How to permanently remove floating windows on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: from advertising to system notifications

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but many users face intrusive floating windows: advertising in games, system notifications about cleaning memory, offers to update software or connect to the Mi Cloud. These pop-ups are not only annoying, they also slow down the device, especially when multitasking is involved. In this article, we will look at all possible sources of floating windows and how to disable them — from standard settings. MIUI Up to Hidden Features for Experienced Users.

It is important to understand that floating windows are of three types: 1 Advertising (built into Xiaomi’s proprietary applications), 2 System (notifications about updates, security, memory), 3) From third-party applications (messengers, games, banking services).

Each type requires a different approach, there is no universal solution. We tested all methods on the Redmi Note 8 Pro with a different model. MIUI 12–14 (including global and Chinese firmware versions) and selected only running ones.

If you've tried to turn off notifications in your settings, but the windows keep popping up, don't rush to drop your phone to factory settings. 90 percent of the time, the problem is solved without drastic measures. Let's start with the simplest ways and gradually move on to the advanced ones.

1. Disabling advertising in branded Xiaomi applications

The main source of floating windows on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is advertising in standard utilities: Security, Themes, Music, Video and even Settings. Xiaomi integrates ad units into the standard utilities. MIUI system level, but can be deactivated through hidden parameters.

The method works on all versions. MIUI, global (EEA) You don't need root rights or any additional software:

• 📱 Open the Security app (shield icon).
• ⚙️ Go to Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
• 🔍 Scroll down and select Advertising Preferences (or Personalized Ad Recommendations in English).
• 🚫 Turn off the slider Personalized advertising and confirm the action.
• 🔄 Return to the main Security menu and check if banner ads have disappeared.

If there is no Advertising Preference, then your version MIUI In this case, use an alternative method:

1. Launch the Topic app.
2. Click on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
3. Select Settings → Advertising settings.
4. Turn off all available tumblers.

⚠️ Note: On Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Advertising may return after updates MIUI. In this case, you will have to repeat the procedure or consider the transition to the Global ROM.

2. Set up notifications for system applications

System floating windows are notifications from MIUI Optimization, Cleaner, Mi Cloud and other services that appear on top of all windows and often block interaction with the screen, and you can turn them off through the notification menu, but there are nuances:

Unlike regular notifications, system windows are managed separately, such as a message that says "Memory is almost full" or "Update". MIUI For better performance, they don't come as pushes, they come as pop-up dialogues:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search box, enter the name of the system application (for example, Cleaner or Security).
• 📛 Select the application and tap on Notifications.
• 🚫 Disable all notification categories, especially those marked “Pop-ups” or “Dialogues".

To completely disable system prompts, it is also recommended:

Settings → Memory → Autoclean → Disable “Show notifications”

3.Blocking floating windows from third-party applications

Google Play apps (games, instant messengers, banking services) often abuse floating windows, such as Free Fire or the Internet. PUBG Mobile shows ads on top of the game, and Viber or WhatsApp - pop-up notifications for new messages. On Redmi Note 8 Pro, this is controlled through special permissions.

To prevent applications from creating floating windows:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a problem application (such as a game or messenger).
3. Use other permissions (or additional permissions).
4. Find the item "Show on top of other applications" and turn it off.

For mass blackout:

• 📱 Use App Ops (requires permissions) ADB).
• 🔧 Enable Developer Mode (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — tap 7 times).
• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm grant com.lbek.appops android.permission.GET_APP_OPS_STATS
• 📵 In App Ops, find permission SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW Disable it for unnecessary applications.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling the permission to show on top of others for instant messengers will cause pop-up notifications about messages to stop working. If it is critical, leave the permission on, but set the priority notifications in the application itself.

💡

If after disabling permissions, the application stopped working, try to clear its cache first (Settings) → Annexes → Warehouse → Clear the cache).

4.Use Do Not Disturb mode to block all pop-ups

Function Do not disturb (DND) On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, you can completely block all notifications and floating windows, but smartly. If you configure it correctly, you get rid of intrusive pop-ups without missing important calls or messages.

How to turn on the selective mode DND:

• 🔔 Go to Settings. → Sound and vibration → Don't disturb.
• 🔄 Select a Schedule and set a time (for example, from 22:00 to 8:00).
• 📵 In the Exclusions section, allow calls and messages from Selected Contacts.
• 🚫 Enable Block Visual Notifications (Hides Floating Windows).

For permanent blocking of all pop-up windows (except alarm clock):

Settings → Do not disturb → Rules → Add rule → Select “No sound for indefinite period” → Enable “Block notifications”

On Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Do Not Disturb can be reset after rebooting. To avoid this, use third-party applications like Do Not Disturb Scheduler (requires permissions) ADB).

5 Advanced Methods: ADB and System File Modification

If the standard methods don't work, you'll have to use advanced methods, which require you to connect your phone to your PC and use it. ADB (Android Debug Bridge: These instructions are suitable for users who are not afraid of the command line.

Method 1: Disabling system dialogues through ADB

1. 🖥️ Install. ADB and Fastboot Tools on PC.
2. 📱 Turn on the debugging. USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — 7 taps → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
3. 🔌 Connect the Redmi Note 8 Pro to PC and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.analytics (this will disable analytics collection that often causes pop-ups).
4. 🔄 Use AdBlocking Security Ads: Adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

Method 2: Remove system applications (requires an unlocked bootloader)

If you're prepared for radical measures, you can remove unnecessary system utilities that generate floating windows.

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (official way from Xiaomi).
• 📦 Install custom recovery (for example, TWRP).
• 🗑️ With help. TWRP File Manager Delete the folders: /system/priv-app/MiuiDaemon /system/priv-app/Analytics

⚠️ Attention: Removing system applications can lead to unstable phone operation, update errors or even a "brick" (breaking firmware).Be sure to back up through TWRP Or Mi Flash Tool.

6.Alternative firmware: transition to custom MIUI or AOSP

If none of these methods worked, the last option is custom firmware. There are several alternatives available on the Redmi Note 8 Pro:

• 📱 MIUI EU (European assembly without advertising and Chinese services).
• 🤖 LineageOS or Pixel Experience (Pure Android without a single Android) MIUI).
• ⚡ Xiaomi.eu (optimized) MIUI blacked-out).

Advantages of custom firmware:

Instructions for installing Xiaomi.eu:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see section 5).
2. Download the latest version of Xiaomi.eu for Redmi Note 8 Pro (codename begonia) from the official website.
3. Set it through TWRP (Choose the Wipe → Format Data, then Install and specify downloaded ZIP-file).
4. After restarting, perform the initial setup.

💡

Custom firmware solves the floating window problem once and for all, but it requires technical skills. MIUI EU, As it is as close as possible to the stock version.

7 What to do if the floating windows returned after the update

MIUI It's known for resetting some settings after updates, including disabled notifications and ads. If floating windows come back, then you can use the algorithm:

1. 🔄 Check the version. MIUI In Settings → If the update came recently, it probably crashed.
2. 📋 Repeat the steps from Section 1 (disabling ads in Security and Topics).
3. 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management and check permissions for system utilities.
4. 📵 If the problem is in a third-party app, update it or remove it.

If windows only appear in certain applications (e.g., games):

• 🎮 Check the game settings: often ads can be turned off for domestic currency or in the premium version.
• 🛡️ Use Blokada or AdGuard to block ad domains (does not require root).
• 🔄 Reinstall the app – sometimes it helps.

On Chinese firmware (China) ROM) After the update, a new advertising system may appear, in which case only the transition to Global will help. ROM custom-made.

FAQ: Frequent questions about floating windows on Redmi Note 8 Pro