How to disable the password of applications on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Why Xiaomi asks for a password for apps and can it be removed?

If your Xiaomi smartphone suddenly starts requiring a password when you open apps, it's not a system crash, it's an App Lock feature that's built into the MIUI shell and is designed to protect sensitive data from prying eyes, like when you give your phone to friends or leave it unattended.

But what if you're annoyed or you've forgotten your password? You can turn off the protection in a number of ways, from standard settings to resetting your phone to factory settings. In this article, we'll look at all the current methods for Redmi, Poco, Black Shark and other models on MIUI 12-14. Importantly, some methods require knowledge of your current password or your associated Mi Account.

Before you start, check if the feature is enabled accidentally. For example, after the MIUI update, the security settings may reset, and the system automatically activates the lock for messengers or banking applications.

Method 1: Disable via MIUI settings (if you know the password)

The easiest method is to deactivate App Lock from the security menu, which is suitable if you remember your password or use your fingerprint to unlock it.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → Passwords and security.
2. Select Application Protection (or App Lock in the global version).
3. Enter your current password, PIN or confirm with a fingerprint.
4. Move the slider to the off position. or press Remove the password.
5. Confirm the action.

If the application protection item is not on the menu, try an alternative path:

• 🔍 Settings → Annexes → Permits → Special access → Application protection.
• 🔒 On some models (Poco) F5, Redmi Note 12 feature hidden in Additional settings → Confidentiality.

Once disabled, all applications will be available without password, but if you used hidden folders or second space, their settings will remain the same – they must be disabled separately.

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If you still ask for a password after you turn off App Lock, restart your phone. Sometimes the changes only apply after the reboot.

Method 2: Reset password through Mi Account (if you forgot the password)

If you don’t remember the App Lock password, but the phone is tied to your Mi Account, you can reset the protection through it, a method that works on most models released after 2019 (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Mi 9T, Poco X3 and later).

Step-by-step:

1. On the App Lock password entry screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password).
2. Select the recovery method: via Mi Account or SMS (if the number is tied).
3. Enter the username and password from the Xiaomi account (or confirm by SMS).
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to create a new password or turn off protection.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is activated with Find Device, additional verification may be required after resetting the password, such as entering a code from an email to an email or confirming it via another device linked to the same account.

If the reset through the account did not work, check:

• 📶 Internet connection (required for verification).
• 🔄 Update MIUI — In older versions, there may have been recovery bugs.
• 📱 Account Linking – Enter Settings → Xiaomi account and make sure you use the correct profile.

Method 3: Delete password through Safe Mode (without data loss)

If standard methods don’t work, try disabling App Lock in Safe Mode, which disables all third-party applications and some MIUI features, including application protection.

How to activate Safe Mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button before the Xiaomi logo appears.
3. Once the logo appears, hold the Volume button down until the phone boots.
4. In the lower left corner of the screen should appear the inscription Safe mode.

Next:

• 🔓 Go to Settings. → Passwords and security → Application protection.
• 🔄 The system may not ask for a password – just move the slider to the off position..
• 📱 Restart your phone in normal mode.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) K40, Mi 10T) In Safe Mode, security settings can be blocked. If the password is active again after rebooting, try another way.

Method 4: Reset security settings (full reset)

If no methods work, the radical solution is to reset security settings, which will remove all passwords, fingerprints and Mi Account data from your phone, but will not affect user files (photos, videos, music).

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset Security Settings (or Erase Fingerprint & Security Data).
3. Enter the password from the lock screen (if requested).
4. Confirm the action.

After discharge:

• ✅ App Lock and all application passwords will be disabled.
• ❌ Fingerprints, facial recognition and Mi Account data will be deleted (but not the files themselves).
• 🔄 You will have to re-set the screen unlock.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI 14 and later after such a reset, you may need to re-assign your Xiaomi account. If you do not remember the data from it, the phone may be blocked (anti-rollback function).

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Resetting security settings is an extreme method, only use it if other methods have not worked, and you are sure that you remember the data from the Mi Account.

Method 5: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If you're familiar with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can disable App Lock via the command line, which is suitable for models with unlocked bootloader or enabled USB debugging.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Xiaomi drivers.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB developer-setting.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

adb shell


pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.guardprovider # Disables App Lock

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell


settings put secure lockscreen.disabled 1

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can disrupt the system if you type the wrong commands. (Redmi Note 11 Pro)+, Xiaomi 12 Pro after disabling App Lock ADB protection may work MIUI, and the phone will require reset to factory settings.

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Before using ADB, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

What to do if nothing helps: extreme measures

If all of these methods do not work, there are two options:

1. Factory reset. Delete all data from your phone, including passwords. Suitable if you don't remember the Mi Account password or your phone is locked. 📱 Turn off the phone. 🔄 Squeeze the power. + Volume up before the Recovery menu appears. 🌐 Choose Wipe Data → Factory Reset.

Contact the service center.

If the phone is warranty or you are afraid of losing data, it is better to take it to the official Xiaomi service. Specialists will be able to unlock the protection without losing information (if you have a check or proof of ownership).

⚠️ Warning: Phones with a locked bootloader and Find Device enabled may require data entry from the Mi Account that was tied to the last one after the reset. If you don't remember the username/password, the phone will turn into a brick».

If you bought your phone with your hands, check to see if it still has an old Xiaomi account.

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account.
• 📧 Check your email profile – if it’s not yours, contact the seller to unbundle.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the password of applications on Xiaomi