Disabling Special Features for Unknown Apps on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Why it is important to control special features for unknown applications

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI HyperOS, or HyperOS, provides developers with powerful tools to integrate special features — features that can interact with the system at a deep level — that include access to notifications, gesture control, screen reading, and even click simulation. However, when unknown applications are granted such rights, this creates serious risks to privacy and security.

Attackers often disguise malware as useful utilities (such as “memory cleaners” or “charging speeders”) by requesting special features under the pretext of “optimizing work.” SMS, Passwords, banking app data, or even remotely manage a device, according to a 2023 Kaspersky report, 18% of mobile device attacks are related to the abuse of special features.

In this article, you will learn how to check the list of special rights applications, disable suspicious programs and configure the system to minimize risks in the future. 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T and others MIUI 14/HyperOS.

What are “special opportunities” and what risks they pose

Accessibility Services were originally designed for people with disabilities, and they allow applications to:

• 📱 Read the contents of the screen (including passwords and messages)
• 👆 Simulate gestures and taps (automatic clicks, scrolling)
• 🔔 Intercept notifications (even from banking applications)
• 🔄 Change system settings without user confirmation

In the hands of attackers, these functions become a tool for:

• 🕵️‍♂️ Data theft: interception SMS with confirmation codes, screenshots with payment data.
• 💳 Financial fraud: automatic transfers through banking applications.
• 📲 Remote management: installation of additional software, changing security settings.
• 🔋 Hidden Mining: Using the Resources of the Device to Mine Cryptocurrency.

It's particularly dangerous that MIUI It doesn't always explicitly warn of potential threats, for example, an application might request special features under the pretext of "improved availability," when in fact it needs rights to collect data. In 2026, researchers from Check Point found 23 apps in Google Play that abused special features – 7 of them were aimed specifically at Xiaomi users.

⚠️ Warning: If you notice that the device has become slow, discharged quickly or opened applications spontaneously, this may be a sign of malware activity with special features!

How to check the list of applications with special features

Before you disable anything, you need to understand which programs already have extended rights.

1. Open the settings on your Xiaomi.
2. Go to the Special Features section (on some firmware it may be called Universal Access or Accessibility).
3. Select Installed Services or Special Opportunity Services.
4. You will see a list of all applications that are allowed to use advanced features.

Pay attention to:

• 🔍 Unknown names – if you haven’t installed the app consciously, it’s a reason to be wary.
• 📦 Applications with suspicious permissions – for example, a “cache cleaner” that requests access to notifications.
• 🔄 Services that cannot be disabled may be system components (no need to be touched).

The screenshot below shows an example of the list of special features on the Redmi Note 11 with MIUI 14:

If there are apps on the list that you haven’t installed (such as Chinese names or random letters/digits), this is a sure sign of infection, in which case it is recommended not only to turn them off, but also to check the device with an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes or Dr.Web).

Step-by-step instructions for disabling special opportunities

If you find a suspicious app on the special features list, you should immediately disable it.

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities → Established services.
2. Find the application you want to disable in the list and tap it.
3. Click on the switch next to the service name to deactivate it.
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears (if it appears).

On some versions MIUI The path may be slightly different. For example, on HyperOS, you need to use a different path:

Settings → System → Special Opportunities → Special Opportunities Services

If the switch is inactive or the application is not removed in the standard way, this may mean that:

• 🔒 The app is system-based (don't touch it unless you're sure).
• 🦠 Application is fixed by the administrator of the device (you must first remove the administrator rights in Settings) → Security → Device administrators).
• 🛡️ App protected MIUI (Try to turn it off in safe mode).

After disabling special features, it is recommended to restart the device so that the changes take effect. If the application continues to work suspiciously (for example, reappears in the list), this is an excuse for a complete reset or contact the service center.

💡

If the app doesn't turn off through the special features menu, try removing it in Safe Mode. To do this, hold the power button, then press and hold "Switch off" → select "Safe Mode".

How to prevent automatic inclusion of special features

To minimize future risks, set up the system so that unknown applications cannot independently obtain extended rights.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Special Access.
3. Go to Install Unknown Applications.
4. Disable Installation Permission from Unknown Sources for all browsers and file managers (unless you use them for installation) APK).

Additional security measures:

• 🔐 Turn off auto-run for unknown applications in Settings → Battery and productivity → Autostart control.
• 🛡️ Activate Google Play Protect (in Google Play Store) → Menus. → Play Protect).
• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI — New versions close vulnerabilities related to special features.
• 📱 Use antivirus with installed application scanning function (e.g. Bitdefender or Avast).

Pay special attention to applications that request special features immediately after installation, often a sign of malware. MIUI and asks permission to control gestures to steal data.

⚠️ Note: Some legitimate applications (e.g. LastPass or 1Password) You really need special features to auto-fill passwords, but before you grant such rights, check the reputation of the program in forums (for example, before you grant such rights, 4PDA or XDA Developers).

What to do if special opportunities are included on their own

If you notice that an unknown app reappears on the special features list after you shut down, it could mean:

1. The device has malware with administrator rights.
2. The application exploits a vulnerability in MIUI self-heal.
3. The device is infected with a rootkit (in this case, only flashing will help).

Actions to eliminate:

1. Check the list of device administrators in Settings → Security → Device administrators and disable suspicious devices.
2. Delete the cache and data of the Google Play Services app (sometimes malware is disguised as system processes).
3. Complete a full reset (but save important data beforehand).
4. If the problem persists, try the device through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions are available on Xiaomi Community).

On forums, Xiaomi users often complain about the com.android.sec.phone app, which itself includes special features. APK. If you found him:

1. Do not try to remove it manually, as this can cause the system to crash.
2. Download Malwarebytes and perform a deep scan.
3. If the antivirus does not help, reset the device to factory settings.

In extreme cases, contact the Xiaomi service center - specialists will be able to check the device for rootkits and reflash it with a guarantee of data preservation (if possible).

💡

If an unknown application re-enables special features after shutdown, it's 100% a sign of infection. Don't ignore the problem: the longer the virus is active, the more data it will have time to steal.

Additional security settings for Xiaomi

In addition to controlling special features, it is recommended to strengthen the protection of the device in the following ways:

• 🔐 Enable Application Lock: Go to Settings → Security → Block applications and set a password for critical programs (banks, instant messengers, mail).
• 🛡️ Activate "malware protection": In Settings → Security → Malware protection enable real-time scanning.
• 🔄 Set up automatic security updates: C Settings → The phone. → Update the system, turn on the option "Automatic download updates".
• 📱 Use Second Space: This is a function MIUI, It allows you to create an isolated profile for sensitive data. → Special facilities → Second space.

It is also useful to disable installation from unknown sources for all applications other than trusted ones (such as Google Chrome or Xiaomi Files).This will reduce the risk of accidental malware installation.

Settings → Applications → Special access → Installation of unknown applications

If you often install APK From third-party sources (e.g. modified games), create a separate user profile for this purpose, so that viruses cannot access the main data.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When working with special features, users often make mistakes that can lead to data loss or system failure, and here are the most common ones:

Another common mistake is to provide special features at the request of “technical support.” Fraudsters often call users posing as Xiaomi employees and ask for remote access through special features, remember: official support Xiaomi never requests such rights over the phone or in chat.

If you are in doubt about whether to disable an app, check its name on Google or forums. For example, com.miui.accessibility is a system service that is responsible for gestures, and com.android.sec.phone is a known virus.

⚠️ Note: After disabling special features, some legitimate features may stop working, such as the Google Assistant voice assistant, which requires access to special features to handle commands. If you notice that something has broken after the changes, return the rights to the right applications.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions