How to disable antivirus on Xiaomi smartphones: all working ways

Why Users Want to Disable Antivirus on Xiaomi and When It’s Really Needed

The built-in MIUI Security (formerly the Security App) has become an integral part of the firmware of all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones since the version of MIUI 8. By default, it is active on all devices, scans installed applications, checks files for threats and even blocks suspicious processes.

The main reasons why Xiaomi owners are looking for ways to disable antivirus:

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption – background scanner activity can eat up to 5-12% Charge per day (according to tests on the Redmi Note) 12 Pro+).
• ⚡ Slowing down the system on weak chipsets (e.g. Snapdragon) 4xx Or Helio Gxx, a real-time scan that creates lags.
• 🚫 False positives – Antivirus often blocks legitimate ones APK (including F-Droid or APKMirror, interferes with the work ADB-commands and modified applications.
• 🔓 Conflict with alternative solutions – if you use Kaspersky, Dr.Web or Bitdefender, duplicate protection only slows down the system.

It's important to understand that completely disabling the antivirus reduces the level of protection of the device, and this is only justified in three cases:

1. You install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) and plan to use another antivirus.
2. You need to test your own software (for example, APK-files in Android Studio, and antivirus prevents debugging.
3. The device is used on an isolated network (such as a media player or a smart home controller) without access to the Internet.

In all other cases, it is recommended not to turn off the protection completely, but only to adjust it to your needs - we will talk about this in the following sections.

Method 1: Temporary shutdown of real-time scanning

If you need to disable the antivirus one time (for example, to install an application), you just need to deactivate the scan in real time. This method does not require root rights and works on all versions of MIUI 12-14.

Instructions:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to Antivirus (or Virus Protection on new versions).
3. Push the gear. ⚙️ top-right.
4. Turn off the real-time Scan Switch.
5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

⚠️ Warning: Once the device is restarted, the scan can be turned on again:

This method does not disable the antivirus completely - it only suspends background check. Manual scanning will still be available in the menu Antivirus → Check.

Method 2: Completely disabling the antivirus via MIUI settings (without root)

Starting with MIUI 13, Xiaomi hid the possibility of completely disabling the antivirus in the standard interface. However, it can be deactivated through hidden developer settings or ADB-team.

🔹 Method for MIUI 12 and older:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to Disable MIUI (or Disable MIUI Optimization) and activate it.
4. Reset the device.
5. Now in the application Security will be able to completely disable the antivirus through the Settings → Antivirus menu.

🔹 Method for MIUI 14 (if the previous one didn't work):

Use it. ADB-Team (requires a computer and debugging bridge):

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.securitycenter


adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.antivirus

After these commands are executed, the antivirus will be disabled until the next reset or manual firmware update.

⚠️ Attention: Disconnection through ADB It can lead to unstable work. MIUI, Especially on devices with HyperOS (new firmware from Xiaomi.

Method 3: Disconnect via Magisk (for root devices)

If your smartphone is unlocked and Magisk is installed on it, you can completely remove the antivirus without any consequences for the system.

Instructions:

1. Install Magisk Manager and make sure root access works.
2. Download the module. Disable_MIUI_Security.apk (available on the XDA-Developers forum or 4PDA).
3. Install the module through Magisk → Modules → Install from storage.
4. Reset the device.

After the reboot:

• 📱 Security will remain, but antivirus features will be disabled.
• 🔍 Background scanning and verification APK when installed, stop.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI The antivirus will not be returned if the module remains active.

⚠️ Warning: Removing system components via Magisk may disrupt the operation OTA-Before updating the firmware, temporarily disable the module in Magisk Manager.

💡

If the antivirus is still active after installing the module, try manually removing packets via Termux with the command su pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.antivirus.

Method 4: Disable via build.prop file editing (for experienced)

This method requires root rights and knowledge of working with system files, and is suitable for completely removing antivirus without using Magisk.

Step-by-step:

1. Install any file manager with root support (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/build.prop.
3. Open the file in the text editor and add the following line at the end: ro.miui.antivirus=false
4. Save the changes and restart the device.

📌 Important: Not all versions MIUI On some devices (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro with HyperOS), it may be ignored.

The alternative is removal. APK-hand-file:

• Go to /system/priv-app/MiuiSecurityCenter.
• Remove or rename the folder (for example, in the MiuiSecurityCenter_bak).
• Clear the cache and data of the Security app.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of build.prop can lead to bootloop ( looped reboot.

What happens if you completely disable the antivirus on Xiaomi

Disabling the antivirus completely has both pros and cons. Let's take a closer look at the consequences:

🔍 Real cases:

• 📊 Nana POCO F4 GT After disabling the antivirus, the time spent in Genshin Impact increased by 18% (test from GSMArena).
• 🚨 In 2023, users of Redmi Note 11 faced with the virus FluBot after disabling protection – Trojan steals bank card data.

💡 Conclusion: Disable the antivirus only if you are confident in the sources of the installed files and use alternative protection (for example, Malwarebytes or Avast).

💡

Disabling the antivirus is only justified for experienced users who understand the risks and are willing to take responsibility for the security of the device.

How to return the antivirus if something goes wrong

If you have problems after turning off the antivirus (for example, the device has slowed down or no updates are installed), it can be returned.

🔹 If you're offline through settings:

1. Launch the Security app.
2. Go to Settings. → Antivirus.
3. Turn on the Scan Switch in real time.
4. Perform manual check through Antivirus → Check.

🔹 If it's been cut off ADB:

Follow the command:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.securitycenter


adb shell pm install-existing com.miui.antivirus

🔹 If removed through Magisk:

1. Open Magisk Manager.
2. Find the module. Disable_MIUI_Security and turn it off.
3. Reset the device.
4. If the antivirus is not back, install it manually from APKMirror (look for the latest version of MIUI Security).

🔹 If you edited build.prop:

1. Go back to /system/build.prop.
2. Delete ro.miui.antivirus=false.
3. If you have deleted the MiuiSecurityCenter folder, restore it from the backup or download the original APK.

⚠️ Note: If the device does not update after returning the antivirus, try it:

• 🔄 Reset the settings to factory (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings).
• 📥 Install the update manually through MIUI bootloader or XiaomiTool.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)