How to permanently close ads on Xiaomi phone: from system settings to root rights

Advertising on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most talked-about topics among brand owners. Even in top-end models of Redmi, POCO or Black Shark, users encounter intrusive banners in the settings menu, notifications from MIUI and built-in advertising in system applications. The manufacturer explains the need to monetize budget devices, but for users this approach is often an annoyance.

In this article, we will look at all the available ways to disable ads, from standard MIUI settings to radical methods using ADB and root rights. It is important to understand that some decisions can affect the stability of the phone or deprive you of warranties, so we will describe in detail the pros and cons of each option, as well as provide recommendations for security.

If you use Xiaomi on the base MIUI 14/15 Or a newer version, some of the instructions may be different, which we'll mention, too. POCO Launcher or HyperOS (new shell from Xiaomi) added separate tips.

1. disable personalized advertising in MIUI settings

The easiest and safest way to reduce the number of ad impressions is to disable personalization through the settings menu.This method will not remove banners completely, but will significantly reduce their number. POCO base MIUI 12 and newer.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Google → Advertising.
• 🔄 Switch the switch toggle "Switch off personalized advertising" in the active position.
• 🔍 Go back to the main settings and go to Settings → Memory. → Clean, then click “Clean” to remove the cache of advertising services.
• 🔧 For MIUI 14+ Check the Settings section further. → Special facilities → Services MIUI and disable the option "Show recommendations".

This method works at the Google Mobile Services (GMS) level, so some of the ads (like Google Play) will still be displayed.

⚠️ Note: After disabling personalization, some features (such as recommendations in Google Discover) may not work correctly, and this method does not affect advertising in Xiaomi’s branded services (Mi Browser, Mi Music, etc.).

2. Remove advertising through MIUI settings (hidden options)

MIUI contains hidden options that allow you to disable some of the system advertising without using third-party tools, which are not officially documented, but work on most devices.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to Settings → Advertising (or Privacy → Advertising Services for MIUI 15).
3. Turn off all tumblers: 📢 "Personalized recommendations" 🔍 "Showing interest-based advertising" 🌐 "Browser advertising” (if any)

Save the changes and restart the phone.

For devices with HyperOS (the new shell from Xiaomi, which debuted in 2026), the path can look like this: Settings → Accounts and sync → MIUI → Advertising services.

Personalized recommendations disabled

Interest-based advertising is turned off

Notifications from MIUI Ads are disabled

Security cache cleared

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On regional firmware devices (such as India or China), some options may be blocked, in which case switching to Europe or Russia via settings will help. SIM-map.

3.Using ADB to Deeply Disable Advertising

If system settings don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which allows you to disable advertising services at the system level, but requires you to connect your phone to your computer.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Remove Advertising in All System Applications.
• ✅ Doesn't require root rights.
• ✅ Works on MIUI 12-15 and HyperOS.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ If used incorrectly, it can disrupt some functions.
• ⚠️ After resetting the settings or updating the firmware, the procedure will have to be repeated.

Instructions:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate “Debugging by USB”.
4. Connect the phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution Then execute: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop

For MIUI 14+, an additional command may be required:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

This command unlocks the hidden APIs that Xiaomi uses to display ads.

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Before using ADB, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. In rare cases, disabling system packages can lead to shell errors.

4. Install custom firmware (for advanced users)

The most radical way to get rid of advertising is to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Xiaomi.EU), which is only suitable for advanced users, as it requires unlocking the bootloader and can be unwarranted.

The advantages of custom firmware:

• 🚀 Complete absence of advertising and bloatware (pre-installed applications).
• 🔄 Regular security updates.
• 🛠️ Ability to fine-tune the interface.

Cons:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the bootloader is unlocked).
• ⚠️ Risk of "bricking" of the device when installed incorrectly.
• ⚠️ Certain functions (e.g, IR-blaster NFC) They may not work properly.

Recommended firmware for Xiaomi:

The process of installing custom firmware includes:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox)
3. Flash (firmware) of the selected firmware through recovery.

⚠️ Note: On devices with MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) Unlocking the bootloader may not be possible without official permission from Xiaomi. XDA Developers.

5. Blocking ads through the hosts file (without root)

Another effective way is to edit a hosts file that blocks access to ad servers, which doesn't require root rights, but instead requires ADBs or special applications like AdAway.

Instructions for non-rooted devices:

1. Download the ready-made hosts file with ad blocking (select the hosts version without porn sites).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb push path to file/hosts /sdcard/
3. Install the Hosts Go app from Google Play.
4. In the app, select Import from SD Card and activate the new hosts file.

For rooted devices, it is easier to use AdAway:

• 📱 Install AdAway from F-Droid.
• 🔄 Click "Download and apply" - the application will update the hosts file itself.
• 🔧 In the settings, enable the option "System hosts" to block ads at the OS level.

On devices with MIUI 15 and HyperOS, Xiaomi has begun blocking editing hosts files without root, in which case only rooting or using an ad-blocking VPN (such as Blokada) will help.

6.Alternative methods: VPNs and third-party launchers

If the previous methods are not suitable, you can use VPN-services with advertising blocking or replace the standard launcher with an alternative.

VPN for blocking ads:

• 🛡️ Blokada – Blocks Advertising at Level DNS, work-in.
• 🌍 AdGuard VPN — It has a built-in filter for advertising Xiaomi.
• 🔒 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) - free of charge DNS base-locked.

Third-party launchers:

• 🏠 Nova Launcher – allows you to hide system widgets with advertising.
• 🎨 Lawnchair – lightweight launcher with Pixel themes support.
• 🔄 POCO Launcher (not even on the-POCO Devices – has less built-in advertising.

When using a VPN, consider:

• ✅ No changes to the system are required.
• ⚠️ It can slow down the internet speed.
• ⚠️ Some banners (such as Mi Browser) will still be displayed.

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VPNs and third-party launchers are the only methods that do not require any system intervention or warranty, but their effectiveness is lower than that of ADB or custom firmware.

7.What to do if the ad returns after the update?

After updating MIUI or resetting, some advertising services can be activated again.

• 🔄 Repeat steps with ADB (section).
• 📱 Check the settings in Security → Advertising.
• 🔧 Install the App Inspector app and check which packages (com.miui.*) have been updated.
• 🛡️ Use Blokada or AdGuard to permanently lock.

If the ad appears in a specific app (such as Mi Browser or Mi Music), try:

1. Clear the application cache in Settings → Applications.
2. Disable notifications from this application.
3. Install an alternative (e.g. Google Chrome instead of Mi Browser).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing ads on Xiaomi