Advertising on Xiaomi Mi TV 9 and Mi TV 4S has become one of the most annoying features for users. menu pop-up banners, home screen ad units and intrusive notifications about “recommended content” sometimes make the device uncomfortable. The manufacturer has integrated ad modules at the PatchWall firmware level, making it difficult to remove them completely without drastic measures. However, there are legal and semi-legal ways to minimize or completely remove advertising – from standard settings to deep interventions in the system.
In this article, we will discuss 5 current methods (including hidden settings and workarounds) that work on models from 2020-2026. It is important to understand that some solutions will require resetting the TV or manually editing configuration files, so before any manipulations save a list of installed applications and key settings (for example, network and sound parameters) – after resetting, they will have to be reconfigured.
1. Disabling Advertising through Standard Settings
The safest way to do this is to use the built-in options, which, despite its limited efficiency, will help reduce the number of pop-up banners by 30-40%.The main menu of the Xiaomi Mi TV 9 hides several key switches:
- 📺 Advertising Notifications: Go to Settings → Notifications → Advertising notifications and disable all sliders.This will block the pop-ups with offers from Mi TV partner.
- 🎯 Personalized advertising: in the Settings section → Account and security → Confidentiality → Personalized ads deactivate the option, which will reduce the targeting of the banners shown.
- 🔄 Auto-Update Applications: C Settings → Annexes → Auto Update select "Switched Off." Many ad modules update automatically by adding new banners.
Note that even after these options are turned off, ads in the PatchWall launcher (main screen) and in pre-installed apps (Mi Video, Mi Music) can persist, because some of the ad blocks are hard-wired into the shell, and more radical methods will be needed to remove them.
⚠️ Note: On some firmware, after disabling advertising notifications, the system can automatically turn them back on after 1-2 weeks.
2. resetting the TV to factory settings
If the ad appears after a firmware update or new apps are installed, a full reset can help.This method deletes all user data, including the ad cache, but requires reconfiguration of the device. Importantly, the reset does not remove pre-installed apps (such as Mi Video or Netflix), but resets their settings, which sometimes reduces the amount of ads displayed.
Resetting instructions:
- Open Settings → About TV → Reset to factory settings.
- Enter. PIN-code (by default 0000 or 1234 if you have not changed it).
- Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 3-5 minutes).
After reset, don't connect your Xiaomi account right away -- check if there's any ads left. If the banners are gone, you can log in later. If the ads come back, the firmware is a problem, and you'll need one of the following methods.
☑️ Preparing for Xiaomi's reset TV
3. Disconnecting advertising services through ADB
For power users, there is a method of disabling advertising services through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a semi-legal method that does not require root rights, but can disrupt some of the functions of the TV, the essence of the method is to deactivate the system applications responsible for displaying ads.
You'll need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original from Xiaomi).
- ⚙️ Included debugging by USB on TV (path: Settings) → On TV. → Software version – click 7 times on the build number, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
Commands to disable advertising modules (enter in cmd or Terminal):
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.mitv.tvhome # Shuts down the PatchWall launcher
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.mitv.appstore # Xiaomi App Store
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution # System Advertising Module
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.mitv.analytics # Analytics collection (ad targeting)After you've done the commands, reboot the TV. Advertisements should disappear, but keep in mind:
- 🚨 PatchWall launcher will be replaced by standard Android TV Launcher (less convenient).
- 🔄 Some features (such as voice search) may stop working.
- 🔄 After updating the firmware, advertising modules can be turned on again.
⚠️ Note: Do not disable system applications called com.android. or com.google. – This can cause the TV to fail. Also, do not use the pm uninstall command instead of pm disable-user – this will remove the apps permanently and can cause bugs when updating.
Installation of an alternative launcher
One of the most effective ways to get rid of advertising is to replace the standard PatchWall launcher with a third-party one, such as the ATV Launcher or HalLauncher, which does not contain ad units and offers a more flexible interface configuration, but they will require:
- Enable the installation of applications from unknown sources (Settings → Security → Unknown sources).
- Download APK-a launcher file (e.g., with APKMirror) and upload it to the TV via a flash drive or cloud storage.
- Install the launcher and select it as the main one in the settings (Settings → Applications → Default Launcher).
Advantages of alternative launchers:
| Function | PatchWall (standard) | ATV Launcher | HalLauncher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banner advertisements | ❌ There is. | ✅ No. | ✅ No. |
| Customizable interface | ❌ Limited. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Widget support | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ✅ Partially. |
| Voice search | ✅ Yes) | ✅ Yes, Google) | ❌ No. |
Disadvantages of the method:
- 🎮 Some Xiaomi remotes may not work properly with third-party launchers (for example, hot keys will not work).
- 🔄 When updating the firmware, the launcher can be reset to the standard.
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Before installing an alternative launcher, check its compatibility with your Xiaomi TV model on forums (like 4PDA).Some launchers are optimized for specific versions of Android TV only.
5. Blocking Advertising via DNS or VPN
If the ad is displayed in an app (e.g. Mi Video or YouTube), it can be blocked at the network level.
- 🌍 DNS-Ad-blocking servers: Replace the standard DNS 1.1.1.3 (Cloudflare Family) or 94.140.14.14 (AdGuard) DNS). Path: Settings → Network → Network setup → DNS.
- 🔒 VPN With Tracker Locking: Install ProtonVPN or AdGuard VPN Google Play (if available on your TV).
This method blocks up to 70% of in-app ads, but does not affect banners in the PatchWall interface itself. Also note that some streaming services (such as Netflix) may block access when using a VPN.
For maximum efficiency, combine DNS and VPN.
- Set DNS 94.140.14.14.
- Connect AdGuard VPN in the “Ad Block” mode.
- Reboot the TV.
⚠️ Attention: Use VPN It can reduce the speed of the Internet connection by 10-30%, which is critical for watching video in the Internet. 4K. Turn off before watching movies. VPN, if you notice the lags.
How to check if the DNS lock is working?
6. firmware custom firmware (for advanced)
The most radical way is to install custom firmware, such as LineageOS for Android TV. This will completely remove all Xiaomi advertising modules, but will require:
- 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (you may need permission from Xiaomi).
- 💻 Ability to work with fastboot and ADB.
- 🔄 Risk of "bricking" TV in case of error.
Advantages of custom firmware:
- ✅ Complete lack of advertising and system software Xiaomi.
- ✅ Regular security updates.
- ✅ Ability to fine-tune productivity.
Disadvantages:
- ❌ Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).
- ❌ Possible problems with the remote or Wi-Fi module.
- ❌ Lack of official support for Xiaomi.
If you decide to take this step, follow the instructions from the proven resources (e.g., the following, XDA For Xiaomi Mi Developers. TV 9 It will fit firmware based on Android TV 11/12 supportive arm64-architecture.
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Installing custom firmware is a last resort, and before you start, make sure that your TV model has a stable build and you are prepared for possible hardware problems (such as a broken IR port remote).