How to completely remove wiretapping from Xiaomi phone: from diagnosis to removal

If you suspect that your Xiaomi smartphone (or other Android device based on MIUI) is being tapped, it is important to act systematically – from checking for obvious signs to deep diagnostics. The problem of listening on Android is relevant not only for older models like the Redmi Note 4 or Mi 8, but also for flagships from 2023-2026: Xiaomi 14 Ultra, POCO F6 Pro or Redmi K70. Spy viruses evolve, masquerading as system processes or legitimate applications (for example, com.qualcomm.q or android.media.process.)

This article contains only proven methods that work on all versions. MIUI (including MIUI 14/15 Android-based 13/14). We'll take it: 1) How to identify signs of wiretapping (from increased traffic consumption to strange microphone behavior). 2) Step-by-step cleaning your phone – from manually removing suspicious apps to resetting via Fastboot. 3) Re-infection protection, including setting up Google Play Protect and blocking ADB-team.

Some methods require unlocking the bootloader (on Xiaomi, it takes up to 72 hours through the official website).

Signs of wiretapping on Xiaomi: how to recognize spyware

Android wiretapping is rarely a symptom of the virus, as modern viruses (such as Pegasus or Hermit) work in the background, masquerading as system processes.

• 🔋 Unexplained battery discharge (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T It sits down in 4-5 hours without active use. → Battery. → Battery use – if there are unknown processes with consumption >10% is a warning sign.
• 📡 Increased traffic in the background (especially at night) Viruses often transmit data in small packets (50-200 KB/h). MIUI.
• 🎤 The microphone or the camera activates itself. MIUI 14+ Check the green dot indicator in the upper right corner of the screen – it appears when using the microphone / camera.
• 📱 The phone overheats without loading. Spyware (like SpyNote) can load the processor by 30 to 50 percent even in standby mode. → The phone. → Status of the system.

Pay special attention to unknown SMS from short numbers (for example, +79XXXXX or 12345) – they may contain commands for spy modules. Also check the list of device administrators in Settings → Passwords and security → Device administrators. If there are suspicious applications (for example, Device Test or System Update with a non-standard icon), they should be immediately deactivated.

⚠️ Note: Some legitimate apps (such as Mi Fit or Google Assistant) also use a microphone. → Annexes → Permits → Microphone.

Step-by-step: how to find and remove wiretaps on Xiaomi

If you find signs of spyware, go from simple to complex. Start with manual checks, then use antiviruses, and only as a last resort resort to resetting.

1. Verification of installed applications

Many viruses are disguised as harmless utilities (e.g., Clearer for MIUI or Battery Saver Pro). Open Settings → Applications → Application Management and sort the list by installation date.

• 📦 Applications with incomprehensible names (e.g, com.system.update.v7 or android.service.secure).
• 🔍 Programs you haven’t installed, but they’re on the list (often APK-Files downloaded from third-party sources).
• 🛡️ Applications with Administrator Rights (checked in Settings) → Passwords and security → Device administrators).

Delete any suspicious programs, then clear the cache to Settings → Storage → Clear the cache. If the application does not delete (there is an error "Delete is impossible"), this is a sure sign of the virus.

1. Launch your phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → long tap on "Switch off" → "Safe Mode").
2. Repeat the removal attempt.
3. If it doesn't help, use it. ADB-command: adb uninstall com.name.packet (you can find out the name of the package through the App Inspector in Google Play).

2. Antivirus scanning

Built-in MIUI Security (or Google Play Protect) often skips spyware. Use specialized antivirus software:

Before the scan:

1. Update the antivirus databases.
2. Turn off MIUI Optimization in the developer settings (this interferes with scanning).
3. Start a deep scan (not fast!).

⚠️ Note: Some antiviruses (e.g. 360 Security) collect user data themselves. Avoid Chinese utilities - use only proven European solutions.

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If the antivirus finds the virus but can’t remove it, try renaming the.apk file to.zip, extracting it, and checking the contents on VirusTotal.

Deep cleaning: resetting settings and flashing

If manual methods do not work, there are two radical ways: 1 Hard Reset – deletes all data, but does not always remove viruses embedded in system partitions. 2 Fastboot flashing is the most reliable method, but requires unlocking the bootloader.

1. Hard Reset (Hard Reset)

This method will delete all user data, but save system files, suitable if the virus has not been introduced into /system.

1. Back up important files (photos, contacts) via Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
2. Turn off the phone.
3. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
4. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (control – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
5. After resetting, the phone will restart in factory condition.

Important: Some models (such as the POCO X5 Pro) may require re-authorization to Mi Account after reset – don’t forget your username/password!

2. Flashing through Fastboot (for power users)

If the virus has been embedded in system files (for example, replaced by a libandroid_runtime.so), It's only a complete flashing that helps:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (it will take up to 72 hours).
2. Download the official firmware for your model from MIUI Download (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery).
3. Install the Mi Flash Tool on your PC.
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
5. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Flash (Clean All option).

Once flashed, the phone will be as new as new, virus-free, but user-free, a method that ensures that even the most persistent spyware like xHelper or Triada is removed.

How to protect Xiaomi from future wiretaps

Even after cleaning the phone, the risk of re-infection remains, to minimize:

• 🔒 Disable the installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Confidentiality → Special permits → Installation of unknown applications).
• 🛡️ Set up Google Play Protect: Open the Play Store → Profile → Play Protect → Scan the device.
• 📵 Block background activity for suspicious apps in Settings → Battery. → Optimizing the battery.
• 🔍 Check the permissions in Settings regularly → Annexes → Permits: Revoke access to microphone/camera from unnecessary programs.

Additional measures for paranoid people (relevant for business people or journalists):

• 📱 Use a second phone for sensitive conversations (e.g. Xiaomi with pure Android like a slick phone). POCO F5).
• 🔇 Install AppOps (requires root) to block access to the microphone at the system level.
• 🌐 Use it. VPN with tracker blocking (e.g., ProtonVPN or IVPN).

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The most reliable protection is a combination of regular checks (once a week) + restriction of rights for applications + rejection of third-party APKs.

Frequent mistakes when removing wiretaps

Many users are making the problem worse by trying to remove the virus in the wrong way.

• ❌ Remove system applications through root (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) This can lead to bootloop (a looped reboot).
• ❌ Use a cleaner like CCleaner or DU Speed Booster – They often contain spyware modules.
• ❌ Reset your settings via Recovery if the virus blocks this mode (some Trojans are replaced) recovery.img).
• ❌ Ignore updates MIUI. Newer versions often close vulnerabilities that spyware exploits (e.g., the security services, CVE-2023-2129 Android 13).

Another common mistake is to use pirated firmware (such as Custom ROM from unknown developers), which often includes backdoors for remote management. If you want to install custom firmware, choose only proven projects:

• ✅ LineageOS (official builds).
• ✅ Pixel Experience (for Project Treble-enabled models).
• ✅ MIUI EU (Unofficial but secure version MIUI without Chinese services).

Hardware methods of wiretapping: what to do if there are no viruses, and there is a wiretapping

If you've checked your phone for viruses, reset your settings, but you still have suspicions, maybe the wiretapping is on the hardware level.

• 📱 Handheld phones (especially if the seller was from China or the UAE).
• 🔧 Devices that have been repaired in unofficial services.
• 🎁 Gifted or corporate smartphones.

Hardware wiretapping can be implemented through:

1. Bugs in the case (miniature transmitting devices that operate on the battery of the phone).
2. A modified motherboard (for example, with an additional chip for data transfer).
3. Wireless through SIM-map (obsolete method, but still found in some countries).

How to check:

1. Call the phone when it is off – if you hear noise or interference, a bug may be installed.
2. Check the body for foreign elements (for example, additional antennas or non-standard connectors).
3. Use a radio signal detector (such as K18 or DD1205) to look for hidden transmitters.

⚠️ Warning: If you suspect hardware wiretapping, don't use this phone for sensitive conversations.Better buy a new device (preferably not Xiaomi, but a brand with a stricter privacy policy, such as Google Pixel or iPhone).

FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Xiaomi Eavesdropping