How to completely disable wiretapping on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: From software settings to physical lockdown

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones 9T (And the question that people often ask is, can we guarantee that we can block access to the microphone and prevent potential wiretapping? MIUI (Xiaomi’s Android shell has both standard security mechanisms and vulnerabilities typical of budget devices with pre-installed software. In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways, from disabling permissions for apps to physically locking the microphone, and explain why some methods only partially work.

It is important to understand that full hardware wiretapping through the built-in microphone is only possible when the device is physically accessed or hacked through vulnerabilities in the firmware (for example, exploits for MediaTek Helio). G85, which is built by Redmi 9T). But most of the wiretaps in the home are connected to the abuse of permissions from applications (social networks, instant messengers, games with access to the microphone.

1. Verification and disabling of permissions for applications

The first step is to audit all the programs that have access to the microphone. MIUI 12/13/14 (Depending on the version of your Redmi firmware 9T) It's done through the settings menu, and it's important that even legitimate apps like WhatsApp or Viber can use the microphone in the background to voice or call.

How to check:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Permits → Application authorizations → Microphone
• 🔍 Look at the list of programs with access. Look at games, optimizers, and little-known utilities.
• ❌ Disable access for all applications except those that are critically needed (e.g. phone for calls)
• 🔄 After disabling, restart the device – some services can restore permissions

Pay particular attention to:

• 🎮 Games with voice chat (for example, PUBG Mobile, Free Fire)
• 📊 Analytics applications (e.g. Mi Analytics, Google Play Services)
• 🔊 Optimizers and cleaners (e.g. Clean Master, DU Battery Saver)

⚠️ Note: Some System Processes MIUI (For example, com.miui.voiceassist for voice assistant can automatically enable access to the microphone after updates. 1-2 weekdays.

2. Disconnecting voice assistants and system services

Xiaomi Redmi 9T default comes with multiple voice assistants that can activate the microphone in the background:

• 🤖 Google Assistant (if enabled in Google settings)
• 🎤 XiaoAI (voice assistant from Xiaomi, works only on Chinese firmware, but can remain in international versions)
• 🔊 Voice search in the standard launcher MIUI

How to turn it off:

1. For Google Assistant: Settings → Google → Settings for Google apps → Search, helper and voice → Settings of Google Assistant → General. → Disable Google Assistant
2. For XiaoAI (if any in your firmware): Settings → Additionally. → Voice assistant → Shut down XiaoAI
3. For voice search in the launcher: Settings → Home. → Voice search → Shut down.

After turning off, check the microphone activity through the Task Manager:

• 📊 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Launched.
• 🔍 Find processes called voice, assistant, mic
• ❌ Force them to stop if they are active for no reason.

💡

If the microphone is still activated after disabling the assistants, check for updates for the Google app (sometimes bugs cause background activity).

3.Use of Incognito mode and background blocking

MIUI It has a built-in Second Space mode, which allows you to create an isolated environment with separate settings and applications. It doesn't block listening completely, but it limits access to the microphone for most programs in the main space.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings. → Second space
2. Create a new password space (use a complex password that is not related to the main one)
3. In the main space, leave only critical applications (calls, SMS)
4. All other programs (social networks, messengers) move to the second space

Additionally, you can use the Do Not Disturb mode with blocking all notifications and background activity:

• 🔔 Settings → Notifications and status bar → Don't disturb.
• 🔕 Select "Switch off all sounds and vibrations"
• 🔄 Enable the option to "Block Background Activity" (if available)

4. Check for the presence of spyware

If you suspect that Redmi is 9T Spyware installed (for example, through phishing links or hacked) APK), Standard antiviruses (such as Avast or Kaspersky) are often overlooked by specialized spies, so we use a combined approach.

Step 1. Check through ADB (for advanced users)

Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands:

adb shell dumpsys package | grep "mic"


adb shell ps -A | grep -i "record\|voice\|spy"

This will show all the processes involved in recording the sound, and suspicious names (e.g. com.spy.app) are a reason to delete it.

Step 2: Manually search for suspicious individuals APK

• 📁 Open a file manager (e.g., Mi File Explorer)
• 🔍 Move to the /data/app/ (root rights are required or ADB)
• 🕵️ Look for folders with unfamiliar names (e.g. com.android.record)

Step 3: Checking network activity

Use NetGuard or PCAPdroid to monitor traffic. Spyware often sends data to remote servers using protocols:

• 🌍 HTTP/HTTPS unknown IP (Especially in China, USA, Russia)
• 📡 Non-standard ports (e.g., 4444, 8080)
• 🔄 Constant connections even when the phone is on standby

⚠️ Warning: If you find spyware, don't delete it directly, which can trigger remote microphone activation. First, turn off the Internet (plane mode), then reset to factory settings via Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings.

Checking microphone permits|Analysis of network traffic|Searching for suspicious APK|Check through ADB|Resetting settings upon detection-->

5. Hardware methods of locking the microphone

If the software methods don't give you 100% guarantee, you can resort to physical lockdown. 9T two-mic:

• 🎤 Main (below next to the connector) USB-C)
• 🎤 Additional (top, next to the speaker)

Method 1: Mechanical locking

Use this:

• 🩹 Tape tape (stick on microphone holes)
• 🧲 Magnetic plugs (sold for protection against wiretapping)
• 🔧 Special stickers (e.g. Mic-Lock)

Cons: the quality of calls and video recording will deteriorate.

Method 2: Turning off the microphone through disassembly

This will require:

1. 🛠️ Disassemble the phone (risk of loss of warranty!)
2. 🔧 Disconnect the microphone plume from the motherboard
3. 🔌 Or cut the tracks on the board (irreversibly!)

Method 3: Use of an external microphone

Connect. USB-C or Bluetooth microphone and disable the built-in through Engineering Mode (engineering menu):

##36446337## → Hardware Testing → Audio → Microphone → Disable

⚠️ Attention: Physically turning off the microphone will make it impossible to call through the main speaker!Use a headset or Bluetooth headphones to communicate.

6. Alternative firmware and custom solutions

Standard firmware MIUI for Redmi 9T It contains a lot of pre-installed services that are hard to control, and the alternative is to install custom firmware on a base. AOSP (LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

Advantages of custom firmware:

• 🔒 No pre-installed spyware modules (like Mi Analytics)
• 🛠️ Full control over permissions through AppOps
• 🔄 Regular security updates (as opposed to official security updates) MIUI, Where is Redmi support 9T already discontinued)

How to determine:

1. 🔓 Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (waiting required) 7-14 days)
2. 📥 Download the firmware for lime (codename Redmi) 9T) forum XDA Developers
3. 🔧 Set it through TWRP (customization)

Recommended Firmware for Redmi 9T:

After installing custom firmware:

• 🔒 Disable all permissions for Google Play Services (they often collect data)
• 🛡️ Install AFWall+ to block network access of applications
• 🔍 Use AppOps to control permissions in detail

💡

Custom firmware is the most reliable way to get rid of embedded spyware, but it requires technical skills. If you're not confident in yourself, you'd better consult a specialist.

7. Additional security measures

Even after the microphone is turned off, there are other channels of data leakage to fully protect Redmi. 9T, Follow the following steps:

1. Turn off diagnostics and analytics

Settings → About Phone → Debugging → Disable “Send Error Reports” and “Improving MIUI”

2.Block background activity

• 📵 Enable battery saving mode for all applications
• ⏸️ Limit background activity through Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery

3.Use. VPN and DNS-filtering

Set it up:

• 🌐 VPN (For example, ProtonVPN or Mullvad)
• 🔒 DNS-filter (e.g. NextDNS or AdGuard) DNS)

This will block connections to suspicious servers.

4. Regularly check the device

• 🔄 Once a month, reset your network settings (Settings) → System system → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth)
• 📡 Check your Bluetooth devices (suddenly an unknown gadget appeared)

FAQ: Frequent questions about wiretapping on Redmi 9T