How to remove the ad blocker on Xiaomi Redmi: official and hidden methods

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones often face a problem: the built-in ad blocker in MIUI removes not only intrusive banners, but also useful notifications from applications, breaks the display of web pages or interferes with the operation of some services. This is especially true for users of Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Redmi 11 Prime and other models on MIUI 13/14, where the ad blocking function is integrated deeper than in previous versions.

Turning it off is not as easy as it sounds: there is no direct “Switch off the blocker” option in the settings. You have to dig deeper, from system menus to editing configuration files. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods (including hidden ones) that are relevant for all Redmi models based on MIUI 12-14, except for Chinese firmware without Google services.

Why Xiaomi Redmi Ad Blocker is Hindering Users

The built-in blocker in MIUI works at the system level and filters traffic according to several criteria:

• 📵 DNS-filtering: blocks domains associated with ad networks (e.g. doubleclick.net, googlesyndication.com).
• 🔍 Filtration HTTP-query: analyzes the headers and body of responses to the presence of advertising tags.
• 📱 Local Rule Base: Uses lock lists from AdGuard and other sources, updated through the OS → Security.

The problem is that the system often fails, for example, a blocker might:

• 🚫 Remove push notifications from VKontakte, Telegram or banking applications (due to suspicions of “advertising spam").
• 🌐 Break the display of sites (for example, Avito or Yandex.Market), where advertising is built into the main content.
• 🎮 Interfering with the work of gaming launchers (Genshin Impact, Honor of Kings) due to blocking of analytical services.

⚠️ Note: On Chinese firmware (China) ROM) The ad blocker is more aggressive and can even block system updates. If you have this firmware, you better go straight to the method of using the system. ADB (section).

Method 1: Disconnection through "Security" (official method)

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI settings. It works on most Redmi models (except devices with China ROM), but can be reset after upgrades.

Instructions:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to Ad Blocker (may be called Ad Protection or Privacy).
3. Turn off the slider Ad-blocking.
4. In additional settings (cog in the upper right corner) disable: 🔄 Auto-update of the locking rules 🌐 Filtration DNS 📡 Keyword Blocking

If the item "Adblocker" is not in the menu, it means:

• 📱 You have China. ROM — Use method 4 (ADB).
• 🔄 Firmware updated to MIUI 14 - Try method 2.
• 🔧 The function is hidden by the manufacturer – go to method 3.

Method 2: Reset the Security settings (for MIUI 13-14)

In newer versions of MIUI (starting with 13.0.4), the ad blocker option may be removed from the interface, but the function itself continues to work, in which case resetting the Security application will help.

How to do this:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Security app (or Security in English firmware).
3. Slip the Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.
4. Reboot the phone.
5. Once you reboot, open Security again – the blocker option should appear.

If the method didn't work:

• 🔄 Try to update security via Google Play (if available).
• 📱 Check if third-party blockers (such as AdGuard or Blokada) are installed).

⚠️ Warning: Resetting Security Settings Will Also Remove: 🔐 Saved Wi-Fi passwords (if you used Mi Wi-Fi Assistant). 📱 Application permission settings (you will have to reconfirm access to the camera, microphone, etc.). 🛡️ Firewall rules (if you have manually configured them).

Method 3: Disconnection through "Special Opportunities" (hidden method)

This method works on MIUI 12-14 and allows you to disable the blocker without ADB or root permissions. It is based on the service menu that Xiaomi leaves for testing.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
2. Scroll down and find the Additional (or Advanced) section.
3. Tap 5 times in a row on the item Waiting time for automatic turn (or Auto-rotate timeout).
4. A hidden Developer Options menu will appear (if not, proceed to step 5).
5. Return to Settings → About Phone and tap 7 times on the MIUI version to unlock Developer Mode.
6. Now go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
7. Find the option to disable traffic filtering (or Disable traffic filtering) and activate it.

If there is no option:

• 📱 You have China. ROM — use ADB (Method 4).
• 🔄 Firmware modified (e.g. Xiaomi.eu) - try Method 5.

💡

If the blocker continues to work after activating the option, restart the phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → “Reboot in Safe Mode”) and repeat the steps.

Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)

If previous methods have failed, the most reliable way is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which runs on all firmware, including China ROM, but requires a computer and minimal technical skills.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, stable connection).
• 📥 Installed Xiaomi drivers (you can download from the official website).
• 🛠️ Tool. ADB (download).

Step-by-step:

1. Enable Developer Mode (as in Method 3).
2. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → For developers.
3. Connect the phone to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and go to the folder with ADB.
5. Enter the command: adb shell settings put global private_dns_mode It's off. DNS-filtering.
6. Then do: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.guardprovider This will disable the blocker service.
7. Reboot the phone.

If the blocker is activated again after the restart:

• 🔄 Repeat commands and add: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.guardprovider (removes blocker updates).
• 📱 Check if the settings for debugging have been dropped USB.

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB They reset after you reset your phone to the factory settings. If you do Hard Reset, the blocker will turn on again.

Method 5: Editing a hosts file (for root users)

If you have root rights (e.g., through Magisk), you can manually disable the blocker by removing the rules from the hosts system file, a method that is the most radical and suitable for users who are willing to risk the stability of the system.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/etc/hosts
3. Make a backup of the hosts file (copy it elsewhere).
4. Open the file in the text editor and delete all lines starting with: 127.0.0.1 ad. or 0.0.0.0 doubleclick.
5. Save the changes and restart the phone.

If there are problems after editing:

• 📱 Phone does not turn on – restore backup of hosts via TWRP.
• 🌐 Some sites are not working – check if you have deleted critical posts (for example, for localhost).
• 🔄 The locker's back on — MIUI Use Magisk to lock the com.miui.guardprovider module.

💡

Editing a hosts file without root rights is impossible! If you don't have superuser rights, use Method 4 (ADB) or Method 1.

What to do if none of the methods worked

If you’ve tried all the methods, but the ad blocker on Xiaomi Redmi is still active, the following reasons are possible:

Extreme measures:

• 🔄 Reflashing to the global version MIUI (Delete all data, but it is guaranteed to remove the blocker).
• 📱 Use of third-party DNS (for example, 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8 customized Wi-Fi/mobile).
• 🛡️ Install an alternative blocker (e.g. AdGuard) that can be configured flexibly.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the ad blocker on Xiaomi Redmi