How to completely disable wiretapping on Xiaomi smartphone: 7 working methods

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones are regularly the subject of discussion due to possible data leaks and unauthorized access to the microphone. Despite the company’s official privacy claims, users continue to look for ways to completely block potential wiretapping. In this article, only proven methods, from standard system settings to radical hardware solutions.

It's important to understand that completely isolating the microphone requires a holistic approach: some settings restrict application access, others block hardware components, and others mask your voice from analysis systems. We'll disassemble each method with regard to its effectiveness and implications for the functionality of the phone. No magic buttons, only technical solutions with explanations.

Before you start: if you suspect targeted surveillance (e.g., through spyware), standard methods may not work, which requires a full factory reset and then a clean firmware installation, but let's start with less radical methods.

1. Restriction of microphone access in MIUI settings

The most obvious but often overlooked step is to check application permissions. In MIUI 14/15, the microphone control interface is hidden deep in the menu, and many users don't even know it exists.

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Application Permissions
2. Select the microphone in the permission list
3. Sort applications by access status (on/off)
4. Turn off the microphone for all applications except mission-critical ones (like phone or instant messengers)

Pay particular attention to system services with names like com.miui.voiceassist or com.xiaomi.misettings. These components often request microphone access for voice commands, but can also be used for background recording. MIUI 15 introduced the "Disable Background Microphone Access" feature, which is available for all applications without exception.

Disable access for social networks (Facebook, TikTok, Instagram)

Block the microphone for system applications with unclear purpose

Check the permissions for browsers (Chrome, Mi Browser)

Disable access for games and entertainment applications-->

The disadvantage of the method is that some applications (such as Google Assistant or Mi AI) may stop working correctly, and it does not protect against leaks through system services that have privileged access.

2.Using the Incognito mode in MIUI

Starting with MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi’s firmware has a hidden privacy mode that limits data collection by the system, activated via a hidden menu:

Settings → About the phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times)


Return to Settings → Additional settings → Privacy → Incognito Mode

In this mode:

• 🔇 Background voice recording for analytics is disabled
• 📵 Blocks sending location data to Xiaomi Cloud
• 🛡️ Restricted access of system applications to the microphone
• 🔄 Advertising IDs are reset

Important: Incognito mode does not block the microphone completely, but only limits its use by the system. For calls and voice messages, access will remain. Also, after a phone restarts, the mode can reset - check its status regularly.

Yeah, I do it regularly.

I tried it, but didn't see the effect.

I didn't know about that function.

I don’t trust these “hidden” settings.-->

3. Hardware shutdown of the microphone (radical method)

If the software methods seem unreliable, you can physically shut down the microphone, which is a last resort, but it's guaranteed to block any attempts at wiretapping.

For a temporary solution, you can block the microphone holes with a special sticker or even a patch piece. The main microphone is usually located at the bottom of the case (near the charging connector), additional ones are located next to the top speaker and camera. Before you glue, check the location of the microphones for your model (for example, in the Redmi Note 12 there are three of them, and in Xiaomi 13 Ultra there are four).

⚠️ Attention: Physically turning off the microphone will void the warranty and may cause your phone to malfunction.If you are unsure of your disassembly skills, contact the service center to request that the microphone be turned off "for medical reasons" (some workshops do this).

4. Alternative firmware without spyware

The standard MIUI contains many system services that collect data — including possible voice recording for analysis. The solution is to install custom Android firmware without proprietary Xiaomi components.

• 📱 LineageOS is pure Android without unnecessary services, but requires manual porting for new models
• 🛡️ GrapheneOS is a firmware with a focus on privacy, but officially supports only Pixel (Xiaomi needs unofficial builds)
• 🔒 CalyxOS – an alternative with a built-in block of trackers and microphone
• 🔧 MIUI without Chinese services – modified versions from the community (for example, MIUI EU), where the most suspicious components are removed

Installation process:

1. Unlock the bootloader via fastboot oem unlock (requires a wait of 7-15 days for new Mi accounts)
2. Install custom Recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox)
3. Sweep through the selected firmware and be sure to GApps (if you need Google services)
4. Set up Magisk to manage root access

Advantage: complete control of the system and no hidden services. disadvantages: loss of some functions (for example, IR-The blaster may not work, the complexity of the installation for beginners and the risk of "bricking" the phone, and the updates will have to be installed manually.

5. Microphone locking applications

If you take your phone apart or you don't want to flash it, you can use specialized applications that don't offer 100% protection, but they reduce the risks of:

Combine these applications for maximum efficiency, like AppOps blocking access to the microphone, and NetGuard blocking the transmission of records over the network. Note that some applications (like TrackControl) themselves request access to the microphone for monitoring — this is normal, but check their reputation before installing.

Instructions for setting up AppOps via ADB (without root):

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


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




adb shell appops set [package applications] android:record_audio deny

⚠️ Note: Some antiviruses (e.g. 360 Security or Clean Master) collect microphone usage data themselves under the pretext of "protection.

6.Spyware and backdoor checks

Even after all the settings, there is still a risk of infection with spyware, and signs that your Xiaomi is being tapped:

• 🔋 Unexpectedly fast battery discharge (background recording consumes a lot of energy)
• 📶 Increased mobile data traffic on standby
• 🎤 Extraneous noises or echoes during calls
• 📱 Unintentional inclusion of the microphone indicator in the status bar
• 🔄 Overheating your phone for no apparent reason

To verify:

1. Install Malwarebytes or Kaspersky Mobile and perform a deep scan
2. Check the list of running processes through adb shell ps -A | grep -i audio
3. Use Wireshark (on PC) to analyze your phone’s network traffic
4. View the logs of the system through adb logcat | grep -i mic

If you find suspicious processes (e.g., com.android.audiofx with unusual behavior), block them via AppOps or remove them (root required).

💡

Create an individual Android user (in settings) to test apps.This isolates the main profile from potential leaks.

7. Additional protection measures

Even after the microphone is turned off, there are other channels of data leakage, to minimize the risks:

• 📡 Turn off Wi-Fi Sense and Bluetooth Scanning in Location Settings – these features can transfer data about your devices in the background
• 🔗 Use it. VPN with a tracking lock function (e.g., ProtonVPN or IVPN)
• 📱 Set up Special Options (in Android settings) – some apps abuse them to access the microphone
• 🔒 Replace your standard browser with Bromite or Firefox Focus with a lock on microphone requests from sites
• 📵 Check the list of devices connected to your Mi Account regularly (including Xiaomi smart speakers and laptops)

For models with IR-a blaster (e.g. Redmi Note 11 or POCO X5) Turn it off in the settings if you're not using it.

💡

The combination of software and hardware methods is the best thing to do, like turning off the microphone in the settings + using custom firmware + physically plugging the microphone hole.

Frequent questions