Modern Xiaomi smartphones and their sub-brands Redmi have become a popular target not only for advertising algorithms, but also for attackers seeking to gain access to users’ personal information. The question of how to check a phone for wiretapping of the Android Redmi combination has become one of the most requested in technical support, since standard protection tools are often not enough to identify complex spyware. The threat comes not from magical codes entered into the dialer, as is often shown in films, but from malicious applications hiding in the system and transferring your data to third parties.
The process of detecting hidden surveillance requires an integrated approach, including analyzing network activity, checking installed packages and using hidden engineering menus available on Redmi devices. It is important to understand that wiretapping in the classical sense (call interception through an operator) is practically impossible at home, but software espionage is a real threat that can and should be eliminated. In this article, we will analyze specific steps, combinations and diagnostic methods that will help you regain control of your device.
Using USSD codes and engineering menus for diagnostics
The first line of defense is checking the forwarding settings and network status using special commands. Many users mistakenly believe that there is one "magic" combination that will instantly remove the virus, but in fact, USSD codes serve as a tool for checking telecom operator settings that may have been changed by malware. On Redmi smartphones with MIUI or HyperOS shell, these codes are entered through the standard “Phone” application.
The code that is most useful for initial diagnosis is ##4636##. This combination opens a secret testing menu where detailed information about the phone, battery and usage is displayed. Here you can see if call forwarding to unknown numbers is enabled, which is often a sign of call interception. If in the "Phone Information" section you see strange network activity or unclear connection parameters, this is a reason to be wary.
⚠️ Attention: The engineering menu interface on Redmi may differ depending on the MIUI version and regional firmware. Some items may be hidden or not work on new versions of Android, so the absence of a menu does not always mean the presence of a virus.
Other popular codes, such as *#21# or ##002#, allow you to check the status of conditional and unconditional forwarding and disable it. Attackers often use forwarding to make your calls go to their number until you pick up, or to duplicate incoming SMS with verification codes. Regularly checking these settings is basic digital security hygiene.
If the code ##4636## does not open the menu, try entering it in the calling application without pressing the call button - the menu should open automatically after entering the last asterisk.
Analysis of installed applications and access rights
The most common way to organize wiretapping on Android is to install a malicious application masquerading as useful software. This could be a flashlight, a memory cleaner, or even a fake system update. On Redmi, it is important to go to the settings and carefully study the list of all installed apps, paying attention to those that do not have an icon or the names consist of a set of characters.
Particular attention should be paid to the access rights that applications request during installation. To fully operate, spyware requires access to the microphone, camera, contacts and, critically, access (Accessibility Services). It is this section of the settings that is most often used by viruses to intercept screen control and read keystrokes. Go to Accessibility (Accessibility Services). It is this section of the settings that is most often used by viruses to intercept screen control and read keystrokes. Go to Settings → Advanced settings → Accessibility and check if there are any suspicious services there with the switch turned on.
- 🔍 Check recently installed applications, especially if you do not remember the moment they were loaded.
- 🔍 Look for apps with device administrator rights in the menu
Security → Device Administrators. - 🔍 Pay attention to applications that consume battery power even in the background, although you are not using them.
Removing such apps can be difficult if they have received administrator rights. In this case, you must first revoke these rights in the corresponding menu, and only after that the “Delete” button will become active. Ignoring this step will result in the system throwing an error when trying to uninstall the spy.
☑️ Checking access rights
Signs of hidden surveillance in the operation of a smartphone
Behavioral anomalies of the device often speak of a problem louder than any technical tests. If your Redmi starts behaving strangely, it could be a direct result of background spyware that is constantly transmitting data to a remote server. One of the first signs is abnormal heating of the case even at rest, when you are not running heavy games or applications.
It is also worth paying attention to the rate of battery discharge. Spyware runs continuously using the microphone and data module, which places a high load on the battery. If you notice that your phone discharges after several hours without active use, or the charge percentage drops abruptly, this is an alarming sign. In addition, a sudden increase in mobile data consumption may indicate that your files or audio recordings are being uploaded to the network.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Danger level |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid battery drain | Background work of the spy | High |
| Heating in standby mode | CPU overload | Medium |
| Pop-up advertising | Adware virus | Average |
| Spontaneous calls | Remote control | Critical |
Another sign may be strange sounds during a call: clicks, noises or echoes that have not previously been observed. While this may be due to poor call quality, when combined with other symptoms it indicates possible interference with the audio stream. Do not ignore messages that the camera or microphone is being used by some application if you are not taking a photo or recording at that moment.
Checking through developer mode and USB debugging
For a deeper analysis of the system on Redmi, you can use the developer mode, which is hidden by default. Enabling this mode allows you to see which applications are running in the background and whether they are using USB debugging to transfer data. This is an advanced method that requires caution, as incorrect settings can disrupt the system.
To enable the mode, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the "MIUI Version" (or "OS Version") item about 7-10 times until a message appears indicating that you have become a developer. After this, a new section “For Developers” will appear in the “Advanced” menu. Here it is important to check the "USB Debugging" item - it should be turned off if you do not connect the phone to the computer for specific tasks.
In the "Running Services" or "Process Statistics" section you can see a list of active applications and the amount of RAM they consume. Spyware often disguises itself as system processes with names like "System Update", "Google Services" (but misspelled) or just a bunch of numbers. If you see a process that consumes a lot of resources, but does not correspond to known system services, this is a reason for a detailed study.
⚠️ Attention: Do not disable system processes whose names you do not know unless you are 100% sure that it is a virus. Stopping critical services may result in the phone rebooting or data loss.
Also in the developers menu there is a “Keep the screen on” option while charging. If this option is active without your knowledge, the phone may continue to work and transmit data even when you think it is locked. Checking these settings helps to identify hidden activity that cannot be noticed during normal use of the interface.
Scanning the system with built-in and third-party antiviruses
Redmi smartphones are equipped with a built-in Security application that uses databases of antivirus engines (often Avast or AVL). Regular full system scan is a mandatory procedure that should be performed at least once a month. However, built-in tools are not always able to detect complex Trojans, especially if they were installed recently and have not yet entered the signature database.
To increase reliability, it is recommended to install an additional antivirus from a well-known vendor, for example, Kaspersky, Dr.Web or ESET. These apps have deeper access to the file system and can find threats that a standard scanner misses. When you first launch such an application, you must grant it all the requested permissions, including access to files and the ability to overlay other windows.
Why might an antivirus not find a virus?
Modern spyware uses code obfuscation techniques and masquerading as legitimate applications. They can disable their malicious functions while the antivirus scans or use zero-day vulnerabilities, the signatures of which are not yet known to security vendors.
It is better to use the built-in scanner for a quick scan and a third-party scanner for a deep audit, alternately. After detecting a threat, follow the application's recommendations for quarantining or deleting the file.
The built-in MIUI antivirus is good for basic protection, but to identify complex spyware, an additional scanner from a specialized vendor is required.
Radical measures: resetting settings and protecting your account
If software methods did not help identify the source of wiretapping, but suspicions remain, the only guaranteed cleaning method is to completely reset the device to factory settings. This procedure will remove all user data, applications and, most importantly, any hidden viruses that have entered the system. Before doing this, be sure to save important photos and contacts to the cloud or to your computer.
To perform a reset on Redmi, go to Settings → About phone → Reset settings and select "Delete all data". The device will reboot and begin the cleaning process, which may take a few minutes. Once turned on, the phone will be in the same condition it was in when purchased out of the box. This is the most effective method of combating unknown threats.
After the reset, it is critical to change the passwords for all accounts that were saved on the phone: Google, social networks, banking applications. Attackers may have gained access to your credentials, and simply wiping your phone won't change the stolen passwords. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible to make it more difficult to access your data in the future.
Is it possible to check a phone for wiretapping using the code *#06#?
The code *#06# displays only the IMEI number of the device and does not contain information about wiretapping or forwarding. It is only useful for checking the number with the box or warranty card, but is useless for diagnosing security.
Is it true that sealing a camera protects against wiretapping?
Sealing a camera only protects against visual spying, but does not prevent eavesdropping through a microphone or interception of data. For complete protection, it is necessary to remove malicious software.
Can a telecom operator listen to my conversations?
Technically, the operator has access to traffic, but listening to subscribers without court approval is illegal. In everyday life, the threat comes not from the operator, but from viruses installed on the phone.
How to remove a virus if it is not removed through the settings?
If the virus is not removed, boot the phone into safe mode (usually by holding the power off button on the lock screen) and try to remove the application from there. If that doesn't help, just reset the settings.
Does wiretapping affect Internet speed?
Yes, active transmission of audio and data by spyware can significantly reduce the speed of the Internet connection and increase ping in games or instant messengers.