How to completely disable wiretapping on Xiaomi Redmi 9: 7 working methods

Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphone owners often wonder if they can 100% eliminate the risk of wiretapping through a microphone, speakers or system services? Technically, any Android device with a network connection is theoretically vulnerable to surveillance — whether through pre-installed apps, data leaks to MIUI or malicious attackers exploiting vulnerabilities. However, Redmi 9 (models M2003J15SC/M2004C3LGG) has ways to minimize this risk without losing functionality.

It is important to understand that completely disabling wiretapping involves not only locking the microphone, but also monitoring application permissions, background processes, and setting up network activity. In this article, only proven methods that do not require root rights or flashing, all instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions).

Physical shutdown of microphones: hardware methods

The most reliable way to eliminate wiretapping is to physically lock the microphones. On Redmi 9, there are three: the main (bottom edge), the conversational (top panel) and the secondary (near the main camera).

• 🔧 Contact isolation: Carefully open the case (requires mediator and patience) and seal the microphone contacts with tape or tape. On Redmi 9, the main microphone is located under a decorative mesh next to the decorative mesh. USB-Port – it can be turned off without disassembling the phone completely.
• 📱 Lock case: Use metallized mesh cases (such as those from the Spigen brand) that screen sound waves. Efficiency up to 70%.
• 🔇 Temporary lock: Close the microphone holes with plasticine or special stickers (sold on AliExpress as "anti-spy stickers").

⚠️ Attention: Physically turning off microphones makes it impossible for you to use voice assistants (Google Assistant, Alice), recording audio videos and hands-free calls. If you need these features, move to software methods.

2. disable the permissions for the microphone in MIUI

The MIUI system on Redmi 9 allows you to flexibly control the access of applications to the microphone, but by default many services (including system) have this access.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions → Microphone.
2. Sort the list by Allowed and disable access for all applications except mission-critical ones (e.g. Phone for Calls).
3. Return to Settings → Privacy → Special Access → Access to the microphone in the background and turn it off for all applications.

Pay special attention to these applications (often using a microphone without the user’s knowledge):

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Once permissions are turned off, restart your phone – some apps (like TikTok) can restore access after restart.

3. Block background activity through "Developer Mode"

Background processes are one of the main loopholes for listening, and even if an application doesn't have direct access to the microphone, it can activate it through system services. On Redmi 9, this is solved through hidden settings:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on this item.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Turn it off: 🔄 Background optimization (will limit the work of applications in the background) 📡 Background data transmission 🔊 Audio through USB (If you do not use external microphones)

Not to keep up the action

⚠️ Attention: Disabling background optimization can lead to increased battery consumption and slowdown of some applications (e.g. messengers).If you notice lags, return settings to their original state and use alternative methods.

Microphone permissions disabled for unnecessary applications|Developer mode activated|Background optimization disabled|Processes in the "Task Manager"-->

4.Use of third-party antispyware utilities

If you need additional protection, install specialized applications to monitor microphone activity.

• 🛡️ Access Dots (shows when the microphone or camera is active). Download from Google Play.
• 🔍 NetGuard (blocks network access for suspicious applications) requires settings via VPN.
• 📵 AppOps (allows you to manage Android hidden permissions) XDA Developers.

Example of Access Dots configuration:

1. Install and open the application.
2. Click Enable Service and give you access to notifications.
3. Select Microphone Dot → Green (the green dot will burn when the microphone is activated).

5. Disconnection of Xiaomi system services

MIUI contains several built-in services that can transmit data (including sound) to Xiaomi servers, which can be turned off without affecting system stability:

1. Settings → Applications → Application Management → All applications.
2. Find and disable (or remove updates: 📊 MiuiDaemon (responsible for analytics collection) 🌐 MSA (Mi Service Framework (transmits usage data) 🔄 Sync (synchronization with Xiaomi Cloud) 📡 Xiaomi Service Framework (the main gateway for data transfer)

Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Disconnection MSA It can cause errors in the work of branded applications (for example, Mi Home or Mi Fit). If you need these services, limit yourself to blocking the microphone permissions for them.

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Xiaomi system services can be disabled without root, but this may disrupt some features (such as push notifications or cloud sync).

6. Alternative firmware: when nothing helps

If you are sure that your Redmi 9 is listening and standard methods are not helping, the last option is to install custom firmware, which will completely remove MIUI and replace it with pure Android (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

Advantages:

• ✅ No system spy modules Xiaomi.
• ✅ Full control of permits.
• ✅ Regular security updates.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Complex installation process (requires unlocking the bootloader).
• ❌ Possible loss of warranty.
• ❌ Certain functions (e.g, IR-blaster) may not work.

Instructions for installing LineageOS on Redmi 9:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (requires waiting 7-14 days after the Xiaomi account is attached).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for Redmi 9 (version 3.6.0 or later).
3. Download LineageOS 20 (Android 13) from the official website.
4. Fly through TWRP by running Wipe → Format Data.

7. Checking for malware

Even after all the settings, the risk of wiretapping remains if the phone has spyware installed.

• 🔍 Malwarebytes (scans for Trojans and Keyloggers).
• 🛡️ Kaspersky Mobile (detects hidden surveillance apps).
• 📱 ADB-Commands to check active processes: adb shell ps -A | grep -i "mic\|audio\|If there are unknown processes in the output (e.g., com.spytracker), this is a sign of infection.

If you find suspicious software:

1. Remove it through Settings → Apps.
2. Reset your phone to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Resetting).
3. After reset, do not restore data from the backup – it may contain malicious code.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wiretapping on Xiaomi Redmi 9