How to permanently remove floating windows on Xiaomi phone: from ads to system notifications

The pop-ups on Xiaomi smartphones are one of the most annoying features of MIUI firmware, which can interfere with work, games or viewing content. These floating banners appear on top of all applications: ads from Mi Browser, notifications of new features, offers to update software or connect Mi Account services. In some cases, they even block part of the screen, requiring mandatory interaction.

Complicating the problem, the latest versions of MIUI (14-15) have hidden some of the settings behind several menu levels, and some windows (such as system security notifications) are only disabled through ADB or third-party utilities. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways from basic settings to advanced methods for power users, including working with application rights and modifying system files.

1. Disable ads and floating banners in MIUI

The main source of annoying pop-ups on Xiaomi is built-in advertising in system applications (Mi Browser, Mi Video, Security) and services (Mi Account, GetApps). Fortunately, most of it can be turned off through standard settings, but the paths to them differ depending on the firmware version.

Starting with MIUI 12.5, the company has gradually removed advertising for European regions, but in global and Chinese versions of firmware, it remains.

• 📱 Mi Browser: Open your browser → ⋮ → Settings → Additionally. → Advertising → Turn off all the switches. In some versions, the path may look like Settings. → Confidentiality → Personalized advertising.
• 🛡️ Security (Security): Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Security → Notifications → Turn off the notifications display.
• 📦 GetApps (Mi App Store): Go to the App Store → Profile → Settings → Promotional notices → Deactivate all options.
• 🔄 System Notifications: Settings → Notifications → Additionally. → Recommendations of the system → turn off the slider.

If you continue to see ads after these actions, check the device's regional settings, sometimes by switching from region to European Union (EEA):

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version until the developer mode notification appears.
3. Go back to Settings → More → Region and select European Union.
4. Reset the device.

2. Block notifications from specific applications

Floating windows are often generated not only by system services, but also by third-party applications (social networks, instant messengers, games). MIUI has a separate menu to manage notifications for each application, but it is hidden deeper than in other firmware.

To disable pop-up notifications for a specific application:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 📌 Select the app you want (like Facebook or Wildberries).
• 🔔 Slip on the Notification item.
• ⚙️ Turn off the switches Show notifications and pop-ups (if any).
• 🚫 To block completely, click Notification Categories and deactivate all available types.

Please note that some applications (such as banking or instant messengers) may stop working correctly after disabling notifications, in which case it is recommended to leave basic notifications, but to prevent pop-ups:

⚠️ Note: Disabling notifications for Google Play Services or Mi Account may cause sync services to fail. If errors occur after the changes, return the settings back.

3.Use of Do Not Disturb mode for global shutdown

If floating windows are too frequent and disruptive, you can use Do Not Disturb (DND) mode, which works more efficiently in MIUI than in standard Android, as it blocks not only sounds, but also visual notifications.

It can be activated in two ways:

For more flexible settings:

1. Go to Settings → Notifications → Do not disturb → Rules.
2. Select Set up rules → Add a rule.
3. Specify applications that can be excluded from the lock (for example, WhatsApp or Phone).
4. Save the settings.

Do Not Disturb is especially useful when playing games or watching videos, when floating windows can interrupt the process. However, remember that in this mode you will not receive important notifications (calls, SMS, alarms).

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If you need to temporarily turn off all notifications, hold the volume button for 3 seconds - this quickly activates the "Do Not Disturb" mode.

4. disable system floating windows via ADB (for power users)

Some pop-ups (such as security notifications, suggestions to update software, or connect Mi Cloud) don’t turn off through standard settings, and Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a low-level device management tool, will help.

Before proceeding, make sure that:

• 🔧 Developer Mode is enabled on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → tap 7 times).
• 🖥️ The computer has Xiaomi drivers installed and ADB (You can download from the official website of Android Developers).
• 🔌 Phone connected to PC by PC USB with debugging on USB.

Next, execute the following commands in the terminal (command line):

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks




adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.weather2




adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics

These commands are off:

• 📢 System Advertising Modules (com.miui.systemAdSolution).
• 🛒 Application Recommendation Service (com.xiaomi.mipicks).
• ☁️ Unnecessary weather notifications (com.miui.weather2).
• 📊 Analytics collection (com.miui.analytics).

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Before executing commands, back up your data. If you have errors after you turn off the services, return them with the command: adb shell pm enable com.name.packet

5. Removal of embedded applications without root rights

Many floating windows are generated by pre-installed applications (Mi Browser, Mi Video, GetApps) that cannot be removed by standard means, but can be deactivated or removed via ADB without obtaining root rights.

List of safe to remove system applications (do not affect the stability of the work):

Important: Removing system applications is irreversible (before settings are reset). If you are not sure, it is best to deactivate them first through Settings → Applications → Application Management → Disable.

After removing unnecessary applications, the number of floating windows will decrease by 70-80%, and the remaining 20% are usually associated with system services, which can only be disabled through firmware modification (requires unlocking the bootloader and installing custom recovery).

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Deleting system applications through ADB is safer than root, as it does not affect the system partition. However, make sure to back up the data before executing commands.

6. Alternative methods: third-party utilities and custom firmware

If the standard methods didn't work, you could use third-party tools or you could switch to custom firmware. Let's look at both.

Third-party utilities for blocking pop-up windows

Google Play has apps that can block floating windows at the system level.

• 🛡️ App Ops – allows you to disable individual permissions for applications, including displaying over other windows (SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW).
• 🚫 Disable Service – Deactivates system services responsible for advertising.
• 🔍 Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools – a utility for PC that automates disabling advertising through ADB.

Example of App Ops:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Grant him the rights through ADB (the instructions are in the description of the application).
3. Find the MiuiSystemAdSolution or SecurityCenter list.
4. Turn off permission to Overlay windows on top of other applications.

Transition to custom firmware

If you’re ready for radical measures, installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) will completely solve the problem of floating windows. MIUI.

Cons of the method:

• ⚠️ Requires unlocking the bootloader (resets all data).
• ⚠️ Possible problems with the camera or sensors (depending on the model).
• ⚠️ Loss of official guarantee.

If you decide to do this, follow the official instructions on the XDA Developers forum for your Xiaomi model.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you try to remove floating windows, users often face typical problems.

• 🔄 "After the notifications stopped coming SMS" → Check if you have disabled notifications for the Messages app. Return settings to Settings → Annexes → Communications → Notifications.
• 🔧 "ADB can't see the device" → Make sure that the debugging is enabled USB And you have the right drivers installed. Try another cable or port. USB.
• 📱 "After the removal of Mi Browser stopped opening links" → Install another browser (like Chrome) and make it your default browser.
• ⚡ "The phone began to slow down after disconnecting system services" → Return disabled packets via adb shell pm enable or reset settings.

If after all the manipulations floating windows continue to appear, check:

1. Is the firmware updated to the latest version (sometimes new versions of MIUI return disabled settings).
2. Have any viruses or suspicious apps installed (check out Google Play Protect or Malwarebytes).
3. Whether “special rights” are activated for any applications in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Showing over other windows.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions