Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but many users are faced with the mysterious item Analytics in the settings. What is behind this feature? Why is it on by default? And most importantly, is it safe to turn off analytics collection to work the phone?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what data your Redmi 9 sends to Xiaomi, how it affects performance and privacy, and provide a step-by-step guide to completely disabling analytics — including hidden settings that even official guides keep silent about.
Spoiler: Not only does the analytics shutdown not harm your smartphone, it can extend battery life by 5 to 12 percent by reducing background activity, and we'll also uncover the myth of "mandatory updates" that can be obtained without sharing personal statistics.
What is Analytics on Xiaomi Redmi 9 and why is it necessary?
Analytics is an integrated data collection system that Xiaomi has integrated into all its MIUI-based devices. On Redmi 9 (models M2003J15SC/M2004J19G), it runs in the background, sending information to the company's servers. Officially is positioned as a tool to "improve the user experience," but in practice collects much more than just crash data.
By default, analytics is enabled on all Xiaomi devices, including the Redmi 9, Redmi Note 9 and other models of the lineup. When you first launch a smartphone, the system does not even ask for permission - collection begins automatically.
- 📊 Application usage statistics: what programs you open, how often and how much time you spend in each application.
- 📱 Technical data of the device: model, version MIUI, battery charge, processor temperature, free memory.
- 🌍 Location tags: not exact coordinates (this is a separate setting), but data about connected Wi-Fi networks and cell towers.
- 🔄 Error logs: system, application, and service crash logs (including Google Play Services).
It’s important to understand that Xiaomi doesn’t hide the fact that it collects data – the user agreement (which no one reads) states this, but the problem is that analytics consumes traffic and battery power, and can also pass information about your habits to third parties (for example, advertising partners).
⚠️ Note: If you are using Redmi 9 two-way SIM-By mapping, analytics can collect data about both networks, including the operator and type of connection (2G/3G/4G). This is true for models with Dual support. 4G VoLTE.
Three Types of Analytics on Redmi 9: How They Differ
In Redmi 9, you'll find three data collection items that look the same, but they're different.
| Type of analytics | What's he collecting? | Impact on the smartphone | Can I turn it off? |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI Analytics | Data on the use of the shell: transitions on the menu, settings, interface errors. | Minimum (slows the opening of some menus by 0.3-0.5 seconds). | Yeah, totally. |
| Device Analytics | Technical parameters: temperature, battery charge, load on CPU/GPU. | Average (can reduce battery life by 3-7%). | Yes, but some diagnostic features will stop working. |
| User Experience Program | Behavioral data: How you interact with your phone (gestures, taps, reaction times). | High (permanently working in the background, consumes up to 100 MB of traffic per month). | Yeah, no consequences. |
The most voracious type is the User Experience Program, which not only sends data, but also triggers background processes that can interfere with applications, for example, if you notice that Redmi 9 slows down when you open a camera or gallery, this module may be to blame.
Interesting fact: on Chinese versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI China), analytics collects much more data, including call history and SMS. In the global firmware for Redmi 9 (model M2003J15SG), this functionality is limited, but still redundant for most users.
How to disable Analytics on Redmi 9: step-by-step instructions
There are two ways to disable analytics collection: through standard settings or through hidden menus (to completely disable it).
Method 1: Standard shutdown through settings
- Open the Settings. → The phone.
- Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode (you will be notified "You became a developer").
- Return to the main Settings menu → Additionally. → For developers.
- Scroll down and find the Debugging section.
- Turn off the points: 🔄 Sending error reports 📊 Analytics MIUI 📱 User experience improvement programme
Then restart your phone. But remember, this method only turns off some of the analytics. Some modules (e.g., msa, Mi System Analytics) will continue to work.
Method 2: Complete disabling via ADB (no root rights)
To completely shut down, you will need a computer and an ADB debugging bridge.
Enable debugging over USB in the developer settings |
Install Xiaomi drivers on PC (download from the official website)|
Download the ADB platform (e.g. Android SDK Platform-Tools) |
Connect Redmi 9 to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode)
-->
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.analytics
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.msa.global.minimal
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.msa.global.minimalThese commands completely remove the analytics modules for the current user (no superuser rights).
- 🔋 Battery will be discharged more slowly (5-12% longer than work).
- 📶 Reduce background traffic (savings up to 150 MB per month).
- ⚙️ Some diagnostic features (such as Quick Optimization) will stop working.
⚠️ If, after the analysis is disabled, ADB you'll update MIUI Update to the new version, modules can be restored.
💡
Before you run an ADB-command, back up your important data, and while the risk of losing information is minimal, it's best to be safe.
What happens if you turn off analytics: myths and reality
Many users are afraid to turn off Analytics for fear that the phone will stop working properly.
Myth 1: “Stop updating” MIUI"
❌ The system updates come through a separate service called com.android.updater, which is not analytics-related. OTA-Update, but without transferring data about your device.
Myth 2: “Productivity will deteriorate”
✅ Background analytics processes consume up to 80-120 MB of RAM and load the processor. Once turned off, Redmi 9 will run smoother, especially when multitasking.
Myth 3: Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud (Mi Account) services won’t work
❌ Analytics and cloud services are different things, and you can use Mi Cloud, contact sync, and other features without any restrictions.
Myth 4: “The phone will become less secure”
✅ Partly true, but not critical. Analytics helps Xiaomi track vulnerabilities, but major security updates come independently.Risk is minimal - unless you're using betas MIUI.
The only real consequence is that you can't participate in firmware beta testing because it requires error reporting, but for 99 percent of users, it's irrelevant.
💡
Disabling analytics does not affect the warranty of Xiaomi. This is an officially authorized setting that does not require root rights.
Hidden Analytics Settings: What else can you disable
Even after the core analytics modules are disabled, Redmi 9 still has hidden services that continue to collect data, and can be deactivated through developer settings or special commands.
1. Disable location data collection
Go to: Settings → Privacy → Special Access → Location Access
Turn off access for:
- MiuiDaemon
- AnalyticsCore
- MSA (if listed)
2. Stopping background analytics traffic
In Settings → Applications → Application Management, find:
- Analytics
- MSA
- MiuiBugReport
For everyone:
1. Slip on the application → Mobile data → turn off background traffic.
2. In the Battery section, select Limit background activity.
3. Blocking through hosts file (for advanced)
If you have root access, you can block analytics domains by adding lines to /etc/hosts:
127.0.0.1 data.mistat.xiaomi.com
127.0.0.1 sdkconfig.ad.xiaomi.com
127.0.0.1 api.brs.intl.miui.comThis will completely stop sending data to Xiaomi servers.
How to check if the phone sends data after disconnection?
Alternative firmware: how to get rid of analytics forever
If you don't like even partial data collection, consider installing custom firmware. Redmi 9 works well:
- 📱 LineageOS is pure Android without unnecessary services. Supports Redmi 9 (codename lancelot).
- 🔄 Pixel Experience – firmware with an interface like Google Pixel, but without Xiaomi analytics.
- 🛡️ Havoc-OS – Optimized firmware with advanced privacy settings.
Advantages of custom firmware:
Complete absence of MIUI Analytics and MSA.
- Option to disable Google Analytics (if you use firmware without GApps).
Improved performance due to the absence of background processes.
Disadvantages:
Loss of official warranty (if you do not return the stock firmware before contacting the service).
Risk of “bricking” if installed incorrectly (but for Redmi 9 the process is well documented).
Some functions (e.g., IR Blaster for control) may not work well.
⚠️ Warning: Before installing custom firmware on Redmi 9, be sure to unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool. This takes up to 72 hours of waiting (Xiaomi policy).