How to completely remove the virus from the Xiaomi Redmi phone: a step-by-step guide

Malware on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a much more common problem than it seems, even if you haven’t installed suspicious ones. APK-Files, viruses can penetrate through banner ads, phishing sites or vulnerabilities in firmware MIUI. The main danger is not only intrusive advertising, but also in theft of personal data, money from accounts or even remote control of the device.

In this article, we will look at 5 proven ways to clean Redmi from viruses, from simple (antivirus scanning) to radical (complete system resetting), and focus on the specific MIUI vulnerabilities that are often exploited by fraudsters to covertly install malware, learn how to recognize an infected phone, what tools to use for treatment, and what to do if the virus blocks access to settings.

Important: The methods are suitable for all modern Redmi models (Note 12, 11, 10, 9, 8 series), POCO and other smartphones on MIUI 12-14. If your device runs on HyperOS (the new Xiaomi shell), some steps may differ slightly - we will mention this too.

Signs of Xiaomi Redmi phone infection with virus

The first step is to confirm that malware is causing the problems, not a system failure or hardware malfunction, and here are the key symptoms to be alerted:

• 📱 Spontaneous application installation – unknown games or utilities appear on the menu (for example, com.android.fakeapp).
• 💰 Debiting money from the account of a mobile bank or payment systems (Sberbank, Tinkoff, Qiwi) without your knowledge.
• 🔋 Dramatic reduction in battery life (viruses often disguise themselves as system processes and load the processor).
• 📡 Increased traffic in the background (check in Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic).
• 🚫 Blocking screens demanding payment (“Your phone is blocked by the FSB/police").
• 🎯 Intrusive advertising even in standard applications (Gallery, Camera).

Trojan Banker is especially dangerous, which replaces the pages of banks in the browser. For example, if you try to go to sberbank.ru, you will be taken to a fake website where scammers intercept usernames and passwords. In Redmi, such Trojans are often masquerading as MIUI or Google Play Services updates.

⚠️ Note: If the phone stopped turning on after the virus appeared, do not try to "swipe it through Fastboot" without experience. Wrong actions can turn the device into a "brick.

Method 1: Scanning with built-in MIUI antivirus

Xiaomi has integrated its own security scanner into MIUI, which can detect most common threats, but it doesn’t always deal with deep-rooted viruses (such as those prescribed in /system/app), but it’s worth starting with.

Instructions:

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the Scanner tab (or Check in new versions).
3. Click Full Check and wait until it is completed (it will take 3-7 minutes).
4. If threats are found, click Remove or Treatment.

With MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the scanner is smarter: it checks not only the APKs installed, but also system processes for suspicious activity. If the virus remains after scanning, move on to the next method.

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Once the threats are removed, restart your phone in Safe Mode (press the Power button → hold off “Stop” → “Safe Mode”). This will help make sure that the malware does not start automatically.

Method 2: Removal of the virus through Safe Mode

Safe Mode only loads Android with basic system applications, blocking all third-party (including viruses) and allows you to manually remove suspicious software that normally can block access to settings.

How to turn on:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power button before the Redmi logo appears.
3. Once the logo appears, immediately press and hold the volume button until you see the Safe mode inscription in the lower left corner.

In safe mode:

• 🔍 Check the list of installed applications in Settings → Annexes → Application management.
• 🗑️ Remove any programs you haven’t installed (especially those with names like System Update, Flash Player, Cleaner Pro, etc).
• 🔄 Restart your phone in normal mode.

⚠️ Warning: Some viruses (e.g. xHelper) recover after rebooting, if they return after being removed in safe mode, this is a sign of infection of the system partition.

Remove Unknown Apps|Check Administrator Rights (Settings) → Passwords and security → Device administrators)|Clear the cache of all applications|Disable the installation from unknown sources-->

Method 3: Using third-party antivirus software (Top 3 for Xiaomi)

The built-in MIUI scanner is not always effective against new threats. For a deep check, we recommend installing one of these apps (download only from Google Play!):

How to properly scan:

1. Install the antivirus and update the database.
2. Start a full scan (not fast!).
3. If you find a type of threat Android/Trojan.Downloader Or AdDisplay - delete them.
4. Reboot the phone.

Important: After deleting the virus, check Settings → Accounts. Fraudsters often add their Google or Xiaomi accounts to remotely manage. Delete any suspicious posts!

Method 4: Reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

If the virus is deeply embedded and not removed by antivirus, the only reliable way is a complete reset, which will remove all data from the phone, including viruses, but also erase photos, contacts and applications. Be sure to back up important files to your PC or cloud before you start!

Instructions for Xiaomi Redmi:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select to erase all data (factory recovery).
3. Enter the password (if set) and confirm the reset.
4. After restarting, set your phone as new.

If the virus blocks access to settings, reset via Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power button + increase the volume before the MI logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (manage by volume buttons, choose by power button).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (such as Note 10 Pro) may require you to reset your old Mi Account password. If you don't remember it, the phone will turn into a brick!

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Factory reset is the only way to remove viruses embedded in system files (e.g. /system/priv-app), but it won’t help if malware has infected the boot partition (running the boot partition is required).

Method 5: Flashing the phone (for power users)

If the reset didn't work (the virus comes back after you set up your phone), it means it's embedded in the boot section or recovery, and then only flashing through Fastboot or reflashing it will help. EDL-This method requires a PC, a cable. USB and command line knowledge.

Step-by-step instructions for Xiaomi Redmi:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the MIUI Downloads website (choose Fastboot ROM).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your computer.
3. Install the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Turn off your phone and press the power button + volume down to log into Fastboot.
5. Connect Redmi to your PC and start MiFlash.exe.
6. In the program, click Select, specify the folder with the firmware, then Clean All and Flash.

For models with a locked bootloader (for example, Redmi Note 12) you will need to first unlock it through the official tool Xiaomi. This will take 7-15 days (you need to link the Mi Account and wait for confirmation).

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If the phone doesn’t turn on after firmware or freezes on the MI logo, try repeating the process with the Clean All and Lock option in the Mi Flash Tool. This will return stock recovery and fix download errors.

How to protect Xiaomi Redmi from viruses in the future

Even after successful removal of the virus, the risk of re-infection remains.

• 🔒 Disable the installation from unknown sources: Settings → Confidentiality → Special permits → Installation of unknown applications.
• 🛡️ Update. MIUI Regularly: new versions close vulnerabilities. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🚫 Do not use pirated applications (hacked games, modified games) Spotify/YouTube). They often contain Trojans.
• 🔍 Check the permissions of applications: if the messenger requests access to the SMS or calls, that's suspicious.
• 🌐 Use it. VPN on public Wi-Fi networks (for example, ProtonVPN or Warp from Cloudflare).

For additional protection, install an ad blocker (such as Blokada or AdGuard). Many viruses are spread through banner ads in your browser or apps.

If you frequently install APKs from third-party sources, create a separate user account on Android (via Settings → System → Multiplayer) to isolate potential threats from your primary profile.

FAQ: Frequent questions about viruses on Xiaomi Redmi