How to completely disable wiretapping on Xiaomi Redmi 9: a step-by-step guide with spy checks

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphones often face suspicions that their device may be subject to unauthorized wiretapping, and these concerns are not without reason: embedded microphones, background apps, and even MIUI system services are theoretically able to transfer audio data to third parties, a particularly pressing problem for users working with sensitive information or living in regions with high levels of cybercrime.

It is important to understand that listening on Android devices can be carried out both through legitimate channels (for example, application permissions) and through hidden spyware. In this article, we will analyze the unique vulnerabilities for Xiaomi Redmi 9 associated with the proprietary shell MIUI 12/13, as well as universal protection methods that work on any Android smartphone. All instructions are tested on current versions of firmware (2023-2026) and do not require root rights.

1. Check current microphone resolutions

The first step to protecting is to audit applications that already have access to your microphone. On Redmi 9, this can be done through standard MIUI settings, but there are nuances: some system services (such as com.miui.voiceassist) can masquerade as harmless features.

Open Settings → Applications → Permissions → Microphone. Here you will see the full list of programs with access to audio recording.

• 🔍 Unknown apps – if there are programs on the list that you haven’t installed (like com.android.abc with an unreadable name), this is cause for concern.
• 📱 Social media - Facebook, VK, TikTok often request a microphone for Stories or live broadcasts, but can use it in the background.
• 🛠️ Utility Utility – Even Google Play Services Can Have Access to a Microphone for Voice Search.

If there are suspicious apps on the list, immediately revoke their permission. For system services (such as Mi Voice Assistant), it is better to completely disable the function through Settings → Additional → Voice Assistant.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g., banking or instant messengers) may stop working correctly after the microphone permission is revoked. Before changing settings, check if voice authentication is used in your services.

2. disabling the built-in spyware Xiaomi

Xiaomi has been accused of collecting user data, including audio recordings, and MIUI firmware has built-in services that can transmit information to the company's servers. On Redmi 9, this is:

• 📡 Mi Analytics – collects device usage data, including possible audiologists.
• 🎤 Mi Voice Assistant – voice assistant that listens to the environment even when it is turned off (by default activated “call” Hey, Xiao) AI).
• 🔄 Mi Cloud Sync – can sync microphone recordings if backup is enabled.

To disable these services:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone and tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the Developer Mode.
2. Go back to Settings → More → For developers and find the option to Disable Mi Analytics (could be called Usage Data Collection).
3. Disable Xiao AI Voice Assistant in Settings → Voice Search and Assistant.
4. In Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud turn off sync for Records and Notes.

Disable Mi Analytics in Developer Mode|

Remove the microphone resolution from Xiao AI|

Disable Mi Cloud sync for audio data |

Checking Active Processes through ADB (for Advanced Processes)

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After this, it is recommended to restart the phone. ADB-commands for forced shutdown of system services:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analytics


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.voiceassist

Physical shutdown of the microphone (hardware method)

If the software methods seem unreliable, you can completely lock the microphone on the physical layer. Redmi 9 has two main microphones:

• 🎙️ Main microphone - located at the bottom of the body (near the connector) USB-C).
• 📞 Noise suppressing microphone – located at the top (near the speaker).

The most radical ways:

For a temporary solution, a medical patch or tape that's pasted onto the microphone holes is a good fit.

⚠️ Warning: Once the microphone is soldered off, you will lose the ability to call hands-free, use voice notes and some camera features (such as video with sound.

4.Verifying for hidden spy apps

Even if you didn’t install suspicious software, Redmi 9 could have spyware on the site through:

• 📥 Infected APK-Files (for example, pirated versions of games or hacked applications).
• 🔗 Phishing links in SMS or messengers (installation through Unknown Sources).
• 🤖 Vulnerabilities MIUI (For example, exploits for MediaTek Helio G80, which is used in Redmi 9).

To scan the device:

1. Install Malwarebytes or Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus from Google Play.
2. Start a deep scan (not fast!).
3. Check the list of installed applications in Settings → Applications → All applications by sorting by installation date.
4. Use ADB to check active processes: adb shell ps -A | grep -i "record\|audio\|spy"

Pay special attention to applications with administrator rights (Settings → Security → Device administrators). Spyware is often disguised as:

• 🔋 Battery optimizers (e.g. com.cleanmaster.mguard).
• 📡 VPN-services (especially unknown ones, such as SuperVPN Free).
• 🎮 Game cheats (e.g. GameGuardian may contain backdoors).

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If the antivirus finds a threat called Android.Spy or Android.Trojan.Spy, don't manually remove it, use the "Treatment" function in the antivirus. Some spies disguise themselves as system files and can damage the firmware if you delete it incorrectly.

5. Firewall and network protection setting

Spyware transmits data over the Internet, so blocking network traffic can prevent audio leakage. Redmi 9 has two ways of controlling the network:

Method 1: Integrated MIUI firewall

Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Data firewall, you can do it here:

• 🚫 Block background traffic for suspicious applications.
• 📵 Disable data transfer in roaming (often used for covert audio transmission).
• 📊 View traffic statistics – unexpectedly high consumption (e.g., 1 GB/day in a calculator) may indicate a spy.

Method 2: Third-party firewalls (root required)

Apps like AFWall+ or NetGuard allow you to completely block access to the network for individual programs, for example, you can prevent Facebook from using the microphone and transferring data.

For advanced users, the ADB team is useful for blocking traffic:

adb shell settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0


adb shell settings put global private_dns_mode off

6. Alternative firmware (for experienced users)

If you're sure that the wiretapping is MIUI, the only radical way is to install custom firmware. Redmi 9 (codename lancelot) is:

• 🤖 LineageOS – “pure” Android without spy modules Xiaomi.
• 🔒 GrapheneOS - firmware with enhanced privacy protection (blocks access to the microphone at the system level).
• ⚡ Pixel Experience – firmware based on Android from Google, but without unnecessary services MIUI.

Installation process:

1. Unlock the bootloader via fastboot oem unlock (all data will be reset!).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for Redmi 9.
3. Sweep through custom firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).
4. Disable all unnecessary permissions in the new system.

⚠️ Note: Install custom firmware on Redmi 9 with MediaTek Helio processor G80 Risks: Loss of Widevine L1 (Full. HD Problems with the module's operation NFC (If you have it in your modification, unstable camera operation (requires separate modes for GCam) and backup through the firmware before you run it. TWRP!

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Custom firmware completely solves the problem of Xiaomi’s built-in spyware, but it requires technical skills. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to limit yourself to the software methods from the previous sections.

7. Additional security measures

Even after the wiretapping is turned off, additional measures should be taken:

1. Use of secure messengers

Go to messengers with end-to-end encryption and protection against wiretapping:

• 💬 Signal – Blocks access to the microphone during calls.
• 🔐 Session – Anonymous messenger without reference to the phone number.
• 📱 Element – supports voice messages with encryption.

Hardware solutions

• 🎧 Use headphones with a microphone – so the system microphone will be turned off during calls.
• 🔇 Buy a microphone blocker (such as a Mic-Lock) – a physical device that connects to a microphone. USB-C and block audio input.

Regular inspection

Every week:

• 🔄 Check the list of applications with microphone access.
• 📊 Analyze traffic through NetGuard or GlassWire.
• 🔍 Scan the device for viruses.

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If you’re in places where wiretapping is especially likely (such as business trips or important conversations), use a second phone without a microphone, such as an old Nokia on KaiOS or specialized “clean” smartphones like Purism Librem 5.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wiretapping on Xiaomi Redmi 9