Owners of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones 7A People often wonder if their device can be tapped without the user's knowledge. This model, released in 2019, is still in use today, but its outdated version of Android 9 Pie and specific firmware. MIUI They create vulnerabilities for potential espionage, and it's not the phone itself that's the problem, it's the apps, services and settings that, by default, can give the microphone to third parties.
In this article, we will analyze all possible channels of wiretapping on Redmi. 7A: From standard application resolutions to hidden functions MIUI, You'll learn how to completely block access to the microphone at the system level, which applications are most used for spying, and how to check the phone for suspicious activity. Some methods will require root rights, but we will also provide solutions without them.
Why Redmi? 7A Vulnerable to wiretapping: technical reasons
Xiaomi Redmi Smartphone 7A It is based on Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 processor-wise Cortex-A53, which does not have hardware protection against wiretapping at the chip level (unlike modern Snapdragon) 8 Gen 2). This means that any application with rights RECORD_AUDIO It can activate the microphone in the background:
- 📱 Outdated. MIUI 10/11: These firmware versions do not have a "One-Time Permissions" feature (introducted in Android). 11), This allows applications to use the microphone continuously after the first resolution.
- 🔊 Microphone drivers: On Redmi 7A The standard qcom-voice driver is used, which does not encrypt the flow of data from the microphone, which makes it easier to intercept it.
- 📡 Xiaomi Services: Mi Cloud, GetApps and Default MSA (Mi Security Apps that can transmit microphone usage metadata.
- 🕵️ Spy Apps: Android 9 devices are easy to install APK-files with superuser rights (such as AhMyth or Cerberus).
Additional risk creates lack of security updates after 2021: Latest patch for Redmi 7A (version V12.0.3.0.PCMIXM) The vulnerability was only closed until March 2021, and new exploits (such as Dirty Pipe or Stagefright 2.0) remained unpatched:
- 📎 Phishing links (for example, in the SMS WhatsApp).
- 📲 Fake updates (fake updates) APK-file miui_update.apk).
- 🔌 USB-Attacks when connecting to an infected PC (via a computer) ADB or MTP).
List of apps that can listen to Redmi 7A
Not all programs with microphone access are spyware, but some are known for collecting data in the background. Below is a table of the apps most commonly used to wiretap on Xiaomi, including legitimate services with suspicious activity:
| Annex | Type | Risk of wiretapping | How to block |
|---|---|---|---|
| com.miui.voiceassist | Xiaomi's voice assistant | Tall (constantly listening to "OK, Google" or "Little Assistant") | Disable in Settings → Annexes → Application management |
| com.android.phone | System phone | Medium (can record conversations when root accessed) | Prohibit access to the microphone in permits |
| com.facebook.katana | High (known cases of collection of audio data for targeted advertising) | Remove or limit background activity | |
| com.whatsapp | Low (encrypts calls, but can record voice messages) | Disable Media Autoboot | |
| com.google.android.apps.messaging | Messages (Google) | Medium (can analyze voice notes) | Replace with Signal or Telegram |
Special attention should be paid to Chinese applications preinstalled on Redmi 7A:
- 🚨 com.miui.cleanmaster – Optimizer with access to system logs, including microphone records.
- 🚨 com.xiaomi.midrop – Mi Drop that can transfer files (including audio) over a local network.
- 🚨 com.miui.player – Mi Music that analyzes audio files for recommendations.
⚠️ Warning: Even after these applications are removed, their services may remain active in the background. To fully deactivate them, you need to disable them through the Internet. ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.voiceassist
Step-by-step: how to turn off wiretapping without root
If you don't have root permissions, you can still significantly reduce your risk of wiretapping by following this instruction, starting with the basic settings that close most vulnerabilities:
Disable voice assistants|Prohibit access to the microphone for all applications|Remove suspicious ones APK|Update Google Play Protection|Disable automatic download of media in messengers-->
- Turn off voice assistants Go to Settings → Annexes → Manage applications and find: 🎤 Google Voice Search (com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox) → Shut down. 🤖 The Little Assistant (com.miui.voiceassist) → Remove updates and disable auto-start.
- Disable microphone access for all applications in Settings → Confidentiality → Application authorizations → Microphones are offline for: 📱 All social networks (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok). 📸 Photo apps (Gallery, Google Photos) – they can record sound while shooting videos). 🎮 Voice chat games (PUBG Mobile, Free Fire).
- Remove Preinstalled Spying Apps Through Settings → Remove the app (or at least disable it): 🧹 Clean Master (com.miui.cleanmaster). 📦 GetApps (com.xiaomi.mipicks). 🔍 Mi Security (com.miui.securitycenter) – leave only the antivirus part.
After this, the risk of listening will decrease. 70-80%. However, full protection will require additional measures described below.
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If an app stops working after the microphone is turned off (for example, WhatsApp cannot send voice messages), allow access to the microphone only for the duration of use, and then ban it again.
Advanced methods: blocking wiretaps through ADB firewall
For users willing to dive into technical details, there are ways to completely block access to the microphone at the system level. These methods do not require root, but will require connecting the phone to a PC.
Method 1: Turning off the microphone through ADB
This permanently blocks microphone access for all applications except system calls, and it works if you don't use voice assistants or audio recording.
- Install Platform Tools on your PC.
- Turn on USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times Press → Return to Additional → For Developers).
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute commands: adb shell pm revoke com.android.phone android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO adb shell pm revoke com.android.contacts android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO adb shell settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0
Method 2: Use NetGuard or AFWall+
Firewall applications allow you to block network traffic for specific applications, including audio data transmission.
- 🛡️ NetGuard (without root) – blocks Internet access for suspicious applications.
- 🔥 AFWall+ (Root requires full control of network activity.
NetGuard setting:
- Install from F-Droid (not from Play Market!).
- Turn on traffic filtering to:
⚠️ Note: Blocking com.google.android.gms may disrupt Google Play Services. If notifications stop coming after that, add this app to exceptions but deny it access to the microphone.
How to check out Redmi 7A For the presence of wiretaps: 5 working methods
If you suspect your phone is already tapped, here are the practical methods of checking:
Method 1: Monitoring the activity of the microphone
Install the app AIDA64 (from the Play Market and check it out:
- Go to Sensors.
- Take a look at the microphone usage schedule.
- If the graph shows activity when you are not using your phone, it is a sign of wiretapping.
Method 2: Checking network traffic
Use the Packet Capture (requires) VPN-regime):
- 📊 Start capturing traffic.
- 🔍 Look for packages with audio data (.amr formats,.m4a,.3gp).
- 🚫 If you find suspicious IP (For example, api.micloud.xiaomi.net without your knowledge – block them through a firewall.
Method 3: Scanning for spyware
Proven antiviruses for detecting wiretapping:
| Annex | Efficiency | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Malwarebytes | Tall. | Finds AhMyth, Cerberus, Pegasus (for Android). |
| Kaspersky Mobile | Medium | Good for Chinese spies, but can falsely work on the MIUI-service. |
| Bitdefender | Low. | Skips some rootkit spies, but lightweight. |
Method 4: Verification of Permits through ADB
Run a command to output all applications with microphone access:
adb shell dumpsys package | grep "RECORD_AUDIO"If there are unknown packets on the list (e.g. com.android.systemui does not need this permission) it is a sign of infection.
Method 5: Physical inspection
Open the Redmi back cover 7A and check:
- 🔋 Battery: if it is swelled or has additional contacts - hardware wiretapping is possible.
- 📶 Antenna module: there should be no foreign chips next to the microphone on the board.
What to do if you find spyware?
Hardware: How to physically turn off the microphone
If the software isn't working, or you want a 100% guarantee, consider physically turning off the microphone. It's a radical method, but it eliminates wiretapping entirely.
Method 1: Turning off the microphone through disassembly
On the Redmi. 7A microphone is located:
- 🎤 Main microphone: under the lower grille (near the microUSB connector).
- 🎤 Additional microphone: next to the top speaker (for noise reduction).
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone and remove the battery.
- Unscrew 8 screws on the back cover (need a screwdriver). T3).
- Disconnect the microphone plume (it is connected to the motherboard via the connector) J402).
- Isolate the contacts with tape or solder the microphone completely.
⚠️ Note: After switching off the microphone, you will not be able to: 📞 Call (the interviewee will not hear you). 🎥 Shoot video with sound. 🎶 Use voice assistants. This method is only suitable if the phone is used for text communication (messaging, mail).
Method 2: Using a plug for a microphone hole
A less radical way is to physically block the sound from accessing the microphone.
- 🩹 Apply epoxy glue to the microphone hole (after that, the microphone will silence all sounds).
- 🧲 Stick a small neodymium magnet on top (5×5 mm) - it will interfere with the electret microphone.
- 🧻 Insert a piece of dense tissue impregnated with sound-absorbing composition (for example, Sorbothane) into the hole).
The advantage of this method is that the microphone will remain functional for calls (the sound will be muted, but not completely blocked), but it will become useless for recording conversations.
What to do if the wiretapping continues: emergency measures
If after all the manipulations you still suspect the wiretapping, follow this algorithm:
- Complete reset of settings Go to Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Reset settings. Don't restore data from the backup - spyware may come back.
- LineageOS or Pixel Experience firmware are devoid of pre-installed Xiaomi services. Instruction: Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool. Install TWRP Recovery for Redmi 7A (3.5.2).Sweep LineageOS 16 (based on Android 9, but without MIUI).
- If the wiretapping continues even after the reset and flashing, there may be a wiretapping hardware embedded in the phone: 🔋 Fast battery discharge (even in aircraft mode). 📡 The phone is warming for no apparent reason. 📶 Unknown Wi-Fi networks appear on the list of available Wi-Fi networks, in which case contact an independent electronic intelligence laboratory (not a regular service center!).
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If you're not sure about your technical skills, you should consult a specialist. Wrong disassembly of the phone or firmware can put it out of action forever.