The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is still one of the most popular budget smartphones, but many users are faced with intrusive floating windows — whether it’s ads in MIUI, pop-up notifications from apps or system prompts. These windows are not only annoying, but can slow down the device by 15-20% due to the constant load of background processes. In this article, we will examine all possible sources of floating windows and ways to turn them off — from standard settings to radical methods for advanced users.
It is important to understand that floating windows are of three types: 1 System notifications MIUI (updates, tips for use), 2 Advertising in branded services (Music, Browser, Security), 3 Pop-ups from third-party applications (games, social networks, instant messengers).
Each type requires a different approach, there is no universal solution, and we tested all methods on the Redmi Note 8 with MIUI 12.5/14, and only selected those that work consistently.
1.Switching off system floating windows in MIUI
The first step is to get rid of the standard pop-up prompts and notifications that the MIUI shell itself shows, which are the windows that appear when you first start functions, updates, or when the system thinks you need help, and you can turn them off without root rights or third-party programs.
Go to: Settings → Memory → Autorun
Turn off auto-run for MiuiDaemon and System Tracing apps here, which are responsible for most system prompts. Then go back to the basic settings and select:
Settings → Notifications → Additional → Floating Notifications
Turn off the switch for all applications except mission-critical (such as calls or SMS).
- 🔧 MiuiDaemon – responsible for smart prompts (e.g., “Plug headphones in for better sound")
- 📱 System Tracing – collects usage data and shows recommendations
- 🔔 Floating notifications – small windows on top of the screen (e.g. from Google Play)
⚠️ Warning: MiuiDaemon shutdown can hide useful notifications of low battery charge or overheating. If you notice problems, return the settings back.
Disable auto-start MiuiDaemon|Disable Auto-Start System Tracing|Turn off floating notifications for unnecessary applications|Check the section "Special Permits"-->
2. Removal of Advertising in Xiaomi Branded Apps
Xiaomi is known for embedding ads into its services — Mi Browser, Mi Music, Security, and even Settings — which often appear as floating windows when opening apps, and fortunately, can be removed without removing the programs themselves.
Method 1: Through Advertising Settings (works on MIUI 12.5+): Settings → Memory → Advertising Settings → Disable “Recommendations”
Then, in the same menu, select Reset Ad ID and confirm the action.This will delete your profile for targeted advertising.
Method 2: For specific applications:
- 🌐 Mi Browser: Open your browser → Settings → Additionally. → Deactivate "Show the news"
- 🎵 Mi Music: Go to the app → Profile → Settings → Delete “Personalized recommendations"
- 🛡️ Security: Settings → About the programme → Disable "Show Ads" (you may need several clicks on the application version)
| Annex | The path to settings | What to turn off |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Browser | Settings → Additional | "Showing news", "Recommendations on the home screen" |
| Mi Music | Profile → Settings | "Personalized recommendations", "Banners on the playback screen" |
| Security | Settings → About the program (stamp 5 times according to the version) | "Showing Advertising", "Smart Tips" |
| Mi Video | Profile → Settings → Notifications | "Content recommendations", "Floating windows when viewing" |
Mi Browser|Mi Music|Security|Mi Video|Other-->
3.Blocking floating windows from third-party applications
Many games and social networks (e.g. Facebook, AliExpress, PUBG Mobile) display floating windows with offers, updates, or ads, which appear on top of other applications and can interfere with work, and blocking them requires a comprehensive approach.
Step 1: Stop overlaying windows in Android settings.
Go to:
Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three dots (menu) → Special permissions → Showing over other windows
Turn off permission for all suspicious applications here.
- 🎮 Games (PUBG, Free Fire, Call of Duty)
- 🛒 Marketplaces (AliExpress, Joom, Wildberries)
- 💬 Messengers (Viber, Telegram with chatbots enabled)
Step 2: Use ADB for deep shutdown (requires a PC).
If floating windows keep popping up, you can block them at the system level through ADB. Connect your phone to your computer, turn on USB Debugging, and execute the command:
adb shell pm revoke <package_name> android.permission.SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOWWhere <package_name> — Application ID (e.g. com.alibaba.intl.android.apps.poseidon for AliExpress) can be found through Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Additionally.
⚠️ Attention: Disabling permission SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW For system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui) it can cause a broken interface!
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To quickly find a problem application, use the command adb shell dumpsys window | grep mCurrentFocus - it will show which window is active on top of the others.
4 Hidden MIUI settings: disabling smart prompts
Xiaomi hides some of the settings that are responsible for floating windows with "useful" tips, which are prompts that appear when you hold a button for a long time or try to use the feature for the first time, and can be turned off through an engineering menu or hidden codes.
Method 1: Using ##6484## (MIUI test code).
Enter this code in the Phone app as if you were calling. The MTK Engineer Mode menu will open.
MTK Settings → Smart Tips → Disable Smart Tips
This will disable the majority of the system's pop-up prompts.
Method 2: Activity Launcher (Google Play app)
Install Activity Launcher, search for com.android.settings, and open.MiuiSmartTipsSettings, where you can deactivate certain types of prompts:
- 🔄 Tips for changing the network (Wi-Fi/mobile)
- 🔋 Tips for saving battery
- 📶 Notification of weak signal
What if the #6484## code doesn't work?
5. Radical methods: Disconnection via ADB and Magisk
If standard methods don't work, you'll have to use advanced tools, which require USB or root debugging, but are guaranteed to remove all floating windows, including system windows.
Method 1: ADB-deep-cleaning.
Connect your phone to your PC and do it in turn:
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.analytics
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolutionThese commands remove Xiaomi’s analytics and advertising modules, and once rebooted, the floating windows from the system services will disappear.
Method 2: Magisk + Disable Flag Secure module
If you have root, install the Disable Flag Secure module through Magisk, which allows you to block secure windows (such as from Netflix or banking apps) that sometimes conflict with MIUI and cause artifacts on the screen.
| Method | Required rights | What's blocking | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADB-team | USB debugging | Systems analytics and advertising | Some MIUI features (such as themes) may stop working. |
| Magisk + Disable Flag Secure | Root | Secure windows (DRM, banking) | Applications with protection can break (Netflix, Sberbank) |
| Removal via Titanium Backup | Root | Any system applications | High risk of “bricking” when removing critical components |
⚠️ Note: Deletion of com.miui.systemAdSolution may result in loss of functionality of branded themes. If you use custom themes, make a backup through Settings → Topics → My subjects. → Exports.
6. Alternative firmware: the last method
If nothing works, the most radical method is to reflash the phone on custom firmware without ads and floating windows.
- 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without unnecessary services Xiaomi
- 🔄 Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel interface and optimizations
- ⚡ Havoc-OS - customizable firmware with many settings
Firmware process:
- Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a wait of 7-15 days).
- Install TWRP Recovery for Ginkgo (you can download it on the official website).
- Download the firmware (like LineageOS for ginkgo) and transfer it to your phone.
- Boot in. TWRP (power + Vol Up and stitch ZIP-file.
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Custom firmware completely removes the floating MIUI windows, but requires unlocking the bootloader. This voids the warranty and can lead to data loss. Do backup through TWRP before firmware!
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Many users make mistakes when trying to remove floating windows, which has the opposite effect of windows appearing more often or the system starts to lay.
- ❌ Disabling all notifications → Leads to missing important messages (calls, SMS). Solution: Turn off only floating notifications (Settings) → Notifications → Floating).
- ❌ Removing system applications without backup → It can break the interface. Solution: Before removing through ADB Titanium Backup or backup to backup TWRP.
- ❌ Using “optimizers” from the Play Market → Many of them are showing ads themselves. Solution: Use only proven tools (Greenify, AppOps).
- ❌ Turning off Google Play Services → Breaks most apps. Solution: Instead, turn off ads in Google settings (Settings) → Google → Advertising → Disable personalization).
If after manipulations floating windows still appear, check: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three points → Show system
Sort by installation date and find recently updated apps – they are often to blame.