How to permanently remove advertising in Xiaomi player: step-by-step instructions

Advertising in standard Xiaomi players is one of the most annoying features of MIUI and Mi TV. Even after buying a premium TV or smartphone, users are faced with intrusive banners in Mi Video, Mi Music and other media applications. The manufacturer integrates advertising modules at the firmware level, making their removal a non-trivial task. However, there are both official and alternative methods that allow you to not remove the ads completely, then at least significantly reduce their number.

In this article, we will discuss 5 And the way that we've tried it, from basic settings to deep modifications, is that it depends on the model of the device, the version of the system. MIUI/PatchWall And the firmware region. For example, on Xiaomi Mi. TV 4S With global firmware, one method can work, and on Redmi Smart TV X with Chinese version is different, and we will also point out which methods can lead to loss of warranty or unstable system operation so that you can assess the risks.

Why does Xiaomi Player have ads?

The root of the problem lies in Xiaomi’s business model, which describes its technology as “affordable premium” but compensates for low prices by:

• 📢 Built-in advertising in system applications (Mi Video, Mi Music, Gallery, Weather).
• 🌍 Regional restrictions: there is almost no advertising in China, and its number in global firmware is over the top.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI, They often “return” ads even after they’re turned off.
• 📦 Pre-installed services (Mi Account, Mi Cloud) that collect data for targeted advertising.

Technically, banner ads are loaded from Xiaomi servers via com.miui.systemAdSolution and com.xiaomi.mitv.ad (for TVs). On smartphones, msa (Miui System Ads) is responsible for this service, which analyzes user behavior and shows “relevant” ads. Interestingly, even after personalization is turned off, ads do not disappear — just become less targeted.

Method 1: Disabling Advertising through MIUI Settings (for smartphones)

The safest method is to use the built-in MIUI options, which are suitable for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with global or European firmware, and it is important that these settings may not be available on the Chinese versions of MIUI (China ROM).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, enter the player name (Mi Video, Mi Music or Gallery).
3. Go to the Notifications section and turn off all switches.
4. Go back to the main settings of the app and select Advertising (or Personalized Advertising).
5. Turn off the options: 🔘 Show recommendations 🔘 Personalized advertising 🔘 Promotional notices

After this action, the ads in the player should decrease by 60-80%, but banners may remain in some sections (for example, on the Mi Video home screen), and it is worth considering that after the MIUI update, the settings may reset, they will have to configure again.

Method 2: Use of the ADB-commands (universal method)

If standard settings don’t work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool for debugging Android devices, which works on most Xiaomi devices, including TVs, but requires a connection to a computer.

Warning: improper use of ADB may disrupt the system. Follow the instructions carefully.

⚠️ Warning: Before you execute commands, disable all antiviruses on your PC – they can block adb.exe. Also make sure that the device is enabled Debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).

Steps:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Connect the device to the PC via USB, select File Transfer mode.
3. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and go to the folder with adb: cd C:\platform-tools
4. Run the command to check the connection: adb devices (should display the serial number of your device).
5. Enter commands in turn (to turn off advertising in the MIUI): adb shell pm hide com.miui.systemAdSolution adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.mitv.ad adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

For Mi TVs, use additional commands:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.mitv.tvhome


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.tv.adservice

The effect is that the ads will disappear from the players, the gallery, and even the desktop, but after resetting the settings or updating. MIUI You'll have to do it again, and some users also note that after that, ADB-Mi Account and cloud services are reversible (it is enough to return the default settings).

Method 3: Installation of alternative players

If fighting ads in standard apps seems too difficult, you can simply abandon them in favor of third-party solutions.

• 🎬 VLC — Supports all formats, no advertising, there are advanced sound settings.
• 🎵 Poweramp – the best audio player for Android with equalizer and theme.
• 📺 Kodi – Media Center for TVs with Plugin Support (including: IPTV).
• 🖼️ Simple Gallery – Replacement of the standard gallery with no ads and cloud synchronization.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ No need to interfere with system files.
• ✅ More functions (e.g. in the VLC Support for subtitles and streaming DLNA).
• ✅ Regular updates from developers.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Some apps (like Kodi) can brake on weak Xiaomi TVs.
• ❌ TVs will need to be installed APK manually (via Send Files to) TV or USB).

Instructions for installation on Mi TV:

1. Download the APK of the desired application (for example, with APKPure).
2. Transfer the file to the flash drive and connect it to the TV.
3. Open the File Manager → Install APK.
4. In the security settings, allow installation from unknown sources.

💡

For Xiaomi TVs, we recommend using a modified version of VLC with remote support - VLC for Fire TV. It is optimized for control with DU and has large buttons.

Method 4: Modification of system files (for advanced users)

This method involves editing firmware files and is only suitable for users who are prepared for possible consequences (up to the device's "brick"). We will consider two options: removing ad APKs and blocking ad servers through hosts.

⚠️ Attention: Editing system files requires root rights or an unlocked bootloader.This voids the warranty and can lead to unstable device operation. TV Unlocking the bootloader is officially impossible – use this method at your own risk.

Option 1: Removal of advertising APKs

List of apps responsible for advertising in Xiaomi:

For removal:

1. Get root rights (for example, through Magisk).
2. Install a file manager with root support (Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
3. Go to /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/.
4. Find the folders with the names from the table above and delete them (or rename them by adding.bak).
5. Reset the device.

Option 2: Blocking ad servers via hosts

This method does not require deleting files, but root rights are required:

1. Download the hosts editor (e.g., Hosts Editor from Google Play).
2. Add the following lines to the hosts file: 127.0.0.1 ad.mi.com 127.0.0.1 globalapi.ad.xiaomi.com 127.0.0.1 sdkconfig.ad.xiaomi.com 127.0.0.1 track.ad.xiaomi.com 127.0.0.1 e.ad.xiaomi.com
3. Save the changes and restart the device.

The effect is that advertising will disappear not only in players, but also in other system applications.

💡

If the device stopped turning on after modifying the system files, try booting into Fastboot mode (Power + Vol- button) and reflashing the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

Method 5: Switching to custom firmware (for enthusiasts)

The most radical, but also the most effective way is to install custom firmware, cleared of advertising and unnecessary services.

• 📱 LineageOS – “clean” Android without ads and bloatware.
• 📱 Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel interface.
• 📺 ATV/ATVX — modified firmware for Mi TV (Android-based TV).
• 📱 Xiaomi.eu – Unofficial version MIUI Advertising free (only for smartphones).

Advantages:

• ✅ Total absence of advertising at the system level.
• ✅ Regular security updates.
• ✅ Ability to fine-tune the interface.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Installation difficulty (requires unlocking the loader).
• ❌ Possible bugs (e.g., non-functioning) IR-blaster NFC).
• ❌ Loss of warranty and risk of “bricking” the device.

Instructions for installing Xiaomi.eu on a smartphone:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (account binding is required).
2. Download the firmware Xiaomi.eu for your model.
3. Install TWRP Recovery (instructions are on 4PDA for each model).
4. Download to TWRP (Power + Vol+) and run Wipe → Format Data (this will delete all data!).
5. Install. ZIP-firmware file and reboot.

For Mi TVs, TV The process is more complicated - custom firmware is installed through ADB Sideload or Fastboot, and the choice is limited (ATVX You can find detailed guides on the forums. 4PDA or XDA-Developers.

What if the advertisements returned after the update?

MIUI and PatchWall updates (for TVs) often bring back ads even if you've turned them off.

1. Reverse to the previous version of the firmware (if there is a backup).
2. Repeat. ADB-commands or modification of hosts.
3. Turn off automatic update: On smartphones: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto Update (Off). On TVs: Settings → About the system → Update of the PO → Automatic check (Off.).

Use the firewall.

NetGuard

ad.mi.com


globalapi.ad.xiaomi.com




sdkconfig.ad.xiaomi.com

If the ad appears after a major MIUI update (e.g. 12 to 13), the system file structure may have changed.

• Check out the current listings of advertising packages on 4PDA.
• Update the hosts file (the current lock lists are available on GitHub).
• Consider switching to custom firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about advertising in Xiaomi players