How to completely disable wiretapping on Xiaomi: instructions for MIUI and custom firmware

Introduction: myths and reality about wiretapping in Xiaomi smartphones

Xiaomi smartphone owners regularly face privacy questions: do devices spy on users, do voice data go to China, and can it be turned off? the manufacturer officially declares that all data collection is anonymized and compliant with GDPR, but technical experts find suspicious services operating in the background in MIUI firmware.

It’s important to understand that listening in the classical sense (intercepting calls or recording conversations through a microphone) is unlikely without physical access to the device. However, Xiaomi does collect extensive telemetry: data on location, application use, search queries and even voice commands for Google Assistant or XiaoAI. This information can be transmitted to the company’s servers – and it is the disabling that we will discuss in this article.

Should you worry? If you're not a politician, a journalist or a businessman working with sensitive data, you probably won't. But if it's critical to limit data collection as much as possible, follow our recommendations. Official methods (via MIUI settings) will reduce risk by 70-80%, and a complete shutdown will require custom firmware installation.

1. disable data collection in MIUI settings

The first step is to deactivate Xiaomi’s built-in services, which transfer data to external servers, most of which can be disabled without rooting, but some options are hidden deep in the menu.

Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap the version number several times to activate Developer Mode. Then go back to the basic settings and open a new Developer section.

• 🔍 Debugging by USB (if you don't use)
• 📡 Transfer of Location Data (including Google Location History)
• 🤖 Automatic system updates (they may contain new "spyware" modules)
• 📊 Usage statistics MIUI (main-source telemetry)

Next, open Settings → Privacy → Special permissions and disallow microphone access for all applications except messengers and cameras.

• 🎤 XiaoAI (Xiaomi Voice Assistant)
• 🔍 Mi Search (Search System) MIUI)
• 📍 Mi Location (Geolocation Service)

⚠️ Warning: Disabling XiaoAI can disrupt voice commands for the Mi Home smart home.If you use Xiaomi Smart devices, leave this app with microphone access, but limit background activity.

Disable access to microphone for unnecessary applications|Delete "Statistics" MIUI" developer-setting|Delete your Mi Account (if you don’t use the cloud)|Disable Personalized Recommendations in Mi Browser|Block Advertising in Settings MIUI-->

2. Removal of pre-installed “spy” applications

MIUI firmware contains dozens of system applications that cannot be removed by standard methods, but can be disabled or frozen, some of which are directly related to data collection:

To disable system applications without root rights, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge). Connect your phone to your PC, turn on USB Debugging and follow the command:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.voiceassist

Replace com.miui.voiceassist with the package of the desired application (a list of packages can be found online at the request of "MIUI bloatware list").

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may disrupt stability MIUI. Before experimenting, back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

Mi Browser|XiaoAI|Mi Music|Mi Video|Nothing deleted-->

3.Alternative firmware: full control of the device

If you want maximum privacy, the only reliable way to do this is to install custom firmware, like LineageOS or Pixel Experience.

• 🚫 Do not contain pre-installed Xiaomi applications
• 🔒 Do not transmit data to the manufacturer's servers
• 🛠️ Get security updates directly from Google

The installation process requires unlocking the bootloader, which is officially supported by Xiaomi, but takes up to 72 hours (due to the request verification).

1. Apply for unlocking through the official Xiaomi website.
2. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
3. After unlocking, install TWRP Recovery and sew through the custom firmware.

Cons of this method:

• ❌ Loss of warranty if the device is new)
• ❌ Possible camera or sensor issues (not all firmware is perfectly optimized)
• ❌ Lack of support for certain functions MIUI (For example, Always-on Display)

4. Firewall setting and network traffic restriction

Even after all spy services are shut down, MIUI can secretly communicate with Xiaomi servers, using the NetGuard or AFWall+ firewall to block these connections.

Install NetGuard from F-Droid (not from Google Play, there is a limited version) and:

1. Open the list of applications and find com.miui., com.xiaomi.
2. Block Internet access for all system services except Google Play Services (if you use it).
3. Enable the "Block Roaming" mode for additional protection.

For advanced users, check network activity through Packet Capture or PCAPdroid. These tools will show which domains your phone is requesting. Suspicious addresses (e.g.,.miui.com,.xiaomi.com) can be blocked in a file. /etc/hosts through DNS-filtering (e.g. NextDNS).

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Use it. DNS-server Quad9 (9.9.9.9) or AdGuard DNS (94.140.14.14 – they block known trackers and spy domains at the network level.

5. Checking for malware and backdoors

In 2022, Check Point researchers discovered a vulnerability in Xiaomi’s firmware that allows the microphone to be remotely activated via an exploit in MediaTek chips. Although the vulnerability has been closed, it is worth checking the device regularly for suspicious activity.

Use these tools:

• 🛡️ Malwarebytes – scans for spyware and Trojans.
• 🔍 NetAnalyzer – shows open ports and active connections.
• 📡 Wireshark (for PC) – In-depth analysis of traffic when connecting your phone through a phone USB.

Pay attention to:

• 🔋 Unexpected battery consumption (may indicate background spyware activity).
• 📶 Increased traffic in standby mode (check in Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Using traffic).
• 🎤 Spontaneous turn on of the microphone (microphone indicator in the status bar).

⚠️ Warning: If you find suspicious activity, immediately disconnect your phone from the Internet and reset to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Reset settings. After reset, do not restore data from the backup copy - it may contain malicious code.

Physical Protection: What to Do If Your Phone Is Already Infected

If you suspect your Xiaomi is being bugged (for example, after installing a suspicious app or visiting a questionable site), take emergency action:

1. Isolate the device: Pull out SIM-map and disconnect Wi-Fi/Bluetooth. Use your phone only in airplane mode.
2. Check for rootkits: Install Root Checker – if the phone is hacked, a complete firmware reflash will be required.
3. Remove suspicious applications: Check the installed list in Settings → Apps. Remove anything you didn’t install yourself.
4. Change passwords: If your phone is compromised, change your email, social media, and banking passwords from another device.

Extreme measures:

• 🔨 Microphone Replacement: In a service center, you can physically turn off the microphone (but this will deprive you of the ability to call).
• 📵 Using a clean phone: For sensitive conversations, buy a separate phone (like Google Pixel with GrapheneOS).
• 🛡️ Faraday case: Blocks all wireless signals, but makes the phone useless for calls.

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If the phone is hacked, no software measure is 100% secure, and the only reliable way is to replace the device completely and re-release it. SIM-map.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wiretapping on Xiaomi