If you’ve ever looked at your smartphone or Xiaomi TV settings, you’ve probably noticed Analytics (or Analytics, Me Analytics) – a mysterious feature that raises questions about what it does, why it’s on by default, and, most importantly, whether it’s safe to send data to the manufacturer. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how Xiaomi’s analytics system works, what data is collected, and how its collection affects the device.
Now, let me make it clear: Analytics is not spyware, it's a tool to improve a company's products. But it's not always transparent to the user. For example, in MIUI, analytics can collect information about app usage, system errors, even sensor data. And in Mi TVs, it can track viewing preferences. But how does it work in practice, and can you trust a Chinese manufacturer? Let's get this straight.
What is an analyst on Xiaomi and why you need it
Mi Analytics is a built-in statistics collection service that sends anonymous data about the device to Xiaomi servers. The main goal is to improve the user experience: the company analyzes how people interact with gadgets, which features are used more often and which are ignored, based on this data, updates are developed, bugs are fixed and performance is optimized.
For example, if thousands of users experience the same bug in the Redmi Note 12 camera, analytics can help engineers detect it faster and release a patch. Or if most Mi TV Q2 owners prefer streaming via YouTube rather than an embedded player, Xiaomi may re-evaluate priorities in software development for TVs.
But the logical question is: How anonymous is this data? Xiaomi claims to collect only aggregated information that is not tied to a particular user. But in 2020, independent researchers found that some smartphone models sent data about browser activity even in incognito. Since then, privacy policies have changed, but the whining has remained.
- 📊 Types of data collected: information about application usage, system failures, device model, software version, geolocation (if permitted), sensor data (accelerometer, gyroscope).
- 🔄 How often data is sent: Usually once every 24 hours or when connected to Wi-Fi, but some events (such as critical errors) may be sent immediately.
- 🌍 Where the data goes: to Xiaomi servers in China, Singapore or other countries (depending on the region of the device).
Where to find the settings of Analytics on Xiaomi smartphones
Depending on the version of MIUI, the path to analytics settings may differ, but the general scheme is as follows:
- Open the Settings. → The phone.
- Tap a few times on the MIUI version until the message “You’re a developer!” appears (this unlocks hidden options).
- Go back to the main settings and find a new section Additional or Advanced Settings.
- Go to Analytics and Improvements (or Mi Analytics).
In some firmware (e.g., POCO F5 or Xiaomi 13T), analytics can be hidden deeper:
Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three Points (menu) → Special Access → AnalyticsIf you haven’t found this section, your version of MIUI may be highly customized (e.g., on devices for the European market), in which case try to search by settings by typing in the “analyst” query.
How to disable Analytics on Xiaomi smartphones
If you're concerned about privacy, you can turn off data collection completely or partially.
Go to Settings → Analytics and Improvements
Disable the slider "Participate in the MIUI Improvement Program"
Disable “Sending Error Reports”
Disable "Use Analytics" (if any)
Reset the device to apply changes-->
It is important to understand that disabling analytics does not affect the basic functions of the smartphone, but can slow down the reception of some updates (for example, beta versions of firmware). Also, some system applications (for example, Mi Browser or Mi Video) may have their own analytics settings – they need to be disabled separately in the settings of each application.
On devices with MIUI Global (international), some options may be hidden, in which case the installation of alternative firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU), where the analytics is disabled by default, will help, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and may not warranty.
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M4 Pro) after disabling, analytics may stop working functions like “Smart lock” or “Search recommendations”, due to the fact that some of Xiaomi’s services are tied to cloud analytics.
Analytics on Xiaomi TVs: features and settings
In Mi TV and Redmi TV, analytics works differently than on smartphones, where it primarily collects data about how you view content: what apps you use (Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video), how much time you spend on each, what genres of movies you prefer, and this data helps Xiaomi optimize home screen recommendations and improve the algorithms of embedded AI.
To find the analytics settings on TV:
Settings (cogs) → Account and security → Privacy → Analytics and ImprovementsThere's also a personalized recommendation option on TVs that uses analytics data to generate feeds of content. If you turn off analytics, recommendations will become less relevant, but the TV won't lose functionality.
| The device | The Way to Analytics Settings | What's going on |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi/Redmi smartphone | Settings → Analytics and Improvements | Application usage, system errors, sensor data |
| Mi TV/Redmi TV | Settings → Privacy → Analytics | Viewing preferences, application usage time |
| Mi Band/Watch | Mi Fitness Application → Profile → Settings → Privacy | Activity, sleep, health data (if permitted) |
| Xiaomi routers | Mi Wi-Fi → Settings → Additionally. → Analytics | Traffic statistics, connected devices, network errors |
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi TVs with firmware for the Chinese market (CN ROM) The analytics are not completely shut down, and some of the data is still sent to servers to comply with local content monitoring laws. ROM.
What data is collected by Xiaomi: full list
Xiaomi divides the information it collects into three categories: mandatory data (without it, the device will not be able to work correctly), analytics (to improve software), and personalized data (for targeted advertising).
- 📱 Mandatory data: Device model and firmware version IMEI/Serial number (anonymized) Network status (Wi-Fi/Mobile data: System language and region
- 📈 Analytical data: Failure logs Application usage statistics (time, frequency) Sensor data (if permitted) Performance information (CPU boot, memory)
- 🎯 Personalized Data: Search History in System Applications Content Preferences (for Mi) TV) Location Data (if included) Mi Store Purchases Information
Important: Xiaomi claims that personal data (e.g., messages, photos, passwords) are not collected. However, in 2021, a Citizen Lab study found that some smartphone models transmitted data about browser activity even in incognito. Following the scandal, Xiaomi updated its privacy policy and added the ability to completely disable data collection.
What to do if the analytics are not shut down?
Does the analytics shutdown affect the device?
Many users are afraid to turn off analytics for fear that it will cause disruptions or deprive them of important functions.
- ✅ Not broken: basic functions (calls, SMS, The camera and the internet work unchanged.
- ⚠️ Could get worse: Speed of getting updates (especially beta versions) Recommendations in Mi TV Some cloud services (e.g. Mi Cloud) may require analytics to be enabled to sync.
- 🚀 May improve: Increase battery life (less background activity); decrease traffic consumption (especially on mobile data); decrease the amount of targeted advertising in system applications.
For example, after the analytics on the Xiaomi 12 Pro were turned off, users noted that the phone was less warm and longer held charge, and on the Mi TV Q1, annoying recommendations for content that no one is watching disappeared.
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If you notice bugs after disabling analytics (for example, notifications in Mi Home don’t work), try turning on only Error Reports, leaving the rest of the options off. This will help Xiaomi fix critical bugs without collecting unnecessary information.
Alternative ways to protect privacy on Xiaomi
Turning down analytics is just the first step to improving privacy.
- Use alternative firmware: Xiaomi.EU, LineageOS or GrapheneOS (for POCO F1/F2) All Xiaomi services, including analytics, are completely removed, IR Blaster or Game Turbo).
- Block analytics traffic: Apps like NetGuard or TrackerControl can block connections to Xiaomi servers. Add to the blacklist domains: data.mistat.xiaomi.com sdkconfig.ad.xiaomi.com tracker.ai.xiaomi.com
- Replace Mi Browser with Firefox, Mi Music with Spotify, and Mi Video with VLC. This will reduce the amount of data collected.
- Set up DNS: Use Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or NextDNS with tracker locking.This won't shut down analytics completely, but will reduce data leakage.
For maximum anonymity, you can go further and:
- 🔐 Delete your Mi Account (but this will disable access to the cloud and some features).
- 📵 Use it. VPN (For example, ProtonVPN for encryption of traffic.
- 🛡️ Disable permissions for system applications manually (via ADB or App Ops).
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Even with analytics disabled, Xiaomi can collect minimal data to comply with your country’s laws (e.g. the EU has GDPR and China has cybersecurity laws), and complete anonymity is only possible on custom firmware without Xiaomi services.