How to Remove Your Password for Xiaomi Apps: The Complete Guide

Many Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners are actively using the built-in privacy protection feature, which allows you to hide the content of applications with an additional level of security, different from the main password unlocking the screen. However, situations vary: the user may forget the installed code, change the account or simply decide to abandon the feature, in such cases, it becomes necessary to find a reliable way to remove the restrictions.

The process of deactivating protection depends on whether you remember the current password or the Pattern key. If the combination of characters is known, the procedure takes only a few seconds through the settings menu. It is much more difficult if access is lost, since the security system MIUI and the new HyperOS shell are designed specifically to prevent unauthorized access. In this article, we will discuss all possible solutions to the problem, from standard methods to radical measures.

It should be noted that the built-in protection mechanisms in the Chinese manufacturer’s smartphones are implemented quite deeply. Simply removing the application or restarting the device will not help to bypass the lock. Resetting the application password without saving data is possible only when you are linked to the Mi Account or through a full reset of the phone settings. Therefore, it is always recommended to configure backup recovery options before activating the security function.

Standard method of disabling through security settings

The easiest and most secure way to remove a password is to use the standard system interface, if you remember the current combination. To do this, go to the Settings menu and find the App section. In the list of security features, you are interested in the item “App Protection” or “App Lock” depending on the firmware version and interface language.

Once you enter your current password, you will open a list of all the protected programs, where you can selectively unlock specific utilities or turn off the function completely. Global shutdown usually requires you to press the gear icon in the upper right corner of the screen and move the switch to an inactive position.

It is important to understand that once the lock is removed, all previously hidden applications will be visible in the general list, and their icons will no longer be marked with a special icon. If you use Second Space, the settings may be duplicated, and the procedure will have to be repeated for each profile separately.

Using Mi Accounts to Restore Access

If you forgot your password but previously linked your Mi Account to a security feature, the recovery will be successful, the security system allows you to use the cloud account to reset forgotten combinations, and if you have several failed attempts to enter, a message will appear on the screen about the possibility of recovery through the account.

To start the procedure, click on the corresponding link “Forgot your password?” or “Restore through Mi Account.” After that, the device will request authorization. Enter the username and password from your Xiaomi account. If the data is correct, the system will suggest installing a new combination or disabling protection completely.

This only works if the smartphone is connected to the Internet at the time of the recovery attempt, and it is critical that the protection function is activated after the account is linked, otherwise the system will not be able to verify the owner.

Reset via Recovery Menu (for advanced users)

In some cases, especially on older versions of MIUI, it was possible to reset security application data through cache clearing in Recovery mode. However, modern firmware versions have significantly increased protection, and this method often only leads to the cleaning of temporary files without deleting the password itself.

However, it is worth trying if other methods are not available. You need to turn off the phone and press the combination of the buttons Volume up + Power to enter Recovery mode. In the menu that appears, using the volume buttons, select Wipe Data or Clear Data, and then find the application "Security" or "Security".

Be careful: cleaning system applications can lead to unstable interface operation. If after the procedure the phone requires the old password to be entered on the first access attempt, then the method did not work, and the key data is stored in a secure partition.

Radical method: full reset (Hard Reset)

When none of the gentler methods work, the only guaranteed way to remove the password is to completely reset the device to factory settings, which will delete absolutely all user data, including photos, contacts, messages and, of course, the password to the applications. Hard Reset returns the phone to the “out of the box” state.

Before starting the procedure, be sure to back up important files if you have access to the file system or cloud services. After resetting, you will need to reconfigure your phone by logging into your Google and Mi accounts. If the device has been enabled anti-theft protection, you will not be able to log in without passwords from your accounts.

To perform the reset, go to Settings → About Phone → Reset. Select “Erase All Data.” The device will warn of the consequences and request a password from the lock screen (not from the apps, but from the phone itself). Once confirmed, a process will begin, which can take several minutes.

Features of unlocking in HyperOS and new versions of MIUI

With the release of HyperOS shell and the updated versions of MIUI 14/15, security algorithms have been redesigned. Application passwords are now more closely integrated with biometric data and cloud profiles. Simple deletion of Security application data through the Application Manager is now often blocked by the system.

The newer versions have a feature to synchronize passwords between devices, so if you have a tablet or another Xiaomi smartphone with the same account, the security settings can be updated automatically, which allows you to unlock on one device by changing the settings on another.

⚠️ Note: On newer firmware versions, trying to select a password more than 10 times can temporarily block the security function for 30 minutes or an hour.

HyperOS has also changed the way to settings: now they are more often in the Settings → Applications → Application Protection, and a separate application “Security” can be hidden or renamed.

Prevention and backup

To avoid problems in the future, it is recommended to regularly update the backups of settings. In the application protection menu there is an option to back up the password to the Mi Cloud, activating this feature will allow you to restore access at any time, even if the phone is lost or damaged.

Use simple but reliable graphic keys that are easy to replicate with muscle memory. Avoid complex zigzags that are difficult to replicate in a stressful situation. You can also use fingerprint unlock for quick access without reversing your master password.

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Tip: Write down a complex password on paper and store it in a secure location separate from your phone. Digital notes may not be available if the phone is locked.

Regularly checking the relevance of Mi Account data is also important: Make sure that the phone number associated with the account is valid and you have access to the inbox, which are key elements in restoring access to any Xiaomi ecosystem services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

⚠️ Note: Use of unofficial firmware or modified loaders (TWRP) for password reset can lead to loss of warranty and disruption of banking applications (NFC, Google Pay).

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The only guaranteed way to remove a password without accessing an account is to completely reset your phone, which deletes all user data.