Analytics in Xiaomi: what is it, how does it work and why should it be turned off?

If you’ve ever looked at the privacy settings of your Xiaomi smartphone, you’ve probably come across the mysterious Analytics feature (or Analytics in Russian firmware), which works in the background to collect data about your device, but not everyone understands what is being transmitted, where this information goes, and whether Analytics can be turned off without consequences.

In this article, we will discuss in detail:

🔍 What is Analytics in the Internet MIUI What data does Xiaomi collect (spoiler: it’s not just about app usage statistics).
📊 Why does a company need this information – marketing, software improvement, or anything else?
⚙️ Step-by-step instructions for disabling (including hidden settings that are not written about in the official guides).
⚠️ Real risks – does the Analytics shutdown affect smartphone performance, updates, or warranty.

You’ll also learn why, even after you turn off Analytics in your settings, your smartphone can continue to send data to Xiaomi’s servers – and how to stop it once and for all.

What is Analytics in Xiaomi Smartphones and What Data Collects MIUI

Analytics is a built-in service in firmware MIUI, It automatically collects and sends information about your device to Xiaomi’s servers, and the company officially claims that this data is used to “improve the user experience,” but in practice, the amount of data collected is much broader.

According to independent research (including traffic analysis from experts such as Andrew Tierney and the team) XDA Developers, Xiaomi can transfer:

📱 Device model, version MIUI, serial, IMEI even MAC-address.
📊 Usage statistics: what applications you run, how often, how much time you spend in each.
🌍 Location data (even if the GPS Disabled – on Wi-Fi networks and cell towers).
🔄 Information about system events: errors, reboots, crashes, battery use.
🔗 Information about connected devices (headphones, fitness bracelets, Mi Band smart watches).

Xiaomi claims that all data is anonymized and does not contain personal information, but in 2020, the company was caught transferring data about browser activity of users (including visited sites) without their consent, which led to a scandal and forced the update of the privacy policy.

📊 Did you know that Xiaomi collects data about your smartphone usage?

Yes, I knew and I already disabled Analytics.

Yeah, I did, but I don't see that as a problem.

No, I just found out now.

I don't care if they pick it up.

Why Xiaomi Needs Analytics: Truth and Myths

Xiaomi’s official position is that the data collected helps to “optimize the work” MIUI, fix bugs and offer users more relevant features, but let's see what's really behind it.

The real reasons for collecting Analytics are:

Targeted advertising: Xiaomi actively monetizes its services (such as ads in Mi Browser or Mi Video), and your preferences allow you to show more accurate ads.
Market analysis. The company tracks what functions MIUI popular and which are not to adjust the development of firmware.
Data collection for third-party partners: In 2021, it was revealed that Xiaomi was transferring some of the analytics to Google (even on devices without Google services).
Quality control: For example, if camera failures on a particular model start to come in massively, engineers quickly release a patch.

Xiaomi is not the only company that collects analytics, with Samsung (Samsung Experience Service), Huawei (Huawei Mobile Services) and even Apple (iOS Analytics) having similar systems, but in the case of Xiaomi, the criticism is more due to:

🔓 Lack of transparency – users often don’t understand what data is being shared.
🌐 Data transfers to servers in China, raising compliance questions GDPR other data protection regulations.
🔄 Difficulties of complete shutdown – even after the Analytics is turned off in the settings, some data can continue to be sent.

💡

If you are concerned about transferring data to China, check the settings → The phone. → All characteristics → Region: Some firmwares have different analytics behaviors depending on the region chosen (e.g. more stringent EU rules).

How to disable Analytics in Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Disable the collection of analytics in MIUI There are a number of ways that we can do this, from basic tweaks to deep tweaks to the system, and we'll look at all the options, from the simplest to the most radical.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

This is the most secure method that does not require superuser rights (root) and does not affect the warranty.

Open the Settings. → The phone. → All characteristics and tap 5-7 times according to the version MIUI, activate the developer mode|Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Analytics|Turn off sliders Send usage data and send error reports|In the same menu, find personalized recommendations and turn them off.|Reset the device

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But that may not be enough. Even after you turn off Analytics, some of the modules in the settings are still in the system. MIUI They keep sending data, like:

📲 Mi Browser – transmits search history and visited websites.
🎵 Mi Music and Mi Video – Collect information about tracks and videos watched.

Method 2: Disconnect via ADB (without root)

A more reliable method is the use of commands. ADB (Android Debug Bridge.This doesn't require unlocking the bootloader, but you'll need a computer.

Instructions:

Enable USB Debugging in Settings → For Developers.
Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics
To disable additional analytics services, do: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.midrop adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution

These commands completely block analytics services, but can lead to:

⚠️ Errors in some system applications (for example, Mi Drop will stop working).
⚠️ Problems with obtaining OTA-updates (in rare cases).

What to do if after ADB-Teams have stopped receiving updates?

If after the shutdown Analytics stopped coming OTA-Update, return settings with the command: adb shell pm enable com.miui.analytics Then manually check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Update system. If the problem persists, try resetting the network settings to Settings → Connections → Resetting the network.

Method 3: Root removal (for power users)

If you have an unlocked bootloader and installed Magisk or another root manager, you can completely remove the analytics apps:

Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
Go to /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/.
Remove or rename folders: com.miui.analytics com.xiaomi.midrop com.miui.systemAdSolution
Clean the cache in Settings → Storage → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Note: This method can lead to unstable work MIUI, Especially on newer versions of firmware. Before you delete, backup through TWRP Or OrangeFox.

How to Check if Analytics is Turned Off

Many users think that after the analytics are turned off, the data is no longer sent in the settings, but practice shows that Xiaomi continues to collect information through other channels.

Method 1: Monitoring traffic through NetGuard or PCAPdroid

Install the NetGuard (without root) or PCAPdroid (with root) app and track what data is sent to the domains:

data.mistat.xiaomi.com
sdkconfig.ad.xiaomi.com
api.io.mi.com

If you see activity on those addresses, the analytics are still working.

Method 2: Verification via Wireshark (for PC)

If you have access to a PC, you can:

Connect your smartphone to the same network as your computer.
Start Wireshark and start packet capture.
Filter traffic by IP-Smartphone address and search for domain queries Xiaomi.

Example of what you can see (even after you turn off Analytics):

domain	Type of data	Example of information transmitted
data.mistat.xiaomi.com	Usage statistics	Application launch time, device model, version MIUI
api.io.mi.com	Error reports	Failure logs, overheating data, battery information
sdkconfig.ad.xiaomi.com	Advertising metrics	ID devices, data about the shown advertising, clicks

If you find activity on these domains, the analytics are still working, and then only locking at the level will help. DNS firewall.

💡

Even after disabling Analytics in the settings MIUI Continues to send data through system services. Complete lock requires use ADB, root.

What happens if you turn off Analytics: myths and reality

Many users are afraid to turn off analytics for fear that:

🔄 No more updates coming MIUI.
📱 The smartphone will start to work unstable.
🔧 System applications will break down.

Let's figure out what is true and what is myth.

Myth 1: “Without Analytics, there is no such thing as analytics.” OTA-update»

In fact, updates come through a separate service, com.miui.updaters. Analytics has nothing to do with this, but in rare cases (especially on Chinese firmware), disabling analytics can lead to:

Updates will be delayed (1-2 weeks later).
You will need to install the firmware manually through Recovery.

Myth 2: “The smartphone will lag or overheat”

Analytics doesn’t affect performance, but if you’ve removed system applications through root, you may experience a disruption:

Mi Drop (Wi-Fi Direct file transfer will stop working).
Topics MIUI (Some widgets may be missing).
Mi Account (in rare cases, synchronization problems)

Myth 3: “Warranty will burn if you turn off Analytics”

Disabling analytics through settings or ADB It is not a breach of the guarantee, but if you:

Unlocked the bootloader.
Got root.
Removed the system applications.

The warranty can be cancelled (not because of Analytics, but because of firmware changes).

💡

If you are afraid of losing the warranty, but want to disable analytics, use the method of using the security system. ADB — It leaves no trace and does not require unlocking the bootloader.

Alternative ways to protect against data collection in MIUI

If you don’t want to mess with settings or are afraid of breaking something, there are simpler ways to limit data collection:

Method 1: Blocking domains through DNS

You can block Xiaomi domains that are responsible for analytics by:

🌐 Blokada or NextDNS applications.
📡 Router settings (if it supports customization) DNS).

Add the following domains to the blacklist:

data.mistat.xiaomi.com


sdkconfig.ad.xiaomi.com




api.io.mi.com




tracker.ai.xiaomi.com

Method 2: Use of alternative firmware

If you are not satisfied with the collection of data in the standard MIUI, can be installed:

📱 Xiaomi.EU – unofficial firmware without Chinese services and analytics.

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader, which cancels the warranty and can lead to a device blink if you do not act correctly.

Method 3: Disabling Advertising and Personalization

Even if you have not disabled Analytics, you can reduce the amount of data collected:

Go to Settings. → The phone. → All characteristics → Region and choose the European Union (EEA) — This will activate stricter privacy rules.
Turn off personalized advertising in Settings → Google → Advertising (if you use Google services).
Remove or freeze through ADB Mi Browser, Mi Video and Mi Music apps – they collect the most data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Analytics in Xiaomi

❓ Analytics and MIUI Optimization is the same thing?

No, they're different services. Analytics is responsible for collecting statistics. MIUI Optimization (optimization) MIUI) Controls background processes, animations and performance. MIUI Optimization can lead to lags, but disabling Analytics can’t.

❓ Can Analytics be disabled on Chinese firmware?

Yeah, but it's harder. MIUI (For example, for Redmi K40 Xiaomi 12 with China firmware ROM) Some of the privacy settings are hidden. In this case, use ADB-Install Xiaomi.EU or other custom firmware. Use an AFWall firewall.+ (root).

❓ Does Analytics Affect Battery Autonomy?

Yes, but not much. Analytics services consume about 1-3% of the charge per day (depending on the model). If you notice that the battery is going down too fast, the problem is more likely to be something else (background apps, non-optimized firmware, worn-out battery).

❓ Can Analytics be returned after disconnection?

If you've disabled analytics through settings, just turn it back on to Settings. → Confidentiality → Analytics, if you've used it ADB, Follow the command: adb shell pm enable com.miui.analytics To return deleted files via root, you will need to reflash the device.

❓ Xiaomi is legally collecting this data?

Legally yes, but with reservations (EEA) Xiaomi must comply with GDPR, China has its own cybersecurity laws that allow the collection of almost any information, and in Russia Xiaomi formally complies with Federal Law 152 on Personal Data, but in practice many users complain about excessive data collection. If you are concerned, you can request a copy of the data collected about you from Xiaomi via the form on the company’s website (Privacy Policy section).