How to completely disable wiretapping on Xiaomi: 7 working ways

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones regularly face suspicions about possible wiretapping through the built-in microphone. These fears are groundless: the manufacturer integrates into the smartphone. MIUI Google Assistant (XiaoAI), voice recognition to unlock, and data collection to improve services. Even if you don't use voice input, background processes can activate the microphone without you knowing.

In this article, 7 proven methods to disable wiretapping on Xiaomi (including Redmi, POCO, Black Shark models) will be analyzed both the software settings of MIUI 14/15, and radical measures like physical disabling of the microphone. All methods are tested on current firmware and do not require root rights (except for one exception).

1. disable the microphone access permission for all applications

The most obvious, but often ignored, way is to turn off the microphone globally in your privacy settings, which will block access to all applications, including system ones, and the disadvantage is that voice notes, WhatsApp/Telegram video calls, and speech recognition on Google Maps will stop working.

How to do this:

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Application permissions → Microphone.
2. Slip on each app in the list and select Prohibit.
3. System applications (e.g. XiaoAI) may require confirmation via More → Default authorizations.

Google Play Services (collects data for advertising)

Disabled permission for MIUI System (background processes)

Call apps (Viber, Zoom) are tested – they won’t work without a microphone

Removed cached voice assistant data in Settings → Applications

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⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. banking) may request a microphone for voice verification, and once you turn off, you won't be able to log in, and it will block the recording of voice messages in messengers.

Deactivation of voice assistants (XiaoAI and Google Assistant)

Voice assistants are the main source of wiretapping, as they constantly listen to key phrases (OK, Google or Xiao Ai, Xiao Ai). Even when they are off, they can be activated through updates.

For XiaoAI (Chinese assistant):

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → XiaoAI.
• 🔕 Click Disable (if the button is inactive – first remove the updates).
• 🗑️ Choose Delete Data and Confirm.

For Google Assistant:

• 🔍 Open the Google app → tap on the avatar → Settings → Google Assistant.
• 🚫 Scroll to General Settings and disable Google Assistant.
• 📵 In the Voice Search section, deactivate Google.

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If the assistants are activated again after turning off, check for automatic app updates in Google Play. Go to your Google account settings and turn off the Auto Update system apps option.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) XiaoAI cannot be completely removed, only disabled, in which case it can be activated again after resetting or updating. MIUI.

Blocking the microphone background through Incognito Mode

MIUI 14/15 has a hidden feature called Incognito Mode, which temporarily shuts down the microphone, camera and geolocation for all applications, which is useful if you need to quickly block wiretapping without constant restrictions.

Activation:

1. Unlock the Control Panel (swipe down from the upper right corner).
2. Click on the icon Incognito Mode (an eye mask).
3. Confirm the switch on – the microphone will be locked before the reboot.

⚠️ Attention: This mode will not work:

• 📞 Video calls in WhatsApp/Telegram;
• 🎤 Voice input in the Gboard keyboard;
• 🔊 Smart Home Teams through Mi Home.

4. Physically shutting down the microphone (for advanced)

If the software methods are not credible, you can physically disable the microphone by disassembling the smartphone, a radical way that will prevent you from making calls and using voice functions, and only suitable for models with a removable back cover (e.g. Redmi 9A, POCO M3).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-map.
2. Remove the back cover with a plastic spatula (do not need to heat the hair dryer!).
3. Find the microphone – it is usually located next to the bottom speaker (MIC marking on the board).
4. Carefully disconnect the microphone plume or seal its contacts with tape.

⚠️ Note: On non-removable models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro), self-examination will lead to loss of tightness and cancellation of warranty, in which case it is better to use software methods or contact the service center for a professional disconnection.

Software disabling permits

Deactivation of voice assistants

Incognito mode in MIUI

Physically shutting down the microphone

Use of third-party applications (e.g. NetGuard)

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5.Use of third-party apps to lock microphone

If standard MIUI tools are not enough, you can install specialized utilities that work at the system level and block access to the microphone even for system processes.

• 🛡️ NetGuard – blocks network access for applications using the microphone (requires settings) VPN-regime).
• 🔇 App Ops – allows you to disable the microphone for individual applications, including system (needed) ADB).
• 🔒 Bouncer – Temporarily allows the microphone only for the duration of the application.

Example of setting up App Ops:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and enable debugging over USB.


2. Enter the command:




adb shell pm grant com.kk.appops android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS




3. Open App Ops, find an app (e.g. XiaoAI) and turn off the "Microphone" resolution.

⚠️ Note: Apps like NetGuard may conflict with MIUI If after installation the phone started to brake, add the utility to the exceptions in Settings. → Battery → Optimizing the battery.

6. Check for hidden wiretapping (diagnostics)

How do you make sure the microphone is actually off?

• 🔍 Check through the engineering menu: type ##4636## → Phone information → Look at the status of the microphone.
• 📱 Test with another device: call your Xiaomi from another phone – if the microphone is turned off, the interlocutor will not hear you.
• 🛠️ Activity logs: Install Logcat Reader and check the records for mentioning AudioRecord or Microphone.

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If after all the manipulations, the microphone indicator (the green dot in the status bar) continues to burn, then some system application is still using it. Check the processes through Settings → Applications → Launched or use ADB to force a stop.

7. Alternative measures: what to do if nothing helps

If you have exhausted all the options but suspicions remain, consider these options:

• 📦 Installing custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience) – removes all proprietary Xiaomi services, including XiaoAI.
• 🔄 Use a second phone – for calls and instant messengers, buy a budget phone (for example, Nokia 105), and use Xiaomi only for the Internet.
• 🛡️ Hardware locking module – there are special cases with metallized mesh shielding the microphone (for example, Faraday Case).

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware will void the warranty and may result in data loss.Before the procedure, make a full backup via Settings → Additionally. → Backup and save backup to PC.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wiretapping on Xiaomi