How to permanently disable the installation of advertising applications on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi smartphones have long been popular due to a combination of powerful features and affordable prices. However, many users are faced with the unpleasant feature of MIUI firmware – automatic installation of advertising applications. These programs not only take up space in memory, but also consume traffic, show annoying notifications and can collect data about your activity. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to completely disable the installation of advertising applications on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, including hidden settings and radical methods for experienced users.

The problem is especially relevant for owners of budget models (for example, Redmi 9A, POCO M3), where the manufacturer compensates for the low price through affiliate programs. But even flagships like Xiaomi 13 Pro are not immune from the sudden appearance of unnecessary games or services. It is important to understand that the complete removal of system advertising applications without root rights is impossible — they can only be deactivated or hidden.

Why Xiaomi is installing advertising apps

The root of the problem lies in the company’s business model, where Xiaomi makes money not only by selling devices, but also by:

• 💰 Partner programs – the manufacturer receives money for each application installation from third-party developers (for example, AliExpress, Booking.com, local Asian services).
• 📊 Data collection – some ad apps track user activity for targeted advertising.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI — New firmware versions often add "recommended" programs to the Security section. → Cleanup.
• 🌍 Regional features – in China and India, the set of pre-installed applications may be radically different from the European version.

According to research, up to 30% of Xiaomi’s budget smartphones contain more than 10 preinstalled advertising apps, some of which cannot be removed by standard means. Moreover, even after manual removal, some programs are restored after a firmware update. This is not a defect, but a conscious strategy of the company – so you will have to fight advertising systematically.

Method 1: Disable the auto installation via MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in firmware options, which is suitable for all devices on MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions).

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three points in the upper right corner and select Show System Processes.
3. Find the com.miui.systemAdSolution (or MSA) application.
4. Select Disable → Stop → Remove Updates (if available).
5. Return to Settings → Memory → Clean up and disable the Recommended Apps option.

This method blocks the main mechanisms of displaying ads, but does not guarantee 100% results. Some users note that after the MIUI update, the settings are reset.

• 🔧 Turn off personalized recommendations in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization.
• 📵 Ban background activity for GetApps (Theme Store) and Browser (Xiaomi Browser).

Method 2: Using ADB to Deep Shut Down

If standard settings don't work, you'll have to connect to your smartphone via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a computer and minimal technical skills, but it's more durable. Importantly, the wrong ADB commands can disrupt your system -- follow the instructions carefully.

Steps to disable advertising services:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB drivers (you can download from Google) and open the command line in the folder with adb.exe.
4. Enter the commands in turn: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser

These commands remove (or deactivate) key modules responsible for displaying ads and installing apps.

adb shell pm enable com.miui.systemAdSolution

After application ADB-team recommended:

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 🛡️ Check the operation of the main functions (calls, Internet, camera).
• 📱 Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) to hide the remaining advertising widgets.

💡

If after disabling through ADB, some system functions stop working (for example, themes or cloud storage), return the settings with the command adb shell pm enable.

Method 3: Delete via Mi Account (for global versions)

Owners of devices with global MIUI firmware (such as the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite or Redmi Note 10 Pro) can use the official tool from Xiaomi - Mi Account. This method is less radical than ADB, but requires a tied account.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Xiaomi account and log in.
2. Go to Mi Cloud → Synchronization → Data Management.
3. Find the Recommended Applications section and turn off synchronization.
4. Return to Settings → Applications → Application Management, find GetApps and clear the cache/data.

This method blocks personalized recommendations, but does not remove already installed applications.

1. Go to Settings → Apps.
2. Select an unneeded app (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music).
3. Press Remove or Disable (if the Remove button is inactive).

💡

Disabling via Mi Account only works for global versions of MIUI. On Chinese firmware (e.g. Xiaomi for the domestic market), this method is useless - you will need ADB or root rights.

Method 4: Blocking through a firewall (without root)

If the ad applications are still installed, they can be blocked at the network level with a firewall, and this is the case with the NetGuard app.

1. Download NetGuard from Google Play.
2. Open the app and give access to the VPN (necessary to intercept traffic).
3. Go to the App tab and find: GetApps (theme store) Browser (Xiaomi browser) com.miui.systemAdSolution DownloadProviderUi (Downloads)

Wi-Fi

Mobile data

This method does not remove applications, but stops them from updating and downloading new ones. Minus – some system functions (for example, updating the firmware through GetApps) will also stop working.

Method 5: Radical methods (root and custom firmware)

If all of the above methods do not help, there are two extreme options:

1. Get root permissions and uninstall system applications via Titanium Backup or Root Explorer.
2. Install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

Instructions for experienced users:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (it takes 7-15 days to re-assign your account).
2. Install TWRP Recovery and run Magisk to get root.
3. Use Titanium Backup to freeze or delete packets: com.miui.systemAdSolution com.xiaomi.midrop com.android.browser com.miui.videoplayer com.miui.player

💡

Before unlocking the bootloader, make a full backup via adb backup or TWRP. This will help restore data if something goes wrong.

The alternative to root is to install custom firmware without advertising.

• 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without unnecessary applications.
• 🎨 Pixel Experience – firmware with interface from Google Pixel.
• ⚡ ArrowOS – Optimized for Performance Version.

Cons of custom firmware:

• ⚠️ There may be bugs with the camera or sensors (especially on newer models).
• 📡 Support for some networks may be lost (e.g., VoLTE on some carriers).
• 🔄 Manual update required (no) OTA).

What to do if the ad returns after the update

Even after a successful shutdown, ad applications may reappear after a MIUI update, because newer firmware versions often restore system packages.

1. Turn off automatic MIUI update: Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. Slip to three points → Settings → Turn off automatic boot.

Use the patches for the firmware

• Download the MIUI Hidden Settings tool from Google Play.
• Activate the Block OTA Updates for System Apps option.
• Remove updates for advertising applications: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution (perform after each MIUI update).

If you want to update, but without advertising:

• 🔍 Before upgrading, do a backup via adb backup.
• 📥 Download the firmware manually from en.miui.com and install via TWRP (root-user).
• 🛡️ After the update, repeat the steps from Method 2 (ADB).

💡

MIUI updates through GetApps often restore ad modules. To avoid this, download the firmware only from the official website and install manually.

FAQ: Frequent questions about advertising on Xiaomi

Logs of the system

adb logcat | grep -i "advertisement"

(Shows the processes related to advertising).

Manual check

• Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
• Sort by installation date – new unnecessary programs will be at the top.

Typical culprits: GetApps, Browser, Mi Video, Cleaner.