Analytics on Xiaomi: A Hidden Utility You Didn't Notice (But It's Watching You)

Have you ever looked into the installed app list on your Xiaomi and stumbled across the cryptic Analytics? It doesn't elicit any associations with photos, games or instant messengers -- it sounds like something technical, maybe even system-based. And it really is. Analytics (translated as “analytics”) is a utility application that Xiaomi integrates into firmware. MIUI On almost all devices, from budget Redmi to flagship Xiaomi 14.

But why is it necessary? Does it follow you like spyware? Does it make your phone work slower? And more importantly, can it be removed without breaking the system? In this article, we'll take Analytics under the microscope, from the official purpose to the hidden features that Xiaomi prefers not to talk about. You'll learn how it relates to com.miui.analytics, why it can't be turned off in standard ways, and what happens if you take radical measures.

What is Analytics on Xiaomi: the official version vs reality

According to Xiaomi, Analytics is a tool for collecting anonymous data about device usage, which the company claims helps:

• 📊 Improve MIUI — Analyze which features are popular and which are ignored.
• 🔧 Optimize performance – identify bugs and lags in firmware.
• 📱 Adapt the interface to regional features (e.g. popular languages or applications).

It sounds harmless, but in practice Analytics works much more actively. XDA Developers), annex:

• 🕵️ Tracks the launch of applications – records what programs you use and how often.
• 📡 Monitoring network activity – collects data on Wi-Fi and mobile Internet connections.
• 📍 Geolocation registration (in some versions) MIUI) — Even if you have disabled location services for other applications.

Key point: Xiaomi claims that all data is anonymized and not tied to your Mi Account. However, in 2020, Forbes journalists proved that some information (for example, in the case of the company, IMEI The device can be used to identify the user. Since then, the privacy policy has changed, but doubts remain.

How Analytics affects the smartphone: myths and facts

One of the biggest concerns of users is that Analytics slows down the phone, and let's see if that's true.

The main problem is not the load, but the background processes. Analytics runs with the system and stays in memory even if you do not use it. This is not critical for flagships (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra), but on budget models like Redmi. A2 Each megabyte of RAM is in the account.In addition, the application can conflict with some custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), causing random reboots.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with root rights, Analytics may block access to some system files. miui_daemon, who sees the ruthe as a potential threat.

Where to find Analytics in your phone and whether it can be turned off

Unlike most system applications, Analytics is hidden from view, and you won't find it on the app menu or desktop, and to get to it, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings → All applications.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System.
3. In the search bar, enter Analytics.
4. Select the Analytics app (icon – gray graphic).

Here you will see that:

• 🔒 No button to remove or disable.
• 📵 Background activity restriction doesn't work (app ignores battery settings).
• 📊 In the Warehouse section, you can only clear the cache (~1-2 MB).

The only legal way to reduce the impact of Analytics is to limit its access to the Internet:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data.
2. Select Analytics in the list and turn off Background data transfer.
3. Repeat the same for Wi-Fi in the Settings section → Wi-Fi → Additionally.

Disable background traffic on the mobile network|Disable background traffic in Wi-Fi|Clear the app's cache|Refuse to participate in the Improvement Program MIUI (account settings)-->

How to remove Analytics completely: risks and instructions

If you don't like half-measures, you can take the radical step of removing Analytics completely, but be prepared for the consequences:

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications without root rights may result in a cyclical bootloop on some Xiaomi models (e.g., the company’s own, POCO X3 Before actions, make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

There are three ways to get rid of Analytics:

1. via ADB (no root)

Suitable for most devices on MIUI 12–14:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.analytics

Once the command is executed, the application will disappear from the list, but its files will remain in the system, which is safe because it does not affect the system libraries.

2. Through root rights

For owners of the unlocked loader:

1. Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer.
2. Move to the /system/priv-app/Analytics.
3. Delete the folder or rename it to Analytics.bak.
4. Reset the device.

3.Through Custom Recovery (TWRP)

For experienced users:

1. Download a special script to remove system applications.
2. Boot in. TWRP and run the script.
3. Select com.miui.analytics from the list to delete.

Important: on some firmware (for example, MIUI Global for Xiaomi 11T) After the removal of Analytics, it will stop working:

• 📱 Updates by air (OTA).
• 🔄 Synchronization with the Mi Account.
• 📊 Some of the features of the Game Turbo.

Analytics and Privacy: How to Protect Your Data

If you are not ready to delete Analytics but want to minimize data collection, use these tips:

• 🛡️ Refuse the Improvement Program MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Tap 7 times on version to activate Developer Mode. Return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers, turn off Error Reporting and Automatic Data Sending.

Use a VPN.

Turn off advertising identification

Settings → Google → Advertising

Xiaomi

For maximum anonymity, you can go further:

• 🔄 Drop the commercial. ID Once a week (via the same Google settings).
• 📱 Install an alternative firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) that does not have Analytics.
• 🛑 Block Xiaomi domains via AdGuard or Blokada: data.mi.com api.account.xiaomi.com sdkconfig.ad.xiaomi.com

💡

If you frequently connect to public Wi-Fi, turn off Analytics from accessing the network manually. To do this, select Mobile Data and Wi-Fi in the application settings. → Shut down.

Analytics on different Xiaomi models: are there any differences?

Analytics functionality depends on the version MIUI And regional firmware. Here's what we know about popular models:

On devices for the Chinese market (for example, Xiaomi Civi 3), Analytics is integrated deeper and it is almost impossible to remove it without consequences. In global and European firmware, the restrictions are softer, but even there, the application can recover after updates.

Interesting fact: POCO-devices (e.g., devices, POCO X5 Pro) Analytics often works in a lightweight mode, collecting less data but also being deleted more easily. POCO, It is a brand that is more “clean” from Bloatware.

Analytics Alternatives: What Other Manufacturers Offer

Xiaomi is not the only manufacturer that collects user data, and let’s look at how the competition is doing:

As you can see from the table, Xiaomi is not the most aggressive data collector, for example, Huawei and Google collect much more information without the possibility of turning off, on the other hand, Realme and Oppo allow you to completely deactivate analytics, in which Xiaomi could learn from competitors.

If privacy is critical to you, look for pure Android smartphones (like Google Pixel or GrapheneOS devices) that collect data, but at least give you more control over the process.

💡

On devices with MIUI European market (marking) EEA) Data collection is limited by law GDPR. If you are using a global firmware, consider switching to MIUI EEA via Xiaomi EU ROM (informally).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Analytics on Xiaomi