How to permanently remove pop-up ads on Xiaomi Android smartphones: a step-by-step guide to 2026

Pop-up ads on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones are one of the most annoying features of MIUI firmware. Even after buying a new device, users are faced with intrusive banners in the settings menu, notifications from system applications and advertising in standard services like Weather or Themes. The manufacturer integrates advertising modules at the firmware level, which makes it difficult to completely remove them, but there are several proven ways to minimize or completely remove ads without root rights.

In this article, we will discuss 8 effective methods, from basic MIUI settings to using third-party tools and alternative firmware. It is important to understand that some methods may require resetting settings or disabling system applications, so before you start, you should back up your data through Settings → Google → Backup. Also note: after major MIUI updates, some ad modules may return — they will have to be blocked again.

1. disable personalized advertising in MIUI settings

The easiest and safest way to reduce the amount of advertising is to deactivate personalized recommendations in system services, which does not remove the ads completely, but reduces their frequency and relevance.

Go to: Settings → Google → Advertising (or Settings → Additional → Privacy → Advertising Services on some versions of MIUI).

• 🔹 Turn off the “Personalized Advertising” slider (or “Advertising” slider) ID»).
• 🔹 Click "Reset advertising" ID» — This will reset your profile for targeted advertising.
• 🔹 In the "System Applications" section (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → System applications) find Msa (Mobile Services Framework) and disable the permission to Show over other windows».

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO X3 Pro, Redmi Note 10) after disabling Msa, push notifications from Mi Account may stop working.

2. Blocking advertising through system application settings

Many pop-up banners appear from standard Xiaomi apps, such as Themes, Security, Music or Video, which can be turned off individually:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, enter the name of the application (for example, Topics).
3. Select the app and click “Disable” (if the button is inactive – first click “Stop”).
4. Confirm action. The app will be hidden, but not removed.

List of the most “advertising” system applications Xiaomi:

• 🎨 Themes – banners in the menu of themes and wallpapers.
• 🛡️ Security – Advertising in the Optimization Section.
• 🎵 Music (Music) – advertising blocks in the player.
• 📺 Video (Video) - banners before the rollers.
• 🌦️ Weather (Weather) – Advertising in the widget.

⚠️ Warning: Security shutdown deprives you of the built-in antivirus and optimizer. Install an alternative, such as Malwarebytes or SD Maid, before deactivation.

Install alternative applications (file manager, player, weather)

Create a backup copy of important data

Check the list of applications to be disabled for criticality

Remember your account passwords (if you use auto login)-->

3.Using ADB to Deeply Disable Advertising

If manually disabling apps didn’t work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool for debugging Android, which allows you to block advertising packages at the system level without root rights.

For this:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB Tools, and execute the command:

adb shell pm hide com.miui.systemAdSolution

This will disable the main MIUI advertising module. Use the commands to block additional packages:

adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.midrop


adb shell pm hide com.miui.analytics




adb shell pm hide com.miui.bugreport




adb shell pm hide com.miui.cloudservice

A full list of Xiaomi’s promotional packages can be found on forums like XDA Developers or 4PDA. After completing the commands, restart the device.

4. Installation of alternative firmware (for advanced users)

If you’re willing to take drastic measures, installing custom firmware like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or Xiaomi.eu will completely remove ads and system bloatware, but this method requires unlocking the bootloader and may be unwarranted.

Advantages of alternative firmware:

• 🚀 Complete absence of advertising and unnecessary applications.
• 🔄 Regular security updates.
• 🛠️ Ability to fine-tune the interface.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the bootloader is unlocked).
• ⚠️ Risk of "bricking" the device in case of error.
• ⚠️ Certain functions (e.g, IR-blaster) may not work properly.

Instructions for installing Xiaomi.eu (the most stable option for Xiaomi):

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account to be linked to the device and wait 7 days).
2. Download the firmware Xiaomi.eu for your model from the official website.
3. Install it through TWRP (Castom Recovery).

⚠️ Note: On models with a MediaTek processor (Redmi Note 11, POCO M4 Pro) unlocking the bootloader may result in hardware locking the device. Check compatibility on the forum before the procedure 4PDA.

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Installing custom firmware is the most radical, but also the most effective way to get rid of advertising, and is only suitable for experienced users who are willing to risk the guarantee.

5. Blocking Advertising via DNS or VPN

If you don't want to interfere with system settings, you can block ad domains at the network level.

• 🌐 DNS-Filters: Use AdGuard DNS (94.140.14.14) or Cloudflare Family (1.1.1.3). Put them in Settings. → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Settings IP → Static → DNS 1/2.
• 🔒 VPN Ad-blocking: AdGuard VPN, Blokada or 1.1.1.1 from Cloudflare.
• 📱 Local Blockers: Blokada app (does not require root) or AdAway app (requires root).

Example of AdGuard DNS configuration:

1. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Private DNS.
2. Select “DNS Provider Host Name” and type in dns.adguard.com.
3. Save and restart the phone.

This method blocks most banner ads in the browser and some applications, but does not affect MIUI system advertising.

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Combine for maximum effect DNS-Blokada filter. In Blokada settings, select Aggressive mode, which will block more trackers, but may disrupt some sites.

6. Resetting to factory settings (last resort)

If the adverts came after a MIUI update or installing questionable apps, factory resets can help.This method will delete all user data, so use it only as a last resort.

Instructions:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select “Erase all data” and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, set up the phone as new, but don’t restore data from the backup – this can bring back ad modules.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO F1) After reset, you may need to re-activate your Mi Account to unlock the device!

7.Verification for viruses and malware

Sometimes pop-up ads don't come from MIUI, but from infected apps.

• 🛡️ Use Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light to scan.
• 🔍 Check the list of installed applications in Settings → Apps for suspicious programs (such as System Update, Flash Player, or Clean Master).
• 🗑️ Delete the cache and browser data (Chrome, Mi Browser) in Settings → Annexes → Warehouse.

If the advertisement appears in the browser:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Browser.
2. Click on “Storage” → “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data”.
3. In the browser settings, turn off “Show recommendations” and “Personalized advertising”.

8.Alternative methods: disabling notifications and root access

If none of the above has worked, there are two radical options:

• 🔔 Disabling notifications from system applications: Go to Settings → Notifications and status bar → Notification management. Find apps like Themes, Security, Mi Video and turn off notifications.
• 🔧 Getting root rights and removing advertising packages: With Magisk you can remove system APK-files responsible for advertising (for example, com.miui.systemAdSolution.apk). However, this requires unlocking the bootloader and can disrupt the work. MIUI.