How to get rid of the virus on your phone Xiaomi: 7 proven ways

Why viruses are dangerous for Xiaomi smartphones

Xiaomi smartphones, despite the built-in protection of MIUI Security, are not immune to virus attacks; malware can penetrate pirated applications, phishing links or vulnerabilities in firmware; devices with an unlocked bootloader or an outdated version of MIUI (below 12.5) are especially vulnerable.

The consequences range from intrusive advertising to bank data theft: viruses like AdLoad or XHelper masquerade as system processes, and Trojans like FluBot spread via SMS. In 2023, Kaspersky’s lab recorded an increase in attacks on Xiaomi through fake MIUI updates — 42% of all Android infections in Russia.

This article will help identify and remove the virus on any Xiaomi device, from the budget Redmi 10A to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.The methods are suitable for all versions of MIUI, including global and Chinese firmware.

Signs of infection: how to recognize the virus on Xiaomi

The first step is diagnosis, and viruses are often disguised as legitimate processes, but there are characteristic symptoms:

• 📱 Spontaneous application installations – unknown games or utilities appear on the menu (for example, com.system.update).
• 💸 SMS to premium number – debiting funds from the account without your knowledge (check the history of payments in the mobile bank).
• 🔋 Dramatic battery consumption – Viral processes (e.g. android.trojan.obad) can consume up to 30% of the charge per hour.
• 📶 Suspicious traffic – check in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic: If background data exceeds 1GB/day, it’s a warning sign.

For accurate diagnosis, use the built-in MIUI Security scanner (Settings → Applications → Security → Virus Scanner). If it finds threats with names like RiskWare.AndroidOS or HEUR:Trojan.AndroidOS.Agent, this is confirmation of infection.

⚠️ Warning: Some viruses block access to security settings. MIUI Security phone reboots, which is a sign of a rootkit (like Triada), so you can immediately jump to the hard reset section.

Method 1: Removal of the virus through safe mode

Safe Mode only downloads system applications, blocking virus processes.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power button before the Mi logo appears.
3. Once the logo appears, hold the volume button until the desktop is loaded with the words Safe Mode at the bottom of the screen.

In safe mode:

• 🗑️ Remove suspicious apps through Settings → Annexes → Application management (sort by installation date).
• 🔍 Check the list of device administrators: Settings → Passwords and security → Device administrators, remove the boxes from unknown services.
• 📁 Clear the cache: Settings → Warehouse → Clear cache (viruses often hide in temporary files).

Once deleted, restart your phone as normal. If the virus persists, it has been embedded in the system files (see the MIUI Recovery section).

Method 2: Use of MIUI Security and Third-Party Antiviruses

The built-in MIUI Security scanner is effective against 70 percent of common threats, but some viruses (like SharkBot) block it from working.

1. Update signature databases: Open MIUI Security → Settings → Update databases.
2. Start a deep scan (not fast!).
3. If the scanner finds threats, but does not remove them, use manual mode: click on the virus name → Details → Delete.

For complex cases, third-party antiviruses are suitable:

Install antivirus only from Google Play (not from Google Play) APK-After scanning the sites:

• 🛡️ Turn on real protection in antivirus settings.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version: viruses often exploit vulnerabilities of old firmware.

⚠️ Note: Some antiviruses (e.g. 360 Security) are themselves recognized as PUP (After cleaning, remove them to avoid conflicts with the MIUI Security.

Method 3: Recover MIUI via Fastboot (for experienced)

If the virus has damaged system files (e.g., replaced /system/bin/), flashing through Fastboot will help.This method requires an unlocked bootloader and is suitable for Xiaomi models on Qualcomm or Mediatek chips.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website (choose the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive in the platform-tools folder (where ADB is installed).
3. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip the power + volume reduction when the device is turned off).
4. Run commands in CMD (on behalf of the administrator): fastboot flash boot.img fastboot flash system.img fastboot flash recovery.img fastboot reboot

It takes 10 to 15 minutes, and after the reboot, all the data will be erased, but the virus will disappear along with the corrupted system files.

Method 4: Hard Reset – Last Chance

If the virus blocks all cleanup attempts, it leaves a complete factory reset, which will remove all the contents of the phone, including:

• 📸 Photos and videos (if not saved in Mi Cloud).
• 📱 Installed applications and their data.
• 📞 Contacts (if not synced with Google Account).

Instructions for discharge:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power + increase the volume before the Recovery menu appears.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the Recovery menu is blocked by a password (the virus could have changed it), use the Mi Flash Tool for forced firmware (see the previous section).

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Hard reset removes even viruses that have been embedded in the system partition (/system or /vendor), which is the only reliable way to fight rootkits like Zitmo or Cerberus.

Method 5: Removal of the virus through ADB (for advanced)

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) allows you to manually remove virus packets. The method requires the enabled USB Debugging Mode (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version – press 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).

Algorithm of action:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
2. In CMD, run: Adb devices (should display your device).
3. Get a packet list: adb shell pm list packages -f Look for suspicious names (e.g. com.android.fakeupdate).
4. Delete the virus packet: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name.packet

Removing system viruses (if embedded in /system/priv-app) will require root rights. Use Magisk to obtain them, but remember: this voids Xiaomi's warranty.

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Before you delete a package through ADB, check it in VirusTotal.Some MIUI system components (e.g., com.miui.securitycenter) may mistakenly appear to be viruses.

How to protect Xiaomi from viruses in the future

The best protection is a comprehensive approach, and follow these rules to minimize the risks.

• 🔒 Disable the installation from unknown sources: Settings → Annexes → Special rights → Installation of unknown applications.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Monthly: new versions close critical vulnerabilities (e.g., new versions, CVE-2023-2119, virus-operated).
• 🛡️ Use two-factor authentication for Mi Account and banking applications.
• 📥 Download. APK Only from trusted sources (e.g. APKMirror), avoid torrents and file sharing sites.
• 🔍 Periodically check active connections through Settings → Connections → Use of data.

For more protection, set up Google Play Protect:

1. Open Google Play Store → click on the profile icon → Play Protect.
2. Enable the device scan for threats.
3. Activate Enhanced Threat Search (requires you to send data to Google).

⚠️ Viruses are often disguised as updates MIUI. Never install firmware from sites like miui-downloads.com (the official domain is new.c.mi.com). Fake updates may contain a bootkit that will survive even a hard reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about viruses on Xiaomi