The Xiaomi Redmi 9 ad blocker can be a real challenge if you want to support your favorite sites, watch videos without restrictions or test your own advertising campaigns. MIUI’s built-in tools aggressively filter content and sometimes even block useful notifications. In this article, we’ll look at all possible ways to disable blocking, from standard settings to bypassing through DNS and VPN.
It is important to understand that Redmi 9 (M2003J15SC/M2004J19C models) runs on the basis of MIUI 12-14 with a shell over Android 10-12, and the methods of disabling the advertising filter depend on the firmware version. Some users are faced with the fact that after the system update, the previous settings are reset — we took this nuance and gave current solutions for 2026.
Why Xiaomi Redmi 9 is blocking ads?
The manufacturer has integrated several levels of advertising protection into MIUI:
- 🔹 Built-in blocker MIUI — It works at the system level and filters all application traffic.
- 🔹 Browser Security – Mi Browser and Google Chrome have their own lock settings.
- 🔹 Limitations MIUI Optimized – a special mode that can block the background processes of advertising SDK.
- 🔹 DNS-Filtering – some operators and settings MIUI Redirect traffic through protected areas DNS-server.
Xiaomi is also working with Clean Master and other optimization utilities that can filter content further, and if you notice that ads are missing even in apps like YouTube or TikTok, it’s the system blocker that’s to blame.
Method 1: Disabling the blocker in the MIUI settings
The easiest way is to deactivate the built-in protection through the security menu, and the instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Slip on the three points in the upper right corner and select Special Accesses.
- Go to Battery Optimization (or Auto Run in older versions).
- Find the Security app and turn off the Battery Optimization permission for it.
- Return to Settings → Memory → Clean and deactivate the option Block Ads.
If you don't have Ad Block on the menu, your version of MIUI uses hidden settings.
- Open the Security app (Security).
- Go to Settings. → Confidentiality.
- Find the Advertising Protection section and disable all sliders.
Security settings open|Battery optimization for the "Safety" application is deactivated"|Disabled advertising blocking in the cleaning menu|Rebooted smartphone to apply changes-->
Note: Some Redmi 9 firmware (e.g. MIUI Global 13.0.6) hide the ad blocking option deeper. If you can't find it through the standard path, try the DNS method (described below).
Method 2: Change DNS-server
Xiaomi’s system blocker works in part by redirecting traffic to filters DNS-To get around this:
- Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Private Network (DNS).
- Choose Private. DNS and give me one of the addresses: 🌍 8.8.8.8 (Google DNS) 🌍 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) 🌍 dns.adguard.com (AdGuard, but without blocking)
Save the settings and restart the phone.
If, after the change, DNS The ads are blocked anyway, check if your operator uses its own filter, for example, MTS or Beeline can impose their own filters. DNS-servers, in this case:
- 📶 Switch to the switch. 4G/LTE (if you were 3G).
- 🔄 Turn on the mode. 4G mobile network settings.
- 🛡️ Use it. VPN (For example, ProtonVPN or Warp from Cloudflare).
How to check the current DNS-server?
Method 3: Configure the browser (Mi Browser, Chrome, Firefox)
If the ads are blocked only in the browser, the problem lies in its settings.
| browser | The path to settings | What to turn off |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Browser | ⋮ → Settings → Confidentiality | Options Blocking Pop-ups and Content Filtering |
| Google Chrome | ⋮ → Settings → Confidentiality → Security | Safe viewing (set without protection) |
| Mozilla Firefox | ☰ → Settings → Confidentiality | Protection against Tracking (select the Standard) |
For Mi Browser, it is also recommended to reset the settings to factory:
- Open the browser and go to ⋮ → Settings → Additionally.
- Select Reset Settings and confirm the action.
Warning: If the ads still don't show after the reset, remove the browser and reinstall it from Google Play. In some cases, installing alternative browsers like Brave or Opera that don't conflict with MIUI helps.
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If you’re using Google Chrome, try turning off sync with your Google account – sometimes it automatically applies security filters.
Method 4: Disable MIUI Optimized (for power users)
MIUI Optimized optimizes the system, but can also block ad modules to turn it off:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version until the notification appears.
Settings → Additional → For Developers
MIUI Optimized
Reboot the phone.
Disabling MIUI Optimized may result in increased battery consumption and unstable performance of certain functions (such as gestures or animations) and is recommended only if other methods have not worked.
After deactivation of the mode, check:
- 🔋 Battery consumption in Settings → Battery.
- 📱 Apps (especially YouTube, Instagram, TikTok).
- 🔄 Stability of Internet connection.
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Disabling MIUI Optimized is a last resort, so try all the other methods and back up the data before you do it.
Method 5: Using VPN or alternative DNS through applications
If system settings do not help, install third-party software to bypass locks:
- 🛡️ 1.1.1.1: Faster & Safer Internet (from Cloudflare) DNS bypassing the operator's filtering.
- 🔒 AdGuard is paradoxically an ad blocking app, but in its settings you can disable all filters and use only as a filter. DNS-proxy.
- 🌐 NextDNS – a service with flexible settings, where you can manually disable ad filtering.
Instructions for AdGuard:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Open it and go to Settings → General → Traffic Filtering.
- Turn off all filters (e.g. AdGuard Base filter, EasyList).
- Activate DNS Protection and specify the 1.1.1.1 server.
Note: Some applications (e.g. banking) may conflict with VPNs or custom DNSs. If SberBank Online or Tinkoff stop working after setting up, temporarily turn off protection.
What do you do if nothing helps?
If none of the methods worked, the reasons may be as follows:
- 📱 Castom firmware – if the Redmi 9 has an unofficial version installed MIUI (For example, Xiaomi.eu, it can be hard-wired to have a blocker. Try reflashing the phone to the official global version.
- 🔄 System updates - after update MIUI Some settings are reset. Check the firmware version in Settings. → The phone.
- 📡 Operator lock – some mobile operators (e.g. Tele2) filter traffic at the network level. VPN.
If you are willing to take drastic measures, consider:
- 🔧 Unlocking the loader and installing custom recovery (TWRP).
- 📲 Installation of alternative firmware (for example, LineageOS).
- 🛠️ Manual editing of hosts file (requires root rights).
These methods are complex and risky – they can lead to loss of warranty or “bricking” the device. If you are not sure of your abilities, contact the Xiaomi service center.