Modern Xiaomi smartphones offer a variety of features for user convenience, one of which is Smart Lock. This technology allows the device to remain unlocked in trusted situations, such as when the phone is in your hand, connected to a smartwatch or is at home.
Disabling this feature is necessary if you lost a trusted device or simply prefer to enter a password every time.The deactivation process on the MIUI shell has its own features that differ from standard Android. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of setting up the security of your gadget.
Before making changes, it’s important to understand that disabling Smart Lock will return the standard screen lock mode.This means you’ll have to enter each time. PIN-It may seem inconvenient, but it guarantees maximum protection against unauthorized access.
Why disable the smart lock feature on Xiaomi
Many users activate Smart Lock for convenience, forgetting about the potential risks. If your phone remains unlocked in your pocket or on your desk in the presence of outsiders, your data becomes vulnerable, especially when you have geo-location unlock modes or trusted Bluetooth devices.
In addition, the feature may not work properly after the updates to the MIUI firmware. For example, the phone may stop locking at the right times or, conversely, not unlocking when necessary, In such cases, a complete shutdown of the service is the only sure solution to regain control of the device.
Also worth noting is the impact on autonomy: Constant monitoring of the environment, scanning Wi-Fi networks and finding Bluetooth devices consume battery power. If you do not actively use the feature, turning it off will help to extend the life of the smartphone from one charge.
⚠️ Warning: After you turn off Smart Lock, make sure you remember your primary password or pattern lock. Without them, access to the system can be difficult, especially if the biometrics were not configured.
It is important to weigh the pros and cons before changing your security settings. If you prioritize protecting sensitive information in banking apps and instant messengers, manually entering a password is a small fee for calm.
Preparing for changes in security settings
Before you start disabling Smart Lock, it is recommended to perform several preparatory steps, which will help to avoid unforeseen locks and loss of access to the device, first of all, make sure that you know the current password for unlocking the screen.
Check which smart unlocking techniques are active at the moment, whether it's face, voice, location or connected gadgets, and understanding the current state of the system will help you choose the right deactivation path.
☑️ Preparing for the Smart Lock shutdown
Also worth looking at is the operating system version: newer versions of Android and MIUI shells may have different menu layouts than older models, and if the standard path doesn’t work, you may need to look for settings under “Special Features.”
It is not superfluous to disable all external Bluetooth devices before setting up so that the system does not automatically try to reconnect to them during the change of security settings, this will eliminate possible conflicts while saving new installations.
Step-by-step: disabling through system settings
The main way to deaktivirovat Smart Lock on Xiaomi is to go through the standard security settings menu, which is the most reliable and works on most current firmware versions. Follow the algorithm carefully.
First, open the Settings app and go to the device protection section, which may be called Passwords and Security or simply Security, depending on the version of MIUI, and this is where the key lock control is.
Next, select “Screen Lock” and the system will ask you to verify your identity by entering your current password, pattern lock or fingerprint, a mandatory security measure to prevent unauthorized individuals from changing security settings.
Settings → Passwords and security → Privacy → Advanced settings → Trust AgentOnce you have successfully logged in, look for the Smart Lock section. In some shell versions, it can be hidden under the "Additional" or "Extended Settings" submenu. Click on this item to see a list of active unlock agents.
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If you can’t find Smart Lock, try searching by settings by entering “Smart” or “Smart Lock.”
In the menu that opens, you will see a list of all the methods included: Trusted Devices, Safe Place, Smart Lock App, and others. To completely disable the feature, you must deactivate every active item in this list.
Removing trusted devices and locations
Simply switching the slider to off is sometimes not enough, as the system can store cached data about trusted devices. It is recommended to manually delete all saved profiles. This ensures that the phone does not unlock automatically when a familiar Bluetooth signal appears.
Go to the Trusted Devices section inside the Smart Lock menu, which will show a list of all the gadgets that have the right to unlock your screen, click on the device name (such as smartwatches or headphones) and select the option “Forget” or “Delete”.
A similar procedure should be done with the Safe Place (or Trusted Places) section. If you have stored your home or office coordinates, they should be erased from the system memory. As long as these dots exist, the phone can ignore the lock request while in range of Wi-Fi or cell towers.
| Type of trust | Where to find out. | Action. | The result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devices | Smart Lock → Trusted devices | Forget the device | Password requirement when Bluetooth is disabled |
| Places. | Smart Lock → Safe place. | Remove the place | Locking the screen in any location |
| Voice. | Smart Lock → Voice unlocking | Turn it off. | Disabling response to voice commands |
| In my pocket. | Smart Lock → Definition in the pocket | Turn it off. | The screen goes out when placed in your pocket |
Once you delete all the records, go back to the main Smart Lock menu, and you should have a request to confirm that you have disabled the entire function, and you agree to the action, and the system will stop using smart unlocking methods.
What to do if the device is not removed?
Use the Developer Menu and ADB Teams
In the rare cases where the standard menu doesn’t work or the function is blocked by system errors, you can use more advanced methods.
To enter the developer menu, go to About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI version number seven times. After the “You’ve become a developer” notification appears, a new “Additional” or “Extended Settings” section will appear in the settings menu.
Inside the developer menu, find a clause that is associated with trust agents or screen locks, but a more effective method is to use a computer and an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) utility, which allows you to send system commands directly.
- 📱 Connect your phone to your computer through USB-debug-line.
- 💻 Run the command line on your PC and enter the command to check the connection: adb devices.
- 🔧 Enter the command to disable the agent: adb shell settings put secure lock_screen_allow_private_notifications 0.
- 🔄 Restart the device to apply changes.
Using ADB requires caution. Incorrectly entering commands can lead to unstable system operation. If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to limit yourself to standard methods of setting up through the smartphone interface.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-The warranty may be cancelled if the software is damaged.
Solving problems when disconnecting
Xiaomi users often face a situation where after switching off the Smart Lock, the function turns on again on its own.This can be caused by third-party applications or system bugs of the MIUI shell. First of all, check if any application has permission to control the lock screen.
Another common problem is that the Smart Lock item disappears from the menu after the update. In new versions of Android 12/13/14, Google has changed the architecture of this feature, and it can be hidden deeper into the system or renamed.
If nothing works, you can try resetting the Google Play Services and Settings app settings. Go to Apps → All Apps, search for Google system services, and select Clear Data. Don't worry, personal data won't be affected, but it will reset some system preferences.
In some cases, a complete Google account reassignment helps: log out of your profile in your phone settings, reboot your device and log in again, which will update the security policies associated with your account.
Alternative methods of screen protection
After the Smart Lock is turned off, you need to think about how to balance convenience and security. The standard password is secure, but it lasts a long time. Today's Xiaomi offers great alternatives that don't depend on Google services.
The most effective method is to use biometrics: a fingerprint scanner built into a screen or switch on button works instantly, and setting up multiple fingerprints (for example, for thumb and index fingers) greatly speeds up access.
Face unlock is also available, and although it's less safe than a print, it's very convenient for everyday use in conjunction with raising your phone to activate the screen. In the passwords and security settings, you can set "Unlock in your pocket" or "Lift to activate" so that the screen only lights up when you pick up the phone.
- 👆 Use an ultrasonic or optical fingerprint scanner for instant access.
- 👁️ Set up face unlock with the requirement to keep your eyes open.
- ⌚ Use a smartwatch to unlock (if Smart Lock is globally disabled, but the watch has its own trust settings).
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The combination of fingerprint and face unlock provides the best balance between access speed and data protection after the Smart Lock is turned off.
Remember to update MIUI security regularly. New patches often fix vulnerabilities that could have been used to bypass locks. Up-to-date firmware is key to ensuring that all of your smartphone's security mechanisms work smoothly.