How to remove redirects on Xiaomi Redmi phone: from viruses to system failures

If your Xiaomi Redmi suddenly starts redirecting you to suspicious sites, opening ads in your browser, or throwing you to unknown pages when you click on links, the problem is either virus infection or system settings failure, and this behavior is not only annoying, but dangerous: scammers can steal bank card details, social network logins or download malware to the device.

In this article, we will discuss all possible reasons for redirecting to Redmi (including Note models). 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/13C And we'll give you step-by-step instructions for how to fix them, from simple methods (cleaning the cache) to radical ones (resetting to factory settings). MIUI, That is often missed even by experienced users.

1. Virus and malware check

In 80% of cases, redirects to Xiaomi Redmi are associated with viruses that penetrate through:

• 📱 sidenia APK-Files (not downloaded from Google Play)
• 🌐 Phishing sites (offering "free" games/programs)
• 📎 Investments in SMS/messengers (for example, "your package is delivered, download the check")
• 🔄 Vulnerabilities in outdated firmware (especially relevant for MIUI 12 and below)

To detect and remove the virus:

1. Install antivirus with Android base: Malwarebytes (free version scans advertising modules), Dr.Web Light (well finds Trojans in system folders) Bitdefender Mobile Security (paid, but with deep verification)

full scan

/storage/emulated/0/Download/

/data/app/

restart the phone

⚠️ Note: If the antivirus finds the virus in the system files (for example, /system/priv-app/), It can't be removed without unlocking the bootloader and root rights. In this case, go to the section about resetting settings.

2. Clearing the cache and browser data

Redirection often occurs because of infected browser cache or installed extensions, and even if you didn't download anything suspicious, malicious code could get into:

• 🔗 Malicious banners on websites (e.g., “You won an iPhone!")
• 📥 Automatic downloads (some sites are downloaded) APK without your knowledge)
• 🔄 Redirect scripts in the cache (remain even after the tab is closed)

Cleaning instructions for popular browsers:

After cleaning:

1. Reboot the phone.
2. Check if the redirect is still there. If so, delete the browser and install it again.
3. Turn off the option to Save Data for Autocomplete and Predict Network Actions in your browser settings.

💡

If the redirect is only in one browser, try using an alternative, such as Bromite (no ads) or DuckDuckGo Browser (blocks trackers).

3. Removal of suspicious applications

Viruses often disguise themselves as harmless programs, such as flashlights, memory cleaners, launchers, or games.

• 🔄 Redirect traffic through a proxy server.
• 📱 Establish additional APK without your knowledge.
• 🔍 Monitor your actions in the browser.

How to find and remove these applications:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort the list by installation date (☰ → Sort by: Installation date).
3. Check out apps you haven't knowingly installed. Pay attention to: titles like Flash Player, Super Cleaner, Fast bootloader, apps with Chinese characters in the title, programs with zero reviews on Google Play.

Delete

discharge

⚠️ Attention: Some viruses block their uninstallation via the settings menu. In this case: Go to Settings → Special facilities → Special features services. Disable all unknown services (masquerading as "Help", "Optimizer", etc.) Try to remove the application again.

Check the list of installed applications|Sort by installation date|Remove Unknown Programs|Disable Administrator Rights for Suspicious People APK|Check out special opportunities-->

4. Network resetting

Sometimes a redirect is not caused by viruses, but by a network settings failure, which can occur after:

• 📶 Public Wi-Fi connections (at airports, cafes).
• 🔄 Firmware updates MIUI.
• 📱 Uses VPN proxy.
• Go to Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Erase all data.
• Choose to erase your internal memory (optional if you want to delete everything).
• Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Note 8 Pro, Redmi) 9T) After reset, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account. If you forget your password, use the recovery service before reset, otherwise the phone will be blocked!

After discharge:

• 🚫 Do not restore data from backup – the virus may return.
• 📥 Install apps only from Google Play.
• 🔍 Check the phone for forwarding before installing third-party programs.

💡

Resetting to factory settings removes viruses 100%, but only if you don’t restore the infected data from backup!

6. Manual Redirect Deletion (for Advanced)

If you are sure that the problem is not viruses, but system files (for example, after a failed MIUI update), you can try to remove redirects manually.

What to do:

1. Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer (with root support).
2. Go to /system/etc/hosts and open the hosts file in the text editor.
3. Delete all lines except: 127.0.0.1 localhost::1 ip6-localhost (these are standard entries; the rest can be added by a virus).
4. Save the file and restart the phone.

Also check the /system/build.prop file for suspicious strings like:

ro.config.perm_redir=1


persist.sys.redir.enable=true

If you have such lines, delete them (but back up the file first!).

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to loss of service phone (bootloop.

7.If nothing helps: hardware causes

In rare cases, redirection is not associated with a software problem, but with a hardware problem:

• 🔌 Damaged module. Wi-Fi/4G (For example, after the phone crash).
• 🔋 Faulty motherboard (short circuit in memory chains).
• 📶 Problems with SIM-card (if the redirect is only on the mobile Internet).

How to diagnose:

1. Try inserting another one. SIM-card (for example, from another operator).
2. Connect to another Wi-Fi (for example, via a mobile hotspot from another phone).
3. If the problem persists, contact the service center. Possible solutions: Replacement of the module Wi-Fi/4G (~1 500–3 000 ₽). Flashing the phone through EDL-mode (if the firmware fails) Motherboard replacement (in extreme cases).

The cost of repair depends on the Redmi model:

FAQ: Frequent questions about redirecting to Xiaomi Redmi