How to permanently remove ads from Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 S: from simple settings to radical methods

Why is there an ad on the Redmi Note 10 S and can it be removed?

Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 S often face intrusive ads in system applications, notifications and even on the lock screen. The reason lies in the proprietary shell MIUI, which integrates advertising modules for monetization by default. Unlike “pure” Android, here advertising is built-in at the system level: from banners in Settings to pop-ups in the Weather or theme store.

The good news is that you can remove ads without rooting rights using hidden MIUI settings or standard Android tools. Bad — some methods require technical skills (for example, working with ADB or installing custom firmware). In this article, we will discuss all the current ways for Redmi Note 10 S on MIUI 12/13/14, including official and non-obvious tricks. Important: the effectiveness of methods depends on the firmware version and regional software.

Before you start, check the MIUI version: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If you have global firmware (e.g. MIUI Global 14.0.3), some ads may be blocked by default — but not all. There are significantly more ads on the Chinese and Indian versions (MIUI China/India).

Method 1: Disabling personalized advertising in MIUI settings

The easiest way is to deactivate targeted ads through the privacy menu, which won't remove all banners, but will reduce the number of banners and make them less intrusive.

1. Open Settings → Google → Advertising.
2. Click Remove the Advertising ID and confirm the action.
3. Go back to the basic settings and go to Settings → Additional → Privacy → Advertising Services.
4. Turn off the slider Personalized advertising.

This method works on all versions of MIUI, but has limitations:

• 📱 Does not remove advertising in system applications (Browser, Music, Video).
• 🔄 After resetting the phone or updating MIUI settings may reset.
• 🌍 On Chinese firmware, the Advertising Services clause may not be available.

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If you don’t have an “Advertising Services” option in your region, try changing your phone region to India or Europe to Settings → Additional → Region. After you reboot, the menu may appear.

Method 2: Blocking Ads through Hidden MIUI Settings (without root)

MIUI contains hidden options to disable ads, but access to them is closed by default. To activate them, you need to use code commands or a special application Activity Launcher (available on Google Play).

Method 1: Code commands (for MIUI 12/13)

Open the Phone app and enter the following commands as a number:

##6484##

After you enter, the MTK Engineer Mode menu will open.

1. MTK Settings → Network Select → BandMode (don’t worry, this is not a mistake – there will be a necessary item next).
2. Go back and select MTK Settings → Developer → Adb Settings.
3. Activate Disable Ads and restart your phone.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware, this method can cause system applications to fail. If errors occur after the reboot, reset the settings via Settings → Annexes → Application management → Resetting settings.

Method 2: Activity Launcher (Universal)

Install Activity Launcher and follow the instructions:

1. Open the app and find it in the Settings list (com.android.settings).
2. Deploy the list of activities and select.Settings$AdditionalSettingsActivity.
3. In the menu that opens, find Advertising Services and turn off all sliders.

Disable personalized advertising on Google

Delete the advertising ID

Check out the MIUI (Global/Chinese) version

Install Activity Launcher (if needed)

Backup of important data-->

Method 3: Remove system applications with advertising (without root)

Some MIUI apps (GetApps, Mi Video, Mi Browser) are the main sources of advertising, and can be disabled or removed without rooting, but this will require the use of ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Step 1: Preparation

• 🖥️ Install Platform Tools on PC.
• 📱 On the phone, activate the debugging by USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times on the line, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).
• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.

Step 2: Removal commands

Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools and type:

adb devices

If the phone appears in the list, follow the commands to remove unnecessary apps:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop


adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer




adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.browser




adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.gamecenter.sdk.service




adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.analytics

⚠️ Note: Deleting system applications may disrupt some functions (e.g., com.miui.analytics is responsible for collecting statistics, but removing it is not critical). If you have problems after deleting - restore the application through a phone reset.

Method 4: Use of an alternative launcher

If the ad appears on the home screen or in the app menu, the problem may be with the standard MIUI launcher.

• 🏆 Nova Launcher (maximum customization, no advertising).
• 🎨 Lawnchair (lightweight, gesture-enabled).
• 🔍 Microsoft Launcher (Integration with Windows, without banners).
• 📱 Hyperion Launcher (minimalistic design).

After installation:

1. Open the launcher settings and select it as the default launcher.
2. Disable Mi Launcher through Settings → Applications → Application Management → Disable.
3. Set up a new launcher: remove MIUI widgets, replace the icons.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI system advertising notifications may continue to appear even with an alternative launcher, in which case combine the method with disabling ads through the ADB (Method 3).

Mi Launcher (standard)|Nova Launcher|Lawnchair|Microsoft Launcher|Other|I don't know what it is.-->

Method 5: Install custom firmware (for advanced)

If you don't like half-measures, the radical solution is to reflash your phone on custom firmware without advertising.

• 🔄 LineageOS (Pure Android without unnecessary apps).
• 🎯 Pixel Experience (like the Google Pixel interface).
• ⚡ ArrowOS (optimized performance).
• 🛡️ MIUI EU (formal MIUI Advertising-free and Chinese-based).

The firmware process requires unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom recavator (TWRP).

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 7 days).
2. Install TWRP for rosemary via fastboot flash recovery twrp.img.
3. Download the firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) and transfer it to your phone.
4. Download to TWRP (Power + Vol Up) and run the firmware.

⚠️ Attention: Custom firmware voids the warranty and may result in data loss or device "brick" before you start backing up through TWRP or MIUI Backup.

Method 6: Blocking ads via hosts file (requires root)

If you have root rights, you can block Xiaomi ad servers by editing the hosts file, which works at the system level and blocks the loading of banner ads.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/etc/hosts and back up the file.
3. Open the file in the text editor and add the following lines at the end:

127.0.0.1 ad.xiaomi.com


127.0.0.1 tracking.miui.com




127.0.0.1 data.mistat.xiaomi.com




127.0.0.1 sdkconfig.ad.xiaomi.com




127.0.0.1 api.ad.xiaomi.com

1. Save the file, set resolutions 644 (rw-r-----).
2. Reboot the phone.

This method blocks most ad servers, but can disrupt some system functions (such as updates or syncs to your Xiaomi account).

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Editing a hosts file is the most effective way to block ads, but requires root rights and caution. An error in the syntax of the file can lead to loss of Internet access.

Method 7: Disabling notifications from system applications

Some of the ads come through notifications from Mi Security, Cleaner or GetApps, which can be disabled manually.

1. Go to Settings → Notifications → Notifications Management.
2. Find in the list of applications: Security (com.miui.securitycenter) Cleanup (com.miui.cleanmaster) GetApps (com.xiaomi.midrop) Topics (com.android.themes)

Showing notifications

Additionally, you can limit the background activity of these applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app (such as Security) and click Limit Background Activity.
3. Turn off Auto Start and Background data transmission.

This won’t remove ads entirely, but it will significantly reduce the number of pop-ups and banners in the notification curtain.

FAQ: Frequent questions about advertising on Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 S