How to permanently remove ads on Xiaomi Redmi 8: system settings and radical methods

Xiaomi Redmi 8 owners often face annoying ads in system apps, notifications and even on the lock screen.The manufacturer has integrated ad modules into the MIUI shell for monetizing budget devices, but users do not have to put up with it. Unlike flagship models, where there are almost no ads, Redmi 8 (released in 2019) suffers from a glut of banners - especially in regional firmware for Russia, India and China.

The problem is compounded by the fact that ads are not only annoying, they also consume traffic, slow down the interface, and sometimes even overheat the processor due to background ad activity. Fortunately, there are several ways to turn it off, from standard settings to radical measures like changing firmware. In this article, we will examine all current methods, including those that work on MIUI 12.5 and later (even without root rights).

⚠️ Note: Some methods require changing system files. This can lead to loss of warranty or unstable operation of the device. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

1. disable personalized advertising in MIUI settings

The safest and most official way to deactivate personalized ads is through the settings menu, which won't eliminate ads completely, but will significantly reduce the amount of ads, and it works on all versions of MIUI, including global and Chinese firmware.

Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Advertising (or Settings → Additional → Special Features → Advertising in new versions).

• 🔘 Disable the “Personalized Recommendations” slider – this will stop collecting data about your actions.
• 🔘 Clicking “Reset Ad ID” will reset your advertising profile.
• 🔘 In the "Interests" section, delete all tags (if any) - so the system will not select ads to your preferences.

After these actions, advertising in system applications (Weather, Music, Themes) will become less intrusive, but banners in the Browser and Downloads may remain.

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If the "Mi Advertising" option is not on the menu, upgrade to the latest version of the firmware or use the method with ADB (described below).

2. Blocking Advertising through ADB (without root)

A more radical, but still safe, method is to disable advertising services via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which does not require superuser rights, but you will need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and the ADB Tools package.

First, turn on USB debugging on your phone:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable “Debugging by USB”.

Now connect Redmi 8 to your PC and execute the following commands in the command line (cmd):

adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.midrop


adb shell pm hide com.miui.analytics




adb shell pm hide com.miui.systemAdSolution




adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.market

These commands disable the main MIUI advertising modules. Once the device is rebooted, the banners will disappear from:

• 📱 Lock screen;
• 📂 File manager;
• 🌐 System browser;
• ⚙️ Theme settings.

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI Some services may be activated again. Repeat the procedure or use an automatic script (see the section on Xiaomi). ADB/Fastboot Tools).

3.Remove Advertising with Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools

For those who don’t want to manually type commands, there’s Xiaomi’s ADB/Fastboot Tools utility (link to XDA), which automates the process of disabling ads, unwanted apps, and even unlocks some hidden MIUI features.

Instructions:

1. Download and unpack the utility on PC.
2. Connect Redmi 8 in mode USB-Debugging (as in the previous section).
3. Launch the XiaomiADBFastbootTools.exe file.
4. In the main menu, select "5. Manage Applications" → "Remove Bloatware".
5. Check all apps marked [AD] (e.g. Analytics, MSA, Mi Browser).
6. Click on Uninstall Selected and wait until it is completed.

The utility also allows:

• 🔄 Reverse updates of system applications;
• 🔒 Block Automatic Updates MIUI;
• 📵 Disable telemetry collection.

⚠️ Note: Do not remove appendices marked [SYSTEM] — This can lead to a critical failure and the need for reflashing.

4. change firmware to global or custom (for experienced)

If the system methods didn't work, you can install an alternative firmware.

1. Global stable firmware (official) – contains less advertising than the Chinese or Indian versions.
2. MIUI EU (unofficial) – firmware from European developers with remote advertising modules and advanced settings.
3. LineageOS or Pixel Experience - custom firmware based on pure Android (requires unlocking the bootloader).

The installation process of MIUI EU:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (can take up to 72 hours).
2. Download the latest version of MIUI EU for Redmi 8 (codenamed olive) from xiaomi.eu.
3. Install it through TWRP Recovery (instruction below).

To install TWRP:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-olive.img


fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-olive.img

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware voids the warranty and may result in a device blink if the inappropriate version is selected. → The phone. → Model (should be) M1908C3IG global version).

5. Blocking Advertising via DNS or VPN

If you don't want to interfere with system files, you can block ad domains at the network level.

• 🌍 Change. DNS-server at 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google) → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Settings DNS.
• 🔒 Use it. VPN with advertising blocking, for example:

• 🛡️ AdGuard VPN — blocks trackers and banners;
• 🚀 Blokada – works without root, filters traffic;
• 🌐 NextDNS – allows you to create custom blocking rules.

These methods will not remove ads from MIUI system applications, but will significantly reduce the amount of advertising in the browser, games and third-party programs, the main advantage of which is that you do not need to root or unlock the bootloader.

⚠️ Attention: Some VPN-Apps show ads themselves. Only use proven open source services (e.g. Blokada or RethinkDNS).

6 Radical methods: root and modification of system files

If nothing works, the last option is root rights and manual removal of ad modules, which is only suitable for advanced users, as it carries risks:

• 🚨 Loss of guarantee;
• 🔄 Impossibility of updating MIUI airborne;
• 🛠️ Risk of "brike" in an error.

To obtain root:

1. Unlock the bootloader (as in the section about firmware).
2. Install Magisk via TWRP.
3. Download Disabler for Xiaomi or Xiaomi Debloater in Magisk.
4. Activate the module and restart the phone.

After that, you can:

• 🗑️ Remove any system applications, including com.xiaomi.midrop and com.miui.analytics;
• 🔧 Change hosts files to block ad domains;
• 📵 Disable background processes that collect data.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 13+ Magisk modules may not work due to the increased protection of the kernel, in which case only changing the firmware to the new one will help. MIUI EU or LineageOS.

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Root rights give you complete control of the system, but they deprive you of official Xiaomi support. Use this method only if you are ready to solve any problems yourself.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 8 ads