How to permanently remove advertising on Xiaomi: phones, TVs, smart watches

Advertising in Xiaomi devices has become one of the most talked-about issues among brand users. Even after buying premium models like Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Mi TV Q2, owners face intrusive banners in the settings menu, push notifications about promotions and built-in advertising in branded applications. The manufacturer explains the need to monetize budget devices, but for users this approach is often an annoying factor.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to disable advertising on different types of Xiaomi devices: MIUI smartphones, Android TV/PatchWall TVs, fitness bracelets and smart watches. From simple menu settings to radical methods using ADB and modified firmware, you will find a solution for any level of technical training. Importantly, some methods can lead to loss of warranty or unstable device operation, so read the warnings carefully before action.

Why is Xiaomi showing ads and is it legal?

Xiaomi has officially declared that advertising on their devices is part of a business model to keep prices low, and reports say that up to 30 percent of the brand’s revenue comes from ad integrations, which is legally stipulated in the user agreement you accept when you first switch on the device.

But there are nuances:

• 📱 On smartphones, advertising appears in MIUI (Launcher, settings, file manager, as well as in Mi Browser, Mi Video, Music and Themes applications.
• 📺 On Mi TVs. TV Banners are embedded in the PatchWall shell and appear even on the home screen.
• ⌚ In the Mi Band or Watch smartwatch, ads can come in the form of push notifications through the Mi Fitness app.

Xiaomi is not legally in violation of the law because the user consents to the displays, but ethically, many people find this practice unacceptable for devices that have already paid for them, for example, in the European Union in 2023, there were lawsuits against the company for intrusive advertising, which forced the brand to add the option to turn it off in some regions.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling ads through system settings (the first way) does not remove them completely - banners can appear in the Mi Browser and Mi Video apps.

Method 1: Disabling Advertising through MIUI Settings (without root)

The safest and most recommended method for beginners.Suitable for all Xiaomi smartphones based on the MIUI 12-14, including Redmi Note 12 models, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T The instructions are relevant for global and European firmware (EEA).

Steps to shut down:

1. Open Settings → About your phone and tap 7 times on the line version of MIUI to activate the Developer Mode.
2. Return to the main settings menu and go to Additional → Special Opportunities → Advertising.
3. Turn off the sliders: 🔘 Personalized recommendations 🔘 Promotional notices 🔘 Showing advertisements in MIUI (if)

Reset the device.

For Mi TVs (Q1E, A2, P1):

1. Press the Home button on the remote to open PatchWall.
2. Go to Settings → Account and Security → Advertising.
3. Disable all options related to Personalized Content and Advertising Recommendations.

Disable synchronization with Mi-account|Delete the cache of Mi Browser and Mi Video|Check the MIUI version (relevant for firmware older than 2022)|Return important data-->

⚠️ Note: Some of the firmware for the Chinese market (MIUI China) may not have the option to disable ads, requiring a change of region or firmware to a global version.

Method 2: Remove Advertising through ADB (without root but with PC)

If the standard settings do not help, you can use the Android Debug Bridge tool (ADB). This method does not require superuser rights, but requires a computer and a computer. USB-Suitable for all Android 8.0 devices+, including Mi TVs TV supportive ADB over Wi-Fi.

Step-by-step:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive in the folder C:\adb.
2. On your phone, activate USB Debugging in Settings → For Developers.
3. Connect the device to the PC and enter in the command line: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
4. Follow the commands in turn: adb shell pm hide com.miui.systemAdSolution adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.midrop adb shell pm hide com.miui.analytics
5. Reset the device.

For Mi TVs, use ADB over Wi-Fi:

1. In the settings of the TV, turn on Debugging over the network (Settings → About TV → Debugging over the network).
2. Connect via the command line: adb connect [IP-TV address]:5555
3. Follow the same commands as for smartphones.

If you still have ads after you run the commands, check if your system apps have updated, and sometimes Xiaomi returns the remote components through Google Play updates.

Method 3: Completely remove ads with root rights

Radical method for power users: Requires unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk or TWRP. Suitable for devices where other methods have failed. Attention: unlocking the bootloader resets the device to factory settings and may be ineffective.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a binding Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install TWRP for your model (see instructions on XDA Developers).
3. Please use Magisk to obtain root rights.
4. Install via Magisk modules: 🔧 Xiaomi ADB Fastboot Tools (for deep cleaning) 🔧 Disabler for Xiaomi (disables advertising services) 🔧 Universal Adblock (blocking ads at the level) DNS)

Reset the device.

For Mi TVs, the process is more complicated because of the closed firmware.

1. Install ATVXperience or other custom firmware.
2. Use Tasker to block advertising processes.
3. Set up Pi-hole on router for filtering DNS-request.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ and Mi TVs TV 2023-2026 release Xiaomi implemented anti-Rollback protection. Attempting to roll back on old firmware or installing an unofficial Recovery can permanently block the bootloader.

Method 4: Blocking Advertising via DNS and VPN

If you don’t want to interfere with system files, you can block ad servers at the network level, a technique that works on all Xiaomi devices, including smartwatches and fitness bracelets (if they’re connected to Wi-Fi).

Lockdown options:

• 🌍 Change of change DNS on the router: Go to the router settings and write DNS AdGuard or Cloudflare for Families: 94.140.14.14 (AdGuard) DNS) 1.1.1.3 (Cloudflare Family)
• 📱 Blocking applications: 🛡️ Blokada (no root requirement, block at level) VPN) 🛡️ AdGuard (there is a version for Android) TV) 🛡️ DNS66 (open-source solution)
• 📺 For Mi. TV: Install SmartTubeNext (an alternative YouTube client without ads) via Send Files to TV.

How to set up Blokada:

1. Download APK from the official website (not from Google Play!).
2. Turn it on. VPN-regime.
3. In the settings, select the block lists: 🔹 EasyList 🔹 EasyPrivacy 🔹 Xiaomi Trackers

Restart the app.

💡

If some websites (e.g. banking sites) are no longer open after changing the DNS, add them to the exceptions in the AdGuard or Blokada settings.

Method 5: Alternative firmware and custom ROMs

For users willing to take drastic measures, the best solution would be to install custom firmware, which would completely remove all Xiaomi advertising components, but require technical skills.

How to install Xiaomi.eu:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see Method 3).
2. Download the firmware for your model from the official website.
3. Go to TWRP and make a wipe (Dalvik/ART Cache, System, Data).
4. Please. ZIP-firmware.
5. Install Magisk (optional, for root).

💡

Custom firmware removes not only ads, but all Xiaomi’s proprietary services, including Mi Cloud, Find Device, and some camera features. Before installing, check the list of supported devices and user reviews.

How to remove ads in specific Xiaomi apps

Even after the system ad is turned off, banners can stay in branded apps, and we'll figure out how to clean up the most problematic ones.

1. Mi Browser (observer):

• 🔧 Open the browser, go to Settings → Privacy and disable Personalized News and Advertising Notices.
• 🔧 Install an alternative browser (like Firefox or Bromite) and make it the default browser.

2. Mi Video (video player):

• 🎬 In the application settings, disable Recommended Content and Notifications.
• 🎬 Use alternatives: VLC or MX Player.

3. Mi Fitness (for smartwatches):

• 🏃 In the app, go to Profile → Settings → Notifications and disable Advertising push notifications.
• 🏃 If the advertisement comes on the Mi Band watch 7/8, Reset your device to factory settings and don’t tie it to your Mi Account (use Notify & Fitness or Zepp Life as an alternative).

Themes (themes of design):

• 🎨 In the theme settings, disable Recommendations and Theme Updates.
• 🎨 Install. APK-Mi Home version with analytics disabled (see APKMirror).

For Mi TVs:

• 📺 Remove pre-installed apps (Mi Home, Mi Video) via ADB: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mitv.appstore
• 📺 Replace PatchWall with ATV Launcher or Wolf Launcher.

What if the advertisements returned after the update?

Xiaomi regularly releases updates that can return remote ad components. If banners reappear after the update, follow the following steps:

For smartphones:

• 🔄 Check if the settings have been reset in Special Opportunities → Advertising.
• 🔄 Repeat commands. ADB (Method 2) as system applications may be updated.
• 🔄 If you use Magisk, upgrade to Disabler for Xiaomi and Universal Adblock.

For televisions:

• 📺 Reset PatchWall to factory settings (Settings) → Reset).
• 📺 Reinstall an alternative launcher (e.g, ATV Launcher).
• 📺 Block ad server domains via Pi-hole or AdGuard Home on the router.

Universal advice:

• 🛡️ Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play.
• 🛡️ Use AppOps (permissions management app) to restrict internet access for com.miui.systemAdSolution.
• 🛡️ Regularly check the activity of advertising services through the ADB: adb shell dumpsys package com.miui.systemAdSolution

💡

Create a task in Tasker or MacroDroid that will automatically run ADB commands to block ads after each system update.

FAQ: Frequent questions about advertising on Xiaomi