Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where security starts to show excessive intrusiveness: the built-in "App Protection" function or hiding folders by default requires entering PIN-You can use a code or a pattern lock every time you try to open a certain program, which can be annoying, especially if the device is in your hands and you are in a safe place.
Disabling this feature does not require complex technical manipulations or root rights. It is enough to correctly navigate the security settings menu, which in the shells of MIUI and HyperOS can be slightly hidden from the eyes of the average user. Below we will discuss in detail all the available methods of deactivating authentication.
Keep in mind that a complete shutdown reduces the privacy of your data. If your phone is used by children or colleagues, it is better to leave the lock on critical applications such as bank clients or instant messengers. However, for standard utilities such as the Calculator or the Gallery, constant password entry is often redundant.
Where is the application protection setting in MIUI
The first step is to find the right partition in the system utilities. Unlike pure Android, where rights management is scattered, in the MIUI shell, all security tools are assembled in one place. You don't have to look for individual settings for each application, since management is centralized through the system application "Security".
Find an icon on your desktop or app menu called "Security" (green shield) and scroll down to the Privacy section, which is where the lock switch is hidden, and sometimes it can be called "Application Protection" or have a separate lock icon depending on the firmware version.
If you can't find this item through search, try using the built-in Settings Search. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and click several times to activate advanced features, although usually the search works in the basic mode. In the search bar, type "Application Protection" - the system will redirect you to the desired section.
It’s important to understand that settings may vary slightly on different models, such as the Redmi Note 10 or Xiaomi 13.The interface may change, but the logic remains the same: look for the privacy or data protection section inside the system security utility.
Why is the password being asked constantly?
Step-by-step instructions for deactivating the password
Once you’ve entered the access control menu, you’ll see a list of all installed programs, and you can flexibly configure which apps will require authorization and which won’t. To completely disable your password request when you log in to a particular application, follow these steps.
In the list, find the program you want and switch the slider opposite it to the inactive position (grey). If you want to turn off the check for all programs at once, find the general Application Protection switch at the top of the screen and turn it off. The system can request confirmation of action or enter the current password to make changes.
☑️ Algorithm of disabling protection
Note that when the security is turned off, the data inside the app can be accessed by anyone who unlocks your phone’s screen, especially for personal photos, instant messengers and notes, and make sure that the device doesn’t fall into the wrong hands if you decide to remove security barriers completely.
In some cases, especially on global firmware versions, the path may look different. Try Settings → Applications → Application Protection. If there is nothing there, search for settings by typing in the "App lock" or "Block" query, as localization of item names can vary.
Set up biometrics instead of a password
If your goal is not to completely remove protection, but simply make it faster and more convenient to log in, consider using biometrics. A fingerprint scanner or face ID allows you to open secure applications in a split second without entering a digital code every time.
To activate this feature, click on the settings gear (usually in the upper right corner) in the Application Protection section. Find the option “Use fingerprint to unlock” or “Use face unlock”. Once this option is enabled, the system will request biometrics instead of a pattern lock or PIN-code.
This solution balances comfort and security perfectly, eliminating the need to remember complex combinations, but retaining protection from outsiders, and storing biometric data in a secure module of the phone is not transmitted to Xiaomi servers.
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Use the second fingerprint profile. If your finger sweats frequently or you wear gloves, set up the other finger or palm print as a backup method for quickly unlocking apps.
It’s worth noting that biometrics only works if it’s already set up to unlock the smartphone itself, and if you haven’t added a fingerprint to your system, the phone will prompt you to do so as soon as you turn on the appropriate option in your application protection settings.
Controlling the hidden second space
Special attention should be paid to the “Second Space” feature, which creates an isolated environment on your phone, and the entrance to this space is always protected by a separate password or fingerprint, and you can not simply turn off this request, because it will violate the very concept of the function.
If you forget the password from the Second Space, you can't restore access by standard methods for security reasons. The only option is to delete this space along with all the data. To do this, go to Settings → Second Space → Delete Second Space.
There's also a different application protection policy inside of Second Space, so if you set up a lock there, it's going to work regardless of the main space settings, so you can have different levels of access for different smartphone use scenarios.
Users often confuse hidden folders with Second Space. Hidden folders (accessible by swipe in a gallery or explorer) may also require a password, and they are managed in the same Privacy section, but under Hide Files or Hide Content.
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The second space is a full-fledged second profile in the system, so it requires a mandatory authorization at each input to ensure data isolation.
Comparison of Access Blocking Methods
The choice of security depends on what data you store and how often you use your phone in crowded places, and different types of locks have their advantages and disadvantages that you should consider before setting up.
| Protection method | Level of security | Usability | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| pattern lock | Medium. | Low. | For rarely used applications |
| C digital PIN-code | High-pitched | Average. | For banking applications |
| Fingerprint. | High-pitched | Very high. | For daily use |
| Lack of protection | No. | Maximum. | For public or unimportant applications |
As you can see from the table, giving up your password completely is the most convenient, but it's zero protection. Using biometrics is the middle ground, allowing you to open apps quickly, keeping them closed to outsiders.
For applications containing financial information, it is recommended to leave at least a minimum level of protection, and even if you are at home, accidental access of children or guests to the banking application can lead to backlash.
Possible problems and solutions
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where settings are reset or a password is requested even after a shutdown, this can be due to the peculiarities of the battery optimization or conflicts of system processes.
If the security slider spontaneously turns back on, try clearing the Security app cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Security → Memory → Clear. Fear not, it won’t delete your settings, it will only reset the temporary utility files.
⚠️ Note: If you forgot the password from application protection and did not link the Mi-account for recovery, you can reset it only by completely resetting your phone settings (Hard Reset), which will delete all data.
Another reason could be superuser rights or customized themes, some custom themes can change the behavior of system dialog boxes, causing errors in the security module, and try switching to a standard theme to see if the problem goes away.
In rare cases, the bug may be associated with a particular version of MIUI or HyperOS. If the problem is massive, it is usually fixed in system updates.