How to permanently remove ads from the phone Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: a step-by-step guide

Why is Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 getting ads and can it be removed?

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 owners often face intrusive ads in system applications, notifications and even on the lock screen, the reason is the proprietary shell MIUI, which by default integrates advertising modules into key services from Weather to Browser. Xiaomi monetizes its firmware through affiliate banners, but users are not obliged to put up with it.

The problem is that the ads are even after you reset, and they're built into the system. APK-files (com.miui.systemAdSolution, com.xiaomi.mipicks, etc.) that are updated via Google Play or background services, but there are ways to disable it without root rights: from simple settings MIUI change DNS It is important to understand that the complete removal of advertising at the firmware level is possible only through unlocking the bootloader and installing custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience), but this voids the warranty.

In this article, we will look at 7 proven methods – from basic to advanced – that work on the Redmi Note 8 with MIUI 12, 13 and 14. All instructions are adapted to the current version of the software (2026) and do not require technical knowledge.

Method 1: Disabling personalized advertising in MIUI settings

The easiest way to reduce banners is to deactivate the personalization of ads in the MIUI menu, which will not remove all ads, but will reduce their frequency by 30-40%.

1. Open Settings → Google → Advertising.
2. Click Remove the Advertising ID and confirm the action.
3. Go back to the basic settings and go to Settings → Apps → App Management → All Apps.
4. Find Msa (or MIUI System Ads), open it and click Disable.

After this, the system will stop collecting data for targeted advertising, but banners in the Browser, Weather and Themes may remain.

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If the Msa item is not in the list of applications, try entering its name in the search bar at the top of the App Management screen.

Method 2: Blocking push notifications

Advertising notifications are one of the most annoying features of MIUI, and they come from system applications (Mi Video, Mi Browser, GetApps) and affiliate services to disable them:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Notifications and status bar → Management of notifications.
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter the name of the application (for example, GetApps).
• 🚫 Click on the app and deactivate the switch Show notifications.
• 🔄 Repeat for all applications from the list below:

For Mi Browser, open the app, go to Settings → Homepage and turn off the Recommended Content option.

Method 3: Using an Alternative DNS to Block Ads

Change of change DNS-Provider to servers with ad filtering (for example, AdGuard) DNS Or NextDNS) allows you to block ad domains at the network level, and this works for in-browser banners, some system notifications, and in-game ads.

Instructions for Redmi Note 8:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi (or Mobile Network if you use mobile Internet).
2. Click on the connected network and select Change Network (or Additional Settings).
3. In the DNS 1 field, enter 94.140.14.14 (AdGuard), in DNS 2 - 94.140.15.15.
4. Save the changes and restart the phone.

To check the health of the browser, go to the DNS Leak Test site. If the results show AdGuard, the settings are applied correctly.

Method 4: Remove System Applications Without Root Rights (ADB)

Some MIUI advertising modules can be removed via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) without getting root permissions. This won't damage the system, but requires connecting the phone to a PC. Important: back up your data before you start, as incorrect commands can cause crashes.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (SDK from Google).
2. On your phone, activate Developer Mode: go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect your phone to your PC, open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools and do:

adb devices

(Series numbered device should appear. If not, install Xiaomi USB Drivers.)

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution


adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks




adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.analytics

These commands will remove the main ad modules. Once the phone is rebooted, the banners in Settings, Weather and Themes should disappear.

Download Platform Tools|Enable developer mode |Activate debugging over USB|Install Xiaomi drivers (if necessary)|Do backup data-->

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Deletion via ADB is reversible: if something goes wrong, applications can be restored by the adb shell cmd package install-existing command with the name of the package.

Method 5: Install custom launcher and alternative applications

MIUI aggressively integrates ads into standard applications (Browser, Music, Video) to replace them with non-advertising counterparts.

• 🌐 Browser: Firefox or Brave (built-in ad blocking).
• 🎵 Music: VLC or Poweramp (without banners).
• 📺 Video: MX Player or Kodi.
• 🏠 Launcher: Nova Launcher or Lawnchair (removes ads from the home screen).

For a full replacement:

1. Install selected apps from Google Play.
2. Go to Settings → Applications → By default and assign them to the main ones.
3. For Launcher: After installation, click Home and select the new launcher as standard.

This will not remove system advertising completely, but will significantly reduce its visibility in everyday use.

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Nova Launcher can hide MIUI system applications (like GetApps) so they don’t get distracted on the home screen. To do this, hold your finger on the icon and select Hide.

Method 6: Block ads via hosts file (requires root or Magisk)

If you’re ready for more radical measures, editing the hosts file allows you to block ad domains at the system level, a method that requires root rights or a Magisk module (for devices with an unlocked bootloader).

Instructions for Magisk:

1. Install Magisk Manager and AdAway module.
2. Open AdAway and click Download Files and Apply.
3. Reboot the phone.

For manual editing (only for power users!):

1. Download the current hosts file with locks (for example, from here).
2. Use Root Explorer or Adb Shell to replace the file along the /system/etc/hosts path.
3. Set the license 644 (rw-r-----).

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Editing hosts without root is fraught with disruption! On non-rooted devices, changes will reset after rebooting.

Method 7: Switch to custom firmware (for advanced users)

If none of these methods worked, the last resort is to install custom firmware without advertising.

• 📱 Pixel Experience (Pure Android without a Pixel Experience) MIUI).
• 🔄 LineageOS (stable and lightweight).
• ⚡ ArrowOS (with a balance of functions and performance).

The process requires:

1. Unlock the bootloader (officially via the Mi Unlock Tool).
2. Installations of custom recavery (TWRP).
3. Firmware via fastboot or recovery.

⚠️ Warning: This will void warranty and may lead to device blinking if you make errors. XDA Developers for your model (ginkgo for Redmi Note) 8, ginkgo_eea European version).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to remove ads, users often face problems, and here are the most common solutions:

⚠️ Note: If, after removing system applications through ADB Settings or Phone stopped working, restore them by the team:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.settings


adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.phone

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions