How to permanently remove floating windows on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Floating windows on Xiaomi smartphones are one of the most annoying features of MIUI firmware, which haunts users with ads, notifications from system applications and unnecessary pop-up prompts. Even after disabling basic advertised features, many are faced with banners continuing to appear on top of the interface, interfering with the phone. In this article, we will take a look at all possible sources of floating windows β€” from standard notifications to hidden MIUI services β€” and show how to turn them off once and for all, including little-known tricks for the latest firmware versions.

It is important to understand that floating windows come in three types: 1 Advertising (from Xiaomi or third-party applications), 2 System Notifications (updates, MIUI tips), 3 Overlays from applications (for example, chat heads in instant messengers).

Each type requires a different approach – there is no universal solution. We have tested all methods on the Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5 with MIUI 14/15, so the instructions are relevant for most modern devices of the brand.

1. Disabling advertising in MIUI is the first step

The main source of floating windows is built-in ads from Xiaomi, which can appear in the settings menu, on the lock screen or even on top of running applications, to remove it:

  1. Going into Settings β†’ About the phone and tapai according to the version MIUI 7-10 Once you have the words β€œYou became a developer".
  2. Return to the main settings, open Additional β†’ Special features β†’ Developer settings.
  3. We search for Disable MIUI (or Personalized Ad Recommendations) and deactivate it.

Some models (e.g. Redmi 10C) may not have this item.

  • πŸ”§ Use it. ADB-Command: Adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution (requires enabled) USB-debugging and PC).
  • πŸ“± Install a patch through Magisk (rooted devices only): Disable module MIUI Ads.

πŸ’‘

If you turn off the ad, check the GetApps app, which often ignores system settings, and can be completely removed via ADB: adb shell pm uninstall-k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks.

2. Block notifications from system applications

Floating windows are often generated by MIUI system services such as Mi Video, Mi Browser or Security to turn them off:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management.
  2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all processes.
  3. Find apps called com.miui., com.xiaomi. or android.ext.services.
  4. For each of them, turn off Show notifications and floating windows (if there is such a item).

Pay special attention to these applications (they are most often to blame for the appearance of overlays):

  • 🎬 com.miui.video - Floating mini-players
  • πŸ”’ com.miui.daemon – background security notifications
  • πŸ“± com.xiaomi.joyose – The Joy of Using"
  • πŸ›‘οΈ com.miui.securitycenter – Security Center (often shows β€œoptimization")
List of safe to disable system applications
Disabling these services will NOT disrupt your phone, but it may hide some of the features of MIUI: - com.miui.analytics (statistics collection) - com.xiaomi.ab (feature testing) - com.miui.bugreport (error reports) - com.miui.cloudservice (the Xiaomi cloud, if not used) - com.xiaomi.midrop (file transfer over Wi-Fi Direct).

3. Set up floating window permits

MIUI has a separate menu for overlays, but it's well hidden.

  1. Open Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Permissions β†’ More.
  2. Select Show over other apps (or Display pop-up windows).
  3. You'll see a list of all the apps that can create floating windows. Turn off the resolution for the unnecessary ones.

Pay attention to these apps – they are most often abused overlays:

AnnexWhat is responsible for?Can I turn it off?
com.android.systemuiSystem interface (notification panels)❌ No (critical for work)
com.miui.homeMIUI launcher (desktop)⚠️ Partially (may break widgets)
com.xiaomi.mi_connect_serviceInterface with devices (headphones, bracelets)βœ… Yes (unless you use accessories)
com.miui.screenrecorderScreen recordingβœ… Yes.
com.miui.notesXiaomi notesβœ… Yes.
πŸ“Š What floating windows annoy you the most?
Banner advertisements
Notifications of updates
Mini players on top of games
MIUI tips
Other

Important detail: once permissions for system applications (e.g. com.miui.home) are turned off, the functionality of widgets or navigation gestures may disappear. If you notice bugs, return the permission back.

4. Removal of pre-installed applications (without root)

Many floating windows are generated by pre-installed software that cannot be removed by standard means, but there is a workaround through ADB (Android Debug Bridge):

  1. Install Platform Tools on your PC.
  2. Turn it on. USB-Debugging on the phone (Settings) β†’ The phone. β†’ Version. MIUI β†’ 7 taps β†’ Developer settings β†’ Debugging by USB).
  3. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb devices (your device should appear).
  4. Use the command to remove unnecessary software. Examples: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.cleanmaster (cleaning) adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.scanner (document scanner) adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer (videoplayer)

The full list of applications for safe removal:

Delete Mi Video (com.miui.videoplayer) |

Delete Mi Browser (com.android.browser)|

Delete GetApps (com.xiaomi.mipicks)|

Delete Mi Music (com.miui.player) |

Delete Mi Pay (com.miui.mipay) |

Delete Game Turbo (com.xiaomi.glgm)|

Remove Cleaner (com.miui.cleanmaster)-->

⚠️ Note: Do not remove applications called com.android. or com.qualcomm. – this may cause your phone to fail. Also avoid removing com.miui.securitycenter, or you will lose access to your security settings.

5. Use of third-party tools

If manual methods do not help, you can use specialized utilities:

  • πŸ›‘οΈ App Ops (requires) ADB): Allows you to disable any permissions for system applications, including floating windows. APK s XDA Developers.
  • πŸ”§ MIUI Hidden Settings: Reveals hidden settings MIUI, where you can deactivate ad units, available on Magisk or as a standalone application.
  • 🚫 Blokada (no root): Blocks ad domains at the level DNS. Effectively against banners in system applications.

For advanced users, there is another way to change the build.prop file. Add a line to it:

ro.miui.has_real_blur=1

This will turn off the blur in floating windows and some animations, but may affect stability.

πŸ’‘

Third-party tools like App Ops or MIUI Hidden Settings require caution β€” incorrect settings can lead to a cyclical reboot of the phone. Always back up before experimenting!

6. Resetting settings and alternative firmware

If none of these methods work, radical measures remain:

  1. Factory reset: Sometimes floating windows appear because of corrupted system files. Reset will return the phone to "clean" state. Remember to back up! Path: Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ Reset.
  2. Installation of custom firmware: firmware on the basis AOSP (LineageOS or Pixel Experience are free of ads and floating windows MIUI. Disadvantages: Loss of some functions (for example, IR-blaster).

Before installing custom firmware, check the support for your model on the official LineageOS website. Xiaomi usually requires:

  • Unlocking the bootloader (fastboot oem unlock)
  • Installation of TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery
  • Formatting the data partition (will result in the loss of all data!)
What if the windows reappeared after resetting?
This means that the source of the problem is one of the restored apps. Try: 1. Don’t restore data from the backup – set the phone as new. 2. Install the apps one by one and see which floating windows return. 3. Check your Google account settings: sometimes ads come through Google Play Services (turn off Personalized Ads in Google settings).

7.Prevention: How to prevent the return of floating windows

To prevent the problem from returning after the MIUI update:

  • πŸ”„ Turn off automatic updates to system applications: Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management β†’ Three points. β†’ Auto-update β†’ Choose "Never".
  • πŸ“₯ Set up. APK Only from verified sources: Many floating windows appear after installing pirated software or mods.
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Use it. DNS-Filtering: In the Wi-Fi or mobile network settings, specify DNS 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 94.140.14.14 (AdGuard) DNS).
  • πŸ” Check the permissions regularly: After updating MIUI Some apps may request access to overlays again.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with global firmware (Global) ROM), Be prepared for a major update (e.g., with a MIUI 14 on MIUI 15) all the ad settings will reset. In this case, you will have to repeat the steps from this article.

FAQ: Frequent questions about floating windows on Xiaomi

Can I turn off the floating windows without a computer?
Yes, most methods in the article (disable permissions, delete app cache) do not require a PC, but you will still need a computer to completely remove system applications (via ADB) or install custom firmware.
Why does it still appear after the ad is turned off in the settings?
This is because Xiaomi uses multiple channels to display ads: Through system applications (GetApps, Mi Video) Through push notifications (Mi Push Service) Through built-in modules in Security or Cleaner You need to disable each source separately (see sections 1-3 of the article).
Is it safe to remove system applications through ADB?
Removing most com.miui. or com.xiaomi. apps is safe, but there are exceptions: ❌ Do not delete com.android.* - these are critical system components. ❌ Do not touch com.qualcomm.* (on Snapdragon processors) – responsible for modem and communication. ⚠️ Careful with com.miui.securitycenter - its removal can break the fingerprint scanner.For a full list of secure apps to remove, see section 4.
How to return floating windows for the desired applications (for example, messengers)?
If you have turned off overlays globally but want to leave them for specific applications (like Telegram or Viber for chat heads), do this: Open Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management. Select the desired messenger. Tap Permissions β†’ Additional β†’ Show on top of other applications. Enable permission and select Allow mode.
Does the transition help? EU-float-window firmware?
Yes, EU-Firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu) completely removes ads and most floating windows, as it is collected without Xiaomi ad modules. However, it has disadvantages: There is no Russian language in some versions. Some features (e.g. Mi Pay or regional services) may not work. It requires an unlocked bootloader. You can download it on the official forum.