How to remove annoying redirects on Xiaomi phone: all ways 2026

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi series) often face the problem of unauthorized redirects – when the browser or applications are spontaneously redirected to advertising sites, phishing pages or suspicious resources. This problem can arise from viruses, malicious scripts in the cache, incorrect DNS settings or even “chips” of MIUI firmware. Unlike computers, on mobile devices, it is more difficult to eliminate redirects due to limited access to system files.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to remove redirects to Xiaomi, from basic (clearing browser cache) to radical (reset to factory settings). Particular attention will be paid to hidden MIUI settings, which the manufacturer does not advertise, but which often cause redirects. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 12/13/14 firmware and 2019-2026 models (including Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO F5, Xiaomi 13T).

1. Browser check: clearing cache and data

In 70% of cases, redirects are caused by an infected browser cache or extensions installed, starting with the simplest one: a complete cleanup of Google Chrome, Mi Browser or any other browser used.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find your browser (such as Chrome or Mi Browser) and tap it.
• 🧹 Select Warehouse. → Clear the cache and Clear the data.
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.

If you use Mi Browser (built-in Xiaomi browser), additionally:

1. Open the browser and go to ⋮ → Settings → Confidentiality.
2. Turn off the Personalized News option – it often loads advertising scripts.
3. In the "Security" section, turn on "Blocking pop-up windows".

⚠️ Warning: Cleaning up your browser data will delete all saved passwords, bookmarks and history. Export important data in advance through Settings → Export of bookmarks (in Chrome).

2. Removal of malicious applications

Redirects can be caused by advert viruses or Trojans masquerading as legitimate programs, and on Xiaomi, such applications often penetrate through:

• 📦 APK-files downloaded from third-party sources (not Google Play).
• 🎮 Pirate games or “hacked” versions of paid software.
• 📱 Xiaomi pre-installed services (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music) that load ads.

How to find and remove the virus:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort the list by installation date (⋮ → Sorting → By installation date).
3. Check for apps with suspicious names (e.g. System Update, Flash Player, Clearer Master).
4. Remove unknown programs, even if they don’t have an icon.

For a thorough check, use the antivirus:

3.DNS Change: Blocking Advertising Servers

If the redirection occurs at the network level (for example, when connecting to Wi-Fi), the problem may lie in the network. DNS-By default, providers or public networks (cafes, hotels) often use the DNS, which redirect traffic to advertising pages.

How to change DNS to Xiaomi:

1. Open the Settings. → Wi-Fi.
2. Slip on the current network and select "Change Network" (or "More").
3. Enable "Additional options" → "IP settings" and select "Static".
4. In the DNS 1 and DNS 2 fields, enter:

After changing the DNS, restart your phone and check if the redirect has gone away. If the problem persists, try an alternative method – using an ad-blocked VPN (such as AdGuard VPN or 1.1.1.1 from Cloudflare).

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If some websites (such as banking sites) stop opening after changing the DNS, return the standard settings or use a VPN without blocking ads.

4.Reset network settings and clean hosts

On Xiaomi (especially on firmware) MIUI 12–14) the redirect may be associated with a corrupted hosts file, a system file that manages the matching of domain names and IP-Viruses often edit it by adding entries to redirect to advertising sites.

How to reset your network settings and clear hosts:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
• 🔄 Confirm the reset (this will remove all stored Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices).
• 📱 To clean the hosts file, root rights will be required or ADB. If you have them, use the command:

adb shell su -c "echo '' > /system/etc/hosts"

Without root, you can try an alternative method:

1. Install a file manager with access to system folders (e.g. FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/etc/ and find the hosts file.
3. Open it with a text editor and delete all lines except 127.0.0.1 localhost.

⚠️ Note: Editing system files without root may cause a crash MIUI. If the phone stops loading after the changes, reset via Recovery Mode (press Power). + Volume Up when switched on).

5. Disabling advertising in MIUI (hidden settings)

Xiaomi is known for embedding ads into system applications (e.g., Security, Themes, Mi Video), sometimes these ad modules cause not only banners, but also redirects in the browser, and you can turn them off through hidden MIUI settings.

Instructions for MIUI 13/14:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Move to the ⚙ Settings → Advertising.
3. Turn off all switches: 🚫 "Personalized recommendations" 🚫 "Promotional notices" 🚫 "Showing Advertising in System Applications"

Security

Clean up

To completely disable advertising in MIUI can also be used ADB-Teams (computer required):

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop

These commands disable the system services responsible for displaying ads. After you do, restart your phone.

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Disabling advertising in MIUI not only removes redirects, but also speeds up the phone by freeing up RAM.

6.Extreme measure: reset to factory settings

If none of these things work, you'll have to completely reset your phone, and that will delete all the data, including viruses, but you'll also have to erase your photos, contacts and apps.

• 📤 Make a backup copy through Settings → The phone. → Backup.
• 🔐 Write down usernames/passwords from accounts (they will be saved if the phone is linked to Mi Account).
• 📱 Make sure your phone is at least 50 times charged%.

How to perform the reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select "Erase all data."
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• 🛡️ Do not restore data from a backup if it was created after the redirects appeared (the virus could have been saved in the backup).
• 🔍 Install antivirus and check your phone before recovering files.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro) may require re-assignment to the Mi Account after reset.If you forget your password, use the official recovery site.

FAQ: Frequent questions about redirects to Xiaomi