Checking a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone for wiretapping and spyware

In the modern world of digital privacy, owners of brand Xiaomi and sub-brand smartphones Redmi are increasingly faced with questions about the security of their personal data. The shell MIUIwith which these devices are equipped has powerful protection tools, but even it cannot always guarantee complete isolation from malicious software. The situation is aggravated by the fact that covert surveillance methods are constantly evolving, turning from simple “bugs” into complex software systems masquerading as system processes.

There is a common misconception that wiretapping is possible only through special services or complex hacker attacks. In practice, the threat often comes from trivial spyware applications installed by someone close to you, or from malware downloaded along with pirated software. Understanding how the operating system level data interception mechanism works is the first step to ensuring the security of your device. Android, is the first step to keeping your device secure.

This article is an expert guide to smartphone diagnostics. Redmi. We will consider not only the obvious signs of third-party surveillance, but also in-depth methods of system analysis, including checking engineering menu codes, analyzing battery consumption, and identifying hidden device administrators. Your task is not to panic, but to consistently perform a series of checks that will help identify and neutralize the threat.

Primary signs of spyware on Redmi

Before moving on to complex technical manipulations, it is necessary to conduct a visual and behavioral diagnosis of the device. Malicious apps that intercept calls or read messages consume processor and modem resources, which inevitably affects the operation of the gadget. If you notice that your Redmi has begun to behave uncharacteristically, this is the first signal to action.

Pay attention to the rate of battery discharge. Spy apps run in the background 24 hours a day, constantly transmitting data to a remote server. This causes the battery to drain much faster than usual, even if you are not actively using the phone. It is also worth checking the temperature regime: if the device body heats up noticeably at rest, perhaps some process is actively using system resources.

⚠️ Attention: The sudden appearance of advertisements, pop-ups or unknown icons on the desktop often indicates the presence of an adware virus that can act as a spyware. Don't ignore these symptoms.

Another critical sign is strange network behavior. If the data light is blinking when all apps are closed, or if you hear noises, clicks, or echoes during a call, your microphone may be activated by a third party. In some cases, the phone may reboot or shut down on its own, trying to hide the activity of malicious code from the user.

Analysis of USSD codes and engineering menu

One of the fastest ways of initial verification is to use special service codes built into the firmware Android. These commands let you see where your incoming calls and messages are routed. Attackers often use the forwarding feature to duplicate your calls to their number, while remaining undetected in the call log.

To perform the test, open the Phone application and enter the command *#21#. After pressing the call button, the screen will display the forwarding status for different types of communication: voice calls, SMS and data. If an unknown phone number is indicated next to any of the items, this is an alarming sign. Normally, it should say “Not forwarded” or the status should be disabled.

*#21# - Checking the forwarding status
##002# - Disabling all types of forwarding

If you find an active forwarding, cancel it immediately by entering the universal reset code ##002#. This command deactivates all types of conditional and unconditional forwarding, returning control of communication lines exclusively to you. However, it is worth remembering that modern sophisticated spyware may not use standard forwarding methods, so this check is only the first stage of diagnosis.

Search for hidden applications and device administrators

Spyware on smartphones Xiaomi is often disguised as system services or given names similar to legitimate processes, such as “Wi-Fi Service,” “System Update,” or “Google Sync.” To identify such parasites, it is necessary to conduct a thorough audit of the installed software through the system settings.

Go to menu Settings → Applications → All applications. Study the list carefully. Look for apps without an icon, with the stock Android robot icon, or with names containing a bunch of random characters. Pay special attention to the installation date: if you see a app installed at a time when you did not download anything, this is a reason for a detailed check.

Applications that have received rights are especially dangerous. Device Administrator. Such rights allow the app to block deletion, track geolocation and intercept keyboard input. To check, follow the path Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Device Administrators (the path may differ slightly in different versions of MIUI).

• 🕵️‍♂️ Check the list of active administrators: there should only be Find My Device and perhaps corporate applications if the phone is working.
• 🚫 If you see an unknown application with a check mark, immediately uncheck it and uninstall the app.
• 🔍 Pay attention to applications with permission “Accessibility”: attackers often use this section to intercept control of the screen.

⚠️ Attention: Some viruses block the delete button or hide themselves from the list of applications. If you cannot remove a suspicious app, try booting your phone in safe mode.

In safe mode, only system applications are launched. To enter it on Redmi, hold down the power button, and when the menu appears, press and hold the “Shut Down” item until you are prompted to switch to safe mode. If in this mode the phone works normally and suspicious activity has disappeared, then the problem is definitely in a third-party application.

Diagnostics through usage statistics and battery

Operating system Android conducts detailed statistics on the use of each application, which is difficult to fake or hide completely. This settings section is a powerful tool for identifying hidden activity. Even if the application is disguised, it will inevitably appear in the resource consumption lists.

Go to the Settings → Battery and performance section (or simply “Battery”). Tap the gear icon or Battery Usage. Here you will see a list of processes sorted by energy consumption. If you see a process with an unclear name that consumes 10-20% of the charge, although you have not used it, this is a clear sign of a miner or spy.

It is also useful to check the “Usage Statistics” section (digital well-being). This shows the time spent in each application and the number of launches. If an application that you have not used for a second was launched 500 times overnight, this is a 100% indicator of malicious activity. Compare this data with your memories of using the phone.

Scanning option	Normal state	Symptom of threat
Background activity	Messengers, mail	Unknown system services
Traffic consumption	Complies with use	High consumption in the background
Launch applications	Only by user action	Hundreds of launches without participation
Access to microphone	Only during a call/recording	Permanent access in the background

Don't forget to check your mobile traffic consumption. Go to Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Data usage. Spyware must transfer collected data (audio, photos, correspondence) to the attacker's server, which creates an abnormal flow of outgoing traffic, even when Wi-Fi is turned off.

Use of anti-virus scanners and built-in protection

The firmware MIUI already has a built-in powerful anti-virus engine developed by the company Avast or AVL (depending on the version of the region). Many users ignore it, preferring third-party solutions, but the built-in scanner has deep access to system partitions, which increases the efficiency of the scan.

To start the scan, open the “Security” application (green icon with a lightning bolt). Select “Antivirus” and click the “Check” button. The system will scan installed applications, files and the system partition for known virus signatures. If a threat is found, the system will offer to delete it or quarantine it.

To enhance protection, it is recommended to install an additional specialized scanner, for example Malwarebytes or Dr.Web. These apps specialize in finding Trojans and spyware that regular antivirus apps might miss. Run a full system scan with a new application.

• 🛡️ Update the virus databases before running the scan for maximum efficiency.
• 📱 Do not install two active antiviruses at the same time - this will lead to a conflict and system slowdowns.
• 🔄 After removing viruses, be sure to reboot the device to cleaning RAM.

⚠️ Attention: If the antivirus finds a virus, but cannot remove it (the button is inactive), it means that the malicious application has received administrator rights. First, revoke the rights in the security settings, and then repeat the removal.

Remember that no antivirus gives a 100% guarantee, especially against new, previously unknown threats (zero-day). Therefore, software scanning should be supplemented by manual analysis described in the previous sections.

What to do if the antivirus does not find anything, but there are symptoms?

In this case, there is a high probability of using stealth technologies or hardware wiretapping. It is recommended to perform a full reset to factory settings, first saving important data (photos, contacts), but NOT restoring a backup copy of applications, since the virus may return with it.

Radical measures: Reset and protection from re-infection

If you find confirmed signs of wiretapping, but cannot remove the malicious application, or if the phone continues to behave suspiciously after all cleaning, the only reliable solution is a full reset to factory settings (Hard Reset). This procedure completely erases the user partition of memory, deleting any app, no matter how deep its disguise.

Before performing a reset, it is critical to save personal data: photos, videos, contacts and documents. However, do not under any circumstances create a backup copy of installed applications via Mi Cloud or Google Drive, as you risk saving an infected installation file. Save only media files and contacts.

Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Erase all data

After the reset, the phone will start as new. During initial setup, be careful when prompted for data recovery. Do not install all applications at once. Start with a basic set and observe the behavior of the system. Set a strong password or pattern, and enable two-factor authentication for all important accounts.

In the future, avoid installing applications from unknown sources. In the settings MIUI by default, it is prohibited to install APK files from the browser or instant messengers. Do not disable this protection unless absolutely necessary. Update the system regularly, as security updates close vulnerabilities through which spies penetrate.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can a Redmi phone listen to me through a muted microphone?

Software - no. If the app does not have an active permission or the microphone indicator (the green dot in the corner of the screen on Android 12+) is not lit, recording will not be possible. However, zero-day vulnerabilities do exist, but they are extremely rare and expensive. Most often, the problem is that the application is simply not removed completely.

Is it true that the code *#06# helps to find a wiretap?

No, it's a myth. The code *#06# is intended solely to display the IMEI code of the device (its unique serial number). It does not show information about redirects, active connections or installed spyware.

How to find out who exactly is listening to me?

It is almost impossible to identify a specific person using software methods. You can find the number that is being forwarded to, but it may be registered to a fake person or be virtual. In case of a serious security threat, you should contact law enforcement agencies.

Will changing the SIM card save you from wiretapping?

No. If spyware is installed in the phone's memory, changing the SIM card will not change anything. The app will continue to record conversations through the new SIM card and transfer them to the attacker via the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data of the new card).

Does the MIUI version affect the security of the phone?

Yes, newer versions of the shell MIUI and Android contain improved permission control mechanisms, microphone and camera activity indicators, as well as regular patches security. On older firmware versions, the risk of infection is much higher.