Why does the ad appear on Xiaomi devices and can it be turned off?
Xiaomi smartphone, tablet and TV owners regularly face intrusive ads in system apps, Mi Browser, launcher and even settings menus. The company integrates ad units into MIUI and HyperOS firmware as a way to monetize, but it becomes an annoying factor for users, especially annoying advertising on budget models, where it can occupy up to 10-15% of the screen on some menus.
One of the most effective ways to combat this problem is to block advertising servers at the DNS level. Unlike installing third-party blockers (such as AdGuard or Blokada), the method with DNS does not require root rights, does not load the system and works on all Xiaomi devices - from Redmi Note 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. The main advantage: the lock works even in system applications where conventional adblock extensions do not have access.
In this article, we will discuss:
- 🔍 How it works DNS-Advertising blocking and why it is safe
- 📱 Step-by-step settings on smartphones Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco (including HyperOS)
- 📺 Features of settings for Mi TVs TV and the Mi Box.
- ⚠️ Possible problems and how to avoid them (including bypassing the lock by the operator)
- 🔄 Alternatives DNS-Servers and their comparison in terms of efficiency
How it works DNS-Advertising blocking: technical details
DNS (Domain Name System is a system that converts domain names (such as ads.mi.com) into domain names. IP-Addresses. When you use an alternative. DNS-Filtered server, all requests to advertising domains are redirected to "empty" IP Or they're blocked. That means that:
- 🚫 Banners in Mi Browser, Mi Video, Mi Music are no longer downloadable
- 📵 System notifications with ads (e.g., in Security or Cleaner) disappear
- ⚡ Page loading speeds can increase (no time is wasted loading ads)
- 🔒 No security risk – you don’t install third-party apps with unknown permissions
It is important to understand that DNS-The lock doesn't physically remove ads -- it just makes them invisible to your device. Xiaomi's ad servers keep working, but your smartphone or TV doesn't get data from them anymore. DNS On the router, advertising will disappear on the phone and on the TV).
Among the popular DNS-servers for blocking advertising are allocated:
| DNS-server | IPv4-address | IPv6-address | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| AdGuard DNS | 94.140.14.1494.140.15.15 | 2a10:50c0::ad1:ff2a10:50c0::ad2:ff | Blocks ads, trackers and phishing, and there's a family mode with 18+ content blocking. |
| NextDNS | Individual (after registration) | Individual | Flexible filter configuration, query statistics, free up to 300,000 requests/month |
| CleanBrowsing | 185.228.168.9185.228.169.9 | 2a0d:2a00:1::2a0d:2a00:2:: | Focus on security and blocking malicious sites. |
| Cloudflare Family | 1.1.1.31.0.0.3 | 2606:4700:4700::11132606:4700:4700::1003 | Blocks malware and adult content, but filters ads weakly |
⚠️ Note: Some mobile operators (e.g. MTS, Beeline) may ignore user-generated DNS-settings in mobile networks (3G/4G/5G). In this case, the lock will only work through Wi-Fi. VPN custom-supported DNS.
Step-by-step: how to configure DNS on a Xiaomi smartphone
The setup process is the same for most MIUI 12–14 and HyperOS devices, but there may be minor differences in the layout of menu items.
- 📱 Xiaomi 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12/13, Poco F5/X5
- 📱 Budget models: Redmi A2, Poco M6, Redmi 12C
- 📱 Older devices (if updated to current firmware)
Step 1. Open your Wi-Fi settings
Go to Settings → Wi-Fi. Click on the name of your network (to which you are connected) and hold your finger for 1-2 seconds until the context menu appears. Select Change Network (or Network Management on some firmware).
Step 2. Enable advanced settings
At the bottom of the screen, tap on Additional (or Advanced Settings). Here you need to find the IP Settings item and change it from DHCP to Static.
Step 3. Specify DNS-server
Scroll down to the DNS 1 and DNS 2 fields, enter the addresses of one of the servers in the table above, for example, for AdGuard DNS:
DNS 1: 94.140.14.14
DNS 2: 94.140.15.15If you use NextDNS, pre-register on the site and get a personalized IP-address.
Step 4: Save and reconnect.
Click Save (or check in the top right corner). Unplug from Wi-Fi and reconnect. Changes may require rebooting the device to apply.
Make sure the internet is working (open your browser)
Check out the lack of ads in Mi Browser (open mi.com)
Launch the Security app and check notifications
Restart the device if the ad is still displayed-->
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware after settings system update DNS They're reset. To avoid that, use applications like this. DNS Changer (requires permissions) VPN) or tune in DNS router-level.
Features of DNS settings on Mi TVs and Mi Box consoles
Xiaomi Mi TVs (including Mi TV A2, Mi TV Q2, Mi TV P1) and Mi Box S/Mi Box 4K also support DNS change, but the settings interface is different from smartphones. The main difficulty is the lack of a full-fledged browser to check the lock, so you will have to focus on the disappearance of advertising in system applications.
Instructions for Mi TV (Android TV):
- Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
- Select your network and click Change Network (or Network Settings).
- In the DNS section, select Manual and enter addresses (e.g. 94.140.14.14 and 94.140.15.15).
- Save the settings and restart the TV (required!).
Instructions for the Mi Box:
On consoles, the path is a little different: Settings → Network → Wi-Fi setup → Additional → IP settings → Static. Once you enter DNS, restart the device through Settings → Device → Reboot.
Important: On Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall-based firmware (e.g. India), you may need to reset to factory settings after changing the DNS, as the system caches advertising modules.
What if after setting up the DNS advertising remained?
Problems and Solutions: Why DNS-The lock may not work.
Despite the simplicity of the method, users often face difficulties, and consider the typical problems and ways to solve them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| DNS is not used on mobile networks | The operator ignores user DNS (T-Mobile, MTS, Beeline) | Use a VPN with custom DNS support (e.g. 1.1.1.1 WARP) |
| Advertising remains in some applications | DNS does not block all Xiaomi advertising domains | Add additional filters to NextDNS or use AdGuard Home on your router |
| After the MIUI DNS update, it dropped. | The system resets network settings when updating | Set up DNS on your router or use DNS Changer with Auto-Run |
| No Internet after DNS changes | IP input error or server not available | Check the correct addresses. Try 8.8.8.8 (Google DNS) for the test. |
If you use NextDNS, pay attention to the request limit (300,000/month on the free rate). If you exceed the limit, the lock is disabled until the next month. To track usage, register on nextdns.io and link your IP.
💡
For maximum efficiency, combine DNS-lock with disabling personalized advertising in the settings of Xiaomi. → Google → Advertising and deactivate the option "Personalized Advertising".
Alternative ways to block ads on Xiaomi
If DNS-This method is not suitable (for example, due to operator limitations), consider alternatives:
- 🛡️ AdGuard or Blokada: Applications with a function VPN-They require constant work in the background, but they block ads in all applications, including games.
- 📦 Disabling System Applications: Through Settings → Annexes → You can disable Mi Browser, Mi Video, Cleaner, but that won't remove ads from the launcher or settings.
- 🔧 Editing hosts file: Requires root rights. /system/etc/hosts Added records to redirect advertising domains to 127.0.0.1. Risky method – an error can lead to loss of system performance.
- 🌐 Router settings: Change DNS It's going to block ads for all devices on the network, it's going to be for Xiaomi Router, TP-Link, Keenetic. DHCP → DNS-server.
For users ready for experimentation, there is a radical method – install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), these firmware are devoid of Xiaomi advertising modules, but require unlocking the bootloader and can deprive the device of warranty.
💡
DNS-Blocking is the safest and most versatile way to remove ads on Xiaomi.It does not require root rights, does not affect performance and works on all devices of the brand, including TVs and set-top boxes.