Why Xiaomiโs Region Selection Affects Advertising โ and How It Works
You just unpacked the new Xiaomi 14 or POCO X6 Pro, turned it on - and instead of a clean interface saw banners in Settings, ads in the Browser and annoying notifications from the MIUI? It's not an accident. It's because Xiaomi's branded shell is a sham (MIUI) automatically adjusts the content to the selected region, and in some of them advertising is built-in at the system level.
The manufacturer officially claims that advertising helps keep device prices low, but for users in Europe, India or Russia, it often becomes an annoyance. The good news is that you can change the region in your settings and significantly reduce the number of ad impressions โ or eliminate it altogether. But here's the nuance: not all regions are equally useful, and some may even worsen the experience.
In this article, we will discuss:
- ๐ How the region affects advertising in MIUI 14/15 newer
- ๐ Comparison of regions EEA, India, Russia, Hong Kong and others
- โ๏ธ Step-by-step instructions for changing the region (including without resetting)
- โ ๏ธ Risks and pitfalls (loss of warranty, issues with updates)
- ๐ ๏ธ Alternative ways to turn off ads if changing the region didnโt help
Warning: There is no one-size-fits-all solution. MIUI It's not like the way you buy it, but after reading it, you'll know exactly which region to choose for your model.
What are the regions of Xiaomi and how they differ?
V MIUI more easily 20 regions, but only relevant to the fight against advertising 5-6. Each has its pros and cons, from the complete absence of banners to problems with localization or updates:
| Region | Advertising level | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEA (Europe) | โญโญ (minimal) | There are almost no ads, stable updates, full localization | Some services may be missing (e.g. Mi Pay) |
| India (India) | โญโญโญ (middle-class) | Good optimization for budget models, frequent updates | Advertising in the browser and some system applications |
| Russia (Russia) | โญโญโญโญ (high-pitched) | Full Russification, all services are working | Maximum advertising, including banners in Settings |
| Hong Kong (Hong Kong) | โญ (no advertising) | Clean firmware without ads, quick updates | English + Chinese interface may not work Google services |
| Taiwan (Taiwan) | โญ (no advertising) | Stable work, no advertising | Chinese language, there may be problems with 4G/5G in some countries |
Important: Starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi has started blocking region change on some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T pro POCO F5 If your device is released after 2023, you may need to unlock the bootloader.
As a rule, the best balance between lack of advertising and convenience gives EEA. But if you're willing to sacrifice Russification for the sake of clean interfaces, consider Hong Kong or Taiwan, and Russia and India are only for those who don't notice the ads or use alternative launchers like Nova Launcher.
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Before changing your region, check if your model supports the Global model. ROM. Some devices (such as Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) are sold only with Chinese firmware, and the change of region to them is impossible without a complete flashing.
Step-by-step: how to change the region to Xiaomi
Changing the region is a simple process, but it requires attention, and errors can lead to data loss or even locking the device. We will discuss two ways: through settings (for most models) and through the use of a new system. ADB (if the standard method is blocked).
Method 1: Through the settings menu (for MIUI 12โ15)
This method works on most devices, except those where the region change is blocked by the manufacturer.
- Open the Settings. โ The phone.
- Tap 7-10 times on the line Version MIUI, activate the developer mode.
- Return to the main Settings menu and select Additional โ Region.
- Find it in the list. EEA (Europe) or other desired region and confirm the choice.
- Reset the device.
Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, messages)
Charge your phone at least 50%
Connect to a stable Wi-Fi
Make sure there is enough free space on the device (minimum 2GB)
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Attention, after the region changes, the device can:
- ๐ Reboot several times
- ๐ฑ Reset some settings (wallpaper, sounds, shortcuts)
- ๐ซ Stop supporting certain services (e.g. Mi Cloud in Hong Kong)
Method 2: Through ADB (lock-in)
If you canโt change your region, youโll need to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires a computer and basic command line skills.
You'll need:
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
- ๐ USB-cable (preferably original)
- ๐ฆ Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB
Instructions:
- Download Googleโs Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
- Turn on the phone Debugging over USB (Settings โ About Phone โ MIUI version โ 7 taps โ For developers โ Debugging over USB).
- Connect the phone to your computer and in the command line (in the folder with adb) do:
adb shell
settings put global miui_region EEAOnce you have completed the command, restart the device. If the region has not changed, try the alternative command:
adb shell am start -n com.miui.systemAdSolution/.MainActivityThis will open a hidden ad settings menu where you can manually disable some of the banners.
What if the ADB does not recognize the device?
What problems can arise after a change in the region
Changing a region is not always a harmless procedure, and in some cases it can have unpredictable consequences, especially if you choose a region that is incompatible with your model.
โ ๏ธ If your device was purchased from the operator's official store (for example, MTS or Beeline), changing the region can lead to loss of connection to the network.
1. Update issues
Some regions receive late or no updates, such as:
- ๐ช๐บ EEA โ updates are stable, but may arrive 1-2 weeks later than in China.
- ๐ฎ๐ณ India โ Frequent updates, but sometimes with bugs.
- ๐ญ๐ฐ Hong Kong โ Quick Updates, but No Russification.
Loss of functionality
In some regions, it may not work:
- ๐ณ Mi Pay and other payment services
- ๐ก Some ranges 4G/5G (especially in Taiwan or China)
- ๐ต Mi Music and other media services
3. Resetting settings
In rare cases, after a change of region, the phone can:
- ๐ Reset to factory settings (especially on older versions) MIUI)
- ๐ฑ Stop switching on (if you interrupt the process of changing the region)
- ๐ Require Mi-account password (if Find Device was enabled)
To minimize the risks, before changing the region:
- Turn off Find Device in Settings โ Mi Account โ Find Device.
- Make a backup through Settings โ Additional โ Backup.
- Charge your phone at least 70%.
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If after the change of region the phone stopped working normally (buzzes, does not catch the network, does not update), return the former region through the phone. ADB Or perform a reset to factory settings.
EEA Hong Kong vs Taiwan: Which region is best for disabling ads
We tested the three most popular regions for combating advertising on Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 Pro devices+ and POCO X5 Results may vary depending on the model, but the overall trend continues.
| Criteria | EEA (Europe) | Hong Kong | Taiwan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising in Settings | โ No. | โ No. | โ No. |
| Browser advert | โ ๏ธ There are (but less than in Russia) | โ No. | โ No. |
| Advertising in Mi Video | โ ๏ธ Available (banners before the video) | โ No. | โ No. |
| Russification | โ Complete. | โ Only English. + Chinese | โ Chinese fonts, partial translation |
| Updates | โ Stable, but with a delay | โ Fast, but there could be bugs. | โ Fast, stable. |
| The work of Google services | โ All work. | โ ๏ธ There may be problems with Google Play Services | โ Work. |
Conclusion:
- ๐ฅ EEA โ Best choice for most users: minimal advertising, full Russification, stable work.
- ๐ฅ Taiwan โ as long as you donโt mind Chinese fonts and are willing to sacrifice some services for the sake of no advertising.
- ๐ฅ Hong Kong is only for experienced users who do not need to Russify and are ready to solve possible problems with Google services.
If you live in Russia and bought the phone from an official store, do not recommend choosing Hong Kong or Taiwan.
Alternative ways to remove advertising MIUI (If the change in the region did not help)
Even after the change of the region EEA Or Hong Kong, some users are facing residual advertising, which is because some of the banners are sewn into system applications (Mi Browser, Mi Video, Security:
1. Disabling personalized advertising
This method will not eliminate the advertising completely, but will reduce its number:
- Go to Settings โ Google โ Advertising.
- Turn off the option of personalized advertising.
- Go back to Settings โ Applications โ Application Management.
- Find Msa (com.miui.msa.global) and turn off auto-start.
Installation of an alternative launcher
System launcher MIUI It's often showing ads on the home screen, and the solution is to install a third-party launcher, for example:
- ๐ฑ Nova Launcher (most stable)
- ๐จ Lawnchair (open source)
- โก Hyperion Launcher (maximum customization)
After installation:
- Click the empty space on the main screen.
- Select Screen Settings โ Launcher by default.
- Specify the launcher installed.
3. Removal of system applications (for power users only)
Some apps (Mi Browser, Mi Video, Cleaner) can be removed via the ADB, But it's risky, because doing the wrong thing can cause the system to collapse.
List of safe packets to remove (for MIUI 14/15):
pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.browser
pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.video
pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.cleanmaster
pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.analyticsโ ๏ธ Attention! Removing system applications could disrupt work MIUI. Before executing commands, make a backup and be ready to reset settings.
4. Use of patches (Magisk)
If your device is unlocked, you can install Magisk and use the modules to block ads:
- ๐ก๏ธ DisableForceEncrypt (for some models)
- ๐ซ MIUI AdBlocker (blocking ads at the system level)
- ๐ง XiaomiDebloater (remove unnecessary services)
Installation instructions:
- Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
- Install TWRP and run Magisk.
- Download the module (for example, MIUI AdBlocker and install it with Magisk Manager.
- Reset the device.
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If you don't want to unlock the bootloader, try App Ops (requires superuser rights), which allows you to disable permissions for system applications responsible for displaying ads.
Frequent questions about changing the region and advertising in Xiaomi
โ Can you change the region without resetting the settings?
โ Will the advertisements return after the update? MIUI?
โ Can you bring back the old region if the new one doesnโt fit?
โ Why Google Pay is not working after the change of region to Hong Kong?
โ How to check which region is installed on my Xiaomi?
Conclusion: which region to choose in 2026
In summary, the following recommendations can be made:
- ๐ For most users, the best choice โ EEA. This region offers minimal advertising, full Russification and stable updates. POCO generation.
- ๐ก๏ธ For power users willing to sacrifice convenience for the sake of clean interface, Taiwan is the right fit. There is no advertising, but there may be problems with fonts and some services.
- ๐ซ We don't recommend Hong Kong unless you live in Asia, and we're at risk of losing Google's functionality.
- โ ๏ธ Avoid the regions of Russia and India if your goal is to remove ads.
If the region change didnโt help or caused problems, use alternative methods: disable personalized advertising, install a third-party launcher or remove system applications through the service. ADB. In extreme cases, you can consider unlocking the bootloader and installing custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
Remember, Xiaomi is constantly updating its advertising policy, what works today may not work after the next update, and keep an eye out for news on the official Mi Community forum or in thematic groups (e.g., theme groups, MIUI Russia in Telegram).
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Changing a region is not a panacea. Complete removal of ads may require a combination of methods: changing a region. + shutdown + launcher.