Annexes with access to ID Xiaomi devices: why they do it and why should they worry?

If you’ve ever looked into the privacy settings of your Xiaomi smartphone, you’ve probably noticed that some apps request access to the app. ID This is a unique identifier for your gadget that is used to communicate with servers, log in to services, and even target advertising. But why would regular programs, from instant messengers to games, need this information? Does this pose a risk to your safety?

In this article we will understand what is ID Xiaomi devices, which applications request it and for what reasons, and practical recommendations on how to manage these permissions, you will learn whether you can revoke access without breaking the functionality of the programs, and which ones will be used to control the permissions. MIUI-Spoiler: Not all queries are equally useful, and some of them are worth blocking.

What is it? ID Xiaomi devices and where to find them

ID devices (or devices) ID) — It's a unique alphanumeric code that is assigned to each Xiaomi smartphone at the manufacturing stage:

• 🔑 Identifications in the Xiaomi ecosystem (e.g., to synchronize data between devices via Mi Account).
• 📱 Links to your account when you activate functions like Find Device (phone search).
• 📊 Analysts: Developers and Ad Networks Use It to Collect Statistics on User Behavior.
• 🔒 Security: Some banking applications are checked ID, To prevent access from unfamiliar devices.

Find your Device ID several ways:

1. Through Settings. → The phone. → All parameters. → Status (scroll down to the point) IMEI Or a serial number - sometimes ID coincides with one).
2. Using the Engineering Menu: Enter ##4636## in the phone application and select Device Information.
3. Through ADB-Adb shell settings get secure (for advanced users) android_id

It is important to understand that ID device IMEI (which is attached to the modem, and MAC-It is generated by Android and can change after resetting or flashing.

What applications request access to ID why

Research shows that up to 60 percent of popular apps on Google Play collect device IDs, a figure even higher in the Xiaomi ecosystem due to integration with Mi Account and Mi Play. MIUI. Here’s who most often asks for access to Device ID why:

A stand-alone Chinese applications (such as Mi Video, Mi Browser or GetApps) that actively collect identifiers for analytics. MIUI For global regions, some of these services are disabled by default, but they can be activated when installing software from the Internet. APK.

⚠️ Note: If the application requests Device ID without an obvious reason (such as a flashlight or calculator), this is an occasion to test its reputation on VirusTotal or in Google Play reviews.

How apps are used ID Devices: Risks and Benefits

By himself, Device. ID It doesn't contain any personal information (like your name or address), but when combined with other data, it becomes a powerful tracking tool.

Positive use cases

• 🔄 Data recovery: When resetting your phone, Mi Account uses ID for automatic synchronization of contacts, notes and settings.
• 🛡️ Protection against theft: Find Device locks your smartphone when you change SIM-maps, based on the reference to ID.
• 🎮 Keeping Games Progress: Games like Genshin Impact link your account to your device to prevent you from losing your achievements.
• 💳 Banking security: Bank applications are checked ID, To detect suspicious inputs from new devices.

Potential threats

• 🕵️ Activity tracking: Advertising networks (e.g. Mi Advertising) link ID with your online activities to show targeted advertising.
• 📊 Selling data: Unscrupulous developers may share identifiers with third parties to create “user profiles".
• 🚨 Phishing attacks: Scammers can replace a legitimate application with a fake one that steals ID bypassing two-factor authentication.
• 🔓 Bypassing blocking: In some countries ID use to censor or restrict access to content (e.g. in Mi Video for China).

Critical moment: in MIUI beforehand 12.5 There was a vulnerability that allowed applications to be allowed to READ_PHONE_STATE receive ID In newer versions, this bug has been fixed, but on older smartphones, the risk remains.

How to disable application access to ID Devices: step-by-step instructions

If you are concerned about the Device transfer ID, You can restrict access to it. MIUI There are several ways to do this, from standard settings to radical measures.

Method 1: Through Privacy Settings

1. Go to Settings. → Confidentiality → Special access → Reading the status of the phone.
2. View the list of applications and disable access for those who do not need it (for example, for a flashlight or calculator).
3. For system applications (such as Mi Account), disabling can cause crashes – be careful.

Method 2: Use of ADB (for advanced)

If you want to block access to the ID For all applications, follow:

adb shell pm revoke --user 0 com.android.package NAME_OF_PERMISSION

Where NAME_OF_PERMISSION — it android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE. Note that this can break down some functions!

Method 3: Installation of custom firmware

Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience lets you completely reset Device ID But it requires unlocking the bootloader and it can take away your warranty.

Make a backup of the data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup>

Check the list of applications with access to READ_PHONE_STATE

Disable access for unnecessary programs

Restart your phone to apply changes-->

⚠️ Attention: Disabling access to Device ID For system applications (e.g. Mi Account or Google Play Services) it can result in inability to update software, loss of data sync or even “drop out” services!

Myths and truths about collecting ID Xiaomi

Around Device. ID There are a lot of rumors, from conspiracy theories to unfounded fears.

Myth 1: “Xiaomi spying on users through the Internet” ID"

Xiaomi does collect anonymous telemetry (like other manufacturers), but Device ID In 2020, the company came under fire for sending data to servers in China, but after that all global devices were reconfigured to European servers. → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Sending of usage data.

Myth 2: “If you disable access to the ID, The phone will be anonymous"

The truth is, even without Device. ID Your smartphone can be identified by IMEI, MAC-address, IP Real anonymity would require radical measures: custom firmware, abandoning Google services, and using Google. VPN.

Myth 3: All Chinese apps are being leaked ID China"

Truth: Most apps (including Mi Browser or Mi Video) do send data to Xiaomi servers, but they are stored encrypted and used to improve services. However, China has laws on providing data to authorities on request, which is a must-see if you use an account linked to the Chinese region.

Myth 4: “Dialing your phone changes Device” ID"

Truth: In a normal reset via Settings → Resetting settings ID It's not changed until you completely flash or change the motherboard.

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Device ID It is not dangerous in itself – risks arise when it is combined with other data (location, browser history, etc.) The main rule is to limit access for applications that do not need it for basic functionality.

Alternative IDs: What else do apps collect?

Device ID — It's not the only way to track. Today's apps use a whole arsenal of identifiers, and some of them are even more intrusive:

• 📱 Android Advertising ID (AAID): Special identifier for advertising that can be manually reset (Settings) → Google → Advertising → Reset the advertising ID).
• 🔄 IMEI: A unique modem number that cannot be changed without physical intervention.
• 🌐 MAC-Address: Network ID that can be replaced (but requires root rights).
• 🍪 Cookies and tokens: Websites and apps use them to track activity between sessions.
• 📍 Sensor data: A gyroscope, accelerometer, and even barometer can be used to create a device’s fingerprint.

V MIUI 14 The Privacy function appears → Tracking protection that blocks collection AAID It restricts access to sensors, and we recommend turning it on if you're worried about privacy.

What to do if your app steals your Device ID

If you suspect that the program is abusing access to Device ID, Act on the following algorithm:

1. Check the permissions: Go to Settings → Annexes → [Title of the programme] → Permits and see what data it collects.
2. Use traffic analytics: Apps like NetGuard or PCAPdroid will show where your phone’s data is being sent.
3. Remove suspicious software: If the program is not from Google Play or has suspicious reviews, remove it and scan the phone with an antivirus (Malwarebytes or Dr.Web).
4. Drop the commercial. ID: That won't stop Device's collection. ID, It will make it harder for advertisers to create your profile.
5. Please let us know in support: If you are talking about a legitimate application (for example, Mi Browser), write to Xiaomi support with a description of the problem.

⚠️ Warning: Some viruses masquerade as system applications (e.g. com.android.system) If you see an unfamiliar process accessing Device ID, Do not manually delete it – first check the information about it in forums like 4PDA or XDA Developers.

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To minimize risks, install apps only from official sources (Google Play or Mi App Store) and regularly check the permission list in Settings. → Confidentiality → Permit manager.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Device ID Xiaomi