PartnerBookmarks in Xiaomi: what are these bookmarks, where they come from and how to remove them forever

If you own a Xiaomi TV or smartphone (including Redmi sub-brands, POCO), you’ve probably encountered a mysterious PartnerBookmarks section, a set of pre-installed bookmarks in your browser or on your home screen, which lead to obscure sites, often in Chinese, with no obvious connection to the device’s functionality, with users complaining that they’re taking up space, slowing down the system, and even posing security risks.

In this article, we will discuss in detail: 1. What are PartnerBookmarks and why Xiaomi installs them on devices. 2. How these bookmarks affect performance and privacy. 3. Step-by-step removal methods – from simple to radical (including manual editing of system files). 4. How to prevent them from reappearing after resetting or updating the firmware.

We also answer frequent questions: can you delete PartnerBookmarks without root rights, why they come back after the MIUI update, and whether they are related to viruses.

Spoiler: Most of the time, these bookmarks are not viruses, but they are a consequence of Xiaomi’s partnership agreements with third-party companies that pay to put their links in firmware, and it’s safe to remove them, but it requires the right approach.

What are PartnerBookmarks and why do they appear on Xiaomi?

PartnerBookmarks (literally, “affiliate bookmarks”) is a set of pre-installed links that Xiaomi integrates into the default firmware of devices.

• 📺 In the Mi Browser or TV Browser browser on Mi TV/Redmi TV TVs.
• 📱 On the home screen of smartphones as a folder "Partner Services" or "Recommended Sites".
• 🔍 In search results by system (e.g., when typing a query into Settings → Search).

Where do they come from? Xiaomi has partnered with various companies (often Chinese) that pay to put their links in firmware, part of Xiaomi’s business model of making devices cheaper through ad integrations.

• 🛒 Online stores (e.g. AliExpress, Gearbest).
• 🎮 Gaming platforms (e.g. GameLoop or Chinese MMORPG)
• 📺 Streaming services (mostly Asian, such as iQiyi or Tencent Video)
• 💰 Financial services (crypto exchanges, credit platforms).

It is important to understand that PartnerBookmarks are not viruses or malware. This is a legitimate part of MIUI/PatchWall firmware (for TVs), but their presence raises questions:

⚠️ Warning: Some links may lead to sites with dubious reputations (such as gambling or unlicensed content).While Xiaomi claims to be evaluating partners, the risk of phishing or fraud remains.

The impact of PartnerBookmarks on the device: 5 key issues

Although bookmarks seem harmless, they can create real inconveniences:

1. Slowdown: Affiliate bookmarks often load data in the background (e.g., update site previews or check links) and consume RAM and CPU, especially on budget devices.
2. Busy memory: On Mi TVs, bookmarks are stored in the browser cache, which can grow to 500 MB or more.
3. Data breach risk: Some links contain trackers that collect information about your preferences (even if you don’t click on them).
4. Intrusive advertising: In the Mi Browser browser, bookmarks can be replaced by banners or pop-ups.
5. Update issues: After updating the firmware, PartnerBookmarks often come back, even if you've removed them.

Tests show that on Xiaomi TVs with 2 GB of RAM, removing affiliate bookmarks can speed up browser launch by 15-20%. On smartphones, the effect is less noticeable, but cleaning the cache after removing bookmarks frees up to 300-400 MB of memory.

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Xiaomi PartnerBookmarks have a stronger impact on performance than smartphones because of limited resources and firmware optimization for advertising.

How to Remove PartnerBookmarks on Xiaomi TV (4 Ways)

On Mi TV and Redmi TV, bookmarks are integrated into the PatchWall shell, so standard deletion (as in a regular browser) does not work.

Method 1: Reset the browser to factory settings

The simplest, but not the most radical way:

1. Open the TV Browser (globe icon on the home screen).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Resetting settings.
3. Confirm the reset. It will remove all bookmarks, including your personal ones.

Cons: PartnerBookmarks may return after a reboot or update.

Method 2: Disconnect via ADB (without root)

For advanced users, you'll need a computer and ADB debugging enabled:

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


adb shell pm hide com.miui.tv.browser

These commands will disable the standard browser, but you will lose access to web surfing.The alternative is to install a third-party browser (like Firefox or Chrome) via Send Files to TV.

Enable debugging over USB in the settings of the TV

Install ADB Tools on PC

Connect the TV to your PC via Wi-Fi or cable

Download an alternative browser (APK- file)

Create a backup of current bookmarks (if necessary)-->

Method 3: Manual editing of system files (root required)

If you have root access, you can delete the bookmarks forever:

1. Connect to your TV via ADB or a root-rights file manager.
2. Go to the folder: /data/data/com.miui.tv.browser/app_browser/Bookmarks
3. Delete files with the.db or.json extension that contain PartnerBookmarks.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files may cause PatchWall to crash.Before action, backup via TWRP or Mi Backup.

Method 4: Installation of custom firmware

The most radical method is to flash the TV to alternative firmware (like LineageOS for TV), which will remove all partner integrations, but:

• 🔧 You will need to unlock the loader (risk of brick).
• 📺 Some PatchWall features (such as voice search) may stop working.
• 🔄 Updates will have to be installed manually.

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If you don’t want to risk firmware, try installing Kiwi Browser (based on Chromium) via Send Files to TV. It doesn’t contain PartnerBookmarks and supports remote control.

Removal of PartnerBookmarks on Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO smartphones

On mobile, it's simpler, but it's also nuanced.

Method 1: Removal through browser settings

If the bookmarks appeared in Mi Browser:

1. Open your browser and go to the → Partner Bookmarks.
2. Press and hold your finger on the unnecessary bookmark, then select Remove.
3. For mass removal: Settings → Privacy → Clear data → Bookmarks.

Minus: After the Mi Browser update, bookmarks can return.

Method 2: Disconnection through “Special Opportunities”

Unusual but working life hack:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Special Opportunities Services.
2. Find Mi Browser and turn off all permissions.
3. Reset the device.

This will not remove bookmarks, but will block their automatic update.

Method 3: Using ADB to Deactivate

Similar to TVs, but with other teams:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser


adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.mi.global.browser

Then install an alternative browser (such as Brave or Vivaldi).

Method 4: Reset to factory settings

Last resort, if other methods have not helped:

1. Make a backup of data through Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data.

⚠️ Warning: On some devices (e.g. Redmi 9A), PartnerBookmarks return after a reset in 1-2 days, in which case only disabling automatic Mi Browser updates will help.

How to Prevent PartnerBookmarks from Reappearing

Even after removing the bookmarks, they can come back.

• 🔄 Turn off the automatic Mi Browser update: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Browser → Auto Update and select Do Not Update.
• 📥 Block Partner Domains: Use Blokada or AdGuard to block domains like partner.xiaomi.com or miui.ad.

For TVs, an additional tip: turn off the Internet for 10-15 minutes after the first launch, which will prevent PatchWall from downloading affiliate bookmarks from Xiaomi servers.

Frequent Questions About PartnerBookmarks (FAQ)

Conclusion: Whether to fight PartnerBookmarks

If you're not annoyed by the bookmarks and you don't notice the performance issues, you can ignore them, but for most users, removing them will:

• ⚡ Speed up browser performance (especially on TVs).
• 🔒 Increased privacy (fewer trackers)
• 📱 Freeing up memory on the device.

Best practices: For TVs: Disable via ADB + install a third-party browser. For smartphones: manually delete + block Mi Browser updates.

If you're prepared for radical measures, custom firmware will fix the problem once and for all, but it requires technical skills, otherwise it's enough to clean the cache regularly and use alternative browsers.

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PartnerBookmarks are not a critical, but annoying feature of Xiaomi devices: they can be removed without root, but to get rid of them, additional measures will be required (ADB, ad blockers or custom firmware).