How to Disable App Tracking and Ad Personalization on Xiaomi

Your Xiaomi phone tracks app usage and behavior to serve personalized ads. Here's how to minimize tracking and take back your privacy.

Step 1: Disable Google Ad Personalization

1. Go to Settings > Google > Ads
2. Tap "Delete advertising ID" (Android 12+) — this removes the unique ID used to track you across apps
3. Or: enable "Opt out of Ads Personalization" on older Android versions

After deleting your Advertising ID, apps cannot build a profile of your interests.

Step 2: Disable Xiaomi/MSA Ad Tracking

Settings > Additional Settings > Privacy > MSA → select "Decline" or toggle off. This opts you out of Xiaomi's own ad-targeting network used in MIUI/HyperOS system apps.

Also: Settings > Additional Settings > Privacy > Personalized recommendations → OFF.

Step 3: Review App Tracking Permissions (HyperOS 2)

Settings > Privacy > Permission Manager > App Tracking (if available) — this shows which apps have requested tracking permission. Deny tracking for apps that don't need it (games, shopping apps).

Step 4: Limit Location Tracking

Settings → Privacy → Permission Manager → Location:

• Change most apps from "Always" to "While using" or "Denied"
• Remove location access from apps that have no obvious need for it (flashlight apps, keyboards)

Step 5: Use a Private Browser

For web browsing, use Brave Browser or Firefox Focus — both block cross-site tracking by default, more effectively than Chrome or Mi Browser.

Step 6: Enable DNS over HTTPS

Settings > Additional Settings > Privacy > Private DNS → set to dns.adguard.com (free). This encrypts DNS queries and blocks many tracking domains at the network level.

Summary of Privacy Actions