How to permanently remove ads from Xiaomi TVs: a step-by-step guide

Xiaomi TVs and set-top boxes have long been popular for their value for money, but many users are faced with one unpleasant feature: intrusive advertising: banners on the menu, pop-up notifications about promotions, advertising blocks in launched applications... All this spoils the viewing experience and slows down the system. Fortunately, there are several ways to completely or partially remove advertising without buying premium versions of the software.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods, from standard settings to deep customization of the system. It is important to understand that some methods require technical skills, and incorrect actions can lead to failures. So before starting, we recommend backing up data (if possible for your model), and also note that after firmware updates, advertising may return, in which case the procedure will have to be repeated.

Let’s start with the simplest and safest ways, and then move on to more radical solutions for power users.

1. disable personalized advertising in MIUI TV settings

The most obvious and safe way to do this is to deactivate the options associated with targeted advertising, a method that works on most Xiaomi Mi TV models (including the Mi TV 4S, Mi TV 5, Mi TV Q1) and the Mi Box S/Mi Box 4. Unfortunately, it doesn’t completely eliminate ads, but it does significantly reduce the number of ads.

Instructions:

• 📺 Open Settings (cog in the upper right corner of the main screen).
• 🔍 Go to the Account and Security section → Privacy.
• 🔄 Find Personalized Advertising (or Advertising Preferences) and turn off the slider.
• 📋 In the same menu, deactivate Send Diagnostic Data and Improve User Experience.

After applying the changes, restart the TV (press the power button on the remote and select Reboot). The effect will not be noticeable immediately - the system can show saved banners for another 1-2 days. If the ad remains, move to the next method.

⚠️ Attention: Some firmwares have a hidden personalized ad item, which may require you to change your TV region to Europe or India (see the section on regional change).

2. change of TV region to European

Firmware for different regions contain different number of advertising modules, for example, in the European version of MIUI TV banners are much less than in the Chinese or global, this method does not require root rights and is suitable for most models, but can affect the availability of some services (for example, Xiaomi Video or PatchWall).

How to change the region:

1. Open the Settings. → On TV.
2. Find the Model string (e.g. L43M5-5AIN) and write it down, which you will need to select the right firmware.
3. Go to Settings → System → Additional → Region.
4. Choose Europe or India (the Indian version has little advertising).
5. Confirm the change and wait for the reboot.

If some apps (such as Netflix or Prime Video) stop working after changing the region, return the previous settings or manually update these apps via APK. Also note that the next firmware update may reset the region - it will have to be changed again.

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Before changing region, check if your model supports European firmware. TV 4A mi TV 4C may not be official EU-version.

3. Resetting the TV to factory settings

Radical, but it's effective, hard reset, which deletes all user data, including the ad cache, and returns the system to a clean state, and the downside is that you have to reconfigure your Wi-Fi, your accounts, your apps, and it works on all Xiaomi models, but it doesn't always work -- if you have adverts in your firmware, they'll come back after you first connect to the Internet.

Step-by-step:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → On TV. → Resetting settings.
• 🔐 Enter. PIN-code (by default 0000 or 1234 if you have not changed it).
• ⚠️ Confirm the action – the TV will restart and start the cleaning process (it will take 3-5 minutes).
• 📶 After reset, don't connect to the Internet right away! First, follow the steps from the region change section and turn off personalized ads.

If the ad still appears after the reset, it means that it is built into the shell of MIUI TV, in which case only removing system applications through ADB or installing custom firmware will help.

4. Removal of advertising applications via ADB (for power users)

This is the most effective way, but it requires USB debugging and command line work. It is suitable for Mi Box and Android TVs (for example, Mi TV Stick or Mi TV 5 Pro). The advantage is that the ads are removed forever until a new firmware update comes out. Risk - if you carelessly remove critical system files.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (for the Mi Box or OTG-Adapter (for TVs without TVs) USB-port).
• 📦 Utility. ADB Tools by Google.

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB debugging: On TV: Settings → About TV → Software version – click 7 times on the build number until the notification “You became a developer” appears. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer Settings and activate Debugging over USB.

cmd

adb devices

The name of your device should appear.

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.mitv.appstore


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




adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.mitv.analogtv




adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.mitv.patchwall

Do not delete packages with the names com.android or com.google – this will lead to system failure!

5. Installation of custom firmware (for advanced)

If none of the above methods helped, there is an extreme measure – firmware alternative OS, for example, LineageOS or ATV Custom ROM. This will completely remove all Xiaomi advertising modules, but will deprive you of official support and warranty. S/Mi Box 4 and some Android TVs TV (Like Mi. TV Stick).

What you need to know before the firmware:

Step-by-step instructions for firmware Mi Box S:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Install TWRP Recovery with fastboot flash recovery twrp.img.
3. Download the right firmware (e.g. ATV Experience or LineageOS for TV).
4. Download to TWRP (hold Back + OK on the remote when you turn on).
5. Make Wipe → Format Data (this will delete everything, including internal memory!)
6. Install the firmware through Install → Choose. ZIP-file.

These methods are less reliable than uninstalling system applications, but they don't require root rights and are safe for the device, and the main disadvantage is that locking only works when you connect to your home network, and if the TV connects to another access point (such as a hotel), the ads will return.

What if the advertisements returned after the update?

Xiaomi firmware is regularly updated, and with them can return advertising modules. If after the update banners appeared again, act on the algorithm:

1. Check settings: Make sure personalized advertising is turned off (Section 1).
2. Change region: Sometimes it helps to change to Europe (section 2).
3. Delete the cache: Go to Settings → Apps → App Management, find PatchWall or Mi TV Store and clear the cache.
4. If the update brings too much advertising, you can return the previous version of the software through ADB Sideload (see instructions on 4PDA for your model).
5. Use ADB: Repeat the steps in Section 4 – there may be new promotional packages.

If you use custom firmware, check for updates for it. Alternative OS developers often release patches that close Xiaomi's new ad mechanisms.

FAQ: Frequent questions about advertising on Xiaomi TV