoluted approach.
