Series smartphones Redmi from the company Xiaomi are deservedly very popular due to their excellent price-quality ratio. However, like any devices based on Android, the model Redmi 9 is not immune to the penetration of malicious software. Users often encounter intrusive advertising, spontaneous installation of applications, or a sharp drop in system performance.
If your Redmi 9 started to behave strangely, for example, quickly discharge or heat up when idle, this may be a signal of infection. It is important not to panic, but to consistently perform a series of actions to diagnose and eliminate the threat. In most cases, the problem can be solved without contacting a service center.
In this article we will analyze effective methods of how to clean virus from Android Redmi 9 phoneusing the built-in system tools and proven third-party utilities. You will learn to distinguish system processes from malicious codes and protect your personal data from theft.
Primary diagnosis and signs of infection
Before taking active steps, you need to make sure that the problem lies in viruses and not in hardware failures or incorrect operation of the operating system. Users often confuse software bugs with virus activity. The main indicator is the behavior of the interface and background processes.
Pay attention to the appearance of advertising banners on the desktop or in random applications where there were no advertisements before. Another warning sign is the appearance of unknown icons for applications that you did not install. The system may start to work slower, and the battery power will be consumed much faster than usual due to the activity of hidden miners.
⚠️ Attention: If messages appear on the lock screen or in the browser about the phone being blocked by the police or a requirement to transfer money for unlocking, this is a fake. Never pay bills or enter card details on such pages.
Check the list of installed applications through the menu Settings → Applications → All applications. Look for suspicious names or apps without icons or names, which are often disguised as system services. The presence of such objects is a sure sign of malicious code.
Using the built-in MIUI Security antivirus
The shell MIUI, which is installed on Redmi 9, already has a powerful tool built into it to protect the device. It is called Security (Security) and is based on the engines of well-known antivirus companies. This is the first tool that should be used if you suspect an infection.
Run the application Security from the "Tools" folder or find it in the general list of apps. Click on the "Security Check" or "Scan" button. The system will scan installed applications, files and system partitions for known threats.
If a threat is found, the system will offer options for action. Most often, it is recommended to remove the malicious file or application. In some cases, you may need to confirm superuser rights or switch to safe mode for complete removal.
Regularly update the virus databases in the Security application by clicking on the settings icon and selecting “Update virus databases.” This increases the efficiency of detecting new threats.
It is important to note that the built-in scanner is effective against bulk threats, but may miss complex, disguised Trojans. Therefore, after checking with the built-in tool, it is recommended to perform an additional scan with specialized software.
Manual removal of malicious applications
Not all viruses are separate applications. They are often disguised as harmless utilities such as Flashlight, Calculator or Memory Cleaner. To remove a virus manually, you need to find it in the list of apps.
Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Study the list carefully. Look for apps you don't remember installing. Pay special attention to apps without a name or with an icon that looks like an empty square or a standard Android.
To remove, click on the suspicious application and select the button Delete. If the button is inactive (gray), it means that the malicious code has acquired device administrator rights. In this case, you must first revoke the rights.
☑️ Check before deleting
To disable administrator rights, go to Settings → Passwords and security → Privacy → Special access → Device administrator applications. Uncheck the suspicious application, then return to the application menu and delete it.
Cleaning via Google Play Protection
Service Google Play Protect is another level of protection built directly into the operating system Android. It works in the background and scans applications both from the official store and those installed from third-party sources.
Open the application Google Play Store. Click on your profile icon in the top right corner. In the menu that opens, select Play Protection. Here you will see the scan status of your device.
Press the button Checkto start a forced scan. If Google detects a dangerous application, it will offer to remove it. This method is especially effective against known Trojans and spyware.
| Verification method | Efficiency | Complexity | Installation required |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI Security | High | Low | Built-in |
| Google Play Protect | Medium | Low | Built-in |
| Third-party antivirus | Very high | Medium | Required |
| Manual removal | Depends on the user | High | Not required |
Sometimes Google Play Protection may not cope with new viruses not yet known to the database. In such cases, specialized applications from leading security vendors come to the rescue.
Scanning with third-party antiviruses
If the built-in tools do not help, you need to use “heavy artillery.” Install one of the proven antiviruses from Google Play Market, for example, Kaspersky, Dr.Web, ESET or Malwarebytes.
After installation, run a full system scan. These apps have more extensive signature databases and heuristic analysis that allows them to detect suspicious behavior characteristic of viruses. The process may take from 10 to 30 minutes.
After the scan is completed, follow the antivirus recommendations. If he offers to quarantine the file or delete it, agree. Some viruses may resist removal, requiring a switch to safe mode.
Why may an antivirus not see a virus?
Some modern viruses use code obfuscation methods, change their digital signatures, or hide in system partitions where regular applications are denied access without root access.
Safe mode and radical measures
If the virus is not removed in the usual way, blocks the screen or constantly pops up, you need to go to Safe Mode. In this mode, only system applications are loaded, which allows you to safely remove malicious software.
To enter safe mode on Redmi 9 usually it is enough to hold down the power button, and then (hold for a long time) your finger on the "Turn off" button on the screen until you are prompted to switch to safe mode. Confirm the action.
While in safe mode, repeat the procedure for deleting applications through the settings. After cleaning, reboot your phone as usual. If this does not help, the last option remains - a complete reset.
⚠️ Attention: Resetting to factory settings (Hard Reset) will completely delete all your data, including photos, contacts and applications. Be sure to back up your important information before this step.
To reset, go to Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Erase all data. This process will return the phone to the state it was in at the time of purchase, guaranteed to remove any virus.
Full reset is a 100% guarantee of removing the virus, but requires preliminary saving of data and time to reconfigure the phone.
Prevention and protection of Redmi 9 in the future
After successful cleaning, it is important to prevent re-infection. The main source of viruses is the users themselves, who download applications from unverified sources. Try to install software only from Google Play or the official store GetApps.
Disable the ability to install applications from unknown sources. This function is located in Settings → Passwords and security → Privacy → Accessibility → Installation of unknown applications. Allow installation only for trusted browsers or file managers and only for the time of need.
Update your operating system regularly. The company Xiaomi releases security patches that close vulnerabilities that hackers exploit. You can check for updates in the menu Settings → About phone → MIUI version.
The interface and location of menu items may vary slightly depending on the MIUI firmware version installed on your Redmi 9. If you do not find the specified item, use the search in settings.
Maintaining digital hygiene will allow your Redmi 9 operate quickly and reliably for many years. Be careful when following links in SMS and instant messengers, even if they came from friends.
Is it possible to remove a virus without losing data?
In most cases, yes. If the virus has not damaged system files, you can remove it through an antivirus or manually, saving photos and contacts. A factory reset is required only in the most difficult cases.
Why does the phone get warm after removing a virus?
This may be due to background optimization of the system after deleting files or damage to system caches. Try rebooting your device. If heating continues, the virus may have damaged the system files.
Is Root needed to remove viruses on Redmi 9?
No, in 99% of cases, root access is not necessary and are even dangerous, since they reduce the overall level of system security. The built-in tools and rights of an ordinary user are sufficient to combat most threats.
How to distinguish a system application from a virus?
System applications usually have a manufacturer's logo (Mi, Android) and a name in English. Viruses are often called a random set of letters, do not have an icon or are disguised as Flash Player, Battery Saver, etc.