Why Xiaomi is showing ads and can it be removed forever?
Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones have long been known for their aggressive advertising policies, appearing in system apps, on the lock screen, in the settings menu, and even in the file manager, and are so deeply integrated that many users mistakenly consider them an integral part of Android, in fact, it can be turned off — in whole or in part — without root rights and complex manipulation.
The main reason for the emergence of advertising is the monetization of the Xiaomi ecosystem, which compensates for the low cost of devices by showing ads in branded services (Mi Browser, Mi Video, Themes, etc.), However, after a wave of criticism from users in 2020-2022, the company added options to disable most banners, the problem is that these settings are hidden in different sections of the menu, and some advertising mechanisms continue to work even after they are deactivated.
In this guide, we will discuss 7 proven ways to remove ads in Xiaomi at the system level, applications and even through third-party tools. MIUI 12-14 (including HyperOS) and run on models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra (EEA) and global firmware, where the advertising settings may differ.
Method 1: Disabling personalized advertising in MIUI settings
The first step is to deactivate targeted ad mechanisms that collect data about your activity, which doesn't eliminate banners completely, but it significantly reduces the number of banners and makes impressions less intrusive.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Google → Advertising (or Settings) → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Advertising in older versions MIUI).
- 🔄 Switch the switch to the "Personalized Advertising" to the off position..
- 🗑️ Click "Reset advertising" ID» and confirm the action.
- 🔍 Go back to the main settings and go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points (⋮) → Special access → Access to advertising ID. Disable access for all applications except system.
This method works on all firmware, including HyperOS, but has a limitation: it only blocks personalized ads. Non-personalized ads (such as banners in Mi Browser or on the lock screen) will remain.
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If the Ads item is not in the settings, update Google Play services to Settings → Apps → Google Play Services → Update.
Method 2: Manual disabling of advertising in system applications
Most of the banners in MIUI are displayed through the branded apps: Mi Browser, Mi Video, Themes, Cleaner and Security. Each of them has hidden settings to disable ads, but the paths to them vary depending on the firmware version.
The overall scheme of action:
- Open a problem app (such as Mi Browser).
- Go to your settings (usually through the ⋮ or a gear in the upper right corner).
- Find the "Recommendations", "Personalization" or "Additional" section.
- Turn off all switches related to advertising, recommendations or personalization.
Detailed paths for key applications:
| Annex | The path to settings | What to turn off |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Browser | ⋮ → Settings → Additionally. → Recommendations | “Show recommendations”, “Personalized news” |
| Mi Video | Profile → Settings → Recommendations | “Personalized recommendations”, “Advertising in the player” |
| Themes | Profile → Settings → Notifications | “Advertising Notices”, “Proposals of Subjects” |
| Security / Cleaner | ⋮ → Settings → Notifications | “Advertising Optimization,” “Cleaning Tips” |
Important: In firmware for the region EEA (Europe) some of these items may not be available due to local privacy laws, in which case use method 4 (ADB-team).
Method 3: Removing Advertising on the Lock Screen
Banners on the lock screen are some of the most annoying, appearing as recommendations for Xiaomi apps, news or promotions, and can be removed through MIUI settings, but the path depends on the firmware version:
For MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS:
- Go to Settings → Lock screen.
- Select “lock screen style” (or “lock screen settings” in HyperOS).
- Turn off the tumblers: 📱 «Recommendations (or “Mi Recommendations») 📰 «News and weather» 🎯 «Personalized offers»
Additional settings → Notifications on the lock screen
“Advertising notices”
If banners remain after these actions, check the settings of the Mi Wallpaper Carousel app (lock screen wallpaper):
- 🖼️ Open the Settings. → Wallpaper.
- 🔍 Find the wallpaper carousel section and disable the "Recommendations».
- 🗑️ Remove the Mi Wallpaper Carousel app cache in Settings → Annexes.
What if the advertisement returns after the reboot?
Method 4: ADB-deep-switching teams
If system settings don’t work, you can block Android-level advertising services with the help of ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting a smartphone to a computer, but gives 100% results without root rights.
Step-by-step:
- 💻 Install ADB-Tools on PC (Windows/macOS/Linux).
- 📱 On your smartphone, activate the developer mode: Go to Settings → About the phone. Press 7 times on "Version." MIUI», until the notification appears. → Additionally. → For developers and include “Debugging by” USB».
"File transfer"
adb.exe
adb devices(Your device should appear)
adb shell pm hide com.miui.systemAdSolutionadb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.midropadb shell pm hide com.miui.analyticsadb shell pm hide com.miui.msa.globaladb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.joyoseThese commands hide (not remove!) the system applications responsible for displaying ads. After the reboot, the banners will disappear from:
- 📱 Lock screen
- 📂 File manager.
- ⚙️ Settings menu (section "Recommendations»)
- 🌐 Mi Browser and Mi Video
Install ADB-Tools on PC|
Enable the developer mode on Xiaomi|
Activate debugging via USB|
Connect the phone in the mode "File transfer" |
Check the connection of the adb device team-->
⚠️ Note: Pm hide commands only work on the MIUI 12+ On older versions, use pm disable-user instead of hide. MIUI It may be necessary to repeat the procedure.
Method 5: Using third-party ad blockers
If you don't want to dig into settings or use ADB, you can install specialized ad-blocking apps that work at the DNS or VPN level, intercepting ad requests.
Top.-3 tested solutions:
- Blokada (free, no root rights): 🛡️ Blocks ads in the browser and applications. 🔄 It works through local. VPN (No need to connect to external servers). ⚙️ Allows you to add custom lock lists (for example, for Xiaomi). Download: official site (not from Google Play!).
- AdGuard (paid but with free test period): 🌍 Blocking Advertising at Level DNS and HTTP. 📱 It has a separate module for MIUI (setting → filter → «Xiaomi»). 🔒 It does not require root rights, but for a complete lock it is better to use the Local mode. VPN».
DNS66
- 🔧 Uses host lists to block advertising domains.
- 📱 Effectively removes banners in Mi Browser and Mi Video.
- ⚠️ Requires manual listings (e.g. Steven Black).
Advantages of third-party blockers:
- 🔄 They work without root licenses and ADB.
- 🌐 Blocking advertising not only in the MIUI, but also in third-party applications (YouTube, games, etc.).
- 🛡️ Protect against trackers and phishing.
⚠️ Attention: When in use VPN-Blockers (e.g. Blokada) may stop working some of Xiaomi’s system features, such as Mi Cloud or Find Device. In this case, add these domains to the exceptions: api.io.mi.com account.xiaomi.com cloud.xiaomi.com Method 6: Reset ad settings via Mi Account Little-known fact: clout MIUI If you have previously agreed to display ads when you sign up or log in, banners can come back even after they are disabled in the settings: 📱 Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account. 🔍 Click on the gear icon (⚙️) top-right. 📋 Select "Sync settings». 🔄 Scroll down and find the “Personalization” or “Advertising” section». 🗑️ Turn off all toggles related to recommendations and personalized services. 🔄 Restart the device. If there's no partition, try an alternative method: 🌐 Go to the Mi Account website from your computer. 🔒 Log in and go to “Account Settings» → «Confidentiality». 🗑️ Find Personalized Services and turn it off. Why does it work? Mi Account syncs your ad settings between devices. If you previously agreed to a banner display on another Xiaomi smartphone, that setting could have been transferred to your current device. 💡Resetting ad settings in Mi Account is especially useful if you are using multiple Xiaomi devices (smartphone, smartwatch, TV). Install custom firmware (for advanced users) If all the above methods did not help, there remains a radical solution - install custom firmware without advertising. This method is suitable only for advanced users, as it requires unlocking the bootloader and potentially deprives of warranties.The best firmware options without advertising for Xiaomi: Firmware Features Installation Complexity Xiaomi.eu Official MIUI without advertising or Chinese services. OTA-update. ⭐⭐ (You need to unlock the bootloader) LineageOS Pure Android without branded Xiaomi apps. Maximum performance. ⭐⭐⭐ (Requires root and custom recovery) PixelExperience Android firmware from Google with the function “Now Playing” (music recognition). ⭐⭐⭐ MIUI Mix Modified MIUI with remote advertising modules and additional features. ⭐⭐ Step-by-step instructions for installing Xiaomi.eu (the most popular option): 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the official tool (requires binding Mi Account to the device). 📱 Download the firmware Xiaomi.eu for your model. 🔄 Go to Fastboot Mode (Press Power) + Vol− off-phone). 💻 Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery [name file recovery.img] 📲 Download to Recovery (Press Power) + Vol+) And then you run the firmware through Install». ⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware voids warranty and can lead to device blinking if errors occur. TWRP Also note that some features (such as Mi Pay or Mi Flash Tool) IR Blaster may not work properly. FAQ: Frequent questions about advertising in Xiaomi ❓ Why After Updating MIUI Did the ad reappear? With major updates (e.g., with a MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) some settings are reset, including ad settings, and Xiaomi sometimes adds new ad mechanisms that are not blocked by the old methods. Solution: Repeat Method 1 (disable personalized advertising. Check system application settings (Method) 2). If advertising in the browser – clear the Mi Browser cache or install Chrome/Firefox. ❓ Can you remove ads without a computer? Yes, but with limitations: 📱 Method 1–3 (setting MIUI). 🛡️ Method 5 (Blokada-type blockers). 🔄 Method 6 (Reset via Mi Account. to completely remove ads (for example, from system notifications) still need to ADB (Method 4) or a custom firmware (Method of 7). ❓ Ad blockers are slowing down the phone. What do we do? Slowdown could be related to: 🔄 VPN-The Blocker mode (try it out) DNS66 instead of Blokada). 📱 CPU overload (disable background blocker activity in battery settings). 🌐 Conflict with MIUI Optimizations (enable “Disable Optimizations”) MIUI» developer-side). Also check if the application blocks Xiaomi system domains (see the warning in Method). 5). ❓ How to remove ads in games and third-party apps? Advertising in games (e.g. in games) PUBG Mobile or Free Fire and third-party apps (such as Facebook) are not controlled by the company. MIUI. To get her out: 🛡️ Use AdGuard or Blokada in Local Mode VPN». 🎮 Lucky Patcher (requires root rights). 📱 Install modified versions of applications (APK) Advertising free (see forums for type) XDA). Please note: Removing ads in games may violate the rules of the service (for example, Google Play) and lead to a ban of the account. ❓ Are these methods working on POCO Yes, all the methods in this article apply to devices. POCO And Redmi, because they work on the same firmware. MIUI/HyperOS. Exceptions: 📱 Nana POCO F1/F2/F3 There may be no “Personalized Advertising” section in the settings (use the Method) 4 method 5). 🔧 On the Redmi Note series (for example, Note) 10/11/12) Sometimes you need to disconnect the service com.xiaomi.mipicks via ADB. For HyperOS models (e.g. Redmi Note) 13 Xiaomi 14) The paths to settings may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same.