How to completely remove Google ads on Xiaomi phones: from system banners to in-app advertising

Google’s ads on Xiaomi smartphones appear in unexpected places, from banners in system applications to intrusive notifications about the company’s services. Even after buying a device, users are faced with the fact that the manufacturer and Google have integrated advertising mechanisms at the firmware level. In this article, we will examine all the current ways to disable advertising, from standard settings to deep modification of the system, including methods for users without root rights and with them.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi uses two types of ads: native (on branded apps like Mi Browser or Mi Video) and Google ads (on Play, Discover, Chrome, etc.) We’ll focus on the latter category, because it’s often annoying because of aggressive targeting. If you want to get rid of all ads — including banners in MIUI — you’ll have to combine several methods.

Before you start, check the MIUI and Android version on your device: Settings path → About phone → MIUI version. Some methods only work on certain firmware, and improper actions can lead to system failure or loss of warranty. If you are not sure of your skills, start with the safest methods (sections 1-3).

1. Disable personalized Google ads through settings

The easiest and safest way to reduce targeted ads is to disable personalization in your Google account. This won't remove ads completely, but will make them less intrusive. MIUI.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open Google Settings (cog icon in the Quick Settings Panel or in the app menu).
• 🔍 Go to the Google section → Managing a Google Account.
• 🛡️ Select the Data and Personalization tab.
• 🚫 Scroll to the Advertising Settings block and click Disable Ad Personalization.
• 🔄 Restart the device to make the changes effective.

This method also disables the collection of data about your activity for targeted advertising on other Google services (YouTube, Gmail, etc.), however, banners in apps (such as Google Discover) will remain - they will simply become less relevant.

⚠️ Note: Disabling personalization does not affect the amount of ads in Xiaomi apps (e.g., Mi Browser).

2. Remove unnecessary Google services through ADB (no root)

If standard settings don’t work, you can disable Google’s system apps responsible for displaying ads using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that doesn’t require root rights, but requires connecting the phone to a computer.

List of applications that can be safely disabled:

• 📦 com.google.android.apps.nexuslauncher – Google Launcher (if you use it) MIUI Launcher).
• 📰 com.google.android.apps.magazines — Google Play News (Banner Source in Discover).
• 🎬 com.google.android.videos - Google Play Movies (advertising in recommendations).
• 🛒 com.google.android.apps.tachyon – Google Duplex (booking promotional notices).

Instructions for unsetting:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on the phone Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in the settings) and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command in the terminal: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.magazines (replace the name of the package with the one you want from the list above).
4. Repeat for the rest of the applications.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete system services like com.google.android.gms (Google Play Services) – this will cause your phone to fail. Also avoid disabling com.google.android.gsf, or you will lose access to the Play Market.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC| Download ADB Tools (latest version)|Enable USB debugging on your phone | Check the connection with the command `adb devices`| Make a backup of the data-->

3. Replacement of the standard launcher with an alternative

One of the sources of advertising on Xiaomi is the MIUI brand launcher, which can show banners on the home screen or in the application menu.

• 🏆 Nova Launcher – flexible setup, no advertising, gesture support.
• 🎨 Lawnchair – open source, minimalist design.
• ⚡ Hyperion Launcher – Optimized for Performance.
• 🔄 Microsoft Launcher – Windows integration, no advertising.

How to install and configure:

1. Download the launcher from Play Market.
2. When you first start, select it as the default launcher.
3. In the new launcher settings, disable all options related to Google Discover or Google Feed.
4. Remove Google Search widgets from the home screen (they may show ads).

The advantage of this method is the complete removal of ads on the home screen and in the application menu, as well as the ability to fine-tune the interface, but advertising in system applications (for example, in Chrome or YouTube) will remain.

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If after changing the launcher, the icons of some applications are missing, try restarting the phone or clearing the launcher cache in the application settings.

4. Blocking ads via hosts file (requires root or Magisk)

For users with root rights or Magisk installed, there is a radical way to edit the hosts file, which is responsible for redirecting domains, and if you add the addresses of Google's ad servers to it, the system will stop downloading banners.

Instructions for Magisk:

1. Install Systemless Hosts via Magisk Manager.
2. Download the current list of blocked domains (for example, from here).
3. Place the file in /sdcard/Download/hosts.
4. Activate the module in Magisk and restart the phone.

List of key Google domains responsible for advertising:

⚠️ WARNING: Incorrect editing hosts without Magisk (directly in) /system/etc/hosts) This can lead to loss of Internet access. Use only verified modules!

5. Installation of custom firmware (for experienced users)

The most drastic way to get rid of all advertising (including banners Xiaomi and Google) is to install custom firmware without Google services (GApps).

• 🐉 LineageOS – pure Android without Bloatware.
• 🔥 Pixel Experience – firmware with Pixel interface and minimum number of Google services.
• ⚡ Havoc-OS – Highly castomy firmware with module support.
• 🛡️ GrapheneOS – Firmware with a focus on privacy (without Google).

Advantages:

• ✅ Total lack of advertising at the system level.
• ✅ Choosing which Google services to install.
• ✅ Regular security updates.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (if the phone is under warranty).
• ❌ Risk of "bricking" if installed incorrectly.
• ❌ Possible problems with the camera or sensors (depending on the model).

Installation instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account binding).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Download the firmware for your model from the XDA Developers forum.
4. Flush the firmware through recovery by first making wipe data, cache, dalvik.

Additional measures: disabling notifications and limiting background activity

Even after applying the basic techniques, some Google apps may continue to show ads through notifications.

Step 1: Disable notifications from unnecessary services:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google Play Services, Google Play Store, Google (search app).
3. In each of them, turn off the option to show notifications.

Step 2: Limit background activity:

1. In the same application settings, select Battery → Background Limitation.
2. Add to the list of restrictions Google Play Services and Google.

Step 3: Turn off Google Discover:

• On the home screen, swipe to the right to open Google Discover.
• Click on the gear icon → Settings → Disable.

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Disabling background activity of Google Play Services can cause problems with account sync or some applications. Use this method only if other methods have not helped.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing ads on Xiaomi