Hey there, Xiaomi users! Are you tired of seeing annoying ads popping up on your phone? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many people find these ads intrusive and want to get rid of them. The good news is, there are several ways to remove ads on your Xiaomi phone and enjoy a cleaner, ad-free experience. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to eliminate those pesky advertisements, so you can finally enjoy your phone without interruptions.

    Understanding MIUI Ads

    Before diving into the solutions, let's understand why you're seeing ads in the first place. Xiaomi's MIUI operating system, while feature-rich, uses ads as a revenue stream. These ads are integrated into various system apps and settings. While this helps keep the cost of Xiaomi phones competitive, it can be a nuisance for users. Knowing this helps you appreciate why these ads exist and prepares you for the steps to disable them.

    MIUI ads, often referred to as MSA (MIUI System Ads), are designed to promote various apps and services. They appear in different forms, such as banner ads, push notifications, and even within app interfaces. The placement of these ads can vary, showing up in file manager, security app, and even during app installations. The goal is to drive user engagement and generate revenue for Xiaomi. However, the constant barrage of ads can be frustrating, leading many users to seek ways to disable them.

    One of the primary reasons Xiaomi includes ads in MIUI is to offer their devices at a lower price point compared to competitors. By generating revenue through ads, they can offset the cost of hardware and software development. This allows them to provide affordable smartphones with impressive features to a wider audience. While some users appreciate the value proposition, others find the ad experience intrusive and prefer a cleaner, ad-free interface. Understanding this trade-off is crucial for making an informed decision about whether to disable ads or not.

    Disabling Personalized Ad Recommendations

    A great first step to get rid of ads on your Xiaomi phone is to disable personalized ad recommendations. This prevents Xiaomi from tracking your usage and showing you targeted ads, which can significantly reduce the number of ads you see.

    Steps to Disable Personalized Ad Recommendations

    1. Open the Settings app on your Xiaomi phone.
    2. Scroll down and tap on Privacy Protection. In some MIUI versions, this might be under Passwords & Security.
    3. Select Ad services or Authorization & revocation.
    4. Toggle off the Personalized ad recommendations or MSA option. This revokes the authorization for the MIUI system ads.
    5. Wait for a few seconds for the revocation process to complete. You might need to tap Revoke to confirm.

    By disabling personalized ad recommendations, you're telling Xiaomi not to track your app usage and browsing habits for ad targeting. This will not completely eliminate all ads, but it will reduce the relevance and frequency of many of them. It's an essential step in minimizing ad interference and improving your overall user experience. Plus, it gives you more control over your privacy.

    Remember that disabling personalized ad recommendations may not have an immediate effect. It might take some time for the changes to propagate through the system, so be patient. In the meantime, you can proceed with the other steps outlined in this guide to further reduce ad appearances. This is a crucial step, so don’t skip it!

    Disabling Ads in System Apps

    Xiaomi's system apps, such as the File Manager, Security app, and Mi Browser, are often sources of ads. Disabling ads within these apps can significantly improve your experience. Let's explore how to do this.

    Disabling Ads in Mi File Manager

    The Mi File Manager is a convenient tool for managing your files, but it can also display ads. To disable ads in the Mi File Manager, follow these steps:

    1. Open the Mi File Manager app.
    2. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top-left corner.
    3. Go to Settings.
    4. Toggle off the Recommendations or Show online content option.

    Disabling Ads in the Security App

    The Security app is essential for maintaining your phone's performance, but it's also a common place for ads. Here’s how to disable them:

    1. Open the Security app.
    2. Tap the Settings icon in the top-right corner.
    3. Scroll down and disable Receive recommendations.

    Disabling Ads in Mi Browser

    The Mi Browser is another system app that often displays ads. To disable ads in the Mi Browser:

    1. Open the Mi Browser app.
    2. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom-right corner.
    3. Go to Settings.
    4. Select Privacy & security.
    5. Disable Personalized services or Recommendations.

    By disabling ads in these system apps, you're effectively reducing the number of places where ads can appear. This will result in a cleaner and more enjoyable user experience. It's important to note that the exact wording of these settings might vary slightly depending on your MIUI version, but the general principle remains the same: look for options related to recommendations, personalized content, or online content and disable them.

    Using a Custom DNS

    Another effective method to block ads on your Xiaomi phone is to use a custom DNS (Domain Name System) server that blocks ad domains. This method works system-wide and can block ads in apps and browsers.

    Setting Up a Custom DNS

    1. Go to Settings on your Xiaomi phone.
    2. Tap on Wi-Fi and select your connected Wi-Fi network.
    3. Tap on Advanced settings or Modify network.
    4. Change the IP settings to Static.
    5. Enter the following DNS servers:
      • DNS 1: 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare's DNS)
      • DNS 2: 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare's DNS)

    Alternatively, you can use other ad-blocking DNS servers like AdGuard DNS:

    • DNS 1: 94.140.14.14 (AdGuard DNS)
    • DNS 2: 94.140.15.15 (AdGuard DNS)

    After entering the DNS settings, save the changes. This will route your DNS requests through the specified servers, which will block known ad domains. Keep in mind that this method only works when you're connected to Wi-Fi. For mobile data, you'll need to use a different approach.

    Using a custom DNS is a powerful way to block ads system-wide. It not only reduces the number of ads you see but also enhances your privacy by preventing your device from connecting to ad-tracking servers. It's a simple yet effective solution that can significantly improve your overall user experience.

    Using Ad-Blocking Apps

    If the previous methods aren't enough, you can use ad-blocking apps to remove ads from your Xiaomi phone. These apps work by filtering network traffic and blocking ad requests.

    Popular Ad-Blocking Apps

    1. AdLock: AdLock is a popular ad-blocking app that blocks ads across apps and browsers. It also offers additional features like custom filters and whitelisting.
    2. Blocker: AdBlocker is a user-friendly app that blocks ads system-wide. It works by creating a local VPN connection to filter ad traffic.
    3. AdGuard: AdGuard is a comprehensive ad-blocking solution that offers both a DNS-based ad blocker and a standalone app. It provides advanced filtering options and customizable settings.

    Installing and Configuring Ad-Blocking Apps

    1. Download and install your chosen ad-blocking app from the Google Play Store.
    2. Open the app and follow the on-screen instructions to configure it. Most ad-blocking apps require you to grant them VPN permissions to filter network traffic.
    3. Enable the ad-blocking feature and customize the settings to your preferences. You can usually create whitelists for specific apps or websites that you don't want to block ads on.

    Using ad-blocking apps can provide a more aggressive approach to blocking ads. However, keep in mind that these apps may consume additional battery life and require careful configuration to avoid blocking essential content. It's essential to choose a reputable ad-blocking app and monitor its performance to ensure it's working effectively without causing any issues.

    Removing Bloatware

    Xiaomi phones often come with pre-installed apps, also known as bloatware, which can contribute to ad appearances and consume system resources. Removing bloatware can help improve your phone's performance and reduce ad clutter.

    Identifying and Removing Bloatware

    1. Go to Settings > Apps > Manage apps on your Xiaomi phone.
    2. Browse through the list of installed apps and identify the ones you don't need or use. These are often pre-installed apps from Xiaomi or third-party partners.
    3. Tap on the app you want to remove and select Uninstall. If the uninstall option is not available, the app might be a system app that cannot be removed directly.

    For system apps that cannot be uninstalled, you can disable them to prevent them from running in the background and displaying ads. To disable a system app:

    1. Tap on the app you want to disable.
    2. Select Disable. This will prevent the app from running and consuming system resources.

    Alternatively, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to remove system apps. This method requires some technical knowledge and involves connecting your phone to a computer and using command-line tools. However, it provides more control over which apps are removed.

    Removing bloatware can free up storage space, improve battery life, and reduce the number of ads you see. It's a valuable step in optimizing your Xiaomi phone and creating a cleaner user experience. Be cautious when removing system apps, as some of them may be essential for the phone's functionality.

    Conclusion

    So, there you have it! By following these steps, you can significantly reduce or eliminate ads on your Xiaomi phone. Start by disabling personalized ad recommendations and ads in system apps. Then, consider using a custom DNS or ad-blocking apps for a more comprehensive solution. Finally, remove bloatware to optimize your phone's performance and reduce ad clutter.

    Remember, it might take a combination of these methods to achieve the best results. Don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you. With a little effort, you can enjoy a cleaner, ad-free experience on your Xiaomi phone. Good luck, and happy ad-free browsing!