How to completely disable the fingerprint scanner on Xiaomi Redmi: all working methods

Why to turn off the fingerprint sensor on Xiaomi Redmi and when it is necessary

The fingerprint sensor on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a convenient feature for quick unlocking, but sometimes it becomes a source of problems. Users face false positives when the phone unlocks in their pocket, or the sensor stops recognizing fingerprints after a MIUI update. In rare cases, the scanner begins to warm up or consume an excess battery due to a firmware failure.

Another common reason is privacy: If you hand over your phone to third parties (like a service center) or fear someone might use your fingerprints to unlock it, temporarily shutting down the sensor becomes a smart measure, and some users also note that after a smartphone drops, the scanner becomes incorrect and easier to deactivate than repair.

In this article, we’ll look at all possible ways to disable the fingerprint sensor on Xiaomi Redmi, including models with a physical button (e.g., Redmi Note). 5) Screen scanners (like in Redmi Note) 10 Pro or Redmi K50). Each method is tested on current versions MIUI 13/14 It is suitable for most of the devices in the line.

Method 1: Standard shutdown via security settings

The easiest and safest way is to use the built-in MIUI options. This method does not require super-user rights (root) and is suitable for 90% of users. The instructions are relevant for the Redmi Note 8/9/10/11, Redmi 9A/9C, Redmi K40/K50 and other models with a fingerprint sensor.

To turn off the scanner:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the Passwords and Security section (some firmware may call it Lock and Protection).
3. Select the Fingerprint (or Fingerprint Sensor) option.
4. Enter the current one. PIN-code, pattern lock or password for confirmation.
5. Click on the basket icon (🗑️) or the button to delete fingerprints.
6. Confirm the removal of all saved fingerprints.

After that, the sensor will stop responding to touch, but will remain physically active (it can be turned on back at any time).Please note: if you use the fingerprint to pay through Mi Pay or log in to banking applications, these features will also stop working.

⚠️ Note: On some models (for example, Redmi Note 7 with a MIUI 12.5) After the fingerprints are removed, the sensor can continue to illuminate when pressed. This is not a failure, just an indication of the push of a button (if the scanner is built into the power button).

Method 2: Disconnect via Developer Modes (for power users)

If standard fingerprint removal doesn't work (for example, the sensor still responds to touch), you can try deactivating it through the developer's settings.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row until you become a developer!
3. Return to the main settings menu and open a new Developer section (usually at the bottom of the list).
4. Scroll down and find the USB Debugging option – turn it on.
5. Connect your phone to your PC and use the ADB command to turn off the sensor.

To deactivate the scanner via ADB, perform the following in the command line:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.biometrics.fingerprint

This command disables the system application that controls the sensor, and to get it back, use:

adb shell pm enable com.android.biometrics.fingerprint

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC

Enable debugging over USB in settings

Download the ADB platform (e.g. Minimal ADB and Fastboot)

Connect your phone to the original cable

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⚠️ Note: After this command is completed, not only the prints, but also the facial scanner (if you have one on your model) may stop working, and some banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online) may give an error when checking the security of the device.

Method 3: Reset security settings (if the sensor is buggy)

If the fingerprint scanner is not working properly — for example, it doesn’t recognize fingers, constantly asks you to try again, or causes the phone to overheat — a partial reset of security settings will help, a method that doesn’t affect user data (photos, messages, apps), but deletes all biometric data and passwords.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → Passwords and security.
2. Select Reset Security Settings (or Lock Reset).
3. Enter the current one. PIN-code.
4. Confirm the reset.

Once the phone is restarted, all fingerprints, facial data, and graphics keys will be removed, and the sensor will return to factory state, and you can reconfigure it (or leave it off).

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If the sensor doesn't work after reset, try updating the firmware through Settings → System Update. Sometimes biometric bugs are fixed in new versions of MIUI.

Method 4: Complete shutdown via engineering menu (for advanced)

If previous methods have failed, you can try to disable the sensor at the hardware level through the Engineering Mode, which is suitable for models with Qualcomm Snapdragon (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G, Redmi K50i) and requires caution – wrong actions can lead to a system failure.

Steps to enter the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that appears, select Hardware Testing (or Hardware Testing).
3. Find the Fingerprint or Biometric section.
4. Select the option Disable or Turn Off.
5. Confirm the shutdown and restart the phone.

On some firmware, the engineering menu may be blocked, in which case, try the alternative code:

• 📱 For MediaTek: ##36446337## (Opens EngineerMode menu) MTK)
• 🔧 For Qualcomm: #7378423## (service test menu)

⚠️ Note: In the engineering menu, it is not recommended to change other parameters than those related to the fingerprint sensor. Incorrect settings can lead to network loss, overheating or even a device blink (if you change the parameters of the communication module).

Method 5: Physically shutting down the sensor (extreme case)

If software methods fail and the sensor interferes with the phone (for example, causing false positives or overheating), there is a physical shutdown, which is only suitable for users with experience in disassembling smartphones, as it requires opening the case and risks losing your warranty.

How it works:

• 🛠️ On models with a rear sensor (for example, Redmi Note 8) you can disconnect the scanner plume from the motherboard.
• 🔌 On phones with a sensor in the power button (for example, Redmi Note 7) will have to solder off the contacts or replace the button with a faulty one (without a scanner).
• 📱 On devices with a screen scanner (for example, Redmi) K50) Physical shutdown is almost impossible without replacing the display.

Before you start disassembling, consider:

• ⚠️ Xiaomi’s warranty will be cancelled.
• ⚠️ Risk of damage to other components (e.g. camera or battery).
• ⚠️ After turning off the power button may stop working (if the sensor is built into it).

If you do, here is a brief guide for models with a rear sensor:

1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-map.
2. Heat the back cover with a hairdryer (temperature ~60 ° C) and gently tuck it with a plastic spatula.
3. Unplug the battery (required!), then find the fingerprint sensor plume (usually under metal protection).
4. Carefully disconnect the plume or seal the contacts with tape.
5. Get the phone back.

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Physically disabling the sensor is a last resort, and in 99% of cases, the problem can be solved software (by resetting, updating the firmware or disconnecting through ADB).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you turn off the fingerprint sensor, you often have typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

Another common mistake is losing access to your phone after removing all unlocking methods (fingerprints, PIN-code and pattern lock to avoid this:

• 🔐 Always leave a backup unlock method (for example, PIN-code).
• 📱 Do not delete fingerprints if you do not remember the password from your Mi Account (required for resetting).
• 🔄 Before the experiments with ADB Or engineering menu make a backup data.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions