Xiaomi has rapidly grown from a little-known Chinese smartphone upstart to the second largest mobile device maker on the planet. The company shipped over 84 million phones just last quarter, comprising nearly 14% market share globally.
Powering every one of those Xiaomi and Redmi-branded handsets is MIUI, Xiaomi‘s proprietary Android fork pre-installed out of the box.
MIUI delivers a slick, customized interface along with unique features like battery-saving focused controls and enhanced security tools. However, underneath the visually appealing skin and expanded functionality, MIUI has gained notoriety for aggressive data harvesting that thoroughly compromises user privacy.
How Much Data Does MIUI Really Collect?
Numerous independent analyses have uncovered MIUI‘s extensive background tracking services that gather usage statistics, device diagnostic information, and identifiers that get tied to individual owners.
For example, a 2022 investigation by tweets_priv found that brand new MIUI devices were making over 8,800 domain connections every week, contacting servers belonging to Alibaba, Tencent, and other Chinese tech giants.
MIUItransmits information like:
- Device model details
- Hardware specifications
- Installed app names
- Usage duration for apps/services
- Network carrier
- Screen resolutions
- Bluetooth scan results showing nearby devices
- WiFi access point names and MAC addresses
In addition to diagnostics, MIUIalso enables several options explicitly intended to monitor user activity by default. These include:
- User Experience Program: Records app usage, device interactions, and system log data to help Xiaomi "improve product experience."
- Usage & Diagnostics: Transmits anonymized device, settings, and usage statistics to Xiaomi.
- Glance Lock Screen: Displays curated content and ads on lock screen based on user interests and demographics.
With so much private information getting phoned home to Xiaomi‘s servers in China, no wonder MIUI has a reputation for terrible privacy practices.
But while some critics argue the only solution is flashing custom Android ROMs, that level of platform modification isn‘t realistic for most owners. The good news is you can easily tweak MIUI to boost privacy without advanced technical skills or resorting to unauthorized firmware swaps.
Let‘s explore 13 ways to curb excessive data collection in MIUI and take back control of your personal information.
#1 Carefully Set Up New Devices
The very first step to locking down privacy in MIUI takes place right when setting up a new phone or after a factory reset.
When booting devices for the first time, Xiaomi presents a variety of terms and conditions related to data collection that users often accept without realizing the implications around information sharing.
Be sure to thoroughly read each permissions screen, and disable any of the following data gathering options:
- User Experience Program
- Usage and Diagnostics
- Glance Lock Screen
- Personalized Ads
This immediately restricts several avenues MIUI uses to monitor activities and share details with Xiaomi‘s cloud ecosystem.
However, don‘t stop there…
#2 Avoid Using Mi Apps Entirely
Pre-installed on every MIUI phone are dozens of proprietary Xiaomi apps ranging from Mi Video and Theme to Mi Pay and Mi Remote.
While convenient, these apps introduced yet another vector for Xiaomi to potentially collect usage statistics and personal info.
To limit exposure, it‘s wise to avoid Xiaomi‘s first-party apps entirely whenever equivalent options exist:
Instead of: Use:
Mi Browser Firefox
Mi Pay Google Pay
Mi Remote Hardware Controls
Mi Video/Player VLC
Mi Themes Play Store Themes
Mi App Store (GetApps) Play StoreSticking with trusted, well-known alternatives reduces dependencies on Xiaomi services and restricts what data gets synced to their servers.
Of course, this brings us to our next crucial step…
#3 Install Privacy-Focused Replacement Apps
Simply removing Xiaomi‘s pre-installed apps leaves functionality gaps in MIUI. The superior approach is to replace defaults with privacy-centric apps offering comparable features.
Two areas that deserve immediate attention are MIUI‘s keyboard and web browser, which can capture incredibly sensitive information like passwords and login credentials.
Replace With:
Xiaomi Keyboard -> AnySoftKeyboard
Mi Browser -> Firefox or DuckDuckGoAnySoftKeyboard offers full offline support, open source code, and lacks permission requirements that leak keystrokes. Firefox and DuckDuckGo emphasis privacy in web browsing with tracker/ad blocking.
Other apps to substitute include:
Gallery -> Google Photos
Files -> Files by Google
Launcher -> Nova LauncherWhile not perfect, Google‘s apps offer transparency into data practices and let you limit ad personalization. Nova Launcher removes MIUI homepage annoyances.
#4 Routinely Manage App Permissions
Android provides a powerful permission system for controlling app access toContacts, Storage, Microphone, Location, and other sensitive system resources. MIUI makes these permission managers easy to access.
Review the full list under Settings > Passwords & Security > App Permissions, with options to toggle access on a per-app basis. Tap into individual apps to fine-tune permissions even further.
Remember to check Special app permissions that enable intrusive behaviors like automatically starting background services or drawing overlays on other apps. Disable anything sketchy or unnecessary.
#5 Revoke Authorization for System Apps
In addition to permissions, MIUI enables formally "Authorizing" apps to access private data without traditional approval requirements.
Head to Passwords & Security > Authorization & revocation and PAY ATTENTION to the list of authorized system apps. Tap the toggle switch to instantly revoke access and delete associated personal information for uneasy inclusions like Security, GetApps, Analytics, and more.
#6 Opt-Out of "User Experience Program"
Remember that shady "User Experience Program" we disabled during initial device setup? Even if you opted out originally, MIUI periodically re-enables data sharing with Xiaomi to "improve product experience."
To permanently squash diagnostic tracking, head to Passwords & security > Privacy protection and switch the toggle labeled User Experience Program to the OFF position.
Right below that, confirm the switch for Send usage and diagnostic data is likewise set to OFF.
#7 Ditch Glance Lock Screen Impressions
Yet another data vacuum baked into MIUI is the Glance lock screen, serving a constant barrage of content suggestions, stories, and ads tailored to your interests and demographics.
Disable Glance by navigating to Settings > Customize Home Screen > Glance, then toggle off the switch for Use Glance. With permissions revoked, your lock screen returns to a serene, private status.
#8 Replace Default Apps with Privacy Alternatives
In case it wasn‘t clear already, limiting exposure to Xiaomi‘s first-party apps is pivotal for curtailing excessive data gathering. Let‘s explore a few more default MIUI apps that deserve special scrutiny.
Photo Gallery & File Manager
MIUI ships with its own photo gallery and file manager apps, each configured to auto-upload images and documents to Xiaomi‘s Mi Cloud storage servers.
Replace these potential privacy hazards with Google Photos and Files by Google instead:
Default MIUI Apps -> Install These Instead
Gallery -> Google Photos
Mi Cloud Photo Sync -> Google Photos Sync
File Manager -> Files by Google Google Photos handles images and videos with optional cloud backup, while Files by Google centralizes local file browsing. Both let you control data sharing granularly.
Web Browser
As mentioned previously, MIUI sets its own Mi Browser app as the default web rendering engine. Like most manufacturer-customized browsers riddled with plug-ins and modifications, user tracking is a real concern.
Choose Firefox or privacy-centric DuckDuckGo Browser as a secure replacement:
Mi Browser -> Firefox / DuckDuckGo BrowserBoth alternatives emphasize online privacy with built-in tracker/ad blockers, encrypted connections, anti-fingerprinting, and no hidden data mining.
App Store
Even MIUI‘s app store itself called GetApps spies on user activity, collecting telemetry like app installs and browsing history to serve tailored advertising. Uninstall it completely via:
Settings -> Apps -> GetApps -> UninstallExclusive use of the Google Play Store cuts ties with yet another Xiaomi data feedback channel. One less vector to worry about.
#9 Do NOT Sign Into Xiaomi Cloud Services
Tempting as it may be for synchronization convenience, avoid signing into MIUI using your Xiaomi account credentials or syncing data to their Mi Cloud ecosystem.
Rely on your Google account for app data backups exclusively, disabling and removing all Xiaomi Cloud services under:
Settings -> Passwords & Accounts -> Xiaomi Cloud -> Sign Out
Settings -> Sync -> Disable "Mi Cloud Sync" for all itemsTo ease the transition, enable backup within key Google apps:
Google Photos -> Back up & sync
Gmail -> Sync mail
Chrome -> Sync DataWith Google handling secure cloud storage and synchronization, keep Xiaomi accounts out of the picture.
#10 Disable Personalized Ads
Part and parcel to MIUI‘s data harvesting is building detailed user profiles to serve ultra-targeted advertisements. Completely defang this nuisance by disabling personalized ads system-wide.
Navigate to Settings > Passwords & Security > Privacy Protection > Personalized advertisement and toggle the switch OFF.
While ads may still be present in certain Xiaomi apps, their relevance to your actual interests plummets without activity tracking. It‘s a solid incremental win.
#11 Enable NextDNS System-Wide
So far we‘ve focused mainly on MIUI settings and built-in data sharing controls. But the privacy boosting tools don‘t stop there. Let‘s discuss a few supplemental apps that can profoundly improve confidentiality.
First up is NextDNS, a network-level antivirus, malware blocker, and privacy enhancer for all devices. It functions similarly to a VPN tunnel, routing traffic through NextDNS servers to filter out ads, trackers, and even malvertising.
Unlike niche VPNs, NextDNS works flawlessly for complete Android app and web traffic shaping. The app couldn‘t be easier to setup. Just install, enter your account ID, then toggle on the giant blue button. That‘s it!
With indiscriminate DNS monitoring off the table, NextDNS singles out and blocks thousands of tracking providers system-wide on MIUI. It perfectly complements built-in options like disabling personalized ads and shields your device everywhere.
#12 Routinely Install OS & Security Updates
It should go without saying crucial device security is contingent on keeping firmware fully patched and up to date. Don‘t let that slide.
Navigate to Settings > About phone and check for Android OS updates, security patches, and MIUI version upgrades regularly. Tap through and install them immediately when available.
Newer MIUI releases incorporate privacy protections matching features shipping in latest Android versions. Updates also remedy vulnerabilities that could be exploited by spyware or data thieves if left unaddressed. Stay current.
#13 Monitor Notification Access
Last but certainly not least, keep close watch on apps declaring access to view contents of notifications under Settings > Apps > Special app access.
Notification contents can include personal messages, bank/financial statements, two-factor authentication codes, and other confidential items you don‘t want leaked publicly.
Revoke notification privileges for apps lacking sufficient justification, only permitting reasonable first-party programs like unlock mechanisms or accessibility services. Put untrusted apps on notice restricting this sensitive access channel.
Settings -> Apps -> Special app access -> Notification access -> Revoke sketchy appsClaiming perfect, watertight privacy on commercial smartphones is unrealistic given baseline software intricacies. But following these 13 tips dramatically curtails MIUI‘s data harvesting appetite through intentional configuration adjustments and safer app substitutes.
Rather than tolerating Xiaomi‘s transmission of usage statistics and device diagnostics back to China, take matters into your own hands restricting transmission channels. Disable shady background tracking, revoke authorizations, ditch data-mining default apps, and compliment restrictions with network-wide filtering tools.
Approaching MIUI privacy responsibly requires diligence across multiple domains, not just a single toggle flip. But the collective impact restricts proprietary tracking services far beyond what MIUI permits out of the box.
Do you have any other MIUI privacy tips to share? What steps have you taken securing your Xiaomi phone data? Let me know in the comments!
