AON Xiaomi Phone Spam: How to Recognize Threats and Eliminate Them Forever

Have you ever noticed that your Xiaomi suddenly started showing strange notifications with suggestions to install unknown applications or click on suspicious links? AON (Always-On Networking, and they wondered if he was responsible for the constant spam, and these are problems that many smartphone owners of the brand know -- and today we're going to take a closer look at them.

In this article you will know what is AON In the context of Xiaomi (spoiler: it's not a virus!), how spam messages get into a device even without you knowing, and why standard blocking methods often don't work, we'll also give you unique tips for cleaning up hidden spam services that you won't find in the official instructions. Ready to return your phone clean and safe?

Warning: some of the problems are related to the features of the firmware MIUI, And some spam tools are the default ones on Xiaomi, but don't worry, we'll show you how to get rid of them without losing functionality.

What is it? AON Xiaomi phone and what is spam here?

Let's start with the main thing: AON (Always-On Networking is not a virus or malware, it is an Android system feature that allows apps to maintain a permanent network connection in the background. In theory, it is necessary for instant notifications (for example, in instant messengers), but in practice it is often used by spam services.

In Xiaomi smartphones AON It's activated by default, and that's one of the reasons why you can get unwanted notifications even from long-deleted apps. MIUI (For example, com.miui.systemAdSolution is used AON To send β€œrecommendations” – in fact, it is legal spam from Xiaomi itself.

  • πŸ”„ AON Allows apps to bypass battery limitations and stay online 24/7.
  • πŸ“± V MIUI This feature is closely linked to Google Play Services and Mi Push Service.
  • ⚠️ Shutdown AON It can disrupt the work of some messengers (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram).

But how AON Is it spam-related? It's simple: a lot of advertising. SDK (For example, AppLovin or Unity Ads use a permanent connection to display notifications, even if you have long since removed the application that installed them. MIUI, Masquerading as legitimate processes with access to AON.

πŸ“Š Have you ever encountered spam on Xiaomi?
Yeah, all the time.
Yeah, but rarely.
No, I have a clean phone.
I don't know what spam on my phone is.

Where does spam come from on Xiaomi: 5 hidden sources

If you think that spam comes only from installed apps, you are mistaken. Xiaomi smartphones have at least 5 β€œlegal” channels for distributing unwanted notifications, which most users do not even know.

First, these are system applications. MIUI, such as:

  • πŸ“’ com.miui.systemAdSolution is a service responsible for β€œrecommendations” (essentially advertising) in the notification menu.
  • πŸ›’ com.xiaomi.market is a branded app store GetApps, which often sends promotional messages.
  • πŸ” com.miui.analytics – an analytics service that can show β€œpersonalized offers".

Second, pre-installed apps from Xiaomi partners (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Video, Mi Music) that have permission to send push notifications, and even if you don’t use them, they can stay active in the background.

Third, Google services like Google Play Services and Android System Intelligence, which sometimes show ads from Google AdMob right in the notification bar, are especially noticeable on Xiaomi’s budget models (like Redmi). 9A POCO M3), where the manufacturer monetizes the device through advertising.

The fourth source is viruses and Trojans that disguise themselves as system processes, such as malware that can replace com.android.phone or com.miui.home to send spam on behalf of the phone. APK-files downloaded from unverified sources.

And finally, Channel Five β€” SMS-spam that can come even on a clean phone. MIUI There is a bug (relevant to the versions below). MIUI 14), spamming-SMS automatically converted to notifications and displayed on a locked screen.

How to check if your Xiaomi has hidden spam services?
Open the Settings. β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management β†’ Three dots (menu) β†’ Show all the processes. In the list, look for apps with names like AdService, PushProvider, or MiAd. If you have any, your phone is infected with hidden ads. β†’ Notifications β†’ Recent notifications for unknown sources.

How to turn off AON Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

If you decide that AON It is the fault of spam, it can be turned off, but be careful: it can disrupt some applications (for example, messengers or email clients). We recommend that you try other methods of combating spam first, and turn off the service. AON resort only in extreme cases.

To deactivate Always-On Networking on Xiaomi, follow the following steps:

Open Settings β†’ Battery and Performance

Select Battery Consumption Management

Go to Settings. β†’ Additionally. β†’ Optimizing the battery

Find Always-On Networking and turn it off.

Restart your phone to apply changes

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If you're in your version MIUI There is no direct switch for AON, take advantage ADB-Team (Developer Mode Required):

adb shell settings put global always_on_vpn_enabled 0


adb shell settings put global always_on_vpn_lockdown 0

After the blackout AON Check if spam notifications have disappeared, and if they haven't, it's not the function that's the problem, it's the apps or system services themselves.

πŸ’‘

Before the shutdown AON Add important messengers (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) to the battery optimization exceptions. β†’ Battery β†’ Select applications and set a mode for them Without restrictions.

How to permanently remove spam from Xiaomi: 7 working methods

Now, let's get to the point. Here are 7 proven ways to get rid of spam on Xiaomi, from the simplest to the most radical. Start from the first point and move down if the problem is not solved.

1. disable system advertising in MIUI

Many people don't know, but in MIUI There's a built-in option to turn off personalized ads:

  1. Go to Settings. β†’ The phone.
  2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
  3. Return to Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Special Opportunities β†’ Advertising.
  4. Disable Personalized Advertising and Recommendations MIUI.

2. Remove or freeze spam apps

Some Xiaomi system applications cannot be removed by standard means, but they can be β€œfreezed” (disabled).

  • πŸ”§ Use it. ADB (via computer) with command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution
  • ❄️ Or install the App Inspector app (root rights required) to deactivate unnecessary services.

3. Set up the notification filter

V MIUI There's a hidden function to filter notifications by keywords, to activate it:

  1. Open Settings β†’ Notifications β†’ Additional.
  2. Turn on the notification filter.
  3. Add to the blacklist words like "winning", "promotion", "gift", "credit".

4. Check permissions for applications

Many apps request access to notifications even when they don't need to, to limit them:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Permissions Management β†’ Notifications.
  2. Sort the list by the date of last use.
  3. Turn off notifications for suspicious or unused applications.

5. Update MIUI to the latest version

Old versions. MIUI (particularly MIUI 12 and below) there were many vulnerabilities that allowed spammers to bypass locks. Update the firmware through Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ System Update. If the update is not available, try the manual firmware via the Mi Flash Tool.

6. Reset the network settings

Sometimes spam messages come over a mobile network (for example, from an operator) to reset the network settings:

  1. Go to Settings. β†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks β†’ Resetting network settings.
  2. Confirm the action (Warning: This will delete the saved Wi-Fi passwords!).

7. Perform reset to factory settings

If nothing works, the last chance is a complete reset.Be sure to back up your data through Settings before doing so. β†’ The phone. β†’ Backup. Then backup:

  1. Open Settings β†’ About the phone β†’ Reset settings.
  2. Choose to erase all data.
  3. After reset, do not restore data from the backup – it is better to set up the phone as new.

πŸ’‘

The most effective method is the combination of disabling system advertising (paragraph 1) + Removal of spam applications (paragraph 2) + update MIUI (In 90% of cases, this is enough to completely get rid of spam.

Table: Comparison of methods of spam control on Xiaomi

MethodEfficiencyDifficultySide effectsIs root required?
Disabling personalized advertising⭐⭐⭐βšͺβšͺβšͺNo.No.
Removal/freezing of spam applications⭐⭐⭐⭐βšͺβšͺ⚫Some MIUI functions may stop working.For some applications, yes.
Filter notifications for keywords⭐⭐βšͺβšͺβšͺThe necessary notifications may be blocked.No.
Shutdown AON⭐⭐⭐βšͺ⚫⚫Disruption of messengersNo.
Reset to factory settings⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⚫⚫⚫Loss of dataNo.

As you can see from the table, the most balanced option is to combine the first three methods. AON Resetting should only be used in extreme cases.

What if the spam comes back after cleaning?

If you've followed all the guidelines, but spam messages keep popping up, chances are your phone is infected with a persistent virus -- one that recovers from a reboot or even a reset.

1. Check your phone for rootkit

Some viruses (such as Triada or HummingBad) are embedded in system files and disguised as legitimate processes.

  • πŸ›‘οΈ Install Malwarebytes or Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus.
  • πŸ” Run a deep scan (not fast!).
  • πŸ“Š Check the report for suspicious files in /system/app or /data/app.

2. Remove the suspicious APK-manually

Viruses often hide in Download folders, DCIM or Android/obb. To find them:

  1. Connect the phone to your computer and turn on file transfer mode.
  2. Use the search for keywords: apk, odex, jar.
  3. Delete all unknown files (especially with names like this one) update.apk, flash.apk, system.apk).

3.Fashion the phone through Fastboot

If the virus is deeply embedded in the system, it's only a complete flashing.

  1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
  2. Install the Mi Flash Tool on your computer.
  3. Put your phone in Fastboot mode (press the Power) + Vol Down when switched off).
  4. Connect the device to the PC and follow the program instructions.

πŸ’‘

If after flashing the spam returned, the problem may be in the SIM-Some operators (especially in Asia) send spam through the Internet. USSD-Try using another team temporarily. SIM-map.

4. Check the settings DNS

Some viruses are changing. DNS-servers on the phone to redirect traffic through their servers. DNS:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Wi-Fi β†’ Additional β†’ IP settings.
  2. Select Static and enter DNS from Google: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
  3. Use it for the mobile network APN Settings and check that there are no unnecessary parameters.

5. Contact us for Xiaomi support

If nothing worked, it's possible your phone got into a gray batch of malware pre-installed.

  • πŸ“§ Write to Xiaomi official support via the website mi.com/support.
  • πŸ“Έ Attach screenshots of spam notifications and log files (can be obtained through ADB Logcat).
  • πŸ”„ Specify the phone model, version MIUI region of purchase.

πŸ’‘

If the spam comes back after a complete reset and flashing, the problem may be in the hardware of the phone (for example, in the modem firmware), in which case only the service center will help.

How to protect Xiaomi from spam in the future: prevention

The best way to fight spam is to keep it out of your hands. Here are 5 rules to keep your Xiaomi clean:

1. Set limits for new applications

By default. MIUI Allows all new applications to show notifications and use data in the background to fix this:

  1. Go to Settings. β†’ Annexes β†’ Default authorizations.
  2. Turn off Notifications and Auto Run for new applications.

2.Use alternative app stores

Xiaomi's GetApps store often contains apps with aggressive ads.

  • πŸ›’ Aurora Store (an anonymous client for Google Play).
  • πŸ“¦ F-Droid (open source store without advertising).
  • πŸ” APKMirror (for manual download) APK virus-free).

3. Regularly check active connections

Hidden spam services often exchange data with remote servers to detect them:

  1. Install NetGuard or GlassWire to monitor traffic.
  2. Check which apps use the internet in the background.
  3. Block suspicious domains (e.g. ad.mi.com, tracker.xiaomi.com).

4. Disable unnecessary system services

Many functions MIUI They collect data and show ads to deactivate it:

  • πŸ“Š Disable Mi Analytics in Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ Debugging information.
  • πŸ“‘ Deactivate Mi Push Service via ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipush.sdk
  • πŸ” Remove Mi Browser and Mi Video – They often show ads.

5. Create a backup of a clean system

If you've managed to clear your phone of spam, back up the clean state.

  1. Use it. TWRP Recovery to create a full partition backup /system.
  2. Save the copy to the cloud or to an external drive.
  3. In the event of a re-infection, you will be able to quickly restore a clean system.

πŸ’‘

If you often install applications from unverified sources, use a sandbox, a virtual software testing space, and Shelter or Island (root required) is the right fit.

FAQ: Frequent questions about spam and AON Xiaomi

❓ Why Spam Returns After Resetting Settings?
The virus is probably hidden in one of the following locations: πŸ“ In a file. /system/priv-app (Re-flashing is required to remove). πŸ“‹ In the backup you restored after the reset. πŸ“‘ In the settings APN your operator (some providers send spam through your service provider) USSD). Try to reflash your phone via Fastboot and don’t recover data from the backup.
❓ Can I turn it off? AON without consequence?
In theory, yes, but in practice, it can disrupt the job: πŸ’¬ Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber). πŸ“§ Mail (Gmail, Outlook). πŸ”” Push notifications from social networks.We recommend that you turn off first AON Only for specific applications through Settings β†’ Battery β†’ Optimizing the battery.
❓ What Xiaomi models are most likely to suffer from spam?
According to the data XDA Developers, most complaints about spam come from owners: πŸ“± Redmi Note 8/9/10 (Due to the popularity among developers of custom firmware). πŸ“± Poco X3/M3 (Often sold with pre-installed Bloatware). πŸ“± Mi A2/A3 (An outdated version of Android One with vulnerabilities). πŸ“± Budget models for the Asian market (Redmi) 9A/9C). If you have one of these models, we recommend that you reset your settings and install custom firmware immediately after purchase (e.g. Pixel Experience).
❓ How to distinguish system spam from virus?
Here are the key signs: System spam (MIUI) Virus/Trojan Notifications come from com.miui.systemAdSolution. Notifications are disguised as system (e.g. Android System), Chinese or English ads, Russian messages with grammatical errors, disappears after personalized ads are turned off. It comes back even after resetting, doesn't consume much traffic, notices high data consumption in the background.
❓ Can I file a complaint against Xiaomi for spam?
Yes, if spammy messages violate local law (e.g. EU law). GDPR, Here's how to do it: Gather evidence: screenshots of notifications, logs from ADB, Write a complaint in support of Xiaomi demanding that your data be removed from advertising databases. If you do not agree with the answer, contact the European Data Protection Council (for EU residents) or Roskomnadzor (for Russia). In most cases, Xiaomi is willing to give in and offer compensation (e.g. a discount on the next phone).