Owners of Xiaomi Mi 8 often face intrusive advertising in system applications, browser and even on the lock screen. the manufacturer has integrated advertising modules into the MIUI shell for monetization, but users can legally disable most of the ads without compromising functionality. In this article, we will analyze all the working methods from standard settings to advanced methods using ADB and third-party utilities.
It's important to understand that there are two types of ads on the Mi 8: system (built into MIUI) and applications (from Google or third-party services). The first one can be removed completely, the second one can only be limited. We will focus on the first type, because it is the type that annoys users the most. All methods are tested on current versions of MIUI 12-14 and do not require superuser rights (root), unless otherwise indicated.
1. Disabling Advertising through MIUI Settings
The easiest way is to use the built-in shell options, and Xiaomi provides the option to turn off some of the ads legally, but these settings are often hidden in the back of the menu.
Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Then go back to the main settings menu and open Additional → Special Features → Advertising. Here you will find switches for:
- 📱 Recommendations MIUI — Advertisements in the application menu and on the desktop
- 🔍 Search Tips – Advertising in the Search Bar
- 📊 Personalized Ads – Targeted Ads Based on Your Activity
- 🔄 Updates MIUI — notifications about new firmware versions (often containing promos)
Turn off all sliders and reboot the device, which removes up to 60 percent of system ads, but doesn't affect ads in Mi Browser or apps like Mi Video and Music.
💡
If your region does not have Ads in its settings, try changing the region to India (Settings → Additional → Region).In Indian firmware, Xiaomi provides more options to disable ads.
2. Blocking ads through MIUI Ads Blocker (no root)
For deep cleaning from advertising, you can use the MIUI Ads Blocker utility, an informal solution that modifies system files without obtaining root rights. The method works on the Mi 8 thanks to the support of an unlocked bootloader.
- Download MIUI Ads Blocker from GitHub (select the latest version).
- Connect your phone to your PC in USB Debugging mode (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 taps → Developer Settings → Debugging over USB).
- Run the script miui_adb_blocker.bat and follow the instructions.
The utility is automatic:
- 🛡️ Blocks domains of Xiaomi ad servers through /etc/hosts
- 🔧 Disables system services responsible for displaying ads
- 📵 Removes the cache of advertising modules
Once you execute the script, restart your phone, and the effect is noticeable immediately: banners disappear in Settings, Browser, and Weather, but the method does not guarantee 100% results – some ads may appear after MIUI updates.
What to do if the script doesn’t work?
3. Set up a private DNS to block ads
An alternative way is to redirect advertising requests to “empty” servers through the Internet. DNS-above-HTTPS (DoH is universal and works on any Android device, including Mi. 8. You do not need root rights or special knowledge.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Connections → Private DNS.
- Select the host name of the DNS provider.
- Enter one of the addresses: dns.adguard.com (AdGuard DNS – blocks ads and trackers) doh.centraleurope.cloudflare-dns.com (Cloudflare – filters malicious sites) dns.nextdns.io (NextDNS – customized filters)
Save the settings and restart the phone.
The effect will appear in 5-10 minutes: banners will disappear in the browser, some applications and on sites. However, MIUI system ads (for example, in Settings) will remain – they need one of the previous methods.
| Method | Efficiency | Difficulty | Root is required. | Reversibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI settings | 40–60% | ⭐ | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. |
| MIUI Ads Blocker | 80–90% | ⭐⭐ | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. |
| Private DNS | 50–70% | ⭐ | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. |
| ADB-team | 95%+ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. |
| Root + Xposed | 99% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Risk of “bricking" |
4. Advanced method: ADB-deep-cleaning
For users willing to work with the command line, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) offers maximum control over advertising. This method removes the system packages responsible for displaying ads and blocks their update. On the Xiaomi Mi 8 with an unlocked bootloader, the method works stably, but requires caution - the wrong commands can disrupt the system.
Step-by-step:
- Install Platform Tools on your PC.
- Connect the Mi 8 to USB and activate Debugging over USB.
- Open the command line in the ADB folder and execute: Adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
- Enter the commands alternately: 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.systemAdSolution adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.weather2 adb pm hide com.android.browser shell hide com.
These commands are deleted:
- 📊 Analytics. MIUI (Data collection for targeted advertising)
- 🔄 System application updates (often containing advertising modules)
- ☁️ Weather and browser (main sources of banners)
Download Platform Tools from the official Android website
Enable debugging over USB on your phone
Connect the original USB-cable
Check the definition of the device by the adb device command
Backup of important data-->
⚠️ Note: Deleting system packages may cause some functions (such as weather or browser) to function in an unstable way. If you have problems after executing commands, restore the packets via the adb shell cmd package install-existing command with the packet name.
5. Alternative methods: from customization to root
If standard methods don't work, consider radical solutions that require more time and technical skills, but guarantee almost no advertising.
1. Installation of custom firmware
Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience are devoid of MIUI advertising modules. For the Mi 8, stable builds based on Android 10-12 are available.
- 🚀 Clean Android without Bloatware
- 🔒 Regular security updates
- 🛠️ Possibility of fine tuning
Cons: loss of MIUI features (e.g., Double Apps or Read Mode), risk of loss of warranty.
2. Root + Magisk + Xposed
Getting root permissions gives you access to modules like AdAway or XprivacyLua that block ads at the system level. On the Mi 8, you need to:
- Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
- Install TWRP and flash Magisk.
- Activate modules through Magisk Manager.
⚠️ Warning: Root rights void Xiaomi's warranty and may disrupt banking applications (due to SafetyNet trigger).+ The problem can be bypassed by the Universal SafetyNet Fix module, but it requires additional configuration.
6 How to get it all back if something goes wrong
If after manipulations with the system the phone began to work unstable (for example, the settings stopped opening or the mobile network disappeared), use one of the methods of rollback:
1.Dumping via Fastboot
Download the official firmware for Mi 8 (codename dipper) from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website and run it through the command line:
fastboot flash all firmware.zip2. Recovery through TWRP
If you have a custom Recovery installed, load into it (Loudness up + Power) and select Wipe → Format Data, then swipe through the backup or clean firmware.
3. Minimalist rollback
If the problem is with the remote packets, return them with the command:
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.analyticsReplace com.miui.analytics with the desired package (the full list can be obtained by adb shell pm list packages | grep miui).
💡
Before any manipulation of the system, back up via Settings → System → Backup or TWRP. This will allow you to quickly recover data when a crash occurs.