How to turn off application protection on Xiaomi phone

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the need to hide personal correspondence, banking apps or a gallery from prying eyes. The built-in MIUI shell offers a powerful tool for this purpose, allowing you to set a separate password or biometric unlock for selected programs. However, there are situations when this feature ceases to be relevant, begins to interfere with quick access to data or simply forgotten by a user who can now not log in to his account.

The process of deactivating security can seem complicated because of the confusing menu of security settings that developers regularly change. If you forget the code or just want to return to the standard mode of operation of the system, you will need a clear algorithm of actions. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to remove restrictions, from standard settings to more complex scenarios.

Before you start changing security settings, it’s important to understand which security mechanisms are activated on your device, whether it’s a standard App Lock, a Second Space feature, or even a guest-mode app hide, each of which requires a customized approach when you turn off.

Checking the current MIUI security settings

The first step is always to diagnose the current state of the system, and often users forget what is activated and start looking for a solution in the wrong section. Go to Settings → Passwords and security and carefully study the options available. This is where the access control center for your data is located.

In this section, you can see the status of the App Lock feature. If it's active, there's a switch next to it, and it's also worth checking if Second Space mode is on, which creates an isolated environment with its own passwords, and turning these features off requires different actions.

Notice the type of password you use. It could be a pattern lock, PIN-If you want to successfully remove the security, you'll need to enter the current code that's valid, and without that step, the system won't allow you to make changes to your security settings.

Standard application protection disablement

The easiest and most common way to remove restrictions is to use a regular settings menu, which is suitable for most users who know their password and have physical access to the unlocked phone, and you don’t need third-party programs or complex code manipulation.

To start, go to the Settings menu. → Passwords and security → Application protection. Here you'll see a list of all the restricted programs. At the top of the screen or in the three-dot menu (usually in the corner) is a button to manage your security settings.

Click the Application Protection switch to deactivate the function completely. The system will immediately request a password or fingerprint scan to confirm the operation. Once successful, all previously blocked applications will be available without additional checks.

If you want to leave the function on but remove the lock from specific programs, just go to the application list inside the protection menu. Remove the ticks or put the switches in an inactive state opposite the desired icons, which allows you to flexibly adjust the level of privacy.

Using Mi Account to Reset Password

It's quite common for users to forget the code they've installed, and if you've tied your Mi Account to a security feature, it's a lot easier to restore, and it's one of the most reliable ways to get back to your data without losing information.

If you have a few failed password attempts, the app lock screen may say, "Forgot your password?" and click on it, prompting you to enter your Xiaomi account password or send a confirmation code to your linked phone number.

Once you have successfully logged in, you will be asked to create a new security code or disable the feature completely, which prevents unauthorized access to data if the phone falls into the wrong hands, but the account owner will always be able to regain control.

It is important to note that to work this feature, the phone must have an active Internet connection. If the device is offline, check the network status. Without communication with Xiaomi servers, account verification is impossible.

Access control through Second Space

Second Space creates a completely isolated environment in a smartphone that works as a separate phone with its own set of apps and passwords, and users often confuse app protection with logging into a second space, since both mechanisms require authorization.

To disable or exit Second Space, go to Settings → Second Space. Here you will find the option to “Delete Second Space” or “Exit.” Before this action, the system will warn that all data in this profile will be irrevocably deleted.

If you just want to remove the password when switching between profiles, go to the settings of the Second Space itself (via a special application or notification curtain). In the security section, you can turn off the password request when you log in, leaving only the main profile.

Using Second Space is a radical method of hiding data, and if your goal was to protect a few icons on your desktop, you might want to use the standard App Lock, which is less resource-intensive.

Specifics of working with the guest mode

Guest Mode is often used to temporarily transfer the phone to other people, and it can also have its own restrictions settings, so you need to have access to the owner's main profile to exit or change the guest mode.

Switching between profiles is usually done through the notification curtain or user menu in the settings. If you are in guest mode, you will not be able to change the security settings of the main profile.

In some versions of MIUI, application protection settings can be inherited or blocked in guest mode. Check if there are restrictions on setting up new profiles or switching between them in Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy.

⚠️ Warning: Attempts to bypass application protection by flashing or resetting through Recovery (Hard Reset) will result in total loss of all data on the device, including photos, contacts and messages.

If the guest mode was created by a third-party launcher application, rather than the MIUI system function, then you need to turn it off through the settings of this particular launcher, and system methods may not work in this case.

Solving problems with access to banking applications

High-security banking applications and services deserve special attention, often after updating MIUI or the application itself, the security system may not work correctly, blocking the entrance even with the correct password, due to a conflict between Xiaomi’s built-in security tools and the internal security mechanisms of banking software.

In such cases, it is recommended not to turn off application protection completely, but to add the problematic application to exceptions or a “white list”. To do this, go to the security settings, find the problem application and check if it has additional compatibility parameters.

It's also worth checking the special features settings. Some banking applications block screenshots or overlays, which may conflict with the application protection password window. Try temporarily disabling the protection for a particular bank and checking its performance.

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If the bank app doesn't open, try clearing the security cache in the Apps menu → All Apps → Security → Clear the cache.This won't delete your passwords, but it can fix display errors.

It is important to understand the difference between blocking an application login and blocking it from launching. Application protection on Xiaomi usually blocks startup. If an application opens but requires code inside itself, this is the internal protection of the bank itself, which MIUI cannot disable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Regularly updating your password and linking your Mi Account ensures that you do not lose access to your data, even if you forget the combination of protections.