Alexis Kestler
MIUI, Xiaomi‘s Android skin, is installed on hundreds of millions of devices globally. But its extensive data harvesting has raised privacy concerns.
As a fellow MIUI user, I want to help you take control of your privacy. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share tips to limit MIUI and Xiaomi‘s access to your personal data based on my extensive research and testing.
How MIUI‘s Priorities Differ from Stock Android
Unlike stock Android on Pixel phones, privacy just doesn‘t seem to be the priority in MIUI. Let me explain why:
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MIUI lacks finer privacy controls that pure Android has added in recent years. For instance, runtime permission controls were weaker earlier.
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It doesn‘t notify you when apps access sensitive permissions like contacts or location in the background. This reduces transparency.
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Pre-installed Mi apps try to draw you into Xiaomi‘s ecosystem with alarming data collection policies.
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Opting out of data sharing requires navigating through complex settings. Google makes it easier on their phones.
So MIUI essentially takes some privacy shortcuts to provide a customized experience. But with some knowledge, we can overcome these limitations.
Step #1: Set Up a New or Reset Device Carefully
When you first set up a MIUI device or reset it, be very careful of what you agree to enable or disable during the setup flow.
Here are some key options I recommend you disable or decline:
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User Experience Program: Opt out to prevent Xiaomi from collecting usage data to improve MIUI.
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Diagnostic Data Collection: Similarly, disable this to stop debug/usage info being sent.
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Glance Lockscreen: Glance shows personalized content/ads on lockscreen. Disable it.
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Ads Personalization: Prevent tracking for targeted ads by disabling this.
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Overly Broad Privacy Policy/ToU: Don‘t blindly agree if you are uncomfortable.
Setting up with privacy as the priority prevents issues in the long run.
Step #2: Avoid Pre-installed Mi Apps
Xiaomi pre-installs several Mi branded apps on MIUI devices to get you into their ecosystem.
Based on my testing, these apps aggressively collect data with unclear privacy policies. For core functionality like contacts, messages, photos etc. use Google‘s pre-installed apps instead.
Also replace other Mi apps with better alternatives (see Step #9). Limit interaction with Mi apps as much as possible.
Step #3: Use a Third-Party Keyboard App
The stock MIUI keyboard monitors everything you type on the device. To prevent this, I recommend installing an alternative open-source keyboard like AnySoftKeyboard or OpenBoard.
These respect your privacy by not collecting or transmitting what you type without consent. I‘ve used AnySoftKeyboard for years without issues.
Step #4: Don‘t Blindly Accept Privacy Policies
When you launch certain Mi apps for the first time, MIUI will prompt you to agree to their Privacy Policy before you can use them.
My recommendation is to decline the agreement if you are uncomfortable with that app collecting usage data or sharing it with Xiaomi. In most cases, core features will still work fine without agreeing.
Step #5: Manage App Permissions
MIUI has a quite powerful centralized permissions manager under the Privacy Protection section in Settings.
Go through this and ensure none of the apps have unnecessary permissions enabled, especially for sensitive resources like contacts, storage, location etc.
Also pay close attention to permissions marked as ‘sensitive‘ or ‘high-risk‘ for enhanced control. Disable anything that seems suspicious.
Step #6: Revoke Authorizations
Some MIUI system apps like Mi Security, Cleaner and GetApps require authorizing access to personal data to work.
You can revoke their authorizations under Password & Security > Authorization & Revocation in Settings. This prevents them from collecting any more new data while also deleting existing data from Xiaomi servers.
Step #7: Disable the Glance Lockscreen
The Glance lockscreen displays personalized content, recommendations and ads while charging by default in MIUI.
To prevent analytics and tracking, disable Glance under Always-On Display & Lockscreen settings. You‘ll get a regular lockscreen without analytics.
Step #8: Opt Out of Data Collection
Navigate to Passwords & Security > Privacy in Settings. Then disable ‘Join user experience program‘ and ‘Send usage analytics‘.
This prevents MIUI and Xiaomi from automatically collecting usage analytics and other diagnostic data from your device.
Step #9: Use Better Alternatives to Mi Apps
For Gallery, File Manager, Wallpapers, Browser and other apps, use highly rated alternatives like Google Photos, Solid Explorer, Walli and Firefox.
These alternatives are less invasive when it comes to unnecessary data access compared to the pre-installed Mi apps as per my testing.
Step #10: Avoid Mi Cloud and Accounts
Syncing contacts, messages and other data with Mi Cloud hands over all that data to Xiaomi‘s servers in cleartext.
I recommend relying on your Google account and selective Google services like Contacts and Photos for sync. Avoid Mi Cloud.
Step #11: Disable Personalized Ads
In regions like India and Indonesia, MIUI displays personalized ads in some system apps.
You can disable targeted ads by navigating to Passwords & Security > Privacy > Personalized ad recommendations and toggling it off.
Step #12: Use NextDNS to Block Trackers
Tools like NextDNS when applied at the network-level can block many MIUI trackers and analytics connections.
I recommend setting it up as a Private DNS in Settings or as a local VPN app. This significantly reduces unwanted analytics and tracking as per my testing.
Step #13: Keep MIUI Updated
I know updating MIUI is not fun given the bugs and instability. However, staying on the latest version ensures you get all the latest privacy features and fixes.
Xiaomi provides better update support for MI lineup compared to Redmi phones. My recommendation is to update MIUI whenever you can to stay secure.
Closing Thoughts
Despite MIUI‘s privacy downsides compared to stock Android, we are not helpless. With the tips shared in this guide, you can take control and significantly improve your privacy on MIUI.
What has your experience been like protecting privacy on MIUI? Let me know if you have any other tips I should cover. I‘m always looking to learn more and enhance this guide for all MIUI users.
