Xiaomi’s current smartphones offer a wide range of privacy protection options, and biometrics are key, but there are times when users need to change their security settings, such as disabling the fingerprint scanner, which may involve selling the device, handing it over to another family member, or simply wanting to use only a digital password.
The process of deactivating biometric protection in the shells of MIUI and the new HyperOS is quite simple, but it requires careful input. It is important to understand that removing a fingerprint not only removes the ability to log in by touch, but also completely erases encrypted biometric data from the protected area of the memory of the processor.
In this article, we will examine in detail all the stages of disabling the function, consider the nuances of working with several user profiles and answer questions that often arise from owners of Redmi and Poco smartphones.
Why you might need to remove your fingerprint
Before we get to the technical steps, we need to consider the reasons why users decide to abandon biometrics, often due to temporary physical limitations, such as damage to the skin of the fingers, calluses or the use of protective gloves in the winter, in which cases touch screen and pin-code input become the only available methods of authorization.
Another common reason is to have the device repaired or sold. Even if you reset settings, completely removing biometric profiles before the reset procedure is a good digital hygiene practice, ensuring that no residual data can be theoretically recovered by new owners or service engineers.
⚠️ Warning: If you sell a phone, be sure to delete your Mi Account and all fingerprints before resetting to factory settings.Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to activate the device due to theft protection.
Some users also prefer classic security methods for privacy reasons, believing that the digital code they change periodically is more reliable than a static biometric pattern.
Preparing for changes in security settings
Before making security changes, you need to make sure you have access to basic unlock methods.Switching off your fingerprint will automatically put the device on the use of a pattern lock, PIN-If you forget this primary password, unlocking your phone without losing data is almost impossible.
It is recommended to check the keyboard in advance and make sure you remember the current access code. In some versions of the firmware, when all biometric data is deleted, the system may require a re-entry of the password to confirm the operation.
☑️ Preparation for biometric removal
If you plan to not just turn off the feature but completely clean your phone, back up your important data. Although fingerprint removal does not affect photos or contacts, any manipulation of system security settings carries a minimal but present risk of failure.
Step-by-step: Delete the fingerprint in MIUI and HyperOS
The interface of settings in Xiaomi smartphones may vary slightly depending on the version of the operating system, but the logic remains the same. First, unlock the device and go to the main settings menu. Find the section responsible for passwords and security.
Follow the algorithm further:
- 🔹 Click on Passwords and Security (or just Passwords in newer versions).
- 🔹 Select the option Unlock by fingerprint or Add fingerprint.
- 🔹 Enter your current screen unlock password to confirm administrator rights.
- 🔹 In the list of saved fingerprints (usually numbered, for example, "Print 1") click on the desired profile.
- 🔹 Click the Remove button or the basket icon, then confirm the action.
Once you do this, the fingerprint you select will be deleted. If there was only one finger on the list, the biometric unlock function will become inactive, and the phone will require you to enter a password every time you turn on the screen. Owners of models with a subscreen scanner, such as the Xiaomi 13 or Redmi Note 12 Pro, the procedure is identical.
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If you have multiple fingerprints (for example, for left and right hands), delete them one at a time so that you don’t accidentally erase all the data at once if you were planning to leave one backup finger.
Working with multiple users and profiles
One of the features of Android on Xiaomi devices is the multi-user support, which creates a specific biometric situation: fingerprints added to the owner’s (Administrator) profile can often be used to unlock guest profiles or second spaces, if allowed by the settings.
When you delete a fingerprint in your main profile, it stops working everywhere. However, if you want to restrict access to only a certain mode, such as Guest or Second Space, you need to go to the settings of that profile. Switching between spaces is done through the Settings menu → Advanced Settings → Second Space.
| Profile type | Effects of fingerprint removal | Where to run |
|---|---|---|
| Primary owner | Disables biometrics for all spaces | Settings → Passwords and security |
| Second space | It only shuts down biometrics inside this space. | Profile Switch → Second Space Settings |
| Guest mode | Resets when leaving the guest mode | The notifications curtain → Users |
If you use the application blocking function, then after removing the fingerprint, you will also have to use a password to log into hidden applications.
Nuances of Face ID and Alternatives
Many users rely on facial unlocking to disable their fingerprints. Xiaomi mid- and low-end smartphones use front-facing facial recognition software, which is less secure than finger biometrics, as it can be fooled by a photo, but is much more convenient than password entry.
If you’re removing a fingerprint due to inconvenience, consider setting up Face ID. However, it’s worth noting that in MIUI, these features are independent. You can only have your face active, only your finger, or both at the same time. To set up, go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Face Unlock.
⚠️ Attention: Face unlock on most Xiaomi models does not allow you to pay for purchases in banking applications or log in to secure storage, unlike a fingerprint.
For maximum security, experts recommend using a bundle: a fingerprint for everyday use and a complex password of letters and numbers as a backup method. It is not recommended to abandon all methods of protection in favor of a simple swipe if important data is stored on the phone.
Possible problems and solutions
In rare cases, users are faced with a situation where the fingerprint deletion button is inactive (serened) or the system gives an error when trying to delete.This may be due to the presence of active restrictions, for example, the activated Do Not Disturb mode with special rights or the operation of corporate profiles (MDM) if the phone was issued by the employer.
There may also be a problem when Keymaster's encryption system process fails, so if standard deletion doesn't work, try rebooting your device to Safe Mode, press the off button, and when the off icon appears on the screen, hold your finger on it for a few seconds.
What to do if the phone says "I couldn't delete"
If nothing works and the feature blocks access, the only option is a full Hard Reset that will delete all data from the phone, including biometrics.