How to completely clean the Xiaomi smartphone 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 is not only in the display of annoying advertising, but also in theft of personal data, bank details or even remote control of the device.

In this article, we will look at all the current cleaning methods, from basic checks to radical measures like reset to factory settings. Particular attention will be paid to hidden threats that antiviruses often do not detect: browser redirects, DNS swapping and system backdoors masquerading as MIUI service processes. Instructions are adapted for Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5, Mi 11/12 and other current Android 13/14 devices.

Before you start cleaning, answer the key question: how exactly is the infection manifesting? This will help to more accurately diagnose the problem and choose the best treatment method.

1. Signs of infection with the virus: how to recognize the threat

The first step is to diagnose symptoms. Xiaomi viruses rarely show up as clearly as they do in movies, more often they disguise themselves as system processes or legitimate applications.

• 📱 Advertising in unexpected places: banners over all windows (including lock screen), pop-ups offering to download apps or win a prize".
• 🔋 A sharp increase in battery consumption: if the phone is discharged 3-4 for an hour without active use, check the settings → Battery. → Using a battery for suspicious processes.
• 🌐 Browser Redirects: When you open any website, you are redirected to fraudulent pages (e.g., "Your phone is infected! Download antivirus software").
• 📱 Self-involved actions: sending SMS, Install applications, enable mobile Internet or Wi-Fi without your participation.
• 📊 Unexplained traffic: in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic usage shows that some applications consume gigabytes of data.

Viruses that masquerade as system services, such as com.android.system or com.miui.daemon, are especially dangerous. They are difficult to detect without special tools. If you notice at least 2-3 signs from the list, start cleaning.

⚠️ Note: Some "symptoms" may not be caused by viruses, but by firmware failures MIUI. For example, after updating to MIUI 14 Many users complain about increased battery consumption. Before cleaning, check if there are problems with official bugs - check the thematic branches on the Xiaomi forum.

2. Basic verification: what to do first

Before installing antiviruses or resetting settings, follow simple steps to help eliminate false positives:

1. Restart your phone in Safe Mode: Press the power button → hold your finger on the Turn off option → you will be prompted to switch to Safe Mode. This mode only runs system applications. If the ads and brakes are gone, the virus hides in one of the apps you install.
2. Check the list of installed apps: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management and sort by installation date. Remove any suspicious programs, especially those you haven’t installed (e.g. Flash Player, Clean Master, Super Battery).
3. Clear your browser cache and data: Viruses often penetrate Chrome or Mi Browser. Open Settings → Apps → Browser → Storage → Click Clear Cache and Clear Data.

If you still have a problem, you can go to a deeper diagnosis, which is also a time to check the application permissions: many viruses request access to SMS, contacts, or geolocation under the pretext of “optimizing work.”

Antiviruses for Xiaomi: which really work

Standard Google Play Protect and built-in scanner MIUI (Security → Virus scanners often miss current threats. For a deep check, we recommend the following tools:

Important: Don't install multiple antiviruses at once, it will lead to conflicts and brakes. Choose one tool, perform a full scan, then uninstall it (unless you plan to use it all the time). MIUI:

• 🛡️ Open the Settings. → Security → Virus scanner and run the check.
• 🔒 Enable the option of Checking Installated Applications (if disabled).
• 🚫 In the Special Permits section, disable access to Overlay on other applications for unknown programs.

⚠️ Note: Some antiviruses (e.g. 360 Security or Clean Master) are themselves recognized as potentially dangerous due to aggressive advertising and data collection.

Manual virus removal: for experienced users

If the antivirus didn't work and the symptoms persist, you'll have to dig deeper, and many viruses are written in system folders or disguised as legitimate processes.

Checking of running processes

Install the Simple Task Manager (or similar) app and analyze the list of active processes.

• Processes with random names (e.g., a1b2.c3d4).
• Duplicate system services (e.g., two com.android.phone processes).
• Unknown services with root or system rights.

If you find a suspicious process, write down its name and search for information about it on forums (e.g. 4PDA).

Search by system folders

Use a root file manager (such as FX Explorer or Solid Explorer) and check the following directories:

/data/app/# Installed Apps


/system/app/# System applications




/system/priv-app/ #Privileged Applications




/data/local/tmp///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////




/sdcard/# External Memory (look for APKs with suspicious names)

Delete any files with the.apk or.dex extension that you didn't install.Be careful: deleting system files can lead to a device blink!

4.3. Check DNS and proxy

Viruses are often replaced DNS-servers to redirect traffic. Check the settings:

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi → Click on your network → Change the network → Additional settings.
2. Make sure that the DNS field contains standard values (e.g. 8.8.8.8 for Google DNS).
3. In the Settings section → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN) Check if unknowns have been added. APN.

5. Factory reset: a last resort

If none of these methods work, you'll have to reset completely, which will delete all the data from your phone, including viruses, but also the photos, contacts and apps, and before you reset, you'll have to:

• 📱 Backup important data (via Settings) → The phone. → Backup or manually on PC).
• 🔐 Make sure you know the username and password from your Mi Account – after resetting, the phone will require authorization.
• 📋 Write it down. IMEI Devices (type *#06# in dialer) in case of activation problems.

Resetting instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Erase All Data (not “Settings Reset”!).
3. Enter the password from the lock screen and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, perform the initial setup, but do not restore data from the backup – it may contain a virus!

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 Pro) after reset, you may need to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.If the phone is not activated, follow the official instructions of Xiaomi.

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Factory reset is the only way to remove viruses embedded in the system files, but once reset, the phone will become "clean" but vulnerable: immediately update the firmware and install the antivirus.

6.Prevention: How to protect Xiaomi from viruses in the future

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

• 🛡️ Disable the installation from unknown sources: Settings → Annexes → Special permits → Installation of unknown applications → turn off for all browsers.
• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware: in Settings → The phone. → Update system enable automatic update check. Many viruses exploit vulnerabilities of older versions MIUI.
• 📥 Don't download. APK from dubious sites, even if it is a fashionable app (e.g., a "fashionable" app, GB WhatsApp or Spotify Premium, the risk of infection is too high.
• 🌐 Use it. VPN When connecting to public Wi-Fi (like ProtonVPN or Windscribe), this will protect you from the effects of the Internet. MITM-attacks (traffic interception).
• 🔍 Check your phone with antivirus (once in a week) 1-2 month).

Pay special attention to application permissions. For example, the messenger does not need permissions to access SMS, and the game does not need permissions to your contacts. Check permissions in Settings → Applications → Permissions Management.

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If you often install APK-Files, use a sandbox, a Shelter or Island application, that isolates suspicious programs from the main system.

7. Frequent questions about viruses on Xiaomi