How to know if Xiaomi phone has spyware: the full guide 2026

Xiaomi smartphones have long gained popularity due to the combination of price, performance and functionality. But as the number of users grows, so does the number of cyber threats, from ad viruses to full-fledged spyware that can steal passwords, correspondence, and even track location. MIUI, where the manufacturer collects telemetry itself, and attackers can mask malware under system processes.

If you have a Redmi, POCO Or Mi has become suspicious -- quickly discharge, bask for no reason, or show unfamiliar notifications -- that's a reason to check your phone for spyware. In this article, we'll look at 7 working methods for detecting surveillance, from basic checks to deep system analysis. You will learn what signs a spy gives, how to search for suspicious processes manually, and what tools will help automate your search.

⚠️ Important: Some methods require super-user rights (root), but obtaining them can be insecure. We will specify where root is not necessary, and where there are enough standard Android tools.

1. Signs of a spy program on Xiaomi: when to sound the alarm

Spyware rarely presents itself as a symptom of its purpose to go unnoticed, but there are indirect signs that should alert us:

• 🔋 A sharp increase in battery consumption without changing usage habits, spies constantly transmitting data in the background, which eats up charge.
• 📶 Increased mobile internet traffic (check in Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic. Some programs send data even when Wi-Fi is off.
• 📱 Spontaneous reboots or brakes, especially when working with instant messengers or banking applications.
• 🔊 Extraneous sounds during calls (interference, echo) - a sign of wiretapping.
• 📁 Unknown files in folders DCIM, Download or root directory (e.g.,.apk,.mp3 randomly named).

One of the most insidious symptoms is two-factor login notifications on accounts you haven't tried to restore, which means someone has already received your login/password and is trying to confirm access, in which case immediately cancel all sessions in your account security settings.

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi with firmware MIUI Global, some of the "symptoms" may be false. For example, the com.miui.analytics process does collect telemetry, but it's not spyware, but a regular feature of Xiaomi. → Memory. → Three points. → Special permits → Analytics.

2. Checking installed applications: what to look for in the list

The first step is to audit all the installed software, and spies often disguise themselves as harmless tools, flashlights, cache cleaners, games with suspiciously high resolutions.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Show System Processes".
3. Sort the list by installation date (Installed) – new unknown programs should raise suspicions.

Pay attention to the applications with such signs:

• 📦 Unknown Chinese names (e.g. com.duokan.phone.remotecontroller – a well-known spy for Xiaomi).
• 🔍 No icons in the application menu (hidden services).
• 📊 High battery/traffic consumption at zero use (checked in Battery section).
• 🔒 Requests for illogical permissions (e.g. flashlight requires access to a flashlight) SMS geolocation).

Critical point: on Xiaomi spyware is often masquerading as system updates (for example, the software is not used for the system, "MIUI Update Helper" or "Security Update"). Check the digital signature of such applications - the original are signed by Xiaomi Inc..

3. Network activity analysis: who is transferring your data

Spyware is constantly communicating with malicious servers to detect suspicious activity.

Method 1: Built-in traffic monitor

• Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic.
• See which apps are consuming traffic in the background.
• Pay attention to programs with disproportionately high consumption (for example, the calculator “eats” 500 MB per month).

Method 2. Specialized applications

Utility like NetGuard or GlassWire provides detailed statistics on network activity, including:

• 🌍 IP-Addresses with which the phone is connected.
• ⏱️ Connection times (spies are often active at night).
• 📡 Type of data (e.g., transfer of a photo/video without your knowledge).

⚠️ Note: If you see connections to servers in China (.cn domains), Russia (.ru) or to unknown IP — So, for example, miui.com or xiaomi.com are normal domains. tracker12345.cn — no.

4.App permissions check: who knows too much

Spyware always requests redundant permissions that are not in line with its functionality, such as a calculator not having access to:

• 📍 Geolocations (permission) ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION).
• 📞 Call log (READ_CALL_LOG).
• 💬 SMS/M.M (READ_SMS).
• 🎤 Microphone (RECORD_AUDIO).
• 📷 Camera (CAMERA).

How to check permissions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a suspicious app → "Permits".
3. Compare the list with its stated functions.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI Some system applications (such as Mi Browser or Security) have broad default resolutions. This is not always a sign of a spy, but they can be limited manually.

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If an app refuses to work after a permission is revoked, it's suspicious, and normal software either adapts or gives honest warning of the consequences.

5. Deep Verification: Hidden Processes and Root Access

If the surface methods fail and the suspicions remain, you'll have to dig deeper.

• 🛠️ ADB (Android Debug Bridge – for rootless analysis.
• 🔓 Superuser Rights – for full access (risky!).

Method 1. Verification through ADB (rootless)

Connect your phone to your PC, turn on debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Return to the Extra → For developers, and execute commands:

adb shell dumpsys package | grep "unknown"


adb shell ps -A | grep -i "spy\|track\|monitor"

The first command will show packets with unknown sources, the second will show processes with “spy” names.

Method 2: Search for hidden APK (root)

Download Root Explorer or FX File Manager and check folders:

• /system/app/ - System applications.
• /data/app/ — user-program.
• /sdcard/ — External memory (look for files with.apk or.dex extension).

⚠️ Note: Deleting system files without root can lead to a "brick" of the phone (complete failure.

6 Antiviruses and specialized scanners: which work for Xiaomi

Standard antiviruses (such as Avast or Kaspersky) often skip spyware disguised as legitimate processes.

How to scan:

1. Install the selected antivirus from Google Play (not from third-party sources!).
2. Start a full scan (not fast!).
3. Pay attention to warnings about:

⚠️ Note: Some antiviruses collect user data themselves. Check their privacy policies before installing them (for example, Avast previously sold user data to third parties).

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No antivirus software offers 100% protection, spyware can be written for a specific Xiaomi model and not yet get into the signature databases.

7 What to do if you find a spyware

You find a threat? You use an algorithm.

1. Turn off the Internet (airplane mode) – this will stop the data transfer.
2. Make a backup copy of important data (photos, contacts) to an external medium.
3. Delete the suspicious software:

Reset the settings.

Settings → About the phone → Resetting settings

Change all passwords.

If the spyware is not removed or returned after a reboot:

• 🔧 Try flashing your phone through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions for the phone) 4PDA Xiaomi Community).
• 🛡️ Contact the Xiaomi service center (if the phone is guaranteed).

Critical: if the spyware was installed physically (for example, through the use of a computer) USB when connecting to someone else's PC, after removing, check the phone for the presence of hardware "bugs" - they can be hidden under the case or in the charging connector.

FAQ: Frequent questions about spyware on Xiaomi