How to completely clean your Xiaomi phone from viruses: 7 proven ways

Viruses on Xiaomi smartphones are a much more common problem than most users realize, even if you don't install suspicious ones. APK-files, malware can penetrate through banner ads, phishing sites or firmware vulnerabilities MIUI. The main danger lies not in the obvious “trojans”, but in hidden miners, spyware modules and advertising bots that steal data and resources of the device for years without being noticed.

In this article, we will look at the 2026 cleaning methods that work on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models (including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5). We will analyze both software solutions (without data loss) and radical measures for running cases. Importantly, some viruses masquerade as MIUI system processes - their removal requires a special approach.

Signs of infection: how to know that Xiaomi has a virus

The first step is diagnostics. Xiaomi viruses rarely show up as clearly as Windows PCs. Instead of pop-ups, you can see:

• 🔋 A sharp reduction in battery life (even on new models like the Xiaomi 14 Pro from 5000 mAh.
• 📱 Spontaneous reboots or overheating of the body (especially when it is downtime), often caused by malicious services that conflict with the security of the body. MIUI.
• 💰 Debiting the money from the account or SMS Some viruses connect paid subscriptions through short numbers. USSD-request.
• 📊 Unexplained traffic consumption (check in Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic? Mining bots and spyware are actively using the Internet.

Viruses that masquerade as MIUI system applications are especially insidious, for example:

• com.miui.analytics (may be legitimate, but often replaced)
• com.xiaomi.midrop (fake updates to steal data)
• com.android.system (fake services with superuser rights)

⚠️ Note: If in Task Manager (Settings) → Annexes → Running processes: You see processes with type names update.apk, flash_player.apk or system_ui.apk (Not to be confused with com.android.systemui. 100% They can't be removed by standard means.

Method 1: Integrated security scanner MIUI

MIUI has built-in antivirus from Avast (newer versions from Xiaomi Security Lab), which is not as powerful as specialized solutions, but is capable of Detecting the simplest threats.

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the Scanner tab. → Deep inspection.
3. Wait until it is completed (it will take 3-5 minutes).
4. If threats are found, click Delete Everything.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Does not detect rootkits or viruses with superuser rights.
• 🚫 Does not scan system folders (for example, /system/app).
• 🚫 May skip advertising modules in legitimate applications (e.g., in the UC Browser or SHAREit).

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If the MIUI scanner does not find viruses, but the symptoms of infection remain, try turning off battery optimization for the Security app in the settings.

Method 2: Removing viruses through safe mode

Safe Mode only downloads MIUI system applications, blocking all third-party (including viruses) and removing malware that normally protects itself from uninstallation.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power button until the Mi logo appears.
3. Immediately after the logo appears, press and hold the volume button until the download is completed.
4. In the lower left corner of the screen should appear the inscription Safe Mode.

In safe mode:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort the list by installation date (⋮ → Sort by: Installation date).
3. Remove suspicious apps (see list in the previous section).
4. Restart your phone in normal mode.

⚠️ Note: Some viruses (e.g. XHelper or Shuanet) recover after a reboot. If the app comes back, go to method 4 (reset to factory settings).

Make a backup copy of important data|Write down a list of installed applications|Disable Auto Update in Play Market|Prepare the charger (the process can take up to 30 minutes)-->

Method 3: Manual removal via ADB (for power users)

If a virus has acquired superuser rights or masquerades as a system application, standard methods will not work, in which case Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for controlling a phone through a computer, will help, this method allows you to remove even those viruses that block access to the MIUI settings.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Utility. ADB Tools by Google.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on your phone to debug via USB: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times until “You are a developer”) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB (enable)
2. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
3. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear serial number of your Xiaomi.
5. Get a list of all packages: adb shell pm list packages -f Find suspicious packages in the output (e.g. com.android.fakeupdate).
6. Remove the virus by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.pack Example: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.virus.malware

⚠️ Attention: Removal of system packages MIUI (For example, com.miui.home can cause your phone to fail.Be sure the target package is indeed a virus before you execute commands (check with Google).

Method 4: Complete reset to factory settings

If a virus is deeply integrated into the system, or you're not sure what you're doing with ADB, hard reset is the most reliable way to do this, and it deletes all the data, including viruses, but it requires some preparation.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Save important data: 📸 Photo/video (copy on PC or in Google Photos). 📞 Contacts (export to) VCF-file through Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports). 📥 Messages (use) SMS Backup & Restore from Play Market).

Mi Account

Settings → About the phone → Reset settings → Erase all data

Erase everything

After discharge:

• 🚫 Do not restore data from backup MIUI — virus may return!
• 🔄 Install applications only from the official Play Market.
• 🛡️ Turn on Google Play Protect (Play Market) immediately after setting up. → ⚙️ → Play Protect).

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Factory resets remove viruses by 100%, but only if you don't restore data from an infected backup. Use clean app installation.

Method 5: Fastboot Flashing (for running cases)

If the virus has damaged MIUI system files or blocked access to the reset menu, full flashing through Fastboot mode will help.This method requires a PC and official firmware from Xiaomi.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website. Choose the version of Fastboot (file with the extension.tgz or.zip).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your computer (e.g., C:\MiFlash).
3. Install the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Turn off your phone and press the power button + volume reduction to enter the Fastboot (the image of a hare in a hat-eared will appear).
5. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
6. Press Select, specify the folder with the firmware, then Refresh (the serial number of the device should appear).
7. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.

It'll take 5-10 minutes. Once you flash it, it'll look like new, but:

• 🔄 Reconfiguration (language selection, Wi-Fi connection) will be required).
• 📱 All data will be deleted (including viruses).
• 🔒 You may need to unlock the bootloader if it has been blocked.

Method 6: Antiviruses from third-party developers

If you prefer software solutions, install one of the proven antivirus applications. Importantly, many of the antiviruses in the Play Market are advertising software themselves.

How to use the antivirus correctly:

1. Install one of the apps above (links only from the official Play Market).
2. Run a full check (not fast!).
3. If threats are found, choose Remove or Treat.
4. Turn on real-time protection (if available in the free version).
5. Check your phone once a week (set up an automatic scan).

⚠️ Warning: Don’t install multiple antiviruses at once, they will conflict and slow your phone down. DU Speed Booster – These often contain advertising modules.

Method 7: Protecting Xiaomi from viruses in the future

Cleaning your phone of viruses is half the battle, and to avoid re-infection, follow these rules:

• 📥 Install apps only from the Play Market. APK From verified sites (e.g. APKMirror) can be modified.
• 🔍 Before installing, check the reviews and rating of the app. Viruses are often masquerading as popular games or utilities (for example, Free Fire, WhatsApp Gold).
• 🔄 Update. MIUI New firmware closes vulnerabilities that viruses exploit. Check the updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🛡️ Disable the installation from unknown sources: Settings → Annexes → Special rights → Installation from unknown sources (disable for all applications except trusted ones).
• 📶 Avoid public Wi-Fi without any public Wi-Fi VPN. Viruses can be spread through vulnerabilities in networks (e.g, KRACK-attack).

Additional measures for advanced users:

• 🔐 Install Magisk (root) and Universal SafetyNet Fix to block surveillance.
• 📊 Use NetGuard or TrackerControl to monitor application network activity.
• 🔄 Regularly check the application rights in Settings → Annexes → Permits: Viruses often request access to SMS, Contact or Accessibility.

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The most common reason Xiaomi is infected is the installation of pirated apps (hacked games, modified messengers), even one such APK can infect a phone with an undeletable virus.

FAQ: Frequent questions about virus removal on Xiaomi