Editing Xiaomi (section)

==Controversies==

===Kernel disclosure issues===
{{Main|Xiaomi's disclosure of kernel sources}}
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===
{{Main|Xiaomi Phone unlock requirements and procedure}}
Phones manufactured 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>

===Electric vehicle conditional serialization===
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>

===Advertisements in system apps===
[[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> 

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

===Sending user's browsing history to China===
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 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.

===Links to the Chinese government===
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>