Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but many users face its main disadvantage: aggressive advertising in system applications and the MIUI interface. Advertising banners in the settings menu, push notifications from Mi Browser, pop-ups in Security - all this annoys and slows down the device. Fortunately, there are several ways to get rid of intrusive advertising without installing custom firmware.
In this article, we will discuss 5 Proven methods: from standard settings MIUI to advanced tricks with ADB. You will learn how to turn off ads in Xiaomi apps, remove banners in menus, stop push notifications and even block ad servers at the system level. 8 (model ginkgo/willow) and tested on the latest versions MIUI 12–14.
Important: Some methods require connecting your smartphone to your computer or installing additional apps, and if you're a beginner, start with the first two, they're the simplest and don't require technical skills.
1. disable personalized advertising in MIUI settings
The fastest and safest way to reduce the amount of advertising is to deactivate personalized recommendations in the MIUI settings, which will not eliminate the ads completely, but will reduce the amount of advertising by 40-60%, the method works without root rights and is suitable for any version of the firmware.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- 🔍 Scroll down and select About Phone.
- 🔧 Tap 5-7 times on the item Version MIUI, Notice: “You have become a developer!".
- 🔙 Return to the main settings menu and open a new section → Developer settings.
- 🔄 Find the Personalized Ads (or Advertising Recommendations) option and turn it off.
After that, restart your smartphone. Ads in system applications (Weather, Calendar, Themes) will be noticeably smaller, but banners in Security and Mi Browser can remain.
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If the item "Personalized advertising" is not in the developer settings, update the firmware to the latest version or use the method №3 ADB-team.
2. Manual disabling of advertising in system applications
Many of Xiaomi’s standard apps (e.g., Security, Mi Video, Mi Browser) have built-in ad settings that take 2-3 minutes to shut down and require no special knowledge. Below is a list of ad apps and a path to customize them.
| Annex | The path to settings | What to turn off |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Settings → Cleanup → A gear (⚙) → Promotional notices | Turn off "Show recommendations" and "Personalized advertising" |
| Mi Browser | Open the browser → Three points (⋮) → Settings → Additionally. | Disable "Advertising Notices" and "Personalized Content" |
| Mi Video | Profile → Settings → Notifications | Turn off "Push Advertising Notifications" |
| Topics | Profile → Settings → Advertising | Delete "Personalized recommendations" |
An important nuance: after updating applications through the Play Market or Mi App Store, the settings may reset. Check them every 1-2 months. If there is no ad item, then it is hidden in your firmware version (use it). ADB-section 4).
3. Blocking Advertising Notifications through Android Settings
Push notifications from Xiaomi with offers to install games or buy goods can be blocked at the Android level.This method does not require root rights and works even after resetting settings.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Put three points on it (⋮) in the upper right corner and select "Show system processes".
- Find it on the list: 📌 com.miui.systemAdSolution (responsible for system advertising) 📌 com.xiaomi.mipicks (advertising notices) 📌 com.miui.analytics (data collection for targeted advertising)
- For each of them: 🔕 Press “Stop” (if the button is active). 🔔 Select "Notifications" and turn off all switches. 🚫 In the "Permissions" section, disable "Opening on other applications".
After these actions, the advertising notifications will no longer appear, but the banners in the settings menu and applications may remain.
Install Xiaomi drivers on PC| Enable USB debugging in developer settings | Download ADB platform from Google | Connect Redmi Note 8 to PC via cable (use original cord)
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4. Completely disabling advertising through ADB (no root)
The ADB (Android Debug Bridge) method is the most effective way to remove all ads in MIUI, including banners in settings and system applications. It doesn't require root rights, but it requires basic command line skills.
Step-by-step:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and allow debugging over USB (a request will appear on the phone screen).
- Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
- Enter the commands in turn (after each click Enter): adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.analytics pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.
- Reboot your smartphone with the command: adb reboot
These commands remove the system components responsible for displaying ads and disable unnecessary applications (Mi Browser, Mi Video).If after the reboot some functions stopped working (for example, a player), return them with the command:
pm enable com.miui.playerWhat if the ADB can’t see the device?
5. Alternative methods: DNS blocking and third-party applications
If previous methods didn’t help or you don’t want to use ADB, try blocking Xiaomi’s ad servers at the network level.
Method 1: Change the DNS on your smartphone
The banner ads are downloaded from Xiaomi servers to specific addresses, and if you redirect those requests to "nowhere," the ads disappear.
- 🌐 Open the Settings. → Connections → Private DNS.
- 🔄 Select "Private Host Name" DNS" and type in dns.adguard.com or 1.1.1.3 (Cloudflare Family).
- 🔒 Save the settings and restart the phone.
Method 2: Blocking applications (without root)
Some apps from the Play Market can block ads at the system level.
- 🛡️ Blokada (free, blocks ads through the Internet) VPN).
- 🚫 AdGuard (there is a free version with restrictions).
- 🔍 DNS66 (Open source code works as a local code DNS-server).
⚠️ Note: When using ad blockers through VPN Internet speeds can drop by 10 to 15 percent, and some banking apps may also ban you from working through the Internet. VPN — Turn off the blocker when dealing with finances.
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Change of change DNS — The safest way to block ads, but it will not remove banners in system applications (for example, in "Security"). ADB-method.
Extreme measures: flashing to custom MIUI or AOSP
If you didn't get any of these, the last option is to install custom firmware without advertising, which is a radical solution that requires unlocking the bootloader and potentially gives you no warranty, but gives you full control over the device.
Firmware options for Redmi Note 8:
- 📱 MIUI by Xiaomi.eu - a modified version of the official firmware without advertising and Chinese services. OTA-update.
- 🤖 LineageOS or Pixel Experience – based firmware AOSP (pure Android MIUI). More skills are required for installation.
- 🔧 Havoc-OS or Corvus OS — Custom firmware with advanced settings and optimization for the Redmi Note 8.
⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware erases all data from the device and may result in loss of warranty:
- Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup.
- Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires a binding Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
- Use only firmware designed for the ginkgo (Redmi Note 8) or willow (Redmi Note 8T) model.
For detailed instructions on custom firmware installation, see the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums (section for Redmi Note 8). If you are a beginner, you should contact an experienced user or service center for help.