How to completely remove ads on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: 7 working ways

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its owners often face intrusive advertising in system applications, notifications and even on the lock screen. The manufacturer has integrated ad modules deep into MIUI firmware to monetize cheap devices. However, there are legal ways to disable most advertising without root rights or custom firmware installation.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current methods, from basic settings in the smartphone menu to advanced tricks with ADB and third-party utilities. We’ll focus on the nuances for the Redmi Note 9 (codenamed merlin), as some options differ from other Xiaomi models. You’ll learn how to remove ads in the Browser, Music, Themes, Security, and even in the notification panels.

Important: All methods are tested on the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 (Android 12/13) for the Redmi Note 9. If you have a different firmware, some menu items may be called differently - but the logic remains the same.

Basic MIUI settings: Turn off ads manually

The first step is to deactivate the ad units through standard settings, which is the safest way, but it only removes a portion of the banners (mostly in system applications).

Open Settings → Password and Security → Authorization and Locking and do the following:

• 🔍 Turn off the “Recommendations” option – this will remove banners in the security menu.
• 📱 In the Settings section → Lock screen deactivate "Show recommendations" (remove ads on the locked screen).
• 🎵 In the Music app, go to Settings → Additionally, and disable "Personalized Recommendations".
• 🌐 In the Xiaomi browser, go to Settings → Privacy and deactivate "Personalized Advertising" and "Recommendations on the Main Page".

These actions will remove ~40% of ads, but banners in Topics, Calendar and Weather will remain.

💡

If after disabling the recommendations, the advertisement still appears, restart the smartphone - sometimes changes are applied only after the reboot.

2. disable personalized advertising through Mi Account

Xiaomi uses your Mi Account data for targeted advertising. You turn off local settings, banners can be downloaded from Xiaomi servers.

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Account.
2. Go to Confidentiality. → Personalization of advertising.
3. Turn off all switches: 📊 "Personalized recommendations" 📱 "Advertising based on device use" 🌍 "Location-based advertising"

Confirm the action via SMS or password (if required).

This method blocks ~30% of ads associated with your data, but system banners (such as in Topic or Cleanup) will remain.

3. Blocking Advertising through ADB (without root)

The most effective way to disable advertising services through Android Debug Bridge (ADB). It doesn't require root rights, but it will require a computer and 5 minutes of time.The method works on the Redmi Note 9 with any version. MIUI.

First, prepare your smartphone:

Enable Developer Mode (7 times click on MIUI version in Settings → About Phone)|

Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For Developers |

Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trusted device|

Download ADB Tools to your computer

-->

Now open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb.exe folder and enter alternately:

adb shell pm hide com.miui.systemAdSolution


adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.midrop




adb shell pm hide com.miui.analytics




adb shell pm hide com.miui.msa.global




adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser




adb shell settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0

These teams:

• 🚫 Disable the main advertising modules MIUI.
• 🔒 Blocking Xiaomi analytics (which collects data for targeting).
• 🌐 Deactivate the standard browser (where most advertising is available).
• 📡 Disable the Internet connection check (sometimes shows ads).

Warning: After the MIUI update, some services may be activated again. Repeat commands after the update!

4. Removal of system applications with advertising (requires unlocking the bootloader)

If you are willing to take more drastic measures, you can completely remove the apps responsible for displaying ads, and you need to unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool.

The list of “culprits” of the ads on the Redmi Note 9:

To delete, use an ADB or root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer).

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.themes

Replace com.android.themes with the desired package from the table.

💡

Removing system applications may disrupt some MIUI features (such as the themes of the design). Before deleting, back up through Settings → Additional → Backup!

5. Alternative methods: DNS and third-party blockers

If previous methods didn’t help or seem too complicated, try blocking ads at the network level or through third-party apps.

Method 1: Changing the DNS

Some Xiaomi ad servers can be blocked by changing the DNS on your smartphone:

1. Go to Settings → Connections → Private DNS.
2. Select "Host Name Provider" and enter: 🛡️ dns.adguard.com (blocks ads and trackers) 🔒 1.1.1.3 (Cloudflare Family – filters malicious sites)

Save and restart the phone.

Method 2: Blocking applications

Install one of these apps from Google Play:

• 🛡️ Blokada – Blocks Advertising at Level VPN (no root).
• 🚫 AdGuard – filters traffic and removes banners in the browser.
• 🔍 NetGuard – blocks access to ad domains (root needed to work full time).

Note that some blockers may conflict with Xiaomi’s MIUI Optimization process. If you have lags after installation, add the app to exceptions in Settings → Applications → Special Accesses → Battery Optimization.

6. Reset your ad settings (if nothing helped)

If the ad continues to appear despite all efforts, try resetting the ad settings to factory settings, which sometimes helps with ad module failures.

Follow the following steps:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Advertising (or com.miui.systemAdSolution) and open it.
3. Click on "Storage" → "Clear Data" and "Clear Cache".
4. Reboot the phone.

Once reset, re-disable all ad options from Section 1 of this article. If the ad returns, it is downloaded from Xiaomi servers and you need to use ADB or blockers.

💡

On some Redmi Note 9 firmware, the Ads option may be called "Miui Daemon" or "Ad Service." If you don't find it, search by settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner).

7.Extreme measures: custom firmware or root

If you are willing to sacrifice the warranty, you can install custom firmware without advertising (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience) or get root access for deep cleaning of the system.

For the Redmi Note 9, the process looks like this:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (you need a Xiaomi account and wait 7-30 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for merlin (instructions here).
3. Sweep through custom firmware or Magisk patch for root.
4. Remove all promotional packages via Titanium Backup or SD Maid.

Advantages:

• ✅ Complete removal of advertising at the system level.
• ✅ Possibility of fine tuning MIUI.
• ✅ Access to functions hidden in standard firmware.

Risks:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if you do not return the stock firmware before the service).
• ⚠️ Possible bugs (cameras, sensors, wireless modules).
• ⚠️ Difficulty of rollback to the original MIUI.

💡

On the Redmi Note 9 with firmware newer than MIUI 13, unlocking the bootloader can lead to blocking Widevine L1 (decreased streaming quality in Netflix, Disney+, etc.).

FAQ: Frequent questions about advertising on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9