Xiaomi: Difference between revisions

==Controversies==

Although Xiaomi's devices run on an operating system based on the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux Linux] kernel, which is licensed under [https://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.en.html GPLv2], the company does not disclose all of their operating system source code on GitHub, as required by GPL terms.  

===Unlocking restrictions===

Phones sold outside of China come with an unlockable bootloader, however the unlocking process is heavily restricted.

===Certain repairs require an '''authorized service Mi Account'''.===

For devices with a broken bootloader, recovery typically involves '''reflashing firmware''' through '''[[wikipedia:Qualcomm_EDL_mode|Emergency Download (EDL) mode]]''' (for Qualcomm-based devices) or '''Download Mode''' (for MediaTek-based devices). While '''Qualcomm''' and '''MediaTek''' provide software for these modes, they are only distributed internally to repair centers. However, '''open-source alternatives exist''' that can perform similar functions.

Despite this, '''Xiaomi has implemented additional restrictions''' by requiring '''online authentication''', which is exclusively provided to '''authorized repair centers'''. This prevents users from restoring their own devices in cases of severe software failure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Siddiqui |first=Aamir |date=29 Feb 2020 |title=Xiaomi needs a better way to unbrick its devices instead of Authorized Mi Accounts |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/xiaomi-edl-unbrick-authorized-mi-accounts/ |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=XDA}}</ref>

Owners of the electric vehicle [[Xiaomi SU7]] report authentication errors after replacing parts such as headlights. Officials have said the Xiaomi SU7 can not complete over the air software updates unless upgradeable parts have Xiaomi approved identification keys.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrews |first=Mark |date=8 Aug 2024 |title=Xiaomi SU7 cannot do OTA due to changed lights, and owners worry about flooding their frunk |url=https://carnewschina.com/2024/08/08/xiaomi-su7-cannot-do-ota-due-to-changed-lights-and-owners-worry-about-flooding-their-frunk/ |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=CarNewsChina}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=建嘉 |date=8 Aug 2024 |title=小米：SU7所有可升级件都有认证秘钥 换副厂件后可能无法OTA |trans-title=Xiaomi: All upgradable parts of SU7 have authentication keys After replacing the analog parts, OTA may not be possible |url=https://news.mydrivers.com/1/996/996066.htm |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Mydrivers |language=zh}}</ref>

=== '''Mandatory activation of electric scooters before use''' ===

Electric scooters such as Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Lite (2nd Gen) will require activation before it can be used. This activation can only be done via the Xiaomi Home mobile application. In order to use the application the User agreement and privacy policy must be agreed to and a Xiaomi Account created. [https://www.mi.com/global/support/faq/details/KA-235518/ Pairing the scooter to the app]

[[File:Mi Video Scareware.jpg|thumb|268x268px|A scareware advert is shown in Mi Video when media playback is paused]]

Xiaomi devices come with several pre-installed first-party apps that contain advertisements, including full-screen deceptive scareware ads urging users to install malware. Workarounds exist to disable ads in some apps, including Mi File Explorer, Mi Browser, MIUI Downloads, MIUI Security, Mi Music, Mi Video and MIUI Themes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=jihad.ptk1 |date=1 Mar 2021 |title=Turn off ads on Xiaomi smartphones & MIUI using simple settings |url=https://c.mi.com/bd/post/10086 |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |via=Xiaomi Community}}</ref> In many of their phones such as cheaper Poco phones, a system app that can't be normally searched upon normal means called "MSA" should also be revoked or uninstall via ADB as it introduces ads most of the time a user opens up the phone.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/miui/comments/15jadut/revoking_msa_is_the_best_decision_in_my_phone/</ref>

Most of the aforementioned apps can be substituted for FOSS alternatives, but they cannot be uninstalled without advanced methods such as ADB.

In 2020, it was revealed that Xiaomi phones send vast amount of data to Xiaomi, including browsing history, folders opened and many other things users do on their phones. Xiaomi insists that privacy is not affected, but none of their statements really contradict the allegations of vast data collection.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Iyer |first=Kavita |date=2020-05-02 |title=Xiaomi Refutes Claims Of Secretly Sending Its User Data To China |url=https://www.techworm.net/2020/05/xiaomi-secretly-sending-user-data-china.html |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Techworm}}</ref>

Most of the data is sent to servers in Singapore which belong to Chinese tech giant Alibaba Cloud. Users can verify themselves which connections are made by using the connection log feature in an app such as No Root Firewall, NetGuard or [https://f-droid.org/packages/net.kollnig.missioncontrol.fdroid/ Tracker Control]. This shows the phones sometimes suddenly getting really "chatty", at times in the middle of the night.

The only way to mitigate this is to [[Bootloader unlocking|use a custom ROM]] such as [https://www.e.foundation /e/] or [https://www.lineageos.org LineageOS]. Users who do not have the technical skill to do this should use an app like [https://f-droid.org/packages/net.kollnig.missioncontrol.fdroid/ Tracker Control] from the F-Droid store to limit connections and use an alternate browser such as Firefox (Google Play Store) or [https://f-droid.org/de/packages/org.mozilla.fennec_fdroid/ Fennec] (F-Droid store). Built-in applications should be avoided as much as possible.

As a Chinese company, Xiaomi is under direct control of the Chinese government. China is an autocratic dictatorship and a surveillance state, which users should take into consideration when using internet connected software and hardware products from the region. The company cannot deny requests from the Chinese state for user data and must collaborate unconditionally in state espionage cases. This law also applies extraterritorially and thus user data worldwide is affected.

Some phone models display a cartoon of Mitu, the Xiaomi mascot bunny performing maintenance on the iconic Android logo robot when booted into fastboot mode by holding down the corresponding button combination, which differs between phone models. This mascot is wearing an olive green fur hat that is part of the communist pioneer uniform and bears the characteristic red star on its front, emphasizing the patriotic stance of the company.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ravichandran |first=Sudarshan |date=2021-11-25 |title=Xiaomi removes Mi Bunny from MIUI fastboot screen |url=https://www.gizmochina.com/2021/11/25/xiaomi-removes-mi-bunny-from-miui-fastboot-screen/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Gizmochina}}</ref>

===Preinstalled bloat on smartphones===

Xiaomi smartphones out of the box run on their custom version of Android known as HyperOS (formerly MIUI) which comes bundled with a plethora of [[Bloatware|preinstalled]] first and third party apps. The preinstalled third party apps can be easily uninstalled with a few clicks whereas the same is not applicable for the preinstalled first party apps. The option to uninstall them is either greyed out or just outright missing, requiring advanced methods such as ADB to uninstall.

Xiaomi's ecosystem of smart home devices is primarily managed through the '''Xiaomi Home''' (formerly Mi Home) application. Xiaomi does not provide a browser-based control panel for managing devices. Users must install the proprietary Xiaomi Home app on their smartphones. For desktop usage, the only workaround is to run an Android emulator, as there is no official native application for Windows, Linux, or macOS.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chin |first=Sam |date=29 Aug 2025 |title=Which platforms does the Mi Home/Xiaomi Home APP support? |url=https://www.mi.com/global/support/faq/details/KA-515616/ |access-date=15 Mar 2025}}</ref>

Xiaomi has a series of smart watches and fitness bands. While watches are expected to be used alongside a phone, requiring Bluetooth synchronization therefore activation, fitness bands such as the Mi Band series or Redmi Band series could be expected not being used with a phone for sports functions such as heart rate monitoring, steps counting and more. But they need pairing to be first turned on. Pairing requires installing the Mi Fitness app, agreeing to its terms and services and creating an account in order to use the device.