How to disable antivirus on Xiaomi phone: safe ways and hidden settings

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

The built-in MIUI Security (or Security App in newer versions) is a standard component of Xiaomi’s firmware that automatically scans files, apps, and network activity. For most users, it works unnoticed, but sometimes its behavior becomes annoying: blocking secure files, false positives on modified APKs, or simply constantly notifying about “potential threats.”

Disabling the antivirus may be necessary in several cases:

• 🔧 Install custom firmware or modified applications (for example, through Magisk or Lucky Patcher) that the antivirus mistakenly identifies as malicious.
• 📱 Working with debugging tools (ADB, Fastboot, where the antivirus blocks execution of commands.
• 🎮 Using emulators or gaming clients (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile with modifications that require disabling protection.
• ⚡ Resource savings: on weak models (Redmi) 5A, Redmi 7: Antivirus can slow down the system.

However, completely disabling the antivirus deprives the phone of basic protection from real threats – Trojans, spyware and phishing attacks. If your goal is simply to get rid of intrusive notifications, set exceptions or reduce the level of protection, in this article we will discuss all the ways from temporary shutdown to complete removal (where possible).

Method 1: Temporary disabling of antivirus via MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to suspend the antivirus for a limited period of time, which does not require super-user rights (root) and is suitable for most models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, etc.).

Instructions:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to Antivirus (or Virus Protection in newer versions of MIUI).
3. Press on. ⚙️ Settings in upper right corner.
4. Select Automatic Scan and turn off the slider.
5. Go back and click Scan Manual → Cancel to stop the current check.

This method does not disable the antivirus completely, but only suspends automatic verification. Manual scanning will still be available, and the system can start checking when new applications are installed.

Start the test installation APK (for example, [APKMirror](https://apkmirror.com/))|Make sure there is no scan notification|Try opening a file with the.apk extension from the file manager|Restart your phone and check if your settings are still in place.-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50) post-refresh MIUI before version 14.0.5+ Temporary shutdown of the antivirus is reset after restarting, in which case you will need to repeat the procedure or use alternative methods.

Method 2: Disconnect through developer settings (without root)

If the standard method didn't work, you can try disabling the application installation check through the developer menu, and this won't remove the antivirus, but it will allow you to install it. APK-file-lock.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Press 7 times on MIUI Version until the notification "You've become a developer" appears.

Settings → Additional → For Developers

Checking through MIUI

Verify apps over USB

Turn it off.

Verification of application installation

Verify app installations

This method does not disable the antivirus completely, but removes the main restrictions when installing third-party APKs. However, MIUI can continue to scan files in the background.

💡

If the “Verify via MIUI” item is not in the developer menu, try updating MIUI Security through Google Play first or clearing the app cache in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Security.

Method 3: Completely disabling the antivirus with ADB (without root)

For users who don’t want root access but need to completely disable the antivirus, the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) method works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-14.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and tool ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (CMD or Terminal) in the ADB folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Execute the command to disable the antivirus: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.securitycenter For new versions of MIUI (14+) an additional command may be required: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.antivirus
5. Reboot the phone.

After these commands are executed, the antivirus will stop working, but its icon will remain in the application menu.

adb shell pm enable com.miui.securitycenter

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F4, Xiaomi 11T) after-out ADB Google Play system and services may stop working. Create a backup before you run!

Method 4: Removing antivirus with root rights (for power users)

If you are willing to take drastic measures and your phone has root access (e.g., via Magisk), you can completely remove the antivirus from the system.

• 🛠️ They've already installed custom Recovery (TWRP).
• 🔓 They have an unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 📦 Use alternative antiviruses (for example, Bitdefender or Kaspersky).

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/MiuiSecurityCenter or (for newer versions of MIUI): /system/app/SecurityCenter
3. Remove or rename the folder (for example, in the SecurityCenter_bak).
4. Go to /system/priv-app/AntiVirus and delete the content.
5. Clear the cache and data of the "Security" application in the settings.
6. Reboot the phone.

After that, the antivirus will disappear from the system, but there may be side effects:

• ❌ Updates will stop working MIUI airborne (OTA).
• ❌ The "Security" section in the settings will disappear.
• ❌ Google Play Protect services may be broken.

Alternatives to the built-in antivirus Xiaomi: what to install instead

If you have disabled the standard antivirus, don't leave your phone unprotected. Here are proven alternatives that don't conflict with MIUI:

For maximum safety, we recommend:

• 🔒 Install two antiviruses: one for real-time scanning (Bitdefender), the other for periodic checks (Malwarebytes).
• 🚫 Disable installation from unknown sources in security settings.
• 🔄 Regularly update Google Play services and MIUI.

💡

Even with an alternative antivirus, don’t disable Google Play Protect, which is the minimum level of protection that works on all Android devices.

Frequent problems after disabling the antivirus and how to solve them

Disabling MIUI's built-in protection can have unexpected consequences, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

1. Apps from Google Play have stopped installing

Reason: Disabling app verification via ADB or root can break Google Play Services.

Decision:

• Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
• Find Google Play Store and Google Play Services.
• Clear the cache and data for both applications.
• Reboot the phone.

2. MIUI (OTA) Updates are not working

Reason: Removing SecurityCenter through root breaks the update verification mechanism.

Decision:

• Download the full firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website.
• Install it via TWRP or Fastboot.
• Or restore deleted antivirus files (see spoiler above).

3. Permanent notifications "Protection disabled"

Reason: MIUI tries to reclaim protection after a temporary shutdown.

Decision:

• Open Settings → Notifications → System Notifications.
• Find Security and turn off notifications.
• Or use ADB to disable notifications: adb shell dumpsys notification stop com.miui.securitycenter

⚠️ Warning: If after turning off the antivirus, the phone began to overheat or discharge faster, check it for hidden mining or spyware using Malwarebytes or Dr.Web CureIt!. MIUI Sometimes it blocks such processes, and after it is turned off, they can be activated.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions