How to completely disable wiretapping on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: a step-by-step guide

Introduction: Myths and Realities of Smartphone Eavesdropping

Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 often wonder whether it is possible to disable potential wiretapping through the device’s microphone? The topic has become especially relevant after scandals with data leaks and accusations against Chinese manufacturers. It is important to understand that arbitrary wiretapping without your knowledge is technically possible, but requires either hacking the device or installing spyware.

The standard MIUI applications do require microphone access for voice commands, recordings and calls, but that doesn’t mean your smartphone is constantly sending sound to the side. 90% of the time, wiretapping is due to incorrect privacy settings, software vulnerabilities or malware, and this article will help minimize the risks on the Redmi Note 8 (and other Android 9-12 models).

We will look at legal ways to control access to the microphone, as well as extreme measures - disconnecting hardware components. Importantly, some methods can disrupt the functionality of the device (for example, turning off the microphone will make it impossible to make calls).

1. Verification of current application permissions

The first step is to audit applications that already have access to the microphone, and on the Redmi Note 8, this is done through standard MIUI settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Permissions → Application permissions.
2. Select the Microphone.
3. Look at the list of active access applications. Pay special attention: 🔍 Little-known utilities (for example, com.miui.analytics – Xiaomi analytics service). 📱 Social media (VK, Telegram, WhatsApp – They often request a microphone for voice messages). 🎮 Voice chat games (PUBG Mobile, Free Fire).

Disable access for unnecessary applications by moving the slider to the right.

Critical applications that cannot be turned off without consequences:

⚠️ Warning: Disabling the microphone for system applications (e.g. com.android.phone) will make it impossible to make calls. Before making changes, check if you use voice commands to dial a number.

2. disable Xiaomi system services related to audio

MIUI contains several background services that can theoretically record sound, and can be deactivated without losing basic functionality.

1. Xiaomi Voice Assistant: Go to Settings → Additional → Voice Assistant. Turn off Voice Control and Keyphrase Listening options.
2. Analytics and Error Reports: In Settings → About Phone → Reviews and Analytics. Deactivate Send Error Reports and Participate in the MIUI Improvement Program.

Advertising and personalization

• In Settings → Privacy → Advertising.
• Turn off Personalized Advertising and MSA (Mi Service Analytics).

These services are not critical to the smartphone, but turning them off can:

• 🔇 Reduce background microphone activity.
• 📉 Reduce battery consumption (by 5-10% Based on the Redmi Note user tests 8).
• 🛡️ Reduce the amount of data sent to Xiaomi servers.

Verification of the voice assistant|Deactivation of analytics|Disabling personalized advertising|Checking microphone permits-->

3.Using ADB to Deep Shut Down the Microphone

For advanced users, there is a way to completely block access to the microphone at the system level through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a radical solution that will not work after:

• 📞 Telephone calls (incoming/outgoing).
• 🎤 Voice messages in messengers.
• 🎵 Recording video with sound.

If you are prepared for these restrictions, follow the instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. 7 times click on the MIUI Version until the notification appears.

USB debugging

Settings → Additional → For Developers

Redmi Note 8

adb shell pm revoke com.android.phone android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO


adb shell pm revoke com.android.dialer android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO




adb shell settings put global capture_request_audio_source 0

⚠️ Warning: These commands will permanently shut down the microphone until settings are reset or permissions are manually returned. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

4. Installation of specialized applications for microphone control

If manual settings seem complicated, use third-party utilities that allow you to:

• 🔍 Monitoring the microphone in real time.
• 🚫 Block access for individual applications.
• 📊 Maintain a microphone address log.
• Check microphone activity: Run Access Dots and watch the microphone indicator during the course of the test 10-15 If the light goes off for no reason, it's got spyware on it. 8: 🔋 Fast battery discharge (even in standby mode). 📶 Increased mobile data traffic (check in Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic). 🔊 Extraneous noises during calls (crackling, echoes). 📱 Spontaneous reboot or heating of the housing without load. 💡If you find spyware, the only reliable way to remove it is to completely reset your settings and then flash it through Fastboot! 7. Alternative security measures Even after the microphone is turned off, other channels of data leakage remain. To protect the Redmi Note as much as possible 8: 🔒 Encrypting the device: Activate in Settings → Additionally. → Encryption and accounts → Encrypt the phone. It'll take a while. 30-60 minutes, you will need a charged battery (>80%). 🌐 Use of the VPN: Install ProtonVPN or Windscribe to encrypt traffic. configure Always-on VPN In Settings → Connections → VPN. 📵 Airplane mode for confidential conversations: Disables all wireless modules (including data transfers) activated by swipe down the notification panel or via Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Airplane mode. 🔄 Regular update checks: Xiaomi releases security patches monthly.Update via Settings → The phone. → Updating the system. Additional tip: If you often discuss sensitive information, use a second phone without a microphone (e.g. Light Phone II) or specialized devices like Bittium Tough Mobile 2C certified for government agencies. FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling wiretapping: Can you turn off the microphone only for specific applications without affecting the system? Yes, this is possible using the AppOps app (ADB rights are required) or Bouncer (temporary permissions). However, some system applications (e.g. com.android.phone) cannot be limited without losing the functionality of calls. Is it true that Xiaomi transfers data to China without official data collection of targeted users? But MIUI has defaulted on analytics services (MSA) that send anonymized information (including microphone logs for voice commands) to the company's servers. This data can be turned off in privacy settings. How do you check if my phone is listening right now? Install Access Dots or Sensor Kinoko, which show microphone activity in real time. You can also use a test call: if you hear extraneous noises or echoes during a conversation, this can indicate an interception of the audio stream. What if the microphone stops working? Return permissions for system applications through ADB: adb shell pm grant com.android.phone android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO adb shell pm grant com.android.dialer android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO Or reset your settings to Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset: Are there hardware solutions to lock the microphone without disassembling the phone? Yes, you can use: soundproof covers (e.g. Silent Pocket); microphone pads (sold on AliExpress); External covers USB-microphones (connected through the OTG-Adapters that physically disable the built-in microphone are less reliable than software-based disabling, but do not require any interference with the hardware.