How to ensure complete security on Xiaomi: from passwords to protection from scammers

Why Xiaomi Security Needs Special Attention

Xiaomi smartphones are some of the most popular in the world, but their open ecosystem and customized MIUI firmware are often targeted by cyber threats. Unlike iPhones with closed iOS or Google Pixel with “clean” Android, Xiaomi devices require manually configuring key security settings to prevent data leaks, account hacking and malware infection. Global firmware models (such as the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro) are especially vulnerable, where functions potentially transferring data to China are enabled by default.

In this article, practical steps to protect your Xiaomi from the basics (installation) PIN-Advertising Adb AdBlocking Ads: We will discuss how to circumvent typical traps MIUI, What settings should be turned off immediately after purchase, and what to do if the device is already compromised. MIUI 14/15 and Android-based devices 13/14.

Basic protection: PIN, pattern lock and biometrics

The first and most obvious step is to lock the screen, but Xiaomi has a nuance: by default, the system allows you to unlock the device through a Smart Lock (for example, via a Bluetooth device or geolocation), which reduces protection.

• 🔐 Use it. PIN length+ Avoid birth dates and simple combinations (e.g., 1234 or 0000). MIUI can be installed PIN Up to 16 digits – use this opportunity.
• 👆 Turn off Face Unlock in public spaces, which is convenient, but easy to fool with a photo (especially on budget models like the Redmi). A2).
• 📱 Set up a backup. PIN If the scanner fails, you're not going to be left without access. → Password and security → Fingerprint. → Reserve password.

⚠️ Note: If you use a pattern lock, do not draw simple patterns (such as the letter "L" or a square). MIUI There is a limit on the number of input attempts (5 times), after which the device is locked for 30 seconds - this is enough to pick up a simple pattern.

2.Setting up Mi Account: why hacking it is more dangerous than it seems

Mi Accounts are not just about accessing the cloud, they are tied to the device's IMEI, and if they are hacked, they can:

• 📱 Remotely lock your smartphone through the Find Device function.
• 💳 Connect your bank card to Mi Pay (if previously linked).
• 📧 Access to backup copies SMS (including bank codes).

How to protect your account:

1. Link two-factor authentication (2FA) via Google Authenticator or SMS (less secure). Path: Mi Account → Security → Two-step verification.
2. Remove unnecessary devices from trusted in your account settings, often with old smartphones or tablets.
3. Turn off automatic sign-in in Xiaomi apps (such as Mi Home or Mi Fit) and reduce the risk of leakage of the access token.

⚠️ Note: If you sell or transfer a smartphone, be sure to log out of Mi Account via Settings → Mi Account → Just resetting to factory settings isn't enough - the device will remain tied to your account!

3.Virus and spyware protection: what really works

The built-in Security App in MIUI is often criticized for false positives and intrusive advertising, but it still performs basic scanning functions.

• 🛡️ Install a third-party antivirus (like Bitdefender or Kaspersky) that better detect Trojans that masquerade as system applications (like com.android.system).
• 🔍 Regularly check the application rights in Settings → Annexes → Permits. Particular attention to applications with access to SMS, geolocation.
• 🚫 Disable the installation from unknown sources (path: Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Install unknown applications, even if you're downloading APK From verified sites, the risk of picking up modified software remains.

⚠️ Note: In 2023, a vulnerability was discovered in the MIUI Cleaner, which allows attackers to use phishing sites to clean up cache with enhanced rights. If you don't use this feature, turn it off in Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Cleaner.

4. Data Encryption: How to Protect Files from Theft

By default, Xiaomi only encrypts the system partition, your photos, documents and chats remain vulnerable if the device falls into the wrong hands.

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Privacy → Encryption and credentials.
2. Select "Encrypt Phone" and it takes 30 to 60 minutes (make sure the battery is 80%+ charged).
3. After the reboot, check the encryption status in the same menu – it should say “Encrypted”.

⚠️ Warning: Encryption is irreversible without factory reset. PIN And encryption can also reduce performance on budget models (e.g. Redmi). 9A).

For additional protection of sensitive files:

• 📁 Use the secure folder in MIUI: Files. → Personal. → Secure folder, you can transfer photos, videos and documents that you can access only after you type in. PIN.
• 🔒 For cloud backups, enable end-to-end encryption in Mi Cloud (not available in all regions).

5. Protection against fraudsters: phishing, SMS-spam

Xiaomi is often criticized for its weak protection against the SMS-For example, in 2023, Redmi Note 11 users complained massively about spam from Chinese numbers passing through the standard Messages app:

• 📵 Block spam numbers through your phone → Journal → ⋮ → Block numbers, blacklist prefixes. +86 (China), +375 (Belarus, if you do not expect calls from there), and other suspicious.
• 🔗 Turn off the preview links in SMS. This will prevent malicious scripts from automatically loading. path: Messages → ⋮ → Settings → Preview of references.
• 🛡️ Install specialized spam-blocking apps like Truecaller or Hiya, which are better at detecting fraudulent schemes than embedded tools. MIUI.

⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters often masquerade as Xiaomi support by sending SMS You can see the message: "Your Mi Account is blocked. Go to mi-secure.com." Never click on links from such messages - real notifications from Xiaomi only come through the official Mi Account app.

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Make a contact with the name "!! SPAM" on your phone and add any suspicious numbers to it, so you can quickly find them in the call log if they try to call again.

6 Advanced settings: adb, root and custom firmware

If you’re willing to go beyond standard settings, here’s what you can do for maximum security:

• 🔧 Turn off the debugging. USB (If you don't use it. Path: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → For developers → Debugging by USB.
• 🛠️ Block ads and trackers via adb. for example, the team below disables system ads MIUI: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution
• 📱 Install custom recovery (TWRP) And the firmware (like LineageOS) if you want to get rid of pre-installed Chinese services, but this cancels the warranty and requires unlocking the bootloader.

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi is linked to the Mi Account. If you sell the device without waivers, the new owner will not be able to flash it without your password! To avoid problems, perform fastboot oem unlock before resetting to factory settings.

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If you're not sure about your adb or custom firmware skills, you'd better limit yourself to standard security practices. Wrong actions can turn your smartphone into a brick.

7 What to do if the device is already compromised

If you notice suspicious activity (unknown applications, fast battery discharge, SMS from unfamiliar numbers), act according to the algorithm:

1. Turn off the Internet (plane mode) and log out of all accounts (Mi Account, Google, banking applications).
2. Check the list of installed apps in Settings → Apps. Delete anything suspicious (especially with names like System Update or Android Service).
3. Back up your important data (photos, contacts) to an external drive or PC. Don't save it to the cloud!
4. Perform factory reset via Settings → About Phone → Reset. After reset, do not restore data from the backup – it may contain malicious code.

If problems persist after the reset (for example, the device itself turns on mobile data), this may indicate the introduction of malware into the firmware.

• 📱 Fly the device through the Mi Flash Tool (the official Xiaomi utility). Download the firmware for your model from miuidownload.com.
• 🔧 If the firmware does not help, contact the Xiaomi service center – you may need to replace the motherboard.

FAQ: Frequent Security Questions for Xiaomi