How to completely disable wiretapping on Xiaomi smartphones: 7 working ways

Introduction: Myths and Realities of Wiretapping on Xiaomi

Xiaomi smartphone owners regularly face questions about the security of their devices. Reports of possible wiretapping through the microphone, data transfer to China or covert information collection generate a lot of rumors. But where is the truth and where is fiction? Modern Android devices do have vulnerabilities that can theoretically be used for unauthorized access, but in 99% of cases, the wiretapping is not due to factory bookmarks, but to the wrong settings, installed applications or social engineering.

This article is not about conspiracy theories, but about specific technical measures that will help block any unwanted access to your Redmi microphone, POCO Or Mi. We'll take it as standard tools. MIUI, So it's also advanced for power users, and it's important to understand that completely isolating your smartphone from the outside world will make it useless, so it's about a reasonable balance between security and functionality.

1. App permissions check: who has access to the microphone

The first and most obvious source of data breaches is applications with microphone access, and even legitimate programs (messaging apps, social networks, voice assistants) can abuse these permissions.

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Permissions → Microphone

Here you will see a complete list of programs that are allowed to use the microphone.

• 🔍 Lesser-known applications (especially those with Chinese names like com.*.service)
• 💬 Messengers that do not have to record audio in the background (for example, Telegram or Viber)
• 🎮 Games – Many mobile games request microphone access for “voice chat” but use it to collect data

⚠️ Warning: Disabling the microphone for the com.miui.voiceassist system application (Xiaomi voice assistant) can disrupt OK, Google and other voice commands. If you don't use voice control, it can be safely deactivated.

For complete certainty, check background activity through:

Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Use → Select App

If the program consumes energy in the background for no apparent reason, it is a reason to delete it.

2. disabling system tracking services in MIUI

Xiaomi is known for its shell MIUI, And it's a collection of anonymous usage statistics, and although the company claims that this data doesn't contain personal information, many users prefer to turn off all telemetry functions:

Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (stamp 7 times to activate the developer mode)


Settings → Additional → Special features → Developer Mode → Debugging by USB (disable)




Settings → Memory → Autostart (disable for all unnecessary applications)

It is especially important to deactivate the following services:

Critical recommendation: After disabling these services, reset the advertising ID through settings → Google → Advertising → Resetting your advertising ID, which will interrupt the connection between your device and previously collected data.

Disable microphone access for unnecessary applications|

Deactivate Mi Cloud and Voice Assistant|

Turn off advertising analytics and telemetry MIUI|

Reset the advertising ID Google|

Check the background activity of applications once a week-->

Physical shutdown of microphones: radical measures

If the software methods are not credible, you can resort to hardware shutting down the microphones. Most Xiaomi smartphones (for example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro)+, POCO F5, Mi 11 Ultra - Multiple microphones are used:

• 🎤 Main microphone (near the connector) USB-C)
• 📱 Top microphone (for noise reduction)
• 🔊 Microphone in Dynamics (for voice calls)

You can turn them off in two ways:

Method 1: Software locking through ADB

This will require a computer and enabled debugging. USB. Follow the commands:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.server.telecom


adb shell settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0

These commands will shut down the system services that handle audio, minus call and voice messages.

Method 2: Mechanical shutdown

On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) The microphones are connected through separate plumes, and when you disassemble the device, you can do it:

• Disconnect the microphone plume (requires a soldering iron)
• Tape the microphone hole with opaque tape (temporary solution)
• Use a cover with sound insulation (special models with metallized mesh)

⚠️ Warning: Disassembly of the smartphone voids warranty. IP-certification (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro with a IP68) When you open it, you lose your water protection, and if you mechanically shut down the microphones, you can't make calls through the speaker and record video with sound.

4.Use of third-party applications to block access

If the standard means MIUI Not enough, you can use specialized utilities:

For maximum protection, a combination of Bouncer is recommended. + NetGuard:

1. Install Bouncer and disable permanent microphone access for all applications.
2. In NetGuard, block the Internet for suspicious programs.
3. Enable the "Always Ask" mode for permissions in Settings → Annexes → Permit management.

Apps like XPrivacyLua require root rights, which violates security MIUI and may lead to the blocking of banking applications (due to the SafetyNet trigger), use them only if you understand the risks.

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Before installing any blocking app, check its reputation on forums. 4PDA or XDA Developers: Some "protective" utilities collect user data themselves.

5. Check for spyware availability

If you suspect that your Xiaomi has already been infected by a spyware, you need to conduct a deep diagnosis.

• 🔋 Unexplained battery consumption (over 10% per hour on standby)
• 📶 Increased mobile data traffic (checked in Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Using traffic)
• 🔊 Extraneous noises during calls (crackling, echoes)
• 📱 Spontaneous switching on of the microphone (indicator in the status bar)

Use:

1. Built-in antivirus MIUI (Settings → Security → Scan)
2. Malwarebytes (free version detects most spyware)
3. Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus (paid, but with deep analysis of system files)
4. ADB-Testing for running processes: Adb shell ps -A | grep -i "record\|audio\|mic"

If a suspicious software is found, but the antivirus cannot remove it:

1. Make a backup copy of important data.
2. Perform a reset to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Resetting).
3. After reset, do not restore data from the backup - spyware may return.
4. Install only verified apps from Google Play.

⚠️ Note: Some spyware masquerades as system processes (e.g. com.qualcomm.qti or android.hardware.audio) Removing such processes may result in loss of functionality (e.g., loss of audio in the speaker.

6.Alternative firmware: an output for advanced users

If you are not satisfied with the built-in protection mechanisms MIUI, You can consider custom firmware. Popular options for Xiaomi:

• 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without unnecessary services
• 🛡️ GrapheneOS – firmware with a focus on privacy
• 🔒 CalyxOS – includes a built-in firewall and tracker blocker
• 🔄 Pixel Experience – Google’s Android-based firmware (without Xiaomi services)

The installation process shall include:

1. Unlock the bootloader via fastboot oem unlock (cancelles the warranty!).
2. Installation of custom recavery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. The firmware of an alternative OS.
4. Set up Magisk for root rights management.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• Lack of telemetry MIUI.
• More strict control over permits.
• Regular security updates.

Disadvantages:

• Loss of warranty.
• Possible camera or sensor issues (not all firmware is perfectly optimized)
• Difficulty updating (you will have to manually stitch new versions).

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Installing custom firmware is a last resort, and if you're not sure about your skills, you'd better limit yourself to software protection, and the wrong firmware can turn a smartphone into a brick.

7 Additional Security Measures: What More Can Be Done

In addition to the basic methods, there are additional ways to protect:

Use of the VPN tracker-locked

Services like ProtonVPN or Mullvad not only encrypt traffic, but also block known domains used to collect data.

• 🌍 Lockdown DNS-Requests via 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 9.9.9.9 (Quad9).
• 🚫 Shutdown IPv6 (Some spyware uses it to bypass firewalls).
• 🔄 Automatic connection to VPN Using mobile data.

Physical isolation

For maximum confidentiality:

• 📴 Use a second phone for sensitive conversations (e.g., a cheap Redmi phone). A2 internetless).
• 🔇 Use white noise generators during important negotiations.
• 📵 Store your smartphone in a faraday case (blocks all signals).

Regular security audits

Check the device at least once a month:

Settings → Security → Checking for Security


Settings → Google → Security → Check the device

FAQ: Frequent questions about wiretapping on Xiaomi