How to Remove Ads from Xiaomi on MIUI 12: 5 Ways to Work

The upgrade to MIUI 12 brought Xiaomi users not only new features and improved design, but also noticeably more advertising – from banners in system applications to annoying push notifications. Even after disabling personalized advertising in the settings, many elements continue to appear, preventing comfortable use of the smartphone. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to remove ads on devices with MIUI 12, including hidden settings, ADB commands, and methods for advanced users.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi integrates firmware-level advertising, so you can’t get rid of it completely without tampering with system files. However, the combination of methods will reduce the number of impressions by 90 to 95 percent. If you’re willing to sacrifice some features (like system updates) for a clean interface, read on.

Why is MIUI 12 so full of ads and can it be turned off forever?

MIUI 12 is monetized by displaying ads in standard applications: Browser, Music, Themes, Security, and even Settings. Some of the banners come through Mi Advertising and MSA (Mobile Services Analytics), which collect user data for targeted advertising, and you can turn them off, but not all of them are equally effective:

• 🔧 System settings – will remove 30-40% of advertising, but will leave banners in applications.
• 📱 ADB-Teams – block most advertising services without root rights.
• 🔒 Root access – allows you to remove advertising modules forever, but deprives of guarantees.
• 🛡️ Third-party firmware is a radical method for power users (e.g. LineageOS).

According to MIUI 12.5 firmware analysis, the ad units are embedded in /system/priv-app/ and /system/app/. Even after resetting, they are restored, meaning that either a deep modification of the system or the use of alternative firmware will be required to completely remove the adverts.

⚠️ Note: Disabling advertising services through ADB This can cause Mi Account, Cloud Storage and System Updates to crash.Before executing commands, back up your data!

Method 1: Disabling Advertising through MIUI 12 System Settings

Start with basic settings, which is the safest method, and doesn't require technical skills. Most users miss this step because it's ineffective, but it removes up to 40 percent of unnecessary notifications and banners.

Go to:

1. Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Mi Account
2. Open the Mi Services section and turn off:

• 📢 Personalized recommendations
• 📊 Usage analysis
• 🔄 Synchronization of advertising data

Then go back to the settings and do:

1. Settings → Privacy → Advertising → Turn off Personalized Advertising.
2. Settings → Notifications → Additional → uncheck the boxes from Advertising Notices and Special Offers.

For Xiaomi applications (e.g. Browser, Music, Themes):

• 🔍 Go to the settings of each application.
• 🚫 Find the Advertising or Recommendations section and disable all switches.

Disable personalized advertising in Mi Account|

Deactivate the usage analytics |

Remove the ticks from advertising notifications |

Check the settings in each system application-->

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI Some settings may reset. Check them every 1-2 months!

Method 2: Use of the ADB-commands for deep disabling advertising

If the system settings did not help, the next step is to disable advertising services through the Internet. ADB. This method does not require root rights, but requires a computer and USB-Advantage: even hidden advertising modules that are not displayed in the interface are blocked.

Preparation:

1. Download Android Platform Tools (includes adb.exe).
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to become a developer) → Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.

Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and execute commands in turn:

adb shell pm hide com.miui.systemAdSolution


adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.midrop




adb shell pm hide com.android.browser




adb shell pm hide com.miui.player




adb shell settings put global private_dns_mode host




adb shell settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0

Transcript of commands:

💡

If the advert returns after the commands are executed, repeat the procedure or add the adb shell pm uninstall-k --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution command (requires confirmation on the phone).

To verify, do:

adb shell pm list packages -d

The list should include disabled packets (with disabled status).

Turned off in settings |

Used ADB|

I put in custom firmware |

I've tried nothing.-->

Method 3: Removing ads from third-party apps (without root)

If ADBs seem complicated, you can use specialized utilities that automate the process of disabling advertising services, but you need to be careful - some applications may contain malicious code.

Tested instruments:

• 🛡️ App Ops allows you to manage permissions for system applications. Turn off Internet access for com.miui.systemAdSolution and com.xiaomi.msa.global.
• 🔍 MIUI Hidden Settings – reveals hidden settings MIUI, including ad blocking.
• 🚫 Blokada – Blocks Advertising Domains at Level DNS (It works without root, but requires customization VPN).

Instructions for Blokada:

1. Download the application from the official website.
2. Activate. VPN-mode in the Blokada settings.
3. Add to the blacklist the domains: tracker.miui.com, data.mistat.xiaomi.com, api.ad.xiaomi.com.

Restriction: Some system banners (such as Settings) may stay because they load locally.

Method 4: Install custom firmware (for experienced users)

If you’re willing to take drastic measures, alternative firmware (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Xiaomi.eu) completely removes ads and unnecessary Xiaomi services.

Step-by-step instructions for Xiaomi.eu firmware (based on MIUI, but without advertising):

1. Download the firmware for your model from Xiaomi.eu.
2. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires Mi Account binding and waits 7-14 days).
3. Install TWRP Recovery (instructions are available on XDA Developers).
4. Using TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe (mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
5. Sweep through the downloaded.zip file and restart.

Benefits of Xiaomi.eu:

• 📱 All advertising modules have been removed completely.
• 🔄 Regular updates (weekly).
• 🛠️ Optimized for the European market (no Chinese services).

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware will void the warranty and may lead to a device blink if the wrong version is selected. Before firmware check compatibility with your model on the Xiaomi.eu forum!

Method 5: Manual removal of advertising packages (requires root)

If you have root access, you can manually remove advertising. APK-This method gives 100% results, but it is risky: incorrect deletion can disrupt the work. MIUI.

Tools required:

• 📱 Root access (for example, via Magisk).
• 🛠️ File Manager with support for root (Root Explorer or Mixplorer).

Instructions:

1. Open Root Explorer and go to /system/priv-app/.
2. Remove or rename (add.bak) the following folders: SystemAdSolution MSA (or com.xiaomi.msa.global) AnalyticsCore

Reset the device.

To block the remaining ad domains, edit /system/etc/hosts:

127.0.0.1 tracker.miui.com


127.0.0.1 data.mistat.xiaomi.com




127.0.0.1 api.ad.xiaomi.com

💡

Removal of systemic APK-Files can cause errors in the Mi Account and Cloud Services. Before making changes, back up the folder. /system/priv-app/!

What if the adverts returned after the MIUI update?

Xiaomi regularly releases updates that can restore ad modules. If banners reappear after the update, follow the following steps:

1. Check settings: Repeat steps from Manual 1 (disable in Mi Account and Settings).
2. Update. ADB-commands: Some packages may change. MIUI 12.5/13: adb shell pm hide com.miui.systemAdSolution adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.msa.global adb shell pm hide com.miui.analytics
3. Use Blokada: Update the lock lists in the app.
4. Reverse to the old version: If the update brought too much advertising, you can roll back via Fastboot (instructions on xiaomi.eu).

If the problem persists, check if third-party apps showing ads (such as launchers or optimizers) are installed. Use VirusTotal to scan for suspicious APKs.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing ads in MIUI 12