Why users want to turn off the fingerprint scanner on Xiaomi and when it really is necessary
The fingerprint sensor in Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO models) is considered one of the most reliable biometric unlock methods. However, even this convenient solution has a downside. Users often face situations when the scanner starts to malfunction: it does not recognize fingerprints after the MIUI update, reacts with a delay or completely stops functioning. In some cases, the sensor is activated accidentally, for example, when carrying the phone in your pocket, which leads to unlock the device without the owner’s knowledge.
Another common reason is privacy: some users choose not to store biometric data on a device because of the risk of leakage or unauthorized access, especially for corporate smartphones or devices that are periodically transferred to other people (for example, in the family), and finally, it may be necessary to turn off the sensor before selling the phone or having it repaired to prevent access to personal data through stored fingerprints.
It is important to understand that simply removing fingerprints from the system does not always amount to completely shutting down the sensor. In some MIUI firmware, the scanner continues to consume energy and may be activated accidentally, so additional steps are required to completely deactivate, which we will discuss below.
Method 1: Standard shutdown via security settings
The most obvious and safe method is to remove fingerprints through the settings menu, which is suitable for most Xiaomi models on MIUI 12, 13 and 14, including Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12 and others.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- 🔒 Go to Passwords and Security (in some firmware – Screen Lock and Password).
- 👆 Select the Fingerprint (or the Fingerprint Sensor).
- 🗑️ Enter the current one. PIN-code, pattern lock or password for confirmation.
- 🚫 Click on each saved print and select Delete.
- ✅ Confirm the removal of all fingerprints.
After that, the sensor will no longer be used to unlock, but will remain active at the hardware level.This means that it will still consume minimal energy and may accidentally fire when touching (for example, in your pocket).
Make sure you remember. PIN-code
Make a backup copy of important data
Check the battery level (minimum 30%)
Disable all third-party applications using biometrics (banks, instant messengers)
-->
Method 2: Disconnecting through Developer Modes (without root)
If standard fingerprint removal fails, you can try deactivating the sensor through developer mode, which doesn't require superuser rights, but doesn't work on all Xiaomi models, and is especially useful if the scanner starts to glittle after a firmware update or reset.
Step-by-step:
- Activate the Developer Mode: 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. 🔧 7 times press the item Version MIUI, until you have been notified you have become a developer!.
For developers
USB debugging
Hardware acceleration of fingerprints
Fingerprint hardware acceleration
turn off
🔄 Reboot the phone.
Some devices (e.g., POCO F3 or Redmi K40) may have a Biometric sensor or Fingerprint sensor instead of hardware acceleration, which you also need to turn off. If you don't have one, try the next method.
💡
If the phone starts to brake after the sensor is turned off in developer mode, return the settings back. Some Xiaomi models use a fingerprint scanner to optimize performance.
Method 3: Complete disabling via ADB (for power users)
If previous methods have not worked, you can use ADB-Android Debug Bridge, which requires you to connect your phone to your computer and have a basic command line knowledge, and the advantage of this is that it allows you to completely deactivate the sensor at the software level without removing the drivers.
What you need:
- 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.
- 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
- ⚡ Included debugging by USB (see method 2).
Instructions:
- Connect the phone to the computer and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
- Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
- Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
- Run the command to disable the sensor: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.biometrics.fingerprint
- Reboot the phone.
To get the sensor back to work, use the command:
adb shell pm enable com.android.biometrics.fingerprintWhat if the ADB can’t see the device?
Method 4: Disconnect via TWRP (unlocked bootloader required)
This method is suitable for advanced users who have customized TWRP recaps installed and unlocked the bootloader. It allows you not only to turn off the sensor, but also remove its drivers completely, which can be useful in hardware failures or preparing the phone for sale.
Warning: Incorrect actions in TWRP can lead to a complete loss of service of the device. Use this method only if you are confident in your actions and have made a backup!
Instructions:
- Load the phone into TWRP mode (usually press Power + Volume up when the device is off).
- Select Advanced → File Manager.
- Go to /system/vendor/lib64/hw/ or /system/vendor/lib/hw/
- Find files with names: fingerprint.default.so android.hardware.biometrics.fingerprint@2.1-service
.bak
Reboot the phone.
After this procedure, the fingerprint sensor will be completely disabled at the system level, and to return it to work, you will need to restore deleted files from a backup or reflash the device.
Yeah, because of the work failures.
Yes, for security reasons.
No, there's never been such a need.
I tried it, but it didn't work.
-->
Method 5: Physical shutdown (for repair shops)
The last method is to physically disconnect the sensor from the motherboard, and it only works when the scanner is completely out of order and interferes with the phone (e.g., constantly overheating or causing reboots), which requires disassembling the device and soldering skills!
How it works:
- 🛠️ The fingerprint sensor is connected to the board via a flexible plume (flex cable).
- 🔌 In most Xiaomi models, it is located under the battery or next to the power button.
- ⚡ Disconnecting the plume causes the sensor to shut down completely, but may cause errors in the system (e.g., persistent malfunction notifications).
Warnings:
⚠️ Warning: Disassembling the phone without experience can damage the plumes of the display, battery or other components. IP-certification (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro) after disassembly, water protection is lost.
⚠️ Warning: Physically disabling the sensor prevents you from using Xiaomi’s official warranty service.
If you decide to take this step, we recommend you to contact the service center. Self-disassembly is only justified for older models (for example, Redmi 4X or Mi A1), where the risk of damage is minimal.
| Method of disconnection | Difficulty | Required. root/TWRP | Reversibility | Suitable for models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard fingerprint removal | ⭐ | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | All models on MIUI |
| Developer mode | ⭐⭐ | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | Most of the models (except budget) |
| ADB-team | ⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | All models with debugging on USB |
| TWRP (Driver Removal) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes. | ❌ Partially (needs firmware) | Models with unlocked loader |
| Physical shutdown | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ No. | ❌ No (repair needed) | Any model (risk of damage) |
Frequent problems after sensor shutdown and their solutions
Even, after successfully disabling the fingerprint scanner, users may face unexpected consequences, and consider the most common ones and how to eliminate them.
1. the phone no longer recognizes other biometric data (face, voice)
In some versions of MIUI, disabling the fingerprint sensor can block other unlocking methods.
- 🔄 Go to Settings. → Passwords and security and reconfigure face or voice recognition.
- 📱 If it didn’t help, reset your security settings: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting security settings.
2. notice has appeared "The fingerprint sensor is not working"
This is standard system behavior if the sensor is disabled at the software level (for example, through ADB or TWRP).
- 🛠️ Install DisableService from Google Play and disable com.android.biometrics.
- 📵 Or turn off notifications for the system: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Show system-based → Find the Biometrics" → Notifications → Shut down.
3. Increased battery consumption
Paradoxically, sometimes when the sensor is turned off, the phone starts to run out faster, because the system is constantly trying to initialize the module that is not working.
- 🔋 Calibrate the battery (discharge the phone to 0% and charge to 100% without interruptions).
- 🛠️ Install the BetterBatteryStats app (root required) and check which process consumes energy.
- 🔄 If the problem does not disappear, reset to factory settings.
💡
If the phone is slowing down or overheating after the sensor is turned off, it's probably not the scanner that's the problem, but the conflict of system processes. Try clearing the cache through TWRP or updating the firmware.