Why Chrome is getting ads on Xiaomi – and how to fix it
Xiaomi smartphone owners often face intrusive ads right in Google Chrome — banners at the bottom of the screen, pop-ups when opening new tabs or even redirecting to third-party sites. In 80 percent of cases, the problem lies not in the browser itself, but in the MIUI branded shell, which integrates advertising modules at the system level. Even after resetting settings or reinstalling Chrome, advertising can return — because its source is hidden in Xiaomi services, not Google.
In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to disable ads in Chrome on Xiaomi, from basic MIUI settings to radical methods like disabling system applications via ADB. All the instructions are relevant for devices on MIUI 12/13/14 (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark), and also take into account the features of the latest versions of Chrome (120+).
Important: Some methods require superuser rights (root) or disabling system applications, which can disrupt MIUI. Before making changes, back up your data via Settings → About Phone → Backup.
Method 1: Disabling Advertising in MIUI Settings (without root)
The first and safest method is to deactivate ad services directly from the MIUI menu, which works on 60-70% of devices and requires no technical skills, but to know where to look for hidden switches.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Password and security → Authorization and blocking.
- 🔍 Scroll down to the Advertising section (some firmwares call it Personalized Advertising or Monetization Services").
- ⚙️ Disable all switches: "Personalized recommendations" (collects data for targeted advertising), "Show ads in system applications" (responsible for banners in Chrome, Gallery, Weather) "Monetization" MIUI" (includes partnership offers)
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – the changes will come into force after the reboot.
If you don't have an Ads section on the menu, your firmware can be Global ROM or European (EEA), where the ad settings are hidden deeper, in which case you can move to Method 2.
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note) 10 pro POCO X3 Pro) after disabling advertising in MIUI Chrome banners may not disappear immediately, but through 12-24 This is due to caching ad modules. To speed up the process, clear the Chrome cache through Settings. → Annexes → Chrome → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
Method 2: Block ads via Hosts file (without root)
If system settings don’t work, the next step is to edit the hosts file, which blocks the connection to the ad servers, a method that doesn’t require root rights, but requires installing a third-party application.
Step-by-step:
- Download the Blokada or AdGuard app (free versions) from Google Play.
- Launch the app and select “No VPN” (in Blokada) or “Local VPN” (in AdGuard).
- Enable ad blocking and reboot the device.
- Check Chrome – banners and pop-ups should disappear.
If the blockers don’t work, the reason could be an active system VPN from Xiaomi (such as Mi VPN or Private DNS). Disable it in Settings → Connections → VPN.
Install Blokada/AdGuard| Disable Mi VPN| Clear Chrome |Cache Reboot phone-->
| Annex | Efficiency | Need root? | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blokada | 85% | ❌ No. | Can conflict with Mi VPN |
| AdGuard | 90% | ❌ No. | Restrictions on the free version |
| DNS66 | 70% | ❌ No. | A complex setup for beginners |
| Edit Hosts (root) | 99% | ✅ Yes. | Risk of disrupting MIUI |
Method 3: Disable system applications via ADB (for advanced)
If previous methods didn’t work, the problem lies in Xiaomi’s system apps, which integrate ads into Chrome, which can be disabled via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) without getting root permissions, a method that is suitable for users willing to work with the command line.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
- 📥 ADB Tools by Google
- ⚙️ Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to unlock the developer menu, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB)
Commands to disable advertising modules (enter one at a time in cmd or terminal):
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analytics
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.msa.globalAfter completing the commands, restart your smartphone. Ads in Chrome should disappear, but note: disabling these services may disrupt Mi Cloud, Themes, and other MIUI features.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or POCO F4) Disabling com.miui.msa.global can lead to errors in synchronization of the Mi Account. If after executing commands there are problems with authorization - return the application with the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.msa.global
Method 4: Installation of an alternative browser (radikalnyj variant)
If fighting ads in Chrome seems too difficult, the easiest way out is to switch to another browser where MIUI ad modules don't work.
- 🦊 Mozilla Firefox – blocks trackers by default, supports extensions like uBlock Origin.
- 🛡️ Brave Browser – built-in ad blocker and protection against phishing.
- 🌐 Kiwi Browser is Chrome-based, but without integration MIUI (Supports extensions from Chrome Web Store).
- 🔍 DuckDuckGo Browser – a private browser with lock trackers and Forced HTTPS.
How to transfer data from Chrome:
- Open Chrome. → ⋮ → Settings → Export bookmarks (save file to device).
- In the new browser, import bookmarks through a similar menu.
- Sign in to your Google account (if you need to sync your passwords and history).
EasyList
EasyPrivacy
AdGuard Annoyances
Method 5: Flashing to custom firmware (for experienced users)
If none of the methods worked, the last resort is installing custom firmware (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or ArrowOS) that would remove MIUI altogether along with all the ad modules, but would require:
- 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader)
- 🛠️ Established recovery (TWRP Or OrangeFox)
- 📥 Compatible Firmware for Your Model
- ⚠️ Understanding the risks (loss of warranty, possible device "brick)
The step-by-step guide to flashing is beyond the scope of this article, but the key steps are:
- Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires an account binding Mi).
- Install TWRP via fastboot.
- Download the firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience for Redmi Note 11 here).
- Sweat through TWRP, having previously made a backup.
After flashing ads in Chrome, there won’t be any — but you’ll lose branded MIUI features (like Second Space, Game Turbo, or Quick Apps).
💡
Firmware is the most radical, but also the most effective way, and only if you're willing to give up MIUI and any warranty issues.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When trying to remove ads, users often face typical problems, and here's how to solve them:
- 🔄 "Advertising returns after update MIUI" → Turn off automatic firmware updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⋮ → Settings → Deactivate "Auto-update".
- 📵 "Blokada/AdGuard not block ads" → Check if the private is included. DNS In Settings → Connections → Private DNS. Turn it off or set the value dns.adguard.com.
- 🔧 "ADB not disable applications" → Make sure you enter commands on behalf of the administrator (on Windows, run cmd via Win). + X → Command line (administrator)).
- 🚫 "After disabling system applications, theme/wallpaper stopped working" → Restore com.miui.themes with the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.themes
If none of the methods worked, check your smartphone for viruses using Malwarebytes or Dr.Web – some adverts (advertising viruses) masquerade as system processes and show ads even in the browser.