Xiaomi phone eavesdrops and offers advertising: how to turn off completely

Have you noticed that after talking about buying new shoes, Xiaomi suddenly has a sneaker advert? Or the phone accidentally activates the microphone while watching a video? MIUI They actually collect data for targeted advertising, and some features can run in the background without you knowing. In this article, we will discuss how to completely disable eavesdropping, surveillance and advertising on Xiaomi, Redmi and other phones. POCO — From standard settings to radical methods for advanced users.

The problem is not just about advertising. 2022 In the year, researchers from Forbes proved that Xiaomi collects data on browser activity even in incognito mode, and in the same way, the data is not available. 2023 In the past year, users have complained about the microphone turning on spontaneously while using applications, the manufacturer claims that this is necessary to improve services, but in practice this leads to intrusive advertising and potential leaks of confidential information. We tested all the methods on the current versions. MIUI 14/15 (including HyperOS) and selected only working solutions.

Why Xiaomi is listening and showing ads

Data collection and targeted advertising are not a bug, but a feature of Xiaomi’s ecosystem, where it monetizes cheap smartphones by displaying ads and selling anonymized data to partners.

• 🔍 MIUI Ads is a built-in advertising platform that analyzes your actions (search queries, installed applications, geolocation) and selects ads. Works even without a Mi Account account.
• 🎤 Background listening – some system applications (com.miui.voiceassist, com.xiaomi.midrop) can activate a microphone for voice assistant or transfer files over Wi-Fi Direct.
• 📊 Usage Analytics – Data on screen time, application launch frequency, and even keyboard taps are sent to Xiaomi servers under the guise of “improving the user experience».
• 🌍 Geo-targeting – even if you’ve turned it off GPS, Your phone can determine your location by Wi-Fi hotspots and cell towers.

Important: in 2026, Xiaomi began integrating ads directly into system notifications (e.g., “Hearphone discount!” in the notification panel). MIUI, which can only be disabled through hidden settings.

The manufacturer says that all data is anonymized, but independent tests show the opposite. IT Security Association has discovered that Xiaomi is transferring IMEI devices together with data about the activity in the browser - this allows you to link the information to a specific user, even if you are not logged in to Mi Account.

How to disable advertising in MIUI: step-by-step instructions

Ads in Xiaomi are built-in at the system level, so just disabling it in the settings is not enough. You have to block all channels of display.

1. Disabling personalized advertising

Go to Settings → Google → Advertising and:

• ❌ Turn off Personalized Ads (this will block Google targeting).
• 🔄 Click "Reset advertising" ID» — This will make it harder to track your activity.

Then go back to the main settings and select Settings. → Privacy → Advertising:

• ❌ Turn off “Personalized Recommendations” (this blocks ads from Xiaomi).
• ❌ Disable “Show Advertising in System Apps».

2. Blocking advertising in system applications

Advertisements may appear in:

• 📱 Launcher (Desktop) – turns off in the theme settings: Settings → Desktop → Additionally. → Advertising.
• 🔍 Search (Quick Search) – go to the “Search” application, click on the avatar → «Settings» → Turn off "Advertising».
• 📂 File Manager – Open the application, go to Settings → About the program and 5 times click on the version of the application. there will be a hidden menu where you need to turn off "Advertising banners».
• 🎵 Music (Mi Music) – in the application settings, turn off “Show recommendations».

If the ads still appear after these actions, it is embedded in the firmware, in which case only a deep cleaning of the system (more on this below) will help.

How to disable eavesdropping and data collection

The Xiaomi microphone can be activated without your knowledge through:

• 🤖 Voice assistant (Xiao) AI or Google Assistant),
• 📤 File transfer functions (Mi Drop, Quick Share),
• 🔍 Apps with microphone access (e.g. TikTok, Instagram).

To block unauthorized wiretapping completely:

1. Disabling voice assistants

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management and:

• 🚫 Find com.miui.voiceassist (Voice Assistant Xiaomi) → «Shut down».
• 🚫 Find com.google.android.apps.googleassistant → «Disable (if you don’t use Google Assistant).
• 🔕 B Settings → Sound and vibration → Turn off “OK Google” and “Hey Xiao” AI».

2.Blocking access to microphone for applications

Go to Settings. → Privacy → Permits → Microphone and:

• ❌ Disable access for all apps except those that really need a microphone (like WhatsApp for voice messaging).
• ⚠️ Note apps like Mi Drop (com.xiaomi.midrop) – they may include a microphone to transfer files over a sound channel.

The radical method is, if you don't use voice commands at all, you can physically turn off the microphone.

1. Install ADB on your computer and connect your phone.
2. The command is: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.voiceassist adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop
3. To completely shut down the microphone at the system level (requires root): su chmod 000 /dev/snd/*

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If calls stop working after the microphone is turned off, return permissions by the chmod team. 660 /dev/snd/*.

3. Disabling Analytics Collection

Xiaomi collects data even if you are not logged in to Mi Account.

• 📊 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Reviews and analytics and disable:
• 🔄 B Settings → Privacy → Additionally, disable “Send usage data».

To completely disable telemetry, you will need to edit the build.prop file (requires root):

ro.miui.analytics.disable=1


ro.miui.region=global

Hidden settings MIUI: What else can we turn off?

Even after all the above steps, Xiaomi continues to collect data through hidden services.

To disable these services without root, use ADB:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.msa.global


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution




adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.xmsf

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system services can cause the phone to run unsettled. For example, after disabling com.xiaomi.xmsf, the weather and currency rates in widgets may stop updating!

Radical methods: firmware and root

If you’re willing to take extreme measures, there are two surefire ways to get rid of surveillance and advertising:

1. Install custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience)

Custom firmware removes all proprietary Xiaomi services, including advertising modules.

• ⚠️ The guarantee is lost.
• ⚠️ Some functions may not work (for example, NFC camera).
• ⚠️ Requires unlocking the bootloader (bootloader).

Instructions for Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet):

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (you will have to wait 7 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery via fastboot flash recovery twrp.img.
3. LineageOS or Pixel Experience via TWRP.

2. Getting root rights and removing system applications

With root, you can remove all advertising and spyware modules.

1. Install Magisk via TWRP.
2. Use Root Explorer or Titanium Backup to remove:

/system/build.prop

ro.miui.analytics.disable=1


ro.miui.region=global

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications may result in a bootloop (cyclic reboot).Before deleting, back up the partition /system through TWRP!

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Custom firmware is the only way to get rid of Xiaomi’s surveillance completely, but it requires technical skills and lacks warranty.

How to check if your phone is no longer listening

To make sure that the microphone and data collection are disabled:

1. Checking microphone activity

• 🔍 Install Access Dots (for Android 12)+) — It shows when the microphone or camera is active.
• 📊 Use NetGuard or PCAPdroid to track which apps are transferring data to Xiaomi servers.

2. Data leak test

Exodus Privacy or Exodus Privacy ClassyShark3xodus — These tools analyze applications for trackers, if after all the manipulations, you still see suspicious activity:

• 🔄 Recheck permissions for applications in Settings → Privacy.
• 🚫 Remove all Xiaomi apps you don’t use (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Browser).
• 🛡️ Install a firewall (AFWall)+ NetGuard and block Internet access for system applications.

If you find that the phone is still listening, it's probably one of the third-party apps that's to blame.

• 📱 Facebook / Instagram (known cases of activation of the microphone for targeted advertising),
• 🎵 TikTok (using a microphone to analyze surrounding sounds),
• 🗺️ Google Maps or Yandex.Maps (may include microphone for voice navigation).

What to do if nothing helps

If after all the manipulations, the advertising and eavesdropping continue, there are two options:

1. Reset to factory settings with shutdown MIUI Ads

Sometimes the settings get lost after the updates.

1. Make a backup copy of the data.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. After reset, do not log in to Mi Account and immediately disable the ads in Settings. → Privacy → Advertising.

2. Appeal in support of Xiaomi

If you are sure that the phone is behaving suspiciously (for example, it turns on the microphone without running applications), you can:

• 📧 Write in support of Xiaomi through the official website with a description of the problem.
• 📱 Create a ticket in Mi Community (Forum Xiaomi).
• 🛡️ File a complaint with Roskomnadzor (if you are in Russia) about a violation of the law on personal data.

⚠️ Note: In response to complaints, Xiaomi usually suggests “update firmware” or “reset settings.” If the problem persists, this is a reason to suspect malware – check the phone through Malwarebytes or Dr.Web.

FAQ: Frequent questions about eavesdropping and advertising on Xiaomi