How to completely disable remote access to the phone Xiaomi: all ways

Remote access to a Xiaomi smartphone is not only a convenient feature for syncing data or finding a lost device, but also a potential privacy threat. If you sell a phone, transfer it to another person or just want to maximize the protection of personal data, it is important to know how to completely deactivate all channels of remote connection. In this article, we will examine all possible ways to disable remote access, from standard MIUI settings to hidden technical methods.

Xiaomi Integrates Several Remote Control Mechanisms into Its Devices: MI Cloud (cloud service), Mi Account (account), ADB-Debugging (for developers) and even some system services that users often don't know about, like Find Device, which allows you to not only locate a gadget, but also lock it or erase data remotely. USB It opens up the device through the computer. How to turn it off -- read on.

1. disable MI Cloud and Find Device functionality

MI Cloud is the main remote management tool in the Xiaomi ecosystem, and it provides backup, synchronization of contacts, photos and, critically, Find Device, even if you haven't been using it actively, it can be enabled by default. Here's how to deactivate it:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Xiaomi Account (or Mi Account in older versions) MIUI).
• 🔒 Go to section. MI Cloud and turn off the slider opposite Find Device.
• 🗑️ For complete certainty, delete all backups in the same menu (Manage backups section).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone – it will apply changes at the system level.

Important: If you plan to sell a phone, it is not enough to simply disable Find Device. You need to log out of your Mi Account completely (more on this in the next section), otherwise the new owner will not be able to use the device due to the link to your account.

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If you still have Find Device activated after you turn off, check if your phone is linked to your Google account via Find My Device.

2. exit from Mi Account and reset device binding

Mi Accounts are not just logins and passwords, but the primary device control tool that allows you to remotely lock your phone, even after you reset your settings, to completely remove the link:

1. Go to Settings. → Xiaomi Account.
2. Click on the profile avatar at the top of the screen.
3. Select to exit and confirm the action.
4. If required, enter the password from the account.

Once logged out, the system may request a re-entry of the password when trying to change critical settings (e.g. factory resets). This is normal, this is how theft protection works. However, if you are selling a phone, you must make a full reset (see Section 5), otherwise the new owner will not be able to activate the device.

3. Disconnection ADB-debugging and developer mode

USB Debugging (ADB) is designed for developers, but is often used by attackers to gain remote access to the phone via a computer, and if you have ever enabled this mode (for example, for firmware or rooting), you need to turn it off:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → About the phone and 7 times click on the version MIUI, to activate the Developer Mode.
• 🖥️ Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• 🔌 Turn off the debugging slider. USB.
• 🔒 Also deactivate the installation through USB and Unlock. OEM (if they're active).

Warning: If you previously allowed debugging for a particular computer, its fingerprint may have been saved to the system. To remove all trusted devices, in the Developer Menu, find Revoke USB Debugging Permits and click on this option.

Yes, for firmware | Yes, for rooting | Yes, but I don't remember why | No, never-->

4.Block remote access through third-party applications

Some apps (e.g. TeamViewer QuickSupport, AnyDesk or AirDroid) may provide remote access to your phone without your knowledge if they were installed earlier, to detect and remove them:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, enter the keywords: remote, control, access, desk.
3. Check the list for suspicious programs. Pay special attention to applications with Special Access rights (for example, Screen capture or Management of other applications).
4. Remove all unnecessary utilities and revoke their permissions in the Application Rights menu.

It is also recommended to check the administrators of the device:

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Device Administrators.
2. Disable permissions from unknown applications (for example, Device Policy Controller, if you did not install it).

Delete TeamViewer/AnyDesk/AirDroid|Disable Device Administrators |Check Application Special Rights |Remove Unknown Services from Autoboot-->

5. Complete resetting of settings: when necessary

If you're transferring your phone to another person or suspecting that your device is compromised, a full factory reset is the only reliable way to remove any trace of remote access.

• 🔑 Exit from Mi Account (as described in Section 2).
• 📱 Make sure that Find Device is disabled.
• 💾 Backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).

For discharge:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: after reset, the phone will require you to enter the account details of Xiaomi, which was tied last. If you forgot the password, restore it to account.xiaomi.com. Otherwise, the device will become a “brick»!

6. Additional security measures

Even after all the obvious remote access channels are turned off, there are hidden risks, and here's what you can do to maximize protection:

Professional advice: if you use your phone to handle sensitive information, consider installing custom firmware (like LineageOS) without Xiaomi services, which will completely remove MI Cloud, Mi Account and other proprietary components, but this method requires unlocking the bootloader and is only suitable for advanced users.

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Disabling remote access is not a one-time procedure, but a set of measures. Even after resetting, you should regularly check the active sessions in Mi Account (at account.xiaomi.com) and the list of trusted devices.

7 How to check if remote access is disabled

To make sure all remote control channels are locked, perform the following checks:

1. MI Cloud Test: Try finding your phone through the web version of i.mi.com. If the device doesn't show up, Find Device is disabled.
2. ADB check: connect your phone to your computer and type in the command line: adb devices If the list is empty, debugging is deactivated.
3. Port Scan: Use the Network Scanner app (like Fing) to check open ports. Xiaomi should not have active ports 5555 (ADB) or 7777 (some backdoors).

If you still see suspicious activity after all the manipulations (for example, the phone turns on mobile data or sends SMS), this may indicate:

• 🦠 Malware – perform a scan through Malwarebytes or Dr.Web.
• 🔧 System failure – try to reflash your phone using the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🕵️ Hardware key logger – physically inspect the connectors (especially the logger) USB-C) sensing.

FAQ: Frequent questions about remote access on Xiaomi