Smartphone owners Xiaomi often wonder: can their device be wiretapped without the user’s knowledge? This topic has become especially relevant after scandals with data leaks and accusations against Chinese manufacturers of collecting unnecessary information. It is important to understand that wiretapping on Androiddevices can be carried out both through system vulnerabilities and through third-party applications or hardware bookmarks.

In this article we will analyze all possible wiretapping channels on Xiaomi —from standard MIUI functions to hidden services and malware. You'll learn how to check your phone for bugs, disable unnecessary permissions, and protect your microphone from unauthorized access. We will pay special attention to models Redmi, POCO and flagships of the series Xiaomi 14where data collection mechanisms may differ.

We warn: some methods require superuser rights (root) or installing custom firmware. If you are not confident in your skills, it is better to contact a specialist. Also remember that disabling system services MIUI may lead to unstable operation of the device.

1. Checking microphone permissions: who is listening to you right now

The first step is to audit the applications that have access to the microphone. Even legitimate apps (for example, voice assistants or instant messengers) can abuse this permission. On Xiaomi the check is carried out through the menu Settings → Applications → Permissions → Microphone.

Pay special attention to:

  • 🔍 Applications with an unobvious need to access the microphone (for example, a flashlight or calculator)
  • 📱 Messengers that request a microphone “on an ongoing basis” (instead of a one-time permission)
  • 🤖 Unknown services with Chinese names (for example, com.miui.analytics)

If you find a suspicious application, immediately revoke the permission. To be completely sure, check your usage history microphone:

  1. Open Settings → Privacy → Permission Manager
  2. Select "Microphone" and see the list of applications with timestamps of last use
  3. Click on the suspicious application → "Disable"
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On models Xiaomi 13/14 with MIUI 15+, the "Sensor access control" function has appeared. Activate it in Settings → Advanced → Privacyto receive notifications every time an application uses the microphone.

MIUI contains several built-in services that can theoretically be used to collect audio data. These include:

  • 🎤 Xiao AI voice assistant (even if you do not use it, it can work in the background)
  • 📊 MIUI Analytics (com.miui.analytics - sends data to Xiaomi)
  • 🔄 Cloud synchronization (can transfer recordings from the microphone to servers)

To disable them:

  1. Go to Settings → About phone and click on "MIUI Version" 7 times to activate developer mode
  2. Go back to Settings → Advanced → For developers and enable "Debug by USB"
  3. Connect your phone to the PC and run commands via ADB: 
    adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.voiceassist

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

What happens if you delete Xiao AI?

The voice assistant will stop working, but the background process that can activate the microphone on command will also disappear. server. On some models, this also disables the "Ok Google" function.

On Xiaomi models for the European market (EEA), some analytical services are disabled by default, but traces of them may remain in the firmware. If you are using the global version of MIUI, the risk is higher.

3. Finding hidden spyware applications

Malware for eavesdropping is often disguised as system processes. On Xiaomi it can be detected in several ways:

Method 1: Through the task manager

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Manage applications
  2. Click on the three dots at the top → "Show system processes"
  3. Look for applications with names like:
    • 🚨 com.android.system.update (if it is not from Xiaomi)
    • 🚨 service.secure or security.service
    • 🚨 Any applications with a name containing "spy", "monitor", "recorder"

Method 2: Via ADB

Connect your phone to the PC and run the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep -E 'spy|monitor|recorder|listen'

If the command returns a list of packages, this is a cause for concern.

📊 Have you ever found suspicious applications on your Xiaomi?
Yes, several times
Yes, but it was a false signal
No, never
I didn’t check
Sign of infection What to do
The phone is heating up without visible reasons Check CPU consumption in Settings → Battery
Unexplained decrease in free memory Use Files by Google to find hidden files
SMS from unfamiliar numbers or strange notifications Check Settings → Notifications → History
The microphone activates spontaneously (the indicator lights up) Disable all permissions for suspicious applications

4. Hardware protection methods: physically disconnecting the microphone

If software methods do not provide a 100% guarantee, you can resort to radical measures:

Method 1: Disabling the microphone through the engineering menu

Dial the code on the phone keyboard ##4636##, then:

  1. Select "Phone Information"
  2. Scroll down to "Mute Microphone"
  3. Activate the switch (on some models you need to enter a code 12345)

    4. Method 2: Physical disconnection (for advanced users)

    • 🛠️ Disassemble the phone and unsolder the microphone contacts (requires soldering skills)
    • 🔌 Use special shielded cases (block electromagnetic signals)
    • 🎧 Connect headphones with a microphone and disconnect the built-in via Settings → Sound
    💡

    Physically turning off the microphone will make calls and using voice commands impossible. This method is only suitable if you are willing to sacrifice functionality for security.

    On models POCO F5 i Redmi Note 12 there is a hardware privacy switch that physically opens the microphone circuit. Check if your device has one on the top of the case.

    5. Alternative firmware: full control over the system

    Stock firmware MIUI contains many closed components that cannot be disabled without superuser rights. The solution may be to install custom firmware, for example:

    • 📱 LineageOS - pure Android without unnecessary services
    • 🛡️ GrapheneOS - firmware with an emphasis on security
    • 🔄 Pixel Experience - firmware based on Android from Google

Installation process:

  1. Unlock the bootloader via fastboot oem unlock (this will reset all data!)
  2. Install custom recovery TWRP
  3. Flash the selected firmware and required install Magisk to manage root access

Bootloader unlocked|Data backup created|Firmware downloaded for your model|Battery charged >70%|ADB drivers installed on PC-->

After installing custom firmware:

  • 🔒 Disable all unnecessary permissions via AppOps
  • 🛡️ Install AFWall+ to control network traffic
  • 🔍 Use NetGuard to block suspicious connections

6. Additional security measures

Even after disabling all suspicious services, we recommend:

1. Use a VPN with tracker blocking

For example, ProtonVPN or IVPN with the malicious domain blocking function activated. This will not protect against eavesdropping through the microphone, but will prevent the leakage of other data.

2. Regularly check network traffic

Applications like GlassWire or NetGuard show which apps are transferring data in the background. Pay attention to:

  • 📡 Unexpected connections to servers in China (miui.com, xiaomi.com)
  • 🔄 Constant traffic from applications that should not run in the background

3. Use alternative launchers

The launcher MIUI contains built-in trackers. Replace it with Nova Launcher or Lawnchair, after disabling the system launcher via ADB:

adb shell pm hide com.miui.home
💡

Configure the display of hidden applications in the alternative launcher. Some spyware disguises itself as icons of system utilities (for example, “Settings” or “Phone”).

7. What to do if you have already become a victim of wiretapping

If you find signs that your Xiaomi is being tapped, follow the algorithm:

  1. Immediately disconnect the phone from the network (airplane mode)
  2. Make a backup copy of important data to an external storage device
  3. Run reset to factory settings via Settings → About phone → Reset settings
  4. Install clean firmware (preferably custom, as described above)
  5. File a complaint Roskomnadzor or local cybersecurity authorities, if suspect a targeted attack

If the wiretapping is related to your employer or government agencies, contact a lawyer. In some countries, hidden wiretapping without court approval is a criminal offense.

💡

After resetting the settings do not restore data from a backup copy — it may contain malware. Install applications only from official sources and manually transfer files.

⚠️ Attention: If you suspect that the wiretapping is carried out by government agencies or professional hackers, independent actions may not be enough. In this case, we recommend that you contact cybersecurity specialists for an in-depth analysis. devices.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about wiretapping on Xiaomi

Can Xiaomi listen to me through built-in services without my knowledge?

Theoretically, yes. The confidentiality agreement Xiaomi mentions the collection of “voice data” for improvement. services. However, targeted eavesdropping requires either your consent (through permissions) or an exploit in the system. In practice, mass eavesdropping is unlikely, but individual cases are possible.

To minimize risks, disable all permissions for com.miui.voiceassist and com.miui.analyticsas described in section 2.

How to check if my Xiaomi is transferring data to China?

Use traffic analysis tools, for example Wireshark (on PC) or PCAPdroid (on phone). Pay attention to:

  • Connections to domains .miui.com, .xiaomi.com, *.mi.com
  • Data transfer to IP addresses registered in China (checked through WHOIS)
  • Unusually large traffic from system applications (more than 100 MB/day)

To block such connections install AFWall+ or configure a firewall on the router.

Does disabling mobile data and Wi-Fi help with wiretapping?

Partially. Without the Internet, the phone will not be able to transmit recorded data to the server, but:

  • 📶 Wiretapping can be kept locally (recordings are saved to internal memory)
  • 📡 Some spyware use SMS or USSD commands to transfer data
  • 🔄 The next time you connect to the network, the recorded information can be sent

For complete isolation, use airplane mode and physically remove the SIM card.

Is it possible to disable the microphone only for specific applications?

Yes, starting from Android 10 (MIUI 12+) you can flexibly manage permissions:

  1. Open Settings → Applications
  2. Select the desired application → "Permissions"
  3. For the microphone, set "Disable" or "Only during use"

On Android 13+ a "One-time permission" function has appeared - the application will have access to the microphone only once until you provide it again.

Which Xiaomi models are most vulnerable to wiretapping?

The risk is higher for devices:

  • 📱 With global firmware (unlike the European version of EEA)
  • 🔄 Based on MediaTek (due to the closed source code of the processor)
  • 🛠️ With an unlocked bootloader (makes it easier to install spyware Software)
  • 📅 Released before 2021 (less stringent privacy requirements)

Models for the European market (Xiaomi 13T Pro EEA, POCO F5 EEA) and devices with firmware MIUI without unnecessary water.

⚠️ Attention: Data collection algorithms and wiretapping mechanisms are constantly being improved. Even after following all the recommendations, there remains the theoretical possibility of information leakage through hardware vulnerabilities (for example, through a communication module or security chip), consider using a phone without a microphone or specialized devices like Purism Librem 5.