How to permanently remove ads on Xiaomi after resetting to factory settings

After resetting to factory settings, many Xiaomi smartphone owners face an unpleasant surprise: ads in system applications, the browser and even on the lock screen return with a vengeance.This is due to the fact that MIUI activates Xiaomi’s personalized recommendations and advertising services by default, which are integrated into the firmware at the system level. Simple disconnection in settings is often not enough – advertising modules continue to work in the background, consuming traffic and battery power.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove ads on Xiaomi after cleaning the device, from basic MIUI settings to advanced methods using ADB and modifying system files. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances for different versions of firmware (MIUI 12, 13, 14) and smartphone models – from budget Redmi to flagship Xiaomi 13/14. All methods are tested on current versions of the software (2026) and do not require superuser rights (root), unless otherwise stated.

Why does the advertisement appear again after the reset?

The reason for the return of advertising after cleaning the device is the MIUI system services, which are automatically turned on when you first set up the smartphone.

• 🔄 Reset does not remove pre-installed apps: even after Hard Reset, Mi Browser, Mi Video, GetApps and other services with built-in advertising remain.
• 📡 Automatic synchronization with Xiaomi servers: when you first connect to the Internet, the device receives a configuration of advertising modules (msa, mipush).
• 📦 Hidden system updates APK: promotional SDK Updated via Google Play or background services MIUI, Even if you manually shut them down.
• 🔧 Regional settings: more ads on devices for the China/India market than in global firmware (e.g, MIUI Global vs MIUI China).

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi doesn’t consider these ads “malicious” — they’re part of the company’s business model, but users outside of China often perceive them as intrusive, such as Redmi Note 12 ads that can take up to 15% of the screen in the browser, and POCO X5 ads that can appear in the settings menu.

Basic MIUI settings: what to disable first

Before resorting to radical methods, check the standard MIUI settings. Many users miss these points, considering them ineffective, but in MIUI 14, some advertising modules can be deactivated through the interface:

1. Disabling Personalized Recommendations: Go to Settings → Privacy → Advertising services and deactivate: 🔘 "Personalized recommendations” (master switch) 🔘 "Advertising Identification (Advertising Option) ID) 🔘 "Show recommendations in Mi Browser"

V MIUI 14 This section may be called Privacy. → Additionally. → Advertising services.

Limitation of background activity

In Settings → Applications → Application Management, find:

• 📱 Mi Browser → Limit background activity → Banned
• 🎬 Mi Video → Notifications → Shut down.
• 📦 GetApps → Auto-start → Turn it off.

After this, restart the device. Advertising in the browser and some system applications should disappear, but in Mi Video and Mi Music, banners may remain - they are removed by other methods.

Removing embedded applications without root (ADB-method)

If standard settings don’t work, the next step is to uninstall system applications via ADB. This method works on all Xiaomi devices (including POCO and Black Shark) and doesn’t require superuser rights.

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB)
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original)

List of safe packets to remove (does not affect critical system functions):

⚠️ Note: Deleting com.miui.msa.global may result in loss of Mi Account functionality, cloud backups, and some push notifications. If you use contact or note sync through Xiaomi Cloud, skip this package.

To execute commands:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm debugging over USB on the device screen.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter commands one at a time, waiting for a Success response.

💡

If you have lost access to downloads after removing Mi Browser, install any file manager (for example, Files by Google) – it will restore the visibility of the Download folder.

Blocking Advertising via DNS and Hosts File

If the ads appear in the browser or apps, they can be blocked at the network level.

1. Change of change DNS: Go to Settings. → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Settings DNS and point out: 🔒 AdGuard DNS: 176.103.130.130 and 176.103.130.131 🛡️ Cloudflare Family: 1.1.1.3 and 1.0.0.3

This will block advertising domains at the Internet connection level, but will not affect banners in system applications.

Editing the hosts file

Download the current ad-blocking hosts file and upload it to your device.

adb push hosts /sdcard/


adb shell su -c "mount -o rw,remount /system"




adb shell su -c "cp /sdcard/hosts /system/etc/hosts"




adb shell su -c "chmod 644 /system/etc/hosts"




adb shell su -c "mount -o ro,remount /system"

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of the hosts file can lead to loss of access to the Internet.Before changes, back up the original file with the adb pull command /system/etc/hosts.

To check the effectiveness of the lock, open the browser page http://adservice.google.com – if the DNS works correctly, it will not load.

Hidden settings MIUI: disabling advertising modules

MIUI has hidden menus that are not displayed in the standard interface, but allow you to deactivate advertising services.

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and tap 7 times on the line with the version. After that, the Developer Item will appear.
2. Shutdown MSA (Miui System Ads: In Settings → Additionally. → Find the developers: 🔧 Shut down. MSA (turn on this switch) 🔧 Background optimization → Limit background activity for MSA

On some firmware, these options are hidden – you can enable them through ADB:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

Resetting the advertising ID

In the same developer menu, find Reset Ad ID and click on it. This will clear the cache of personalized ads.

After these actions, it is recommended to clear the cache of system applications:

• 🧹 Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three dots (menu) → Clear the cache of all applications

💡

Disabling MSA through the developer menu is the safest way to reduce the amount of ads you have without risking damage to the system, but it doesn't remove ads completely, it only reduces the intrusiveness of the ads.

Advanced methods: Modification of system files (requires root)

If you're willing to take drastic measures and have root access, you can remove the ad modules at the system file level, which is suitable for advanced users and includes:

1. Removal of advertising APK from /system/priv-app: with the help of Root Explorer or ADB With superuser rights, delete folders: 🗑️ /system/priv-app/MiuiDaemon (responsibilities) 🗑️ /system/priv-app/Analytic (statistics) 🗑️ /system/priv-app/MiuiSystemAdSolution (main advertising module)

⚠️ Note: Deleting these files may lead to unstable work MIUI or update errors. Before you change, make a full backup through TWRP.

build.prop

Open the file /system/build.prop and add at the end:

ro.miui.has_real_blur=1


ro.miui.has_handy_mode_sf=1




ro.config.nocheckin=1

This will disable some of the license and background services checks.

Freeze Processes through Magisk

Install Magisk and use App Systemizer or DisableFlags to freeze:

• ❄️ com.xiaomi.midrop (advertising in Mi Drop)
• ❄️ com.miui.hybrid (hybrid services)
• ❄️ com.miui.systemAdSolution

After modifying the system files, be sure to clear the Dalvik cache in TWRP or through the Magisk application, otherwise permanent reboots are possible.

Alternative firmware: transition to custom assemblies

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

• 🌐 LineageOS: pure Android without unnecessary services, but may not support some features (for example, IR Blaster in Redmi Note).
• 🔄 Pixel Experience: firmware with Google Pixel interface, optimized for performance.
• 📱 Xiaomi.eu: modified MIUI without advertising and Chinese services, but requires unlocking the bootloader.
• 🛡️ ArrowOS: Lightweight firmware with a focus on privacy.

Installation process:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (requires to link the account to the device for 7 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for your model (instructions on the official website).
3. Download firmware and GApps (if you need Google services) from the XDA Developers website.
4. Use TWRP (Wipe → Format Data → Install ZIP)

⚠️ Note: Installing custom firmware voids warranty and can result in a brick device in case of error. For models with Dynamic Partition (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) Special version is required TWRP.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing ads on Xiaomi