How to disable antivirus on Xiaomi phone: the complete guide

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face intrusive functionality of the built-in security system. the standard Mi Security application works in the background, constantly scanning files and checking installed APK-This can cause false positives, block specialized programs or simply annoy with constant notifications.

Disabling this component completely requires care, as it is deeply integrated into the MIUI or HyperOS shell. Mistakes can lead to an interface instability or loss of important system functions. However, if you are confident in the sources of your applications and know why you need to remove protection, there are several proven methods.

In this article, we will discuss how to temporarily suspend the scanner, how to completely disable installer verification, and whether it is worth doing it at all. We will look at the settings for different versions of firmware so that you can protect yourself from false locks while maintaining the basic integrity of the operating system.

Why do users turn off protection on MIUI?

The main reason users are looking for a way to disable antivirus on Xiaomi is because of the company’s aggressive security policies: The built-in engine often flags hacked versions of games, modified system applications or programs from third-party stores as potentially dangerous, creating a barrier for those who are used to having complete freedom to control their device.

In addition, Mi Security consumes a significant amount of CPU resources. On budget models of smartphones with a small amount of RAM, constant background check can cause micro-freezes of the interface. Disabling the extra module allows you to slightly offload the system and extend battery life.

⚠️ Note: By disabling the built-in protection, you take responsibility for the security of your data. Make sure you do not download files from dubious sources, as the risk of infection with Trojans or miners in this case increases many times over.

Advertising is also an important factor, and the virus scanner in MIUI shells often shows banner ads after a check is completed or when threats are detected, removing this component, users get rid of visual noise.

πŸ“Š Why you want to disable the antivirus?
Blocks the right applications
Annoying commercials
Brakes the work of the smartphone
I just want to have total control.

Temporary shutdown of virus scanner

The safest way is not to completely remove scanning features, but to temporarily disable scanning features, which is suitable if you need to install one particular application that the system considers suspicious, and you can turn off real-time verification without disrupting other system components.

To do this, you need to open the Security app (green icon with a shield). In the upper right corner, click on the gear icon to enter the settings. Here you are interested in the section related to the antivirus. Depending on the firmware version, it can be called "Antivirus" or "Device Protection".

Inside the menu, find a real-time protection switch or a virus scanner switch, put it in an inactive position, and the system will issue a risk warning, confirm the action. APK-The lock files will not work.

  • πŸ›‘οΈ Open the Security app on the home screen.
  • βš™οΈ Click on the settings icon in the upper right corner of the menu.
  • 🦠 Select the "Antivirus" and disable the protection switchboard.
  • βœ… Confirm the refusal of protection in the dialog window that appears.

Once the necessary programs are installed, it is strongly recommended to return all settings back. Constant operation without protection on the Wi-Fi network can lead to data interception or malicious code penetration through browser vulnerabilities.

πŸ’‘

If after disabling the antivirus, the phone began to behave strangely (an advertisement appeared in the menu, contacts disappeared), immediately conduct a full scan with a third-party antivirus, for example, Dr.Web or Kaspersky.

Disabling the Application Installer Verification

Even if you disable the background scanner, Android at the MIUI level can check every app you install through Google Play Protect services or its own MIUI Optimizer analyzer, which causes pop-ups with warnings during installation.

To remove these notifications, you need to change the settings in the developer section or in the standard security menu. Often users confuse these two layers of protection. The standard way is through the settings of the security application itself, where you can find the item "Check installed applications."

If the standard method doesn't work, you can use the hidden menu. To do this, enter a special code in the Phone application or use it. ADB-However, in most cases, it is enough to simply ignore the warning by clicking "Establish it anyway" if such a button is available.

Method of disconnectionEfficiencyDifficultyRisks.
Application settings SecurityMediumLow.Minimum
Play Protect DisconnectionTall.Low.Average.
ADB teams (pm disable)MaximumTall.Tall.
Root rights and removalComplete.CriticalCritical

It’s important to understand the difference between Google protection and Xiaomi protection, and you can turn off Google Play Protect services in the Play Market settings by finding the appropriate item on the menu, often solving the problem of blocking legal but rare apps.

Using ADB to remove the security component

For advanced users who do not have enough standard settings, there is a method to disable the system package through USB debugging.This method allows you to "freeze" the com.miui.securitycenter application, making it inoperable without physically deleting files.

To start, activate the developer mode. Go to Settings β†’ About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI version seven times. Once you have become a developer, go to advanced settings and turn on USB debugging.

Connect your smartphone to your computer. You need an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) utility. In the command line, run the command to check the connection: adb devices. If the device is determined, you can proceed to disable the package.

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

This command will force the security center to shut down. The antivirus will stop running, the icon will disappear from the menu, and the checks will stop. To bring it back, use the enable command instead of the disable-user command.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-A bug in the packet name can lead to the removal of a system application critical to boot, which will require the device to flash it over.

β˜‘οΈ Checklist before use ADB

Done: 0 / 5

Risks and consequences of disabling protection

Before you decide to take drastic measures, you should weigh the pros and cons. Xiaomi's built-in antivirus is based on Avast or Tencent engines, which have current signature databases, and by disabling them, you leave the device one on one with modern threats.

Redmi and Poco smartphones are often used for online banking and personal photo storage, and malware can stealthily access SMS confirmation codes or use a camera to spy on them, and without active security, it will be extremely difficult to notice.

In addition, some banking applications may require basic environmental protection, and if the system detects that key security components are disabled or modified, the bank’s application may refuse to run, citing a breach of system integrity.

  • πŸ’Έ Risk of theft of funds through banking Trojans.
  • πŸ“Έ Remote access to the camera and microphone.
  • πŸ“‰ Decreased productivity due to background miners.
  • 🚫 Blocking banking applications and Google Pay.

If you do decide to disable the protection, install an alternative antivirus from a trusted vendor, which will create a new layer of defense that will not interfere with the system as aggressively as the standard MIUI module.

What is a false positive?
A false positive is a situation where an antivirus tags a secure file as a virus, often with game patches, crackers for programs, or modified versions of applications (Mod-apk), and the antivirus responds to a changed digital signature, considering it a sign of hacking.> The lack of protection is a bad idea. If a standard Xiaomi tool doesn't suit you, it should be replaced, not just removed. The market offers a lot of easy and efficient solutions that work in the background and don't slow down the system. A good choice will be products from Kaspersky, ESET Or Dr.Web. They have a less intrusive interface and more flexible settings. You can set them up so that they only check new files without scanning all the memory at each run". Even without third-party antivirus, it provides a basic level of security by checking apps in the store and scanning the device periodically, even for advanced users, it is not recommended to turn it off completely. Do not follow suspicious links to SMS, Do not connect to open Wi-Fi networks without VPN and update your operating system regularly to the latest version (FAQ) Can you completely remove the Security application without root rights? Complete physical removal of the com.miui.securitycenter system application without superuser rights (Root) is not possible. ADB-The pm disable-user commands allow you to completely disable it, which is equivalent to deleting it for the average user. Why Xiaomi Antivirus is Blocking the Installation APK The built-in scanner analyzes the digital signature of the file. If the application has been modified, reassembled, or its signature does not match the original in the database, the system marks it as "Dangerous." It's a security mechanism that prevents malicious code from being installed, but it often reacts to pirated software. Does disabling antivirus affect smartphone warranty? Does it itself disabling software or using it? ADB-The commands are not grounds for denial of warranty service, as this does not require disassembly of the device or flashing. However, if the disabling of protection leads to infection with a virus and failure of the software part, repair may be considered a non-warranty case. How to return the antivirus if I turned it off ADB? To restore work, you need to reconnect the phone to the computer with USB debugging enabled and enter the command: adb shell pm enable com.miui.securitycenter. After that, the application will appear in the menu, and all protection functions will be restored.