Fed up with shelling for a (definitely not cheap) new filter when the beast demands one?

Replace the filter on your schedule!

https://unethical.info/2024/01/24/hacking-my-air-purifier/

Now, of course the effectiveness of the HEPA filter will be reduced when you go past the programmed life but you should get at least another 100% usage before replacing it would be advisable. YMMV

You'll need the free "NFC Tools" app from the play store.

Yes, I've tested this.

Keep it on the down low... Chinese industrial spies everywhere... LOL

Edited May 6May 6 by gamb00ler

6 hours ago, Crossy said:

Yes, I've tested this.

We have two older models which also seem to be hackable, according to some reports.

I plan to hack one and test if it is still cleaning the air according to the readings on the other one.

Edited May 6May 6 by gamb00ler

So do all models of xiaomi have this "feature" ?

I was looking to buy one , but with this information,

no way !

Certainly interesting, but with Xiaomi filters costing 1000 baht and lasting 6+ months, comparing them to some other brands (not listed to avoid defamation lawsuit) costing 10x as much and lasting even shorter time, I am quite happy to pay for a new filter, and in fact have a few spares to replace with when current ones run out. But yes, on the environmental side of things - this surely makes sense.

On the side note - despite displaying 0% filter left, the Xiaomi air purifier keeps working, just displaying that on the screen every 10 minutes or so and sending you phone notifications that filter is expired. I never had a fake filter for 300 baht but in their instructions it states that if filter remains used up, holding power + mode button for 3 seconds resets the filter to 100%. That bit being added to "original xiaomi filter" posts in ... online merchant site... told me filter was fake and I avoided that shop, hence can't confirm if that really works or not.

6 minutes ago, FlorC said:

So do all models of xiaomi have this "feature" ?

I was looking to buy one , but with this information,

no way !

It is a one year cost, right now 800 - 1600 baht depending on your model for a Xiami filter, so the question is, is it worth the hacking? I do not even use the filter all year either, and my Xiami 3c is already 4 years and got one month left on it, and I changed filter twice only. Im not even sure the filter I got now is original.

I took it out and cleaned it a few times, but that doesnt change anything. One more month, now I will store them all for next dry hot season. If you living more exposed areas, of course it will be different, and if you use them every day, there is a reason you should change them.

1 minute ago, tomazbodner said:

Certainly interesting, but with Xiaomi filters costing 1000 baht and lasting 6+ months, comparing them to some other brands (not listed to avoid defamation lawsuit) costing 10x as much and lasting even shorter time, I am quite happy to pay for a new filter, and in fact have a few spares to replace with when current ones run out. But yes, on the environmental side of things - this surely makes sense.

On the side note - despite displaying 0% filter left, the Xiaomi air purifier keeps working, just displaying that on the screen every 10 minutes or so and sending you phone notifications that filter is expired. I never had a fake filter for 300 baht but in their instructions it states that if filter remains used up, holding power + mode button for 3 seconds resets the filter to 100%. That bit being added to "original xiaomi filter" posts in ... online merchant site... told me filter was fake and I avoided that shop, hence can't confirm if that really works or not.

Xiami Smart Elite got a little longer depending on use, up to 14 months.

As long as my PM2,5 meter shows the filter is still working,

there is no need to replace it.

I don't want a forced replacement.

At Lazada you can buy cheap Xiaomi OEM replacement filters starting from 125 THB. Cheap enough to give it a try.

https://s.lazada.co.th/s.ZTFdfW

Edited May 7May 7 by snowgard

That worked well. Thank you

Glad to see folks as 'unethical' (and cheap!) as I am.

15 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Glad to see folks as 'unethical' (and cheap!) as I am.

Give me another decade, I might be there myself,

I got a Philips branded one, after about 3 months I thought this thing

is not working ,so took it apart and found the filter is still wrapped in

plastic !, yes like many men i don't read instructions.

regards worgeordie

2 hours ago, snowgard said:

At Lazada you can buy cheap Xiaomi OEM replacement filters starting from 125 THB. Cheap enough to give it a try.

https://s.lazada.co.th/s.ZTFdfW

Have bought those and they are fine AND you can reset them following the instructions online.

6 hours ago, FlorC said:

So do all models of xiaomi have this "feature" ?

I was looking to buy one , but with this information,

no way !

Have had ours for 2 yrs. Clean the filter regularly. Still works.

12 hours ago, snowgard said:

At Lazada you can buy cheap Xiaomi OEM replacement filters starting from 125 THB. Cheap enough to give it a try.

https://s.lazada.co.th/s.ZTFdfW

They are about 350 and up. The 125 is just for some paper that wraps around the filter. It's still a lot less than the original filter and it's likely the same or very comparable.

I bought one years ago 20th floor in pattaya.

Always read 0.

Waste of money so sold it.

Apparently wasn't needed.

On 5/7/2026 at 12:58 PM, worgeordie said:

I got a Philips branded one, after about 3 months I thought this thing

is not working ,so took it apart and found the filter is still wrapped in

plastic !, yes like many men i don't read instructions.

regards worgeordie

Well that's one way of extending the filter's life.

6 hours ago, sikishrory said:

I bought one years ago 20th floor in pattaya.

Always read 0.

Waste of money so sold it.

Apparently wasn't needed.

Or was broken?

10 minutes ago, treetops said:

Or was broken?

no it used to occasionally fire up when it sensed a bit of dust or something but it was quite rare. The air was simply not as dirty as I imagined. I also wonder if higher up is cleaner than street level.

Whenever I come across a hack like this one, I'm always worried that they may be looting my bank account while they're resetting my air filter.

It's like those signs with a QR code to get a great deal at some local establishment. There's no telling what that QR code really does.

On 5/6/2026 at 6:05 PM, gamb00ler said:

Keep it on the down low... Chinese industrial spies everywhere... LOL

So you dont use Google, dreamer🤣🤣🤣

55 minutes ago, 241195_1469957797 said:

So you dont use Google

There are multiple other search engines remember Lycos and Altavista ???

My Daiken air purifiers have pre-filters that are easily cleaned. The primary HEPA filters are supposed to be good for 10 years

21 hours ago, sikishrory said:

I bought one years ago 20th floor in pattaya.

Always read 0.

Waste of money so sold it.

Apparently wasn't needed.

Did you plug it in?

Get in touch with worgeordie if you need any Technical help!

Edited May 14May 14 by sungod