How to permanently remove ads in Xiaomi apps: 7 proven ways

Advertising in Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most annoying features of MIUI firmware, which the manufacturer has integrated into system applications since 2018. Browser banners, pop-up notifications from Mi Video, ad units in Settings and even in the Weather - all this not only interferes with the user, but also consumes traffic, battery power, and sometimes leads to random clicks. In this article, we will examine all possible ways to remove ads, including hidden MIUI settings, disabling personalized advertising through Google and even radical methods for advanced users.

It's important to understand that Xiaomi doesn't provide an official option to remove ads completely - it's part of their business model. However, there are workarounds that work on most devices (from the Redmi Note 10 to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra). Some methods require superuser rights (root), others are available without them. We'll also analyze which apps most often show ads, and why even after a shutdown, it can reappear.

If you're tired of intrusive banners and willing to spend 10-15 minutes setting up, this guide will help you clear the MIUI interface of unnecessary elements.

1. disable personalized advertising in MIUI settings

The first step that every Xiaomi owner should take is to turn off personalized ads in the system settings, which won’t remove ads completely, but will significantly reduce the number of impressions.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the About Phone section. → All characteristics.
3. Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version until the message “You are a developer!” appears.
4. Return to the main Settings menu and open a new section Additional → Developer Settings.
5. Find the option Personalized Ads and turn it off.

This method works on all devices with MIUI 12 and later, including the POCO F5, Redmi 12 and Xiaomi 13T. However, note: some system applications (for example, Mi Browser or Mi Music) will still show ads, but without taking into account your preferences.

💡

If Personalized Advertising is not in the developer’s settings, upgrade to the latest version or use alternative methods from the following sections.

We also recommend disabling advertising notifications from system applications:

• 📱 Settings → Annexes → Application management → Select an app (such as Mi Video) → Notifications → Turn off all switches.
• 🔍 In the same Application Management menu, find Msa (Mobile Services Analytics) and disable it (this is the system service responsible for data collection).

2. Removal of ads in system applications without root

Many users do not want to get root rights, as this is unwarranted and can disrupt some features (such as Google Pay or banking applications).

The most effective method is to disable updates for ad modules, because banners are loaded through separate channels. APK-files that can be blocked:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, type com.miui.systemAdSolution (this is the main advertising module in MIUI).
3. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, click Stop first).
4. Repeat the steps for the following packages: 📦 com.xiaomi.mipicks (advertising in Topics) 🎬 com.miui.video (banners in Mi Video) 🌐 com.android.browser (advertising in a standard browser)

After disabling these applications, the ads will disappear from most system utilities, but some banners (for example, in Settings or Weather) may remain, in which case cleaning the cache will help:

Tap the app in Application Management |Tap Storage |Select Clear Cache |Reboot device

-->

If the ads return after the reboot, then the modules are updated through Google Play Services, in which case blocking traffic through DNS or VPN will help (more about this in the next section).

3. Blocking advertising servers via DNS or VPN

One of the most universal ways to combat advertising is to block the domains through which banners are loaded, and this can be done in two ways: by changing the DNS or using a dedicated VPN.

🔹 Method 1: Change DNS device-wise

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Private DNS.
2. Select the host name of a private DNS and type in dns.adguard.com or 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com
3. Save the settings and restart the phone.

AdGuard|Blokada|NextDNS|Other|I don't use it. VPN-->

Important: Some VPNs can slow down your Internet connection. If the speed drops after you connect, try another server or turn off the Enhanced Protection feature in your VPN settings.

4. Removal of Advertising with ADB (no root)

If previous methods did not help, you can use the Android debugging bridge (ADB). It is an official tool from Google that allows you to manage system settings without obtaining root permissions. POCO X5 Redmi Note 12.

🔧 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times) → Developer Settings → Debugging on USB
3. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb shell pm hide com.miui.systemAdSolution This command hides the main advertising module.
4. To remove ads in specific applications, use: adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.mipicks adb shell pm hide com.miui.video

After you've done the commands, restart the device. Advertising should disappear from most system utilities. If you want to return everything back, use the command:

adb shell pm unhide PAKET APPLASS

The ADB method has one drawback: after resetting or updating the firmware, the adverts can come back, in which case the commands will have to be executed again.

5. Radical methods: removal of root-righted advertising

If you are willing to go to extreme measures, obtaining root rights will open access to the complete removal of advertising modules, which is suitable for experienced users, since improper actions can lead to a device blink (breaking the firmware).

🔨 What can be done with root:

• 🗑️ Remove the system APK advertising (e.g., advertising, com.miui.systemAdSolution.apk) via Root Explorer.
• 📝 Edit the hosts file by adding ad domain lock: 127.0.0.1 ad.mi.com 127.0.0.1 tracker.miui.com 127.0.0.1 api.ad.xiaomi.com
• ⚙️ Freeze unnecessary services via Titanium Backup or Lucky Patcher.

Magisk is usually used to obtain root rights to Xiaomi. The process of unlocking the bootloader and firmware can take up to 30 minutes. For detailed instructions for your model, look at the XDA Developers forum.

💡

Before you get root, make a full data backup via Mi Cloud or TWRP. Some banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) may stop working on rooted devices.

After removing the ad modules, it is also recommended to disable automatic updates of system applications, since Xiaomi can restore deleted files on the next update.

6.Alternative firmware: transition to custom MIUI or AOSP

If you're finally fed up with MIUI advertising, you might want to consider installing an alternative firmware. There are two main ways to do this:

🔄 1. Castomous versions MIUI publicity

Some developers have modified versions of MIUI, which have removed all advertising modules.

• 📱 MIUI by XMTeam – optimized firmware with remote advertising and improved performance.
• 🛠️ MIUI Mix – Hybrid build with elements AOSP without advertising.

🤖 2. Firmware on the base AOSP (Android Open Source Project)

A more radical option is to switch to firmware that is not related to Xiaomi.

• 🌐 LineageOS – pure Android without unnecessary applications.
• ⚡ Pixel Experience – firmware with an interface, like on Google Pixel.
• 🔥 Havoc-OS – customizable firmware with many functions.

Installing custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader and can be insecure, but it's the only way to permanently eliminate advertising and system debris in MIUI.

Before installing custom firmware, make sure to check if your model is supported on the XDA or 4PDA forum.

7 Why Advertising is Returning and How to Prevent It

Many users experience the ad reappearance after all the manipulations, which is due to automatic updates to system applications or resetting settings, and these are the main reasons and ways to eliminate them:

🔄 1. Update MIUI

When updating the firmware, Xiaomi can restore remote ad modules.

• 📵 Turn off automatic updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three points. → Settings → Auto-update.
• 🔧 After manual update, repeat the commands. ADB or clear the cache of advertising applications.

🔄 2 Update via Google Play

Some system applications (such as Mi Browser or Mi Video) are updated via Google Play, restoring ads.

• 🛑 Open Google Play → Settings → Auto Update Apps and select Do Not Update Automatically.
• 📦 Remove updates for problematic apps: Settings → Annexes → Three points. → Show system-based → Select the application → Three points. → Remove updates.

🔄 3. Resetting settings

After resetting to the factory settings, all changes are reset, so as not to repeat the procedure again:

• 📝 Save a list of disabled apps and commands ADB note-book.
• 🔄 Use the backup via Titanium Backup (root required) to reset after resetting.

If the ads appear even after all the manipulations, it is possible that Xiaomi has added new ad modules in the latest versions of MIUI. In this case, follow the updates on thematic forums or consider switching to custom firmware.

💡

Check the list of active apps in Settings → Apps regularly. If a new app called AdService, Msa or Analytics appears, turn it off immediately.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi advertising