How to completely remove ads from Xiaomi phone on MIUI: proven methods

Why Xiaomi is getting ads and can it be removed forever?

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones often face intrusive ads in system apps, browsers, and even lock screens. This is not a coincidence, but part of the company’s business model: free software with integrated ad modules that generate revenue for the manufacturer. However, most users find such banners annoying, especially when they appear in unexpected places, such as in the settings menu or when connecting to Wi-Fi.

The good news is that MIUI ads can be turned off almost completely, even without superuser rights (root). Bad — some methods require deep system settings, and after firmware updates, advertising can return. In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways, including hidden settings, changing the region and using third-party tools. It is important to understand that complete removal of ads without consequences is possible only on official global firmware — on the Chinese versions (China ROM), some methods may not work due to manufacturer restrictions.

Before you start, check your firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI. If you have China ROM (the name has "CN"), some menu items may not be available. Also note that after resetting or updating the system, the ads may appear again - you will have to repeat the procedure.

Method 1: Disabling personalized advertising in MIUI settings

The easiest and safest way to do this is to deactivate personalized ads through standard settings, which won't take away all the ads, but it will reduce the amount of ads, especially in Mi Browser, Mi Video and Music apps. Here's how to do this:

1. Open Settings → Google → Advertising (if there is no item, skip the step).
2. Click Reset Advertising ID and confirm the action.
3. Go back to the main settings and go to Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
4. Slip the gear icon in the upper right corner and select Disable recommendations.

Now let’s move on to the MIUI settings:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In search, type in msa (this is Xiaomi’s advertising service).
• 🚫 Select com.miui.msa.global (or similar) → Shut down. → Stop it.
• 🔄 Repeat the same for com.xiaomi.mipicks and com.miui.analytics.

Reset Google Advertising ID

Disable the "Cleaning" recommendations

Deactivate the MSA Services

Reboot the phone

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This method works on most global firmware (Global ROM), but on the Chinese version (China ROM) menu items may not be available. If after the reboot the ads remain, move to the next method.

⚠️ Note: Disabling system services (msa) may cause some features to crash, such as push notifications from Xiaomi. If you notice problems, return the settings back.

Method 2: Change region to Europe (for global firmware)

Xiaomi is showing less advertising to users in the European Union because of local data protection laws, and you can take advantage of this by changing the region of your phone. Importantly, this method only works on Global ROM and can reset some settings (for example, the date format).

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → Additionally. → Region.
2. Choose any European country, such as Germany or France.
3. Confirm the change and restart the phone.
4. After the reboot, check for ads in Mi Browser, Mi Video and on the lock screen.

If the advertisement has not completely disappeared, further disable:

• 🌍 B Settings → Google → Advertising → Disable personalization of advertising.
• 📊 B Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Synchronization → Turn off Advertising and Mi Advertising.

This does not require superuser rights and is reversible, and the region can be reversible if necessary, but on Chinese firmware (China ROM), changing the region can block some features, such as Mi Pay or Mi Cloud.

Method 3: Use ADB-commands for deep disabling advertising

For advanced users, there is a method to disable ads via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to block the system components responsible for displaying banners without obtaining root rights, the advantage of the method is that it works even on Chinese firmware, where standard settings are hidden.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version → return to → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Follow the following commands in turn: adb shell pm hide com.miui.msa.global adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.mipicks adb shell pm hide com.miui.analytics adb shell pm hide com.miui.systemAdSolution
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

After the reboot, the ads should disappear from the system applications. If some of the banners are left, additionally do:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

⚠️ Note: pm hide commands temporarily disable system packets, but do not delete them. MIUI The ads can come back, you have to repeat the procedure.

Method 4: Install custom firmware (for experienced users)

If you’re willing to take drastic measures, installing custom firmware (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Xiaomi.eu) will completely remove all ads and unnecessary system applications, a method that requires unlocking the bootloader and may be unwarranted, but gives you complete control over the device.

The advantages of custom firmware:

• 🚀 Complete absence of advertising and bloatware (unnecessary applications).
• 🆕 Regular security updates from the community.
• 🔧 Advanced system settings (e.g., kernel management).

Cons:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the phone is under warranty).
• 🔄 Risk of "bricking" in case of installation error.
• 📱 Some features of Xiaomi (such as Mi Pay or Mi Pay) IR-remote control may not work.

Recommended firmware for Xiaomi:

For custom firmware installation:

1. Unlock bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a binding account Mi and wait 7-14 days).
2. Install TWRP or another custom recaveri.
3. Download the firmware from the XDA-Developers forum for your model.
4. Fly through the Recovery with a full Wipe (Wipe → Format Data).

💡

Installing custom firmware is the most reliable way to get rid of advertising forever, but it requires technical skills and can void the warranty.

Method 5: Blocking ads through hosts file (without root)

Another effective method is editing the hosts file, which blocks access to ad servers, which doesn't require root rights, but requires a special application, such as AdGuard or Blokada.

Instructions:

1. Install AdGuard from Google Play or Blokada from the official website.
2. Launch the app and turn on the protection.
3. In the settings, select Ad Blocking and activate filters: 🛡️ AdGuard Base filter 🛡️ AdGuard Mobile Ads filter 🛡️ EasyList China (for Chinese services)

Reboot the phone.

For manual editing hosts (power users only):

• 📄 Download a ready-made hosts file with Xiaomi ad blocking, for example, Method 6: Disabling ads in individual applications If the ads appear only in certain applications (for example, in Mi Browser, Mi Video or Mi Music), it can be turned off point-by-point. Here’s how to do it for the most troubled services: 🌐 Mi Browser (Xiaomi columnist) 📱 Open your browser and tap three dots at the bottom. → Settings. 🔍 Go to the Supplementary → Confidentiality. 🚫 Disable: Personalized Ads Show news on the homepage of Content Recommendations 🔄 Restart the browser. 🎵 Mi Music (music player) 🎶 Open the application and go to Settings (cog icon). 🔕 Disable: Recommendations Personalized Content Show banners on the playback screen 📺 Mi Video (video player) 🎬 Launch the application and tap on Profile → Settings. 🚫 Deactivate: Personalized recommendations Autoplay Show ads before videos (if there is such a item) 💡If the app does not have settings to disable ads, try clearing its data: Settings → Annexes → [Title of the annex] → Warehouse → Clear the data. This will reset all settings, but it can remove intrusive banners. This method does not require technical skills and is reversible, but only works at the level of individual applications. To completely remove ads, combine it with other methods from the article. Method 7: If none of these things worked, and the ads became unbearable, you could do a complete phone reset. It's a radical solution, but it's guaranteed to remove all the settings, including the ad units. Before resetting, make a backup copy of the data! How to Reset Settings: Go to Settings → The phone. → Reset. Select Delete all data (factory reset). Confirm and wait for the reboot. After turning on the phone, do not restore the data from the backup. MIUI — It can bring back ads. Set your phone up like new: 📱 Turn off personalized advertising immediately (see Method 1). 🌍 Change the region to the European (see Method 2). 🚫 Do not install unnecessary system applications (Mi Video, Mi Music, etc.). ⚠️ Warning: Factory reset will remove all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and messages. If you didn't have a backup on your Google Account or PC, it won't be possible to recover information. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) ❓ Why After Updating MIUI The commercial reappeared? Firmware updates often reset ad settings, especially if you’ve used methods without root rights (e.g., root-rights, ADB You'll have to repeat the shutdown procedure after the update, and to avoid that, install custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu) that doesn't contain ad modules initially. ❓ Can you remove ads on the lock screen? Ads on the lock screen appear from the service com.miui.systemAdSolution. To remove them: Use the method 3 (ADB-commands: adb shell pm hide com.miui.systemAdSolution Or install an alternative launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher) and turn off the standard lock screen in the settings. ROM) This method may not work – you will need custom firmware. ❓ Will the ad blocker on the Redmi Note work? 10/11/12? Yes, all of the methods described are suitable for Redmi series smartphones (including Redmi Note). 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 etc., because they work on the same shell. MIUI. Exception - some budget models in China ROM, where some settings may be blocked. For them it is recommended: 3 (ADB) or 5 (Install custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu). ❓ Can you remove ads without a computer? Yes, it's good: 1 (switch-off MIUI). Method 2 (region change. Method 5 (applications like AdGuard or Blokada 6 (Point-off in problem apps.To completely remove ads without a PC, you will need root rights or custom firmware installation through TWRP (But you still need a computer at the unlocking stage of the bootloader). ❓ Is it legal to turn off ads on Xiaomi? Yes, disabling ads through phone settings or third-party apps (such as AdGuard) is not illegal. You have the right to customize your device as you wish, unless you use pirated firmware or hacked tools. However: Unblocking the bootloader and installing custom firmware may take away warranties (at the service center's discretion). Using root rights to delete system files theoretically violates the terms of the MIUI license agreement, but in practice it does not have any consequences for the user.