Advertising in the Xiaomi browser – what to do in 2026?

You open your browser on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO to find information quickly — and instead you run into an avalanche of ads: banners under the search bar, pop-ups with offers, advertising notifications at the bottom of the screen. The situation is made worse by the fact that over time, ads only get bigger, and the standard browser settings don't always help turn it off. Why is this happening?

The thing is, Xiaomi is integrating MSA (Mi Security Ads) into its browsers (Mi Browser, Mint Browser) that analyzes your queries and displays "personalized" ads, even if you've never consented to it. Fortunately, there are ways to completely remove ads without root rights, from simple settings to radical solutions like changing your browser or firmware. In this article, we'll look at all the current methods, including those that work on the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS.

1. disable personalized advertising in MIUI settings

The first and safest step is to block data collection for targeted advertising, which won't remove all banners, but will significantly reduce their number. MIUI 12-15 and HyperOS:

1. Open Settings → Google → Advertising.
2. Click Disable Personalized Ads and Confirm the Action.
3. Go back to the main settings and go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Browser (or Mint Browser).
4. Slip Permissions → Advertising and turn off the slider.

This method works on 70-80% of devices, but some users note that ads return after updating the browser.

⚠️ Note: Some firmware may not have an Advertising clause in browser permissions, which means that the ad module is embedded at the system level, and more radical measures will be needed.

2. Reset browser settings to factory

If the ad appeared after updating the browser or changing the settings, reset to factory parameters will help, this will delete all stored data (bookmarks, history, passwords), but will return the browser to a “clean” state:

• 🔧 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find Mi Browser or Mint Browser and tap it.
• 🗑️ Select Warehouse. → Clear the data and clear the cache.
• ⚙️ Click Resetting (if there is such a item).

After reset, do not update your browser through the Play Market or App Store – new versions often contain updated ad modules.

3. Use of alternative browsers

The most reliable way to get rid of advertising is to install a third-party browser that is not associated with the Xiaomi ecosystem.

To install the browser:

1. Download. APK-file from an official website (for example, Firefox for Android).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Install the browser and make it the default application in the settings.

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If after installing the alternative browser Mi Browser continues to open by default, clear its cache and data, then reassign the new browser to Settings → Applications → Default Applications.

4. Blocking Advertising through DNS

If you do not want to change the browser, you can block advertising servers at the level DNS. It works for the whole system, including Mi Browser and other applications. DNS plug-in:

• 🛡️ AdGuard DNS: 176.103.130.130 and 176.103.130.131
• 🔒 NextDNS: 45.90.28.167 (requires registration for full lock)
• 🌍 Cloudflare Family: 1.1.1.3 (Blocking Malware) + promotion)

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Private DNS.
2. Select the Private DNS Host Name and enter the address (e.g. dns.adguard.com).
3. Save and restart the device.

This method does not require root rights and works on all versions of MIUI. However, some banners can pass through other channels (for example, push notifications).

5. Disabling Advertising through ADB (without root)

For advanced users, there is a way to disable ad modules via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) that doesn't require superuser rights, but you need to connect your smartphone to your computer.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to become a developer), then Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute at the command line: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.browser

These commands are off:

• 📢 Xiaomi Advertising Engine (com.miui.systemAdSolution)
• 🔄 Background browser updates (com.xiaomi.midrop)
• 🌐 Standard browser (com.android.browser)

⚠️ Note: After the system components are disabled, some features (such as push notifications from Xiaomi) may stop working. To return everything back, use the adb shell pm enable command with the same parameters.

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ADB-It's the most effective way to remove ads without root, but it requires caution. Don't turn off components that you don't know their names, so you don't break the system.

6. Installation of custom firmware (for experienced)

If none of these methods worked, the radical solution is to reflash the phone to custom firmware without ad modules.

• 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without unnecessary services.
• ⚡ Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel functionality.
• 🔧 Xiaomi.eu – modified MIUI without advertising (but with the risk of blocking the account).

Firmware process:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (it takes 7-30 days to wait).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for your model.
3. Download the firmware from the XDA-Developers forum.
4. Fly through TWRP by running Wipe → Format Data (this will delete all data!).

Advantages of custom firmware:

• 🚀 No built-in advertising and unnecessary apps.
• 🔄 Regular security updates.
• 🛠️ Ability to fine-tune the system.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if you don't return the stock firmware).
• 🔋 Possible battery or camera problems (depending on firmware).
• 🔒 Risk of “bricking” in case of error.

Complaints and legal remedies

If you find advertising in your Xiaomi browser illegal (for example, displaying fraudulent offers or collecting data without consent), you can:

• 📝 Write a complaint in support of Xiaomi: via the feedback form: mi.com/support. In official Xiaomi groups on Vkontakte or Telegram.
• 📋 Contact Rospotrebnadzor: If advertising violates the law "On advertising" (for example, hides a cross for closing or misleads.
• 🛡️ Complain to Google Play: Open the Mi Browser page in the Play Market and click Complain → Unwanted advertising.

In most cases, Xiaomi ignores individual complaints, but mass appeals can lead to changes in company policy.For example, after a wave of discontent in 2022, Xiaomi added the option to disable ads in MIUI 13 for European users.

FAQ: Frequent questions about advertising in the Xiaomi browser