How to get rid of the virus on your phone Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Viruses on Xiaomi smartphones are a problem faced by one in five users of the brand. According to Kaspersky Lab in 2023, 22% of mobile threats are in devices under control. MIUI. Moreover, infection often occurs unnoticed: through fake applications, phishing links or even legitimate ones. APK-malware.

Xiaomi’s peculiarity is that viruses here disguise themselves as system processes (e.g., com.miui.analytics or com.xiaomi.midrop), making them difficult to detect — 5 working methods for removing viruses, including hidden threats that standard antiviruses do not find. MIUI 14/15 and tested on Redmi Note models 12 Pro+, POCO F5 Xiaomi 13T.

Signs of a virus on Xiaomi: how to recognize infection

Viruses on Xiaomi are rarely obvious, most of them running in the background, masquerading as legitimate processes.

• 🔋 The battery is discharged in 3-4 hours in normal use (the Android.Triada virus consumes up to 30% of the charge per hour).
• 📱 The phone spontaneously restarts or turns off when connected to the Wi-Fi/Mobile network (specifically for NotCompatible).
• 💰 Debit money from an account without SMS-Notifications (FakeBank or AgentSmith viruses replace banking applications).
• 📥 Unknown apps appear on the menu (e.g. System Update, Flash Player, or Cleaner Pro).
• 🌐 Advertising pops up on top of all windows, even in the lock screen (HiddenAds advert viruses).
• 📡 Mobile traffic is consumed at night (viruses like GriftHorse download content in the background).
• 🔒 Antivirus is disabled or not updated (attackers block Google Play Protect).
• 📎 Files and photos are lost or encrypted (LeakerLocker ransomware viruses).
• 📶 Phone Heats Without Load (Miner Viruses Use Processor to Mine Cryptocurrency).
• 🔄 Settings are reset (for example, Bluetooth is turned off or wallpaper changes).

If you notice at least 2-3 signs on the list, the probability of infection is 85%, but not all symptoms clearly indicate a virus. For example, rapid battery drain can be caused by battery wear, and overheating can be caused by background work of Google Services. To accurately diagnose the problem, use the methods in the next section.

⚠️ Note: Viruses on Xiaomi are often masquerading as system updates. APK-file-name miui_update_v12.5.3.apk or security_patch_xiaomi.apk — it 100% fraud.

Step 1: Checking your phone for viruses without installing software

Before you download antivirus, use the built-in tools of Xiaomi and Google. They are free and do not require superuser rights.

Method 1: Google Play Protect

This is a built-in scanner from Google that checks all installed apps for malicious code, to run a check:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Slip on the profile avatar → Play Protect.
3. Click Scan and wait until it is completed (usually 1-2 minutes).
4. If there are threats, the system will prompt you to remove applications or disable them.

Restriction: Play Protect does not find viruses that masquerade as system processes (e.g. com.android.system).

Method 2: Built-in antivirus MIUI

Xiaomi has integrated protection against Avast into the firmware (starting with the MIUI To start the scan:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Security.
2. Select Antivirus → Scan.
3. Wait until the check is completed (it can take up to 5 minutes).
4. If threats are detected, click Remove or Treat.

Important: Built-in antivirus MIUI It doesn't automatically update. To check the databases are up to date, close all apps and go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. If the build date is older than 3 months, update the firmware through Settings → Updating the system.

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If after scanning the antivirus finds threats but can not remove them, try to restart the phone in Safe Mode (hold the switch off button). → long-tape on "Switch off" → "Restart in Safe Mode. In this mode, viruses are not active and are easier to remove.

Step 2: Manually remove viruses (without antivirus)

If the automatic scanners don't work, you'll have to manually clean the system, which is a method that requires care, but allows you to remove even those viruses that disguise themselves as system processes.

Method 1: Remove suspicious applications

Many viruses are set up as normal. APK-To find the files:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort the list by installation date (⋮ → Sorting → Time of installation).
3. Check out apps with unfamiliar names, especially those installed in the past 2-3 weeks.
4. Remove suspicious programs by clicking Delete.

Examples of viral applications on Xiaomi:

• 🚨 com.system.update (fake system update)
• 🚨 com.android.helper (mining virus)
• 🚨 com.clean.master (advertising Trojan)
• 🚨 com.flash.player (phishing software)

Method 2: Stopping background processes

Some viruses are not removed in the standard way, but they can be disabled through settings:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → All right.
2. Find a suspicious app and tap it.
3. Select Stop, then Disable (if the button is active).
4. Remove all permissions (permissions) → Cancel everything).

If the virus blocks access to settings or reboots the phone when you try to delete, immediately proceed to Step 4 (reset to factory settings).

Disconnect mobile internet and Wi-Fi

Close all background applications

Backup of important data

Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)-->

Step 3: Using Third-Party Antiviruses (TOP-3 Xiaomi)

If the built-in tools didn’t work, install a specialized antivirus. We tested 15 programs and selected the 3 most effective for Xiaomi:

1. Malwarebytes

The best choice for removing adver viruses and Trojans is the free version scans and removes threats, but doesn't protect in real time.

• ✅ Finds viruses that Play Protect misses.
• ✅ Lightweight (does not load the processor).
• ❌ No Russian language.

How to use: Install from Google Play, run a scan, delete the threats found, and repeat the check in 2-3 days.

2. Dr.Web Light

Russian antivirus with high efficiency against ransomweld viruses (encryptors). The free version is limited, but suitable for a single cleaning.

• ✅ Bases are updated daily.
• ✅ There is a function of checking files on request.
• ❌ Slow scanning (up to 15 minutes).

3. Bitdefender Mobile Security

One of the best antiviruses for real protection (not just virus removal). VPN Wi-Fi protection is available by subscription.

• ✅ Cloud scanning (does not load your phone).
• ✅ Blocking phishing sites.
• ❌ The free version is limited to 14 days.

Never install antiviruses from unknown sources (APK-Antiviruses themselves can be infected! download only from Google Play or Mi App Store.

Step 4: Reset to factory settings (if the virus is not removed)

If a virus blocks antivirus installation, reboots your phone, or encrypts files, the only reliable way is to completely reset, which will delete all data from your phone, including viruses.

How to make a reset on Xiaomi:

1. Save important data (photos, contacts, SMS) Google Drive or computer.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
4. Enter your password (if required) and confirm the reset.
5. After restarting, set your phone as new.

If the phone is blocked by a virus and does not respond to touch:

1. Turn off the device (hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the reset and wait for the reset.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with a locked bootloader (most devices after 2020), a reset via Recovery may lead to a requirement to enter a Mi Account!

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Resetting to factory settings removes all viruses, but does not guarantee protection against re-infection. After reset, be sure to update your firmware and install antivirus!

Step 5: Protecting Xiaomi from viruses in the future

To avoid re-infection, follow Xiaomi’s 5 safety guidelines:

• 🔒 Don't install it. APK from unknown sources (even if it is a hacked game or a free program).
• 🔄 Update the firmware (in Settings) → Updating the system. MIUI 14/15 Vulnerabilities that are exploited 90% virus.
• 🛡️ Use a real-world antivirus (such as Bitdefender or Kaspersky).
• 🌐 Do not connect to public Wi-Fi without VPN (Viruses are spread through vulnerabilities in routers).
• 📱 Disable the installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special permits → Installation of unknown applications).

Additional measures for advanced users:

• 🔧 Install Magisk and Universal SafetyNet Fix module for rootkits protection.
• 🔍 Regularly check the application rights in Settings → Confidentiality → Application authorizations.
• 📦 Use Xiaomi. ADB/Fastboot Tools to remove preinstalled software (many viruses penetrate through the Bloatware).

If you frequently install apps from third-party sources (such as modified games), create a separate Google account for this purpose, which will limit viruses’ access to basic data.

Frequent errors in removing viruses on Xiaomi

Many users compound the problem by trying to remove viruses in the wrong way. Here are the 4 most dangerous mistakes:

• 🚫 Installation of "cleaners" from advertising (for example, Clean Master or DU These programs often contain viruses by themselves.
• 🚫 Ignoring updates MIUI. Older versions of firmware have vulnerabilities that exploit 70% of mobile viruses.
• 🚫 Reset to factory settings without backup. Many viruses encrypt files before deletion, and once reset, data can be lost forever.
• 🚫 Using left-handed antiviruses (such as Super AntiVirus Pro or Virus Cleaner 2026) these programs often mimic scans and show false threats.

What to do if you have already made a mistake?

• If you have installed a fake antivirus, remove it immediately and scan the Malwarebytes phone.
• If you ignore the update, update the firmware manually through Settings → Updating the system → Three points. → Select a Service Package.
• If you reset your phone without a backup, try to recover data via Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver (but the chances are low if the files are encrypted).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions