Smart Lock on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is a handy tool to bypass standard screen locks in safe conditions. However, users often face a situation where the security system becomes too intrusive or, on the contrary, no longer correctly recognizes the owner, in which case there is an urgent need to deactivate the function or reset it to factory values.
The problems can be different: the phone does not unlock with a trusted Bluetooth device, or you sold a smartwatch and the smartphone continues to require it to log in. MIUI and the new HyperOS have their own features in the security menu that can confuse an inexperienced user. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to manage smart locking.
We're going to look at the standard ways to disconnect through settings, work with Google profiles, and address critical situations when access to the system is lost. It's important to understand that Smart Lock is closely integrated with the Google ecosystem, so some actions will require intervention in the account. Let's figure out how to regain full control of the device.
What is a Smart Lock and Why You Should Turn It Off
Smart Lock technology was introduced to make it easier to access the device in trusted use cases. PIN-When you code or draw a pattern lock, your smartphone remains unlocked if it is in a specific location, connected to your car, or just in your hands.
The main reason users are looking for a way to disable Smart Lock on Xiaomi is because of false positives or changing operating conditions. For example, if you sold a smart bracelet but forgot to untie it, the phone can behave unpredictable, and some users prefer the maximum level of protection, where each input requires proof of identity.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling Smart Lock will improve data security but reduce usability.You will have to enter the unlock password more often every time the device wakes up.
It’s also worth noting that the feature may conflict with some third-party launchers or automation apps. If you notice that the phone is spontaneously locked or, conversely, not locked in your pocket, the problem may lie in the settings of trusted agents, in which case a complete reset of smart locking options is the most rational solution.
The classic way to disable through security settings
The easiest and most correct method of deactivation is to use the system’s regular menu, which is suitable for most cases when you have access to your smartphone settings. The algorithm for actions may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS, but the general logic remains the same.
First, you need to open the main settings menu and find the partition that protects the device, usually called Passwords and Security, or just Security, and inside that section, you'll find the screen lock sub-menu, where all the key access options are located.
☑️ Pre-switch check
Once you log into the lock menu, the system will require you to verify your identity, a mandatory security measure to prevent unauthorized persons from changing settings, PIN-Next, look for the Smart Lock (in some locations, "Smart Lock") and click on it.
Inside, you'll see a list of active trusted places, devices, or In-Pack modes. To turn off the function completely, you don't just turn off the switch, you remove all the exceptions you've added. Often users forget to do that, and the function continues to work partially. Click on each item and select "Delete" or "Forget."
Governance through Google Account and Security
Since Smart Lock is a Google service, some aspects of it can be managed via your account’s web interface, especially if you’ve lost your phone but want to remotely revoke access for trusted devices, or if the menu on your smartphone itself isn’t working properly.
Go to the Google account management page from any other device (computer or tablet) and go to the Security section, where you will find the "Your Devices" or "Security Check" section, and this is where you store data on which gadgets are trusted to unlock.
| Type of Trusted Object | Where it's managed | Security risk | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth device | Phone Settings / Google Account | Medium. | Remove immediately after selling the gadget |
| Geoposition (Place) | Just phone settings | High-pitched | Use with caution in public places |
| Facial recognition | Phone settings | Medium. | Not to be used as the only method of protection |
| In my pocket. | Phone settings | Low. | You can leave it on for convenience. |
Removing a device from a trusted Google account will force it to reset its status on all connected smartphones, a powerful tool that allows you to centrally manage the security of your entire Android ecosystem. Once you make changes on the server, the smartphone will update security policies the next time you connect to the Internet.
It's important to understand that syncing settings can take a while, and if you delete a device from your account but it's still listed as trusted on your phone, try turning off and on Bluetooth or restarting your smartphone, and this triggers a forced status request from Google servers.
Reset Smart Lock settings with a forgotten password
The situation when the user forgets the password to unlock the screen and the Smart Lock stops working (for example, the battery is dead in the watch), is critical, in this case, standard methods of disconnecting through the menu are not available, since the system requires a password to enter the settings.
The only way to return access to the device is to completely reset your device, which will delete all user data, including photos, contacts and installed apps, but will remove the lock. Before starting the procedure, make sure you remember the data from the Google account that was associated with the phone, otherwise FRP protection will work.
1. Turn off the smartphone completely.
2. Press the Volume Up + Power button at the same time.
3. Hold the buttons until the Mi/Redmi logo appears, then release the Powers, leaving the Loudness.
4. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data -> Wipe All Data.⚠️ Warning: Hard Reset permanently deletes all data from the phone's internal memory.If you don't have a backup in the Mi Cloud or Google Drive cloud, it won't be possible to restore files.
Once the reset is complete, the phone will start as new, and when you set it up, it will ask you to enter the password from the Google account that was used earlier, which is a test of ownership of the device, and once you log in, the Smart Lock function will be completely disabled, since all its configurations have been erased along with the rest of the data.
What to do if you forget your Google account?
Solving problems with Bluetooth devices
The most common scenario for Xiaomi’s Smart Lock is unlocking through Bluetooth headphones or smartwatches, but users often complain that the phone stops “recognising” gadgets, which may be due to a firmware update or a failure in the Bluetooth module.
If the phone doesn't unlock automatically, even though the device is connected, try removing pairing and re-create it. Go to Settings → Bluetooth, find your device in the list and click "Forget device" or the gear icon, then "Unpair." After that, pair again and add the device to the trusted list in the Smart Lock menu.
Also worth checking for system services permissions. In rare cases, antivirus or memory cleaners can block the background work of Bluetooth verification service. Make sure that Google Play Services has all the necessary permissions to work with Bluetooth and geolocation.
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For stable operation of Smart Lock via Bluetooth keep drivers and firmware headphones / watches updated through their proprietary applications (Mi Fit, Zepp Life, Galaxy Wearable).
Another cause of disruption may be energy saving mode. On Xiaomi smartphones, aggressive battery optimization often kills background processes. Go to the battery settings, find Google Play Services, and set up No Limits mode, which will allow the system to constantly monitor the presence of a trusted device nearby.
Features of work in HyperOS and MIUI 14
With the release of the new HyperOS shell and the MIUI 14 updates, the security menu structure has changed. Google is actively implementing the “Smart Lock for Android” feature, which gradually replaces old methods. In new versions of the OS, settings can be hidden deeper or renamed.
In HyperOS, the path to settings often looks like Settings → Passwords & Security → Screen Lock → Advanced Settings. This is where the Smart Lock for Android switch can be located. If you don’t find this item, your version of regional firmware (Global, EEA, Russia) may not have received a corresponding update from Google yet.
The new versions also offer closer integration with Xiaomi’s smart home, which can offer unlocking when approaching a smart lock or security camera, and manage these scenarios no longer on the standard Android menu, but in the Mi Home or Xiaomi Home app.
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In the new shells Xiaomi Smart Lock settings can be spread across different menus: basic settings in the Google system, and advanced scenarios of the smart home – in the Mi Home application.
If the feature stopped working after the firmware update, try clearing the Settings and Google Play Services cache. Accumulated temporary files from older versions of MIUI can conflict with new HyperOS security algorithms, causing bugs in the work of trusted agents.