How to permanently disable ads on the lock screen Xiaomi: step-by-step guide

Ads on Xiaomi’s lock screen are one of the most annoying features of MIUI that users of the brand face. Even after buying premium models like the Mi 13 Ultra or Redmi K60 Pro, owners are forced to watch banners offering games, credits and promotions instead of a clean desktop. The reason lies in the company’s business model: monetization through advertising keeps device prices lower than those of competitors. But what if you are willing to sacrifice free cheese for comfort?

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to remove ads, from official settings to hidden tricks with ADB and modifying system files. It’s important to understand that some methods require unlocking the bootloader or superuser rights, which can affect the warranty, and we’ll also analyze why ads return after updates and how to avoid this.

Beginning with MIUI 14, Xiaomi actively blocks gray-based methods of disabling ads through configuration file editing. If your device is running the latest firmware version, be prepared for the fact that some of the methods may not work, in which case either official settings (they are limited) or switching to custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience remain.

1. Official method: disabling through MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in options of the system, and unfortunately, it doesn't remove the ads completely, it just reduces the amount of ads.

Open the Settings app and go to Lock Screen. Here you are interested in two things:

1. Lock screen style – choose the option “Only watch” or “Simple” (no widgets).
2. Recommendations – disable the slider “Show recommendations”.

Next, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → System Apps. Find Msa (this is Xiaomi’s advertising service) in the list and:

• 🔕 Turn off Auto Start".
• 📵 Disable access to the Internet (both via mobile and Wi-Fi).
• 🚫 Press “Stop” (if the button is active).

These actions will reduce the number of banners, but not remove them completely, because the ads are embedded at the level of the system services com.miui.systemAdSolution and com.xiaomi.midrop, which can not be disabled by standard means.

2. Disconnection via ADB (no root)

If the official settings don’t work, the next step is to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method does not require superuser rights, but a computer and a computer are required. USB-Important: after rebooting or updating MIUI part of the team can drop.

First, activate the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times on the MIUI version (you will be notified "You became a developer").
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Enable USB Debugging and Allow Debugging (always).

Now connect your phone to your PC, open the command line (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type in one by one:

adb devices


adb shell pm hide com.miui.systemAdSolution




adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.midrop




adb shell pm hide com.miui.analytics




adb shell settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0

After you've done the commands, restart the device. The ads on the lock screen should disappear, but there are nuances:

• ⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5) The pm hide command is only valid until the first update. MIUI.
• 🔄 If the ad returns, repeat the procedure or use an alternative command: adb shell settings put global. miui_optimize_ad 0

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Create a text file on the PC desktop with commands ADB And keep it like disable_xiaomi_ads.bat. You can quickly repeat the procedure after the update.

3. editing system files (root required)

For users with unlocked bootloader and superuser rights, the most reliable way is to edit MIUI configuration files. We will use the Root Explorer or Mixplorer application with root module.

Go to /system/etc/hosts

Open the hosts file in the text editor and add the following lines at the end:

127.0.0.1 ad.xiaomi.com


127.0.0.1 data.mistat.xiaomi.com




127.0.0.1 sdkconfig.ad.xiaomi.com




127.0.0.1 tracking.miui.com




127.0.0.1 api.brs.intl.miui.com

Save the changes, set the rights to 644 (rw-r--r---) and restart the device, a method that blocks access to ad servers at the system level.

To completely remove advertising modules, you can also delete files:

• 🗃️ /system/priv-app/MiuiSystemAdSolution
• 🗃️ /system/app/MSA
• 📄 /system/etc/permissions/com.miui.systemad.xml

⚠️ Note: Deleting system files can lead to unstable firmware.Before making changes, back up through TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery. On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) This may cause a system integrity check error on the next update.

4. Use of third-party applications

If you don't want to mess with ADB or root, you can try specialized utilities, which work on the principle of blocking advertising domains through a VPN or modifying traffic.

Top.-3 Applications to remove advertising on Xiaomi:

The most effective root-free solution is AdGuard with filters enabled:

• 🛡️ "AdGuard Base filter"
• 📱 "AdGuard Mobile Ads filter"
• 🇨🇳 "Chinese filter (specially for Xiaomi)

Once installed, launch the app, activate the protection, and restart the phone. The ads on the lock screen should disappear within 5-10 minutes.

5.Why does the ad return after the updates?

Many users complain that after the MIUI update, the ads on the lock screen reappear, which is due to Xiaomi restoring the standard settings of system applications.

1.MSA reset. When you update your firmware, com.miui.msa.global (Miui System Ads) automatically resets, and even if you disable it through ADB, you will need to repeat the procedure after the update.

2. Update Ads Modules. Xiaomi regularly updates the MiuiSystemAdSolution and AnalyticsCore packages through the Google Play Store or background services. These updates can bypass your locks.

3. changes in MIUI policy: Since MIUI 13, Xiaomi has tightened its control over advertising services, and new firmware versions have added security mechanisms that restore ads even after manually deleting files.

How do you deal with that?

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI in settings (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-update).
• 📵 Block the Internet for MSA through a firewall (e.g., NetGuard).
• 🔧 Use Magisk modules like this. MIUI Optimizations that block ads at the core level.

6. Alternative firmware: a radical solution

If none of these methods worked, the last option is to switch to custom firmware, which will completely remove all Xiaomi ad modules, but require unlocking the bootloader and losing warranty.

Best Firmware for Xiaomi without Advertising:

• 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without unnecessary services.

Installation process:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a wait of 7-15 days for new accounts).
2. Install custom Recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Make a full backup through the Recovery.
4. Sweep through the selected firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).

⚠️ Note: On devices with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi Note 12 or POCO M5) Unlocking the bootloader can lead to hardware locking of the camera or module NFC. Before firmware check compatibility on the forum XDA Developers or 4PDA.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When trying to remove ads, users often face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

Error 1: ADB does not see the device

• 🔌 Check if the debugging is on USB and whether Mi drivers are installed USB Driver.
• 🔄 Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🖥️ On Windows, run the command line on behalf of the administrator.

Mistake 2: Advertising is back after rebooting

• 📵 Use AdGuard with Local Mode enabled VPN".
• 🔧 Repeat commands. ADB or add them to the automatic execution script when downloading.

Error 3: I can't turn off the MSA

• 🛠️ On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T Pro) annex MSA Try to turn it off via AppOps).
• 🔒 Use Luck Patch to Freeze the App.

Error 4: After deleting system files, the phone will not turn on

• 🆘 Restore deleted files through TWRP (if there's a backup).
• 🔄 Refuse the device via the Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode.

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On devices with MIUI 14+ The most reliable way without root is a combination ADB-team + AdGuard with Chinese filter. ~90% of Ad Blocking.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions