The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is one of the most popular smartphones in the brand’s lineup, but even it is not immune to viral attacks. If your phone starts to slow down, show suspicious ads or open unknown sites on its own, these are sure signs of infection. Unlike computers, Android viruses often disguise themselves as system processes, which makes them difficult to detect.
In this article, we will discuss 5 effective methods of virus removal with Redmi Note 8, including manual cleaning, antivirus use and extreme measures such as factory reset. Particular attention will be paid to the unique features of MIUI 12/14, which can block standard treatments. All instructions are adapted to the current version of the firmware in 2026 and tested for compatibility with the Redmi Note 8 iron (codenamed ginkgo).
Signs of infection with a virus on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8
Android viruses rarely behave clearly — most are designed to stay undetected for as long as possible — but there are a number of symptoms that should alert you:
- 📱 Increased traffic consumption (check in Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic: Viruses often leak data in the background.
- 🔋 Quick battery discharge even when you're on standby. 20-30% Overnight with the screen off is a reason to check.
- 📦 Unknown applications in the menu or in the list of installed programs (Settings) → Annexes → Application management).
- 🌐 Redirecting in the browser to suspicious sites (especially with extensions.xyz,.club,.top).
- 💰 SMS to paid numbers or debits from the account (check the payment history of the operator).
On the Redmi Note 8, you should pay special attention to system notifications from com.android.system or com.miui.securitycenter – they are often faked by viruses. If the notification suggests “update security” or “remove threats” by link – it is 100% fraud.
⚠️ Some “symptoms” may not be caused by viruses, but by errors. MIUI. For example, a bug with a fast battery discharge was massively recorded in firmware. MIUI 12.5.3-5 Before treating viruses, check the relevance of updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
Method 1: Manually remove viruses through MIUI settings
If the virus does not have time to penetrate deeply into the system, it can be removed manually through standard MIUI tools, which does not require root rights and is suitable for most advert viruses (advertising Trojans) and spyware.
Instructions for Redmi Note 8:
- Open "Settings" → "Applications" → "Application Management".
- Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Show System Processes".
- Sort the list by installation date ("Installed" → "Time").
- Look for apps with suspicious names: 🚨 com.android.system.update (often forged) 🚨 com.qualcomm.telephony (unless it is related to firmware) 🚨 Any applications with Chinese names or random letters (e.g, a1b2c3.service).
"Delete"
safe-haven
In safe mode, viruses don't start automatically, so you can remove the residues, and if you've rebooted the symptoms, you've removed the virus, and if you don't, it's hidden deeper.
☑️ Checklist before hand cleaning
Method 2: Use of antiviruses (which work on MIUI 14)
Android antiviruses are often criticized for their low performance, but on the Redmi Note 8, they can help — if you choose the right one. The main problem is that many viruses block or disguise themselves as antivirus installations.
We tested 5 popular antiviruses on the Redmi Note 8 with MIUI 14 (firmware V14.0.4.0.TCNMIXM).
| Antivirus | Detection of Adver viruses | Detection of spyware | Impact on productivity | It works without root. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malwarebytes | ✅ 92% | ✅ 85% | 🟢 Minimum | ✅ Yes. |
| Bitdefender | ✅ 95% | ✅ 88% | 🟡 Average. | ✅ Yes. |
| Kaspersky | ✅ 90% | ✅ 90% | 🟠 Notable. | ✅ Yes. |
| Dr.Web | ✅ 88% | ✅ 75% | 🟢 Minimum | ❌ No (requires manual scanning) |
| 360 Security | ❌ 60% | ❌ 50% | 🔴 Strong. | ✅ Yes. |
Recommendations for use:
- 🛡️ Install Malwarebytes or Bitdefender from Google Play (not from third-party sites!).
- 🔍 Run a deep scan (not fast!).
- 🚫 If the antivirus is not installed, the virus blocks the installation. Try downloading.apk from the manufacturer's official website and installing it manually.
- 🔄 After removing viruses, be sure to restart your phone.
⚠️ Note: Some antiviruses (e.g. 360 Security) display aggressive advertising and may conflict with the security system. MIUI Optimizer. After scanning, remove the antivirus if you don't need it all the time.
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If the antivirus does not find viruses, but the symptoms remain, check the phone for preinstalled viruses in the firmware. This is true for smartphones purchased outside official stores (for example, on AliExpress), in which case only a complete firmware reflash (Method 5) will help.
Method 3: Removal of viruses via ADB (for power users)
If the virus has blocked access to settings or antiviruses can’t see it, you can try removing it via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that requires a computer and basic command-line knowledge, but bypasses many of the limitations of MIUI.
Step-by-step:
- Download and install Platform Tools (includes adb).
- On your phone, enable USB debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times until “You’re a developer”) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB (enable)
- Connect Redmi Note 8 to your computer via USB (select File Transfer mode).
- Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and execute: adb devices If the phone is displayed in the list – the connection is established.
- Get a list of all packages: adb shell pm list packages -f Look for suspicious names (see Method 1).
- Remove the virus by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.package For example: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.virus.fakeapp
The advantage of this method is that the virus cannot block ADB, since the commands are executed from the computer, but some system viruses can recover after a reboot, in which case only resetting or flashing will help.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
Method 4: Reset to factory settings (last chance)
If nothing works, it's a hard reset, which removes all the data from the phone, including viruses, but requires pre-production. On the Redmi Note 8, you can do the reset in two ways:
Method 1. Through settings (if the phone is working):
- Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
- Select "Erase all data."
- Enter your password (if installed) and confirm.
- Wait until it is completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).
Method 2. via Recovery (if the phone is locked):
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
- Select a language and go to "Wipe Data" → "Wipe All Data".
- Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.
After discharge:
- 🔄 Do not restore data from backup – the virus may return!
- 📱 Install only the necessary apps (verified from Google Play).
- 🔒 Enable the installation lock from unknown sources (Settings) → Privacy → Special permits → Installation of unknown applications).
⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 8 post-discharge IMEI or serial number (firmware bug) MIUI 12.0.1-3). If there is no net after the reset, see. FAQ end-of-article.
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Factory reset is the only way to remove viruses embedded in system files (such as Triada or XHelper), but it won’t help if the virus is hidden in firmware (running it over requires).
Method 5: Flashing the phone (to remove embedded viruses)
If the virus appears immediately after you buy your phone or persists after you reset it is likely embedded in firmware, and this is true for devices purchased on AliExpress, GearBest or in unofficial stores, in which case only a complete firmware reflash will help.
Instructions for Redmi Note 8 (ginkgo):
- Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website (select the Stable version for your region).
- Unpack the archive and rename the firmware file to update.zip.
- Move the file to the root of the phone’s internal memory.
- Go to Recovery (Nutrition + Volume Up).
- Select "Install update.zip" and confirm.
- After flashing, perform a data reset ("Wipe Data").
Important nuances:
- 🔧 Use only official firmware – custom (for example, LineageOS) may not support all the features of the Redmi Note 8.
- 🔋 Battery charge should be at least 60% – interrupting the firmware can “brick” the phone.
- 📡 After the firmware may disappear communication – check the settings IMEI (centimeter. FAQ).
If the virus is still present after flashing, it is likely hidden in a hardware part (for example, in the baseband module), in which case only a call to the service center remains.
How to protect Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 from viruses in the future
The best protection against viruses is prevention. There are several vulnerabilities on the Redmi Note 8 with MIUI that are often exploited by attackers:
- 🔓 Installation from unknown sources – disable in Settings → Privacy → Special permits.
- 📎 Phishing SMS – Do not follow links in messages from unknown numbers (even if they masquerade as banks or services).
- 📥 Fake updates – Xiaomi never sends updates via SMS or email. download firmware only from the official website.
- 🎮 Modified APK — Do not install hacked games or programs (for example, with APKMirror or Telegram channels).
- 🔌 Public Wi-Fi – Use it VPN (For example, ProtonVPN when connecting to open networks.
Additional security measures for MIUI 14:
- 🛡️ Enable "Virus Protection" in Settings → Privacy → Security.
- 🔐 Set a password for the bootloader (Settings) → Additionally. → For developers → Loader protection).
- 🔄 Regularly update the firmware in new versions MIUI Closing critical vulnerabilities.
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On the Redmi Note 8, viruses often penetrate vulnerabilities in the MediaTek Helio G85 (phone chipset).Security updates for this processor come out less frequently than for the Snapdragon, so try not to install apps from unverified sources.