How to permanently remove wallpaper advertising on Xiaomi: a step-by-step guide

Advertising wallpaper on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones has become one of the most annoying features of MIUI firmware. Every time you change the wallpaper or unlock the screen, users encounter intrusive banners offering to download new themes from the Mi Theme Store. Despite the fact that the company positions this as “recommendations”, in fact, it is a classic advertisement that you want to get rid of.

Compounding the problem, standard MIUI settings don’t always allow you to completely disable these notifications. In some firmware versions (especially MIUI 12.5 and later), options are hidden or not working correctly. This article has collected 5 proven ways, from simple settings to radical solutions using ADB and root rights.

Xiaomi integrated the ad modules into MIUI firmware back in 2018, positioning them as “personalized recommendations” — formally spelled out in the user agreement, but most smartphone owners don’t read it when they first turn on, and wallpaper advertising is part of that ecosystem, along with banners in Mi Browser, Mi Music and even the settings menu.

Xiaomi does not violate the law because:

  • 📜 The user agrees to the terms when activating the device.
  • 🔄 Advertising can be turned off (albeit not always in an obvious way).
  • 💰 Advertising revenue keeps smartphone prices lower than competitors.

But from a user experience perspective, it's justifiable, and it's especially annoying that ads appear even in incognito mode or when all resolutions for the Mi Theme Store are disabled, and that, after major MIUI updates, settings are often reset and banners come back.

📊 How often do you get annoyed by Xiaomi ads?
Constantly.
Sometimes.
I used to bother her, but I turned her off.
I don't care.

Method 1: Disabling Advertising through the standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use built-in firmware options, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 12-14, but may not work on some regional versions (for example, for India or China).

Instructions:

  1. Open the Theme app (Mi Theme Store).
  2. Slip the profile icon in the upper right corner.
  3. Go to Settings. → Recommendations.
  4. Turn off the sliders: 🔘 Show recommendations to topics 🔘 Promotional notices 🔘 Personalized recommendations

Topics

⋮

Notification settings

If the recommendation item is not on the menu, try an alternative path:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  2. Find the themes and open its settings.
  3. Tap Notifications. → disable all categories.
  4. Go back and press Permissions → turn off the display over other windows.

Instructions:

  1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
  2. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB.
  3. Enter alternately the commands: adb shell pm hide com.android.themes adb shell pm hide com.miui.miservice adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.midrop These commands hide the system applications responsible for displaying ads.
  4. To disable notifications from Mi Theme Store, do: adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +com.android.themes
  5. Reboot your smartphone.

Important: Once MIUI is updated, ADB commands may reset. They will have to be re-run.

💡

If ADB doesn’t recognize the device, try reinstalling drivers via Mi PC Suite or manually through Windows Device Manager.

Method 3: Remove system applications without root (deactivation)

If ADB seems complicated, you can try deactivating unnecessary system applications through settings, which is less reliable, but does not require a PC connection.

Instructions:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  2. Tap it on three points (⋮) → Show all applications.
  3. Find and open: 📱 Topics (com.android.themes) 📱 Mi Service Framework (com.miui.miservice) 📱 MSA (com.miui.analytics)

Shut down.

Confirm deactivation.

Warnings:

⚠️ Attention: Disconnection MSA It may disrupt some system functions, such as air updates (OTA). If updates stop coming after deactivation, return the application to its original state.

An alternative is to limit background activity:

  1. In the settings of each application (Themes, MSA), select Battery.
  2. Set a limited energy consumption regime.
  3. Turn off Auto Start and Secondary Start.
  4. Move to the /system/app/ and remove: 🗃️ MiuiSystemAdSolution

Topics

Settings

Reboot your smartphone.

Warning:

⚠️ Note: Deleting system files may cause some features (such as design themes or updates) to fail. MIUI, Try to recover via Fastboot or reflash the device.

What if after deleting system files, the smartphone does not turn on?
If the device is not booting, connect it to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down). + Power) and execute the command: fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img (where magisk_patched.img — If this doesn't work, you'll need to flash it completely through the Mi Flash Tool.

Method 5: Install custom firmware (last resort)

If none of these methods worked, the last option is to install custom firmware without advertising.

  • 🌐 LineageOS – pure Android without unnecessary modules.
  • 🌐 Pixel Experience – firmware with interface from Google Pixel.
  • 🌐 MIUI EU — modified MIUI No Advertising (but with weekly updates).

Advantages of custom firmware:

  • ✅ Total lack of advertising and surveillance.
  • ✅ Faster operation of the system.
  • ✅ Regular security updates.

Disadvantages:

  • ❌ Loss of warranty (if any).
  • ❌ Risk of "bricking" if installed incorrectly.
  • ❌ Certain functions (e.g, IR-blaster NFC) They may not work properly.

Installation instructions (briefly):

  1. Unlock Bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a binding Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
  2. Install TWRP Recovery for your model.
  3. Download the firmware (e.g. MIUI EU from Xiaomi.eu).
  4. Download to TWRP and run Wipe → Format Data (this will delete all data!).
  5. Install the firmware through Install.
  6. Reboot.

💡

Custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader, which cancels the warranty.Be sure to back up via TWRP before installing it!

Comparison of methods: which way to choose?

To make the choice easier, we have compiled a table with the pros and cons of each method:

MethodDifficultyPC requiredRoot is required.EfficiencyRisks.
Standard settings⭐❌ No.❌ No.⚠️ MediumIt may not work on the new MIUI versions.
ADB-team⭐⭐✅ Yes.❌ No.✅ Tall.Resets after updates
Deactivation of applications⭐❌ No.❌ No.⚠️ Low.Advertising may remain on some menus
Delete system files (root)⭐⭐⭐❌ No.✅ Yes.✅ MaximumRisk of system failure
Custom firmware⭐⭐⭐⭐✅ Yes.✅ Yes.✅ MaximumLoss of warranty, risk of "brick"

Selection recommendations:

  • 📱 If you are a beginner, start with standard settings or ADB.
  • 🔧 If you are ready for experiments, try deactivating applications.
  • 🛠️ For complete removal of advertising – root + removal.
  • 🔄 If you want a clean Android without restrictions – custom firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about advertising on Xiaomi

❓ Why After Updating MIUI commercials return?
Xiaomi often resets ad settings when major updates (e.g., MIUI 13 to MIUI 14) This is because the company is forced to update some system apps, including Mi Theme Store. To avoid this, re-run Method 1 or Method 2 (ADB) after the update.
❓ Can you turn off advertising without a computer?
Yes, but the efficiency will be lower. Use Method 1 (standard settings) or Method 3 (deactivation of applications). For a more reliable result without a PC, root rights will be required.
❓ Will it work? ADB on MIUI Global and MIUI China?
ADB-Teams are working on all versions MIUI, including Global, China and EEA. But on Chinese firmware (MIUI China may require additional service shutdown via com.miui.analytics.
❓ How to check if the ads are completely disabled?
Run the test: Open Settings → Wallpaper and try to change the theme. Reboot your smartphone and check Quick Settings (swipe down). Run Mi Theme Store - banners should not appear. If the ads disappeared everywhere, you succeeded!
❓ Can I return standard wallpaper after removing system applications?
If you remove ThemeManager through root, the standard wallpaper may disappear. To return it: Download the APK standard wallpaper for your model (for example, with APKMirror). Install it manually. Or restore deleted files from backup.