How to completely disable wiretapping on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: 7 working methods

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T smartphones often wonder: can you guarantee to block access to the microphone and prevent possible wiretapping?This model, released in 2019 based on Android 9 Pie (with the ability to upgrade to MIUI 12.5), has both software vulnerabilities and hardware features that can theoretically be used to collect unauthorized audio data.

It's important to understand that 100% eavesdropping can only be eliminated by physically removing the microphone or using an "airplane" device with all wireless modules disabled. However, a combination of software and hardware measures will reduce the risks to a minimum. We analyzed independent research reports (including the Exodus Privacy project), data leak tests from Kaspersky, and recommendations from the XDA Developers community specifically for the Redmi Note 8T with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset and MIUI proprietary shell.

1. Check current microphone resolutions

The first step is to audit apps that already have access to your microphone. On the Redmi Note 8T, this is done through a hidden diagnostic menu and standard Android settings.

Open Settings → Applications → Permissions → Microphone. Here you will see two types of programs:

• 🔴 Systemic — MIUI Automatically accesses the microphone services com.miui.voiceassist (voice assistant), com.android.phone (calls) and com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox (Google Assistant.
• 🟡 Third-party messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram), social networks (TikTok, Instagram), voice chat games, and you can selectively turn them off.

Pay special attention to suspiciously named applications like com.duapps.ad or com.miui.analytics, which are MIUI components that collect telemetry, and you can't uninstall them without root rights, but you can restrict access to the microphone.

⚠️ Warning: Once the microphone for Google Play Services (com.google.android.gms) is turned off, voice search, some map features and autocomplete will stop working.

2. Disable voice assistants and services Xiaomi

The Redmi Note 8T includes two voice assistants by default: Google Assistant and Xiaomi Voice Assistant (in regions with support), both of which are constantly listening to key phrases like "OK, Google" or "Xiao Ai" even when the screen is off.

To turn them off:

1. Go to Settings → Google → Google Assistant Settings → Voice Control and deactivate the “OK Google” option.
2. For Xiaomi Voice Assistant: Settings → Additional settings → Xiaomi Voice Assistant → Turn off all switches.
3. Delete the cache data for both services in Settings → Applications → Application Management (see by name).

Also check the MIUI Optimization settings, which collects device usage data.

Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times to turn on the developer mode)


Settings → Additional → For developers → Disable “MIUI Optimization”

3. Locking of the microphone at the system level

If you're willing to donate, you can block access to the microphone globally. On the Redmi Note 8T, without root licenses, this is done through No Sound mode or special applications.

Method 1: Hardware switch (supported firmware only)

• 📱 Hold the power button. → Select "No Sound" (the cross bell icon) in this mode, the microphone turns off at the hardware level for all applications except calls.
• ⚙️ Some custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) has settings put global zen_mode 1 — It completely blocks the microphone.

Method 2: Blocking applications

Utilities like App Ops or Bouncer allow you to temporarily disable permissions, such as Bouncer can automatically uninstall microphone access after an app is closed, download them from F-Droid (not from Google Play, there are limited versions).

Back up important data | Check the list of apps with microphone access | Turn off voice assistants | Install an alternative launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher) | Prepare for limited messaging functionality-->

4. Physical protection methods

For those who don’t trust software solutions, there are radical ways to:

• 🔇 Microphone sticker - special stickers (like Spigen's Camera Cover) block sound waves. 8T main microphone is located in the lower part of the body (near the connector) USB-C), Additional – next to the top speaker.
• 🔧 Hardware shutdown requires disassembling the phone and unplugging the microphone contacts, and it's risky: you lose your warranty and call function. 8T is on iFixit (model code) M1908C3JG).
• 📦 Soundproof case – Silent Pocket blocks all signals (including the GPS and cellular communication, but this is an extreme measure.

If you choose a microphone patch, consider:

• The quality of the calls will deteriorate, the interlocutor will hear you worse.
• Voice commands (for example, for the navigator) will stop working.
• In some cases, the microphone may continue to record body vibrations (the “laser microphone” effect).

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 8T There's a third noise-cancellation microphone, which is hidden under the top speaker grille, and it's often forgotten to lock, and it can be used to record ambient sounds even if the main microphone is turned off.

5. Alternative firmware and custom cores

Xiaomi’s MIUI stock firmware contains closed services that cannot be completely disabled without root rights.

For installation:

1. Unlock the bootloader via fastboot oem unlock (you need a Mi Unlock account and wait 7 days).
2. Install. TWRP Recovery for Note 8T (version 3.5.2_9-0).
3. Sweat the firmware and kernel with SELinux support in enforcing mode.

After installing custom firmware, use Magisk modules for additional protection:

• Audio Record Blocker – blocks sound recording at the system level.
• XPrivacyLua allows you to replace fake data for applications.
• App List – hides applications from system services.

6. Check for spyware availability

Even after all the settings, it's worth making sure there's no hidden bugging software on the phone. - For Redmi Note 8T fit:

• 🛡️ NetGuard – Blocks Network Access for Suspicious Applications.
• 🔍 Malwarebytes – scans for viruses and spies (look for an ad-free version on APKMirror).
• 📡 PCAPdroid – Analyzes network traffic for audio data transmission.

Signs of spyware infection:

• The phone is warming up for no apparent reason.
• The battery is run down in 3-4 hours with minimal use.
• In Settings → Battery you can see unfamiliar processes with high consumption (for example, com.android.qualcomm with 20% consumption).
• There are unfamiliar SMS or calls to short numbers.

If you have detected suspicious activity:

1. Dump logcat logs through adb logcat > log.txt and analyze for keywords like AudioRecord or MediaRecorder.
2. Check the list of running processes: adb shell ps -A | grep -i audio.
3. When confirming an infection, reset to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset) and run the clean firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

💡

Before resetting to factory settings, disable your Mi Account in Settings → Accounts → Xiaomi. Otherwise, after reset, the phone will require entering the username / password of the previous owner (Mi Cloud Lock protection).

7. Additional security measures

To make the task as difficult as possible for potential listeners, combine several approaches:

• 📵 Airplane mode + Wi-Fi - disables cellular communication (and the possibility of remote control), but leaves Internet access. 8T This is done by swiping down from the top edge of the screen.
• 🔄 Double reboot – some spyware only activates after the first system starts.Reboot the phone twice in a row at intervals of 30 seconds.
• 🔐 Encrypting the data partition – enable in Settings → Additionally. → Encryption and credentials. On the Note. 8T it'll take ~1 hour and will require a charge of at least 80%.
• 🛡️ VPN with traffic blocking, such as Orbot (Tor for Android) or ProtonVPN with the Always-On option.

For advanced users:

# Disable the audio driver core (requires root)


su




echo 0 > /sys/module/msm_pcm_routing/parameters/enable




echo 0 > /sys/module/snd_soc_msm/parameters/enable

These commands will temporarily shut down the audio subsystem until the next reboot, and you need to modify build.prop to have a permanent effect.

💡

No solution is 100% secure: combine software and hardware techniques, regularly check your phone for suspicious activity, and avoid installing applications from unverified sources.

FAQ: Frequent questions