How to completely remove wiretapping from the Xiaomi phone: proven ways of 2026

If your Xiaomi smartphone began to behave suspiciously - quickly discharges, the microphone spontaneously turns on, unknown processes appear in the task manager or you notice an uncharacteristic heating of the case, there is a risk that the device is bugged. In 2023-2026, cases of covert spying through mobile devices increased, especially on the platform. MIUI, where Xiaomi's embedded services (such as Mi Cloud or GetApps) can collect data beyond what is needed, but the problem isn't always with proprietary software - virus apps, Android vulnerabilities, or targeted attacks can also turn a phone into a surveillance tool.

In this article, we’ll look at all possible sources of wiretapping on Xiaomi phones (including Redmi models, POCO, Black Shark, we'll learn to identify and eliminate them, and it's important to understand that some techniques require technical knowledge, and others require only attention. MIUI, These are often overlooked by even experienced users, such as hidden permissions for system applications or background activity of Xiaomi services even after they are turned off.

Warn immediately: if the wiretapping is organized at the firmware level (for example, through a modified one). MIUI From third-party developers, you may need to completely flash the device, otherwise, you can clean the system and change the security settings.

Signs of wiretapping on Xiaomi phone

The first step is to confirm or deny suspicions, and the wiretapping is rarely obvious, but there are indirect signs that should alert you:

• 🔋 Unexplained battery consumption: If the phone runs out in 4-5 hours with minimal use, check the microphone and camera activity in Settings → Battery → Battery use: Viral applications are often disguised as system processes (e.g. com.android.phone).
• 🎤 Spontaneous microphone turn on: a microphone icon appears in the top notification bar, even though you do not use voice services. MIUI This may be related to the work of Google Assistant or Mi. AI, But if the icon is constantly burning, it is an alarm.
• 📡 Increased traffic: check the consumption of mobile data in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic: If background apps consume gigabytes per month (such as Mi Video or Browser), they should be removed.
• 🔥 Overheating without load: listening programs actively use the processor, which leads to heating even in standby mode. 9A or Redmi Note 10).

One of the most reliable ways to verify is to use specialized applications such as NetGuard (network activity blocker) or Access Dots (access to microphone/camera). MIUI 14 and HyperOS partially limit the capabilities of such utilities, so it is better to combine them with manual verification.

⚠️ Note: If you notice that Xiaomi phone has started to automatically connect to unknown Wi-Fi networks (especially with names like this one). Xiaomi_XXXX or Direct-XX), immediately disable Autoconnect in Wi-Fi settings.This could be a sign of an attack through the Mi Wi-Fi Sync vulnerability.

Checking the phone for spyware

Before you start cleaning, you need to identify the source of the problem. On Xiaomi phones, wiretapping can be organized through:

1. Malicious applications (often disguised as utilities, games, or updates)
2. System services MIUI (Mi Cloud, Mi Security, and Analytics).
3. Android vulnerabilities (exploited through phishing links or fake updates)
4. Physical access (if the phone was left unattended, you could install spyware manually).

Start by checking the installed applications:

Remove Unknown Apps from Settings → Annexes → Application management

Check the permissions of system utilities (e.g. Security or Cleaner)

Turn off autoboot for suspicious programs in Settings → Battery → Auto-start

Download Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light for deep scanning

Check Active Connections through Settings → Connections → Use of data-->

Pay special attention to applications with permissions for:

• 📱 Reading SMS/call logs (e.g. Truecaller or banking programs).
• 🎧 Recording sound (even if the app is not associated with voice functions).
• 📍 Access to geolocation in the background.

Nana MIUI Some system applications (such as Mi Browser or Mi Video) have extended permissions by default:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (e.g. Browser) → Permits.
3. Disable access to microphone, camera and contacts.

Unknown program from the Play Market

Xiaomi System Software (MIUI)

Social networks (WhatsApp, Telegram)

Banking or payment application

Other-->

Disable Xiaomi system services that collect data

Xiaomi openly admits that it collects user data to “improve services,” and some of that information is passed to China even if you turn off Mi Cloud, and to minimize the risks, you need to manually ban the most voracious services:

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi has added a "Privacy" feature in the settings, but it works selectively. For example, even after disabling the Mi Cloud, some data can be transferred through the Mi Push Service:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Special access.
2. Turn off the display over other windows for suspicious applications.
3. In the File Permissions section, check which programs have access to the storage.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO F3 or Redmi K40) After disabling Analytics, errors in the work of branded services (for example, themes or widgets) may occur.

Removing malicious applications and viruses

If you find suspicious software, it's not enough to just remove it, you need to clear the system of traces. On Xiaomi phones, viruses often hide in:

• 📁 Download folder (APK-Files downloaded from unknown sources).
• 🔄 Application cache (e.g. com.android.browser or com.miui.player).
• 🔗 Service folders (/data/app/ or /system/priv-app/ — Root rights are required for access).

Step-by-step cleaning instructions:

1. Remove Unknown Apps: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Note programs with names like System Update, Flash Player or Clean Master – they often contain spyware modules.
2. Clear cache and data: For each suspicious app, click Storage → Clear the cache → Clear the data.
3. Check the autoboot: Settings → Battery → Autorun Turn off Autorun for all unnecessary programs.
4. Scan your phone with antivirus: Dr.Web Light or Bitdefender are more efficient than Xiaomi’s built-in Security Scan.

If the virus is embedded in system files (e.g., modified firmware), only a full reset or firmware reflash will help. Before that, save important data to an external drive (but not to Mi Cloud!).

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Before resetting the settings, remove SIM-Some spyware can store data on them even after formatting internal memory.

Security settings: how to protect yourself from wiretapping in the future

Even after cleaning the phone, the risk of re-tapping remains, unless precautions are taken, and on Xiaomi phones, it is especially important to:

• 🔒 Disable installation from unknown sources: Settings → Confidentiality → Special access → Install unknown applications Prohibit installation APK for all browsers and file managers.
• 🛡️ Use it. VPN: Set up ProtonVPN or Windscribe to encrypt traffic. This won't protect you from wiretapping through a microphone, but it will prevent data interception.
• 🔑 Block access to microphone and camera: MIUI 14 and HyperOS can globally disable microphone access for all applications: → Confidentiality → Permits → Microphone → Disable for all Similar to do with camera resolution.
• 📵 Disable unnecessary wireless interfaces: Turn off Bluetooth, NFC And Wi-Fi Direct, if you don't use them, can be used for remote surveillance.

An additional layer of protection is blocking ads and trackers through the hosts file.

1. Install the Blokada app (does not require root).
2. Activate the blocking of trackers and advertising.
3. Manually add Xiaomi domains associated with data collection (e.g. data.mistat.xiaomi.com or sdkconfig.ad.xiaomi.com).

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Even after all the settings, Xiaomi can collect anonymous data through Google services (for example, Google Play Services). GMS (For example, LineageOS).

Phone flashing: an extreme measure against espionage

If none of these methods worked, and you're sure that the phone is tapped, you're left with a complete firmware reflash.

• 📱 Modified telephones MIUI (For example, after repairs in informal services).
• 🔍 Devices where the virus is embedded in system files (/system/bin/ or /vendor/).
• 🔄 Hand-built devices (the previous owner could install spyware at the firmware level).

For Xiaomi, there are two firmware options:

For flashing through the Mi Flash Tool:

1. Download the official firmware for your model (e.g. Redmi Note) 11 — spes_global_images...).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, connect the phone in Fastboot mode (clamp Volume down + Power).
4. Select the firmware folder and press Flash.

⚠️ Note: After flashing on custom firmware (for example, Xiaomi.eu) may stop working Google Pay, Netflix in the Internet HD-quality and some banking applications due to lack of Widevine certification L1. This can only be reversible by returning to the official MIUI.

What to do if the wiretapping is organized through SIM-card

In rare cases, wiretapping can be carried out not through the phone, but through the phone. SIM-card or mobile operator services, this is possible if:

• 📶 Your number is connected to the service "Antivirus" or "Protection against fraudsters" (some operators, for example, MTS or Beeline, offer similar options that can actually be used for surveillance).
• 🔄 SIM-The card is cloned (crooks can duplicate your card and intercept your card) SMS/call-up).
• 📡 Your number is equipped with surveillance equipment from the security services (unlikely for ordinary users, but possible in legal proceedings).

How to check and protect yourself:

1. Call the operator and ask for information about the connected services, turn off anything suspicious, especially if you're not: 🔍 "Protection against fraudsters" 📡 "Parental control" 🔄 "Synchronization of contacts"

Check activity SIM-map

Dial it *111# (for MTS), *100# (for Beeline or *105# (for MegaFon) and request details of recent calls/SMS. If there are unfamiliar numbers — SIM-map compromised.

Replace. SIM-map

Contact the operator’s office and ask for a new one. SIM Destroy the old card (cut the chip).

Use the virtual. SIM

Services like Google Fi or Airalo allow for eSIM, making it harder to physically intercept communications.

If you suspect that the wiretapping is organized at the operator level (for example, at the request of law enforcement agencies), the only way out is to change the phone number and operator. In Russia, starting from 2023, this requires a passport, but the procedure takes no more than 10 minutes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about wiretapping on Xiaomi