Google Smart Lock on Xiaomi Redmi Note 10: A Complete Disablement Guide

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is one of the most popular mid-range smartphones, but its owners often face unexpected โ€œgiftsโ€ from Google Smart Lock. This feature, designed to simplify the lives of users, often becomes a source of irritation: it automatically saves passwords, unlocks the device in โ€œsafe placesโ€ and even can conflict with the system settings of MIUI. If you notice that the phone unlocks on its own, and the browser substitutes other peopleโ€™s logins โ€“ the culprit is found.

Turning off Google Smart Lock on the Redmi Note 10 isnโ€™t as easy as it sounds: settings are scattered across multiple menus, and some options are hidden behind additional confirmations. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to deactivate a function, from basic to radical (including resetting security settings), and also explain why Smart Lock can turn on voluntarily after updates. MIUI We will pay special attention to the nuances of the firmware Redmi Note 10 Pro and Redmi Note. 10S, Where the path to settings may be different.

What is Google Smart Lock and Why You Should Turn It Off

Google Smart Lock is a service from Google that automates the authentication process on Android devices. It works in three main modes:

  • ๐Ÿ“ Reliable places: unlocking the phone when in pre-saved locations (home, work).
  • ๐Ÿ”‘ Saved passwords: autocomplete logins / passwords in the browser and applications.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Companion devices: unlocking a smartphone when connected to a trusted gadget (for example, a smartwatch).

On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10, the Smart Lock can cause problems:

  • โš ๏ธ Unlocking in public places (if a โ€œsafe placeโ€ was saved incorrectly).
  • ๐Ÿ”’ Conflict with MIUI: Duplicate unlock requests (for example, after updating to the MIUI 14).
  • ๐Ÿ•ต๏ธ Data Leakage: Saved passwords synced to your Google account and can be accessed on other devices.

In addition, Smart Lock consumes additional battery life, as it constantly monitors the geolocation and activity of Bluetooth/Wi-Fi. On the Redmi Note 10 with its modest battery of 5000 mAh, this can reduce battery life by 5-10%.

๐Ÿ“Š You have experienced spontaneous unlocking on Xiaomi?
Yeah, because of Smart Lock.
Yeah, but for another reason.
No, never.
I don't know what it is.

Method 1: Disconnecting through Android settings

The most obvious method is to deactivate the Smart Lock in the system settings. On the Redmi Note 10, the path to the menu may vary depending on the version of MIUI:

  1. Open Settings โ†’ Google โ†’ Manage your Google account.
  2. Go to the Security tab.
  3. Find the Smart Lock section for Android (can be called Smart Lock on Russian firmware).
  4. Enter the current one. PIN-code, pattern lock or password from the lock screen.
  5. Turn off all active options: ๐Ÿ“ Reliable places โ€“ Remove all saved locations. ๐Ÿ“ฑ Trusted devices โ€“ remove all attached gadgets. ๐Ÿ‘ค Facial/voice recognition (if available).

When you turn off, restart your phone. If the Smart Lock option is inactive (grey), it means that the function is deactivated. However, on some MIUI 13 firmware, the settings may reset after the update - check them every 1-2 months.

โ˜‘๏ธ Checking the Smart Lock shutdown

Done: 0 / 4

Method 2: Remove saved passwords in Chrome

Smart Lock is tightly integrated with Google Chrome, where all saved logins and passwords are stored. To completely disable autocomplete:

  1. Open Chrome and go to the menu โ‹ฎ โ†’ Settings โ†’ Passwords.
  2. Click Save Passwords Management (Input required) PIN-phone-code).
  3. In the upper right corner, press โ‹ฎ โ†’ Settings and disable the auto-entry option.
  4. Go back and delete unnecessary passwords manually or click Delete Everything.

To completely clean the password cache:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management โ†’ Chrome.
  2. Click Warehouse โ†’ Clear the data (this will delete all stored data, including history).

โš ๏ธ Attention: Clearing Chrome data will result in logging out of your Google account in your browser. save important tabs in advance or export bookmarks.

Method 3: Disable Google account sync

If the Smart Lock continues to work after the settings are turned off, the problem may lie in syncing your Google account. On the Redmi Note 10, it can be suspended:

  1. Open Settings โ†’ Accounts and Sync โ†’ Google.
  2. Select your account and disable the account sync slider.
  3. Deploy the list of synchronized data and uncheck the boxes from the: ๐Ÿ”‘ Passwords (App Data). ๐Ÿ“ Devices (Device Information). ๐Ÿ“ฑ Android Settings (Android Settings).

Alternatively, delete your Google account completely (but this will result in loss of access to the Play Market and other services):

  1. In the same menu, click on the account โ†’ Delete the account.
  2. Confirm the action (entry will be required) PIN-phone-code).
Action.Effects of consequencesRecommendation
Disabling password synchronizationAutocomplete stops working in Chrome and appsโœ… The best option
Deleting Google AccountLoss of access to Play Market, Gmail, YouTubeโŒ Only as a last resort.
Cleaning up Chrome dataAll saved passwords and history are deletedโš ๏ธ Make a backup copy.

Method 4: Reset security settings (radical)

If the Smart Lock persists, the problem may be with the MIUI system files, in which case the reset of security settings (without loss of personal data) will help:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ About the phone โ†’ All the parameters.
  2. Find Resetting (or Restore and Reset)
  3. Select Reset Security Settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
  4. Enter. PIN-code and confirm the action.

After the reboot, all Smart Lock, fingerprint and facial recognition settings will be reset, which also helps if:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Telegram or banking applications stopped asking PIN-code.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ The phone unlocks when connected to any Bluetooth devices.
  • ๐Ÿ”’ A notification has appeared โ€œDevice is managed by an organizationโ€ (a frequent issue after an update) MIUI 13โ†’14).

โš ๏ธ Note: On some Redmi Note 10 Pro firmware, a security reset may result in Mi Account being blocked.Be sure to remember the username and password from your Xiaomi account before the procedure!

What if the phone needs an old PIN after resetting?
If you forgot. PIN-If you're setting the code before you reset, try entering the last code you're using. If that doesn't work, you'll have to do a full reset via Recovery. + Power, select Wipe Data and confirm. All data will be deleted!

Method 5: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced)

If the standard methods do not work, you can use them. ADB-This requires connecting your phone to your computer and basic knowledge of working with Android Debug Bridge.

Instructions:

  1. Turn on Developer Mode on Redmi Note 10: Go to Settings โ†’ About Phone โ†’ MIUI Version. Click 7 times on MIUI Version until the โ€œYouโ€™re a Developerโ€ notification appears.

Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ For Developers

USB debugging

ADB-tools

adb shell settings put secure lockscreen.disabled 1


adb shell settings put secure lockscreen.password_disabled_for_user 10 1




adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.gms/.auth.proximity.ProximityAuthService

Once you've done the commands, restart your phone. The Smart Lock will be disabled at the system level. To get it back, replace the disable-user with enable.

๐Ÿ’ก

If ADB doesnโ€™t recognize the device, try updating drivers through the Mi Flash Tool or installing Xiaomi USB Drivers manually. On Windows 10/11, you may need to disable driver signature verification.

Why Smart Lock will turn on again

Many Redmi Note 10 users complain that after the Smart Lock shutdown, the feature returns after a few days.

  1. Automatic updates to Google Play Services: The service can reset settings after the update.
  2. Sync with another device: If you used a Smart Lock on a tablet or second phone, the settings may be moved.
  3. MIUI error: There is a bug in MIUI 12.5-14 firmware that causes security settings to reset after rebooting.
  4. Password managers (such as Bitwarden or 1Password) can conflict with Smart Lock.

To prevent unauthorized inclusion:

  • ๐Ÿ“ต Turn off automatic updates to Google Play Services in the app settings.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Check the Settings section regularly โ†’ Google โ†’ Smart Lock.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) that blocks Googleโ€™s background processes.

๐Ÿ’ก

If Smart Lock is turned on after each MIUI update, the only radical way is to roll back on the old firmware version or install a custom one (such as Pixel Experience) where there are no built-in Xiaomi services.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Smart Lock on Xiaomi

Can I turn off Smart Lock for individual applications only?
No, the Smart Lock is system-level and does not support selective shutdown: ๐Ÿ”’ Remove saved passwords for a specific application in Settings โ†’ Google โ†’ Password management. ๐Ÿ“ฑ Use third-party password managers (e.g., KeePassDX) that do not integrate with Smart Lock.
Why did the phone stop recognizing the fingerprint after the Smart Lock was turned off?
This is a well-known MIUI 13/14 bug. Once the security settings are reset, biometrics can be blocked. Solution: Remove all fingerprints to Settings โ†’ Lock screen โ†’ Fingerprints. Reboot your phone. Add fingerprints again.
Smart Lock requires a password from an old Google account. What do you do?
If the phone is tied to someone elseโ€™s data (for example, after buying used), do: Complete reset via Recovery (Volume Up). + Power โ†’ If your phone requests Mi Account, use the official unlock tool from Xiaomi (link). โš ๏ธ Do not use โ€œbypassโ€ methods with firmware โ€“ this can block IMEI!
How to check if the Smart Lock is disabled?
Check the following points: ๐Ÿ“ The phone will not be unlocked when you return home/work. ๐Ÿ”‘ Chrome does not have saved passwords. ๐Ÿ“ฑ B Settings โ†’ Google โ†’ Smart Lock All Options are Off. ๐Ÿ” B Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Permits โ†’ Autocomplete no active Google services.
Are there any alternatives to Xiaomiโ€™s Smart Lock?
Yes, we can use it: ๐Ÿ” Mi Smart Unlock (built-in to the MIUI) โ€” unlocking on Bluetooth devices (headphones, fitness bracelets). ๐Ÿ“ฑ Tasker โ€“ Automatic lock/unlock on schedule or geolocation. ๐Ÿ”‘ Bitwarden or KeePass โ€“ secure password managers without Google integration.