Have you ever noticed the strange "Car Data" section in your Xiaomi smartphone settings and wondered why you need it? This feature comes to many users when you connect your phone to a radio recorder via Android Auto, Mi Car, or even when you use Bluetooth in your car. But what really lurks behind this menu item is a useful tool or a potential privacy threat?
In this article, we will discuss in detail what is "car data" in firmware MIUI, How they interact with your car, and why some users choose to turn them off, you'll learn exactly what information is being passed on to your car, how it affects how Google Assistant or Xiaomi Voice is working behind the wheel, and what to do if the feature malfunctions. How to delete this data completely if you no longer use car integration.
Spoiler: It's not as simple as it sounds, it's not just about multimedia, it's about telemetry exchange, notification synchronization, even geolocation tags, and yes, it can be (and sometimes needs to be) controlled.
What is Xiaomi’s “car data” and where it comes from
Let’s start with the main thing: “Car Data” is not a separate application, but a system module. MIUI, It's activated when you first connect your smartphone to a car multimedia system, and it appears in the settings along the way: → Annexes → Application management → Three points (⋮) → Special access → Vehicle data.
This section is responsible for:
- 📱 Synchronize contacts and call logs with the machine head unit (to ring through the tape recorder).
- 🎵 Transfer media files (music, podcasts) for playback via Android Auto or Mi Car.
- 📍 Sharing location data (for example, for navigation Google Maps or Yandex.Maps on the car screen).
- ⚙️ Integration settings with voice assistants (Google Assistant, Alice, Xiaomi Voice).
It is important to understand that this module is not part of Android Auto – it works in parallel, ensuring compatibility with Mi Car protocols (the Xiaomi proprietary system for cars) and standard automotive interfaces via Bluetooth or other devices. USB. For example, if you connect to a Pioneer or Sony tape recorder without Android Auto, then Car Data takes on the role of intermediary.
Fun fact: on some Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ Xiaomi 13T) This module is activated automatically when you first connect to a Bluetooth device with a profile HFP (Hands-Free Profile, even if it's not a car, it's a regular headset, and it can lead to unnecessary battery consumption.
What data is transferred to the car (and should you be afraid of it)
Now to the most exciting question: what exactly is your Xiaomi sending to the machine? There are two levels of access: basic (multimedia only) and advanced (with synchronization of contacts and history).
🔹 Basic level (minimum permissions):
🔹 Advanced level (full access):
- 📇 Full list of contacts (names, numbers, sometimes email).
- 📍 Location history (if navigation via telephone was used).
- 🗓️ Calendar and reminders (for integration with voice assistant).
- 🔋 Phone battery status (to make the machine warn of low charge).
⚠️
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (especially global versions for Europe) location data is transmitted even without your explicit consent, if the option "Improving location accuracy" is enabled.
Should we worry? Depends on your paranoia. If you connect to a private car, the risks are minimal. But if you use a rental or a taxi, it's best to turn off the extended access so you don't leave your contacts in someone else's car.
How do you check what data has already been transferred?
How to turn on, disable or reset "Car Data" on Xiaomi
If you want to completely remove traces of integration with the car or just temporarily suspend synchronization, here is a step-by-step guide:
🔧 Disabling data transmission:
⚠️
⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO F5 or Redmi K60) After data clearing, you may need to manually reconnect Bluetooth – automatic synchronization will reset.
🔄 Reset to factory settings (if data is not cleared):
If the module continues to work after disconnection, try:
adb shell pm clear com.miui.carThis command will reset all Mi Car settings (developer rights and connection required) ADB).
Make sure the car is parked and the engine is off.|Keep important contacts from the call log|Turn off Bluetooth on the tape.|Restart your phone after cleaning up the data-->
Problems with "Car Data" and how to solve them
Integration with the car doesn't always work smoothly, but here are the most common bugs and solutions.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone is constantly connected/disconnected from Bluetooth in the car | Conflict of A2DP and HFP profiles | In Bluetooth machine settings, disable Auto Connection and connect manually |
| Music is interrupted, but the connection is | Limit bitrate in Mi Car settings | Go to Settings. → Sound. → Bluetooth audio quality and select High Quality" |
| Contacts are not synchronized with the tape. | No permission to access contacts | Go to Settings. → Annexes → Permits → Contacts and enable access for "Car Data" |
| Android Auto doesn’t start, even though the phone is connected | Mi Car conflict (both trying to manage the connection) | Turn off Mi Car in Settings → Connected devices → Mi Car |
🛠️ Complicated case: If after the update MIUI"The car data disappeared from the settings, but the phone still syncs with the car, so the module is running in the background. To deactivate it, you have to disable the system application com.miui.car via the computer. ADB:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.car💡
If voice commands in the car stop working after disabling Car Data, check if access to the microphone for Google Assistant or Alice in the permission settings is disabled.
Mi Car vs Android Auto: What’s the Best Way to Use Xiaomi
Many users don’t understand the difference between the Mi Car proprietary system and the standard Android Auto.
✅ Android Auto (from Google):
❌ Mi Car (from Xiaomi):
💡 If you have a European or American car, go with Android Auto. If you have a Chinese electric car (e.g. Xiaomi). SU7) — The Mi Car will offer more features, including climate control via phone.
💡
On the firmware MIUI Global Market (Global) ROM) Mi Cars are worse than Chinese ones (China) ROM), Many of these functions are blocked due to regional restrictions.
Security: How to Protect Your Data When Connecting to Someone Else’s Car
If you use a car sharing service (Delimobil, BelkaCar) or taxi frequently, your data may remain in the car system’s memory even after your trip. Here are 5 safety rules:
1️⃣ Use guest mode:
In some cars (for example, Tesla or Volvo with Android Automotive), you can create a guest profile. Xiaomi does not have a similar feature, but you can turn off manual contact synchronization (see the instructions above).
2️⃣ Clear the history after the trip:
Go to Settings. → Connected devices, find the car in the Bluetooth list and click "Forget this device." That will delete all associated data.
3️⃣ Turn off notifications:
In the section "Car Data" uncheck the tick from "Show notifications" - so messages from WhatsApp or Telegram will not be displayed on the screen of someone else's car.
4️⃣ Check the permits:
After connecting to a new car MIUI may request access to:
- 📍 Geolocations (for navigation).
- 📞 Call magazine.
- 📷 Warehouse (for album covers).
Refuse everything except the microphone and media, which is enough for music and calls.
5️⃣ Use it. VPN navigation:
If you are concerned about the transfer of location data, turn on VPN (For example, ProtonVPN before connecting to Android Auto, it will not hide your location from the machine, but protect against data leakage to the network.
💡
Some Xiaomi firmware (e.g., Xiaomi 14) has a hidden feature called “Privacy Mode for Cars.” To enable it, type ##284## in the Phone app and select “Limit Auto Access.”
The Future of Xiaomi’s Automotive Integration: What to Expect Next
In 2026, Xiaomi announced its own electric car Xiaomi SU7, And it's going to change the way the company looks at car data. MIUI 15 (for Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Redmi) K70 Pro) new functions appear:
🚀 What's new:
- 🔑 Keyless access – the phone can unlock the car UWB (ultrabroadband).
- 📱 Screen projection – full mirroring of the interface MIUI on the display of the car (like Apple CarPlay, but with support for all applications).
- 🔋 Remote charging control – control the charging station through the Mi Home app.
⚠️ Potential risks:
As integration increases, so does the amount of data transferred, and in the future, Xiaomi may collect:
- 📊 Driving style (sharp braking, speed mode).
- 🔋 Energy consumption data (for electric vehicles).
- 🛣️ Itineraries and frequented places (for personalized recommendations).
🔮 By 2026, Xiaomi plans to release an update that will combine Mi Car and Android Auto into a single system – HyperCar. This means that “Car Data” will become even more centralized, but also more transparent to the user.