Why is there an ad on Redmi Note 10S and can it be removed?
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S owners often face intrusive ads in system apps, notifications, and even lock screens, due to MIUIβs proprietary shell, which integrates ad modules from its partners by default, which not only annoy but also consume up to 15 percent of their battery power per month due to background ad activity.
Fortunately, you can remove ads without root rights and loss of warranty β you just need to know which settings are responsible for displaying them. In this article, we will look at all the available ways, from basic MIUI settings to installing alternative firmware for those who are willing to take drastic measures. It is important to understand that some methods require caution: for example, disabling system applications through ADB can cause a malfunction of the phone if done wrong.
Before you start, check the version of MIUI on your device: Settings path β About phone β About MIUI version. This depends on the availability of certain features. Also note that after system updates, advertising may return - so we will show you how to block it from appearing forever.
Method 1: Disabling personalized advertising in MIUI settings
The easiest and safest way to do this is to deactivate personalized ads through the settings menu, which will not remove the ads completely, but will reduce the number of ads significantly. 10S on MIUI 12.5β14:
- Go to Settings β Google β Advertising.
- Turn off the option of "Personalized Advertising".
- Go back to the basic settings and select Settings β Privacy β Advertising Services.
- Deactivate the "Personalized Recommendations" switch.
- In the same section, click "Reset Advertising ID" and confirm the action.
These steps will reduce the amount of targeted ads, but they won't eliminate them completely, like banners in the Weather or Themes, and more radical measures will be needed to remove them.
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After resetting your advertising ID, restart your phone β this will speed up the application of the changes.
Method 2: Remove Advertising through ADB (without root)
If standard settings don't work, you can disable the system apps responsible for displaying ads using Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method doesn't require superuser rights, but requires connecting the phone to a PC. Important: the wrong commands can disrupt the system!
Be prepared first:
- πΉ Install. ADB-computer-driver.
- πΉ Put the debugging on. USB on the phone: Settings β The phone. β Version. MIUI (Press 7 times to activate Developer Mode, then Settings β Additionally. β For developers β Debugging by USB.
- πΉ Connect the Redmi Note 10S to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
Now execute commands in the terminal (command line) in turn:
adb shell pm hide com.miui.systemAdSolution
adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.midrop
adb shell pm hide com.android.browser
adb shell pm hide com.miui.analyticsThese commands will disable the basic MIUI ad modules. To get it back, replace hide with unhide. Once done, restart the phone.
Install ADB on PC| Enable debugging over USB on your phone | Connect your phone to your computer | Allow debugging on your smartphone screen-->
What if the ADB canβt see the device?
Method 3: Blocking Advertising through DNS
Change. DNS-You can block the download of banner ads at the network level, and this method works for browser ads, some applications, and system notifications. DNS or NextDNS.
Instructions:
- Go to Settings β Connections and Sharing β Private DNS.
- Select "Host Name of Private DNS Provider".
- Enter one of the addresses: dns.adguard.com (AdGuard) security.cloudflare-dns.com (Cloudflare)
Save and restart the phone.
| DNS-server | Efficiency | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| AdGuard DNS | Block 80-90% of advertising | It can slow down the loading of some websites. |
| NextDNS | Blocks 90%+ Advertising, Flexible Settings | Registration, traffic restriction |
| Cloudflare | Block 60-70% of advertising | Less control over filters |
Please note that changing the DNS does not affect ads in the Themes, Weather and Mi Video apps β they will require other methods.
Method 4: Installation of an alternative launcher
The MIUI system launcher contains built-in ad modules that cannot be disabled by standard means, and the solution is to install a third-party launcher, such as Nova Launcher or Lawnchair, which will not remove ads from system applications, but will remove them from the home screen and application menu.
How to determine:
- Download Nova Launcher from Google Play.
- After installation, click the Home button and select Nova Launcher as the default launcher.
- In Nova settings, turn off the βShow hintsβ option to avoid offers from Google.
Standard MIUI|Nova Launcher|Lawnchair|Other |I don't know what it-->
Method 5: Disabling Advertising in System Applications
Some MIUI applications (such as Themes, Weather, Mi Video) display ads regardless of the general settings, and to remove them, you need to manually disable the ad modules in each application.
Instructions for key applications:
Topics
- Open the Topic app.
- Go to Profile β Settings β Advertising preferences.
- Turn off "Personalized Recommendations."
- Return to the settings and select βClear Dataβ (this will reset the ad cache).
Weather.
- πΉ In the Weather app, go to Settings β Notifications and disable "Advertising Notices".
- πΉ Turn off background data update: Settings β Data and synchronization β Background update.
Mi Video and Music
These apps don't have a separate setting for ads, and to remove banners, you have to:
- πΉ Turn them off through ADB (see method 2).
- πΉ Or to set up alternatives: VLC For video, Spotify or Yandex Music for audio.
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Disabling application background activity (Settings β Applications β Permissions β Auto Run) reduces the number of ad impressions by 2-3 times.
Method 6: Install custom firmware (for advanced)
If you are willing to take drastic measures, installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) will completely remove ads and unnecessary MIUI services.
Warnings:
β οΈ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader will reset all data on the phone. backup is required! also note that Redmi Note 10S (Rosemary codename has Anti-Rollback protection β you canβt roll back on older versions. MIUI post-unlock.
Instructions:
- Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (Mi Account is required).
- Install TWRP Recovery for rosemary (see instructions on XDA Developers).
- Download firmware (like LineageOS 20) and GApps (if you need Google services).
- Using TWRP, run Wipe β Format Data, then run the firmware and GApps.
The advantages of custom firmware:
- πΉ Complete lack of advertising and bloatware.
- πΉ Faster system operation and longer autonomy.
- πΉ Regular security updates.
Cons:
- πΈ Loss of warranty (if you do not return the official firmware before contacting the service).
- πΈ Possible bugs with camera or sensors (depending on firmware).
- πΈ Lack of certain functions MIUI (Second Space or Game Turbo).
Method 7: Using apps to block ads
If previous methods didn't help or seem too complicated, you can install specialized ad-blocking apps.The best options for the Redmi Note 10S are:
| Annex | Type of lockdown | Need root? | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blokada | Blocking at DNS/VPN level | No. | Website |
| AdGuard | Local VPN + filters | No. | Website |
| NetGuard | Blocking traffic by domain | No (but with root more efficient) | Google Play |
| Luckypatcher | Removing Advertising from APK | Yes. | Website |
Adjustment recommendations:
- πΉ In Blokada, activate the Energy List β it is specifically optimized to block ads in the Internet. MIUI.
- πΉ In AdGuard, enable filters: AdGuard Base, EasyList, and "MIUI Ad Block".
- πΉ For NetGuard, download the list of domains to block Xiaomi ads and import it into the app.
β οΈ Note: Apps like Luckypatcher require root rights and can disrupt system applications. Use them only if you understand the risks!