Xiaomi: Difference between revisions

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===Pre-installed 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|pre-installed]] first- and third-party apps. The pre-installed third-party apps can be easily uninstalled with a few clicks whereas the same is not applicable for the pre-installed first-party apps. The option to uninstall them is either grayed out or just outright missing, requiring advanced methods such as ADB to uninstall.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shukla |first=Rakesh |title=Xiaomi Bloatware List (2025) – Debloat HyperOS (Guide) |url=https://technastic.com/xiaomi-bloatware-list-miui/ |website=Technastic |date=6 Jun 2025 |access-date=12 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260113083620/https://technastic.com/xiaomi-bloatware-list-miui/ |archive-date=13 Jan 2026}}</ref>

=== Distribution of fake news through notifications ===

In March 2026, German consumer organization Stiftung Warentest reported that Xiaomi phones had distributed system notifications posing as news from [[wikipedia:Tagesschau_(German_TV_programme)|Tagesschau]], Germany's highly regarded public broadcast news programme, which also has a popular app which has the ability to send notifications for breakting news.

The notifications in question was emitted by Xiaomi's system Browser app and led users to a replica of the original Tagesschau website, which contained an investment scam.

Stiftung Warentest cites Xiaomi representatives stating the incident was being taken seriously and investigated internally. They also state that Xiaomi is "working with a series of global content providers, which my vary by region or country, to deliver push messages to users".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-27 |title=Fake News auf Xiaomi-Handys [Fake news on Xiaomi phones] |url=https://www.test.de/Smartphones-Fake-News-auf-Xiaomi-Handys-6284169-0/ |archive-url=https://archive.ph/8Wf82 |archive-date=2026-03-03 |access-date=2026-03-06 |website=Stiftung Warentest}}</ref>

The incident raises concerns about Chinese state actors having the ability to distribute fake news or propaganda in other countries via phone notifications. However, there is currently no evidence of this actually being exploited in practice.

Users can only reasonably protect themselves by moving to an open source operating system (Custom ROM), provided that their device allows for [[bootloader unlocking]] and is supported by the respective operating system.

===Xiaomi Home===

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Xiaomi has a series of smart watches and fitness bands. While watches are expected to be used alongside a phone, requiring {{Wplink|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.

=== '''Xiaomi Air Purifier''' ===

==='''Xiaomi Air Purifier'''===

Xiaomi forces you to buy their proprietary air filter, otherwise the air purifier doesn't work. Wasn't always like that, it came with an update and today you cannot use your air purifier without Xiaomi's original parts. A solution has been proposed [https://www.hackster.io/news/unethical-info-fights-back-against-forced-filter-replacement-with-a-xiaomi-air-purifier-drm-guide-c484be7db7a7 here].

@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 ===Pre-installed 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|pre-installed]] first- and third-party apps. The pre-installed third-party apps can be easily uninstalled with a few clicks whereas the same is not applicable for the pre-installed first-party apps. The option to uninstall them is either grayed out or just outright missing, requiring advanced methods such as ADB to uninstall.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shukla |first=Rakesh |title=Xiaomi Bloatware List (2025) – Debloat HyperOS (Guide) |url=https://technastic.com/xiaomi-bloatware-list-miui/ |website=Technastic |date=6 Jun 2025 |access-date=12 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260113083620/https://technastic.com/xiaomi-bloatware-list-miui/ |archive-date=13 Jan 2026}}</ref>
+=== Distribution of fake news through notifications ===
+In March 2026, German consumer organization Stiftung Warentest reported that Xiaomi phones had distributed system notifications posing as news from [[wikipedia:Tagesschau_(German_TV_programme)|Tagesschau]], Germany's highly regarded public broadcast news programme, which also has a popular app which has the ability to send notifications for breakting news.
+The notifications in question was emitted by Xiaomi's system Browser app and led users to a replica of the original Tagesschau website, which contained an investment scam.
+Stiftung Warentest cites Xiaomi representatives stating the incident was being taken seriously and investigated internally. They also state that Xiaomi is "working with a series of global content providers, which my vary by region or country, to deliver push messages to users".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-27 |title=Fake News auf Xiaomi-Handys [Fake news on Xiaomi phones] |url=https://www.test.de/Smartphones-Fake-News-auf-Xiaomi-Handys-6284169-0/ |archive-url=https://archive.ph/8Wf82 |archive-date=2026-03-03 |access-date=2026-03-06 |website=Stiftung Warentest}}</ref>
+The incident raises concerns about Chinese state actors having the ability to distribute fake news or propaganda in other countries via phone notifications. However, there is currently no evidence of this actually being exploited in practice.
+Users can only reasonably protect themselves by moving to an open source operating system (Custom ROM), provided that their device allows for [[bootloader unlocking]] and is supported by the respective operating system.
 ===Xiaomi Home===
@@ Line 65: / Line 76: @@
 Xiaomi has a series of smart watches and fitness bands. While watches are expected to be used alongside a phone, requiring {{Wplink|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.
-=== '''Xiaomi Air Purifier''' ===
+==='''Xiaomi Air Purifier'''===
 Xiaomi forces you to buy their proprietary air filter, otherwise the air purifier doesn't work. Wasn't always like that, it came with an update and today you cannot use your air purifier without Xiaomi's original parts. A solution has been proposed [https://www.hackster.io/news/unethical-info-fights-back-against-forced-filter-replacement-with-a-xiaomi-air-purifier-drm-guide-c484be7db7a7 here].