Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a situation where access to important data is limited by an integrated security feature, which allows you to hide the content of selected programs for additional information. PIN-However, if the user forgets the code or can't remember the answer to the control question, the device becomes an impregnable fortress.
Fortunately, MIUI and the new HyperOS have multiple recovery scenarios, both through a tied Mi Account and by completely clearing the data of the most secure application, and the specific method you choose depends on which security settings you have activated before and whether you are willing to sacrifice data inside the program to access it.
In this guide, we will discuss all the current ways to unlock. You will learn how to proceed if you forget the password from a hidden album or specific applications. We will look at the standard tools of the system that do not require the installation of third-party software. It is important to understand that some methods can lead to the removal of information, so carefully study each step before you perform.
The mechanism of application blocker operation in MIUI
Xiaomi’s shell application protection function works independently of the smartphone’s main lock screen, which creates an additional layer of data security by isolating sensitive information even from those with physical access to the unlocked phone.
When the first protection is turned on, the system proposes to install a digital PIN-Often users ignore the suggestion to link a Mi Account for recovery, which later creates difficulties. The local password is stored in a protected memory area, and without special recovery keys, it is impossible to get direct access to it using standard file manager tools.
There are two main types of restrictions: completely locking the application from running and hiding it from the list of recent tasks. In both cases, login requires authorization. If you try to log in to an application and you see a password request that you don't remember, you'll have to use it.
It is worth noting that with the release of new versions of Android (11, 12, 13, 14), security policies are becoming stricter. Since Android 11, the standard mechanism for restoring the password to protect applications via SMS was completely abolished in favor of the Mi Account. This means that the old methods that worked on MIUI 11 and below, on modern smartphones Redmi Note or Xiaomi 13 simply will not work.
⚠️ Attention: Attempts to match the password by brute-force will lead to a temporary lock of the input function. MIUI increase the interval between attempts to enter, and after many failures may require login to the account owner.
How to reset through Mi (Mi Account)
The most civilized and secure way to restore access is to use the manufacturer's cloud service, and if you've linked your Mi Account to the security setting, it takes a couple of minutes to reset, and this method allows you to remove the forgotten password while storing all the data inside the secure applications.
To start, you need to go to the Protection Settings menu. Open Settings, then search the Applications section and select Application Protection. The system will immediately request your current password or fingerprint. Since the code is forgotten, click on the "Forgot Password?" link (usually located at the bottom of the input screen).
Then the system will prompt you to enter a password from your Mi Account. Once you have successfully logged in to the cloud, the protection will be removed and you will be asked to install a new one. PIN-This method works on most modern devices, including the Redmi Note 10, Poco. F3 newer.
- 🔑 Open the menu for entering the application protection password.
- 📲 Click on the access recovery link at the bottom of the screen.
- ☁️ Enter the login and password from the attached Mi Account.
- ✅ Confirm the reset and set a new access code.
If the account was not linked, this method will not work, in which case the system may suggest sending the confirmation code to the phone number, but this option is only available if it was activated in advance in the security settings.
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Always link Mi Account to security features, which is the only way to restore access to data without losing it if you forget your password.
Deletion of application data as a method of bypassing
If the Mi Account is not tied, the radical but effective method is to clear the system component itself, which is responsible for blocking, and resetting the security module will completely delete the forgotten password, but this action will also delete the settings of the security itself.
It is important to understand the difference: we do not delete the blocked application itself (for example, the Gallery or the Banking application), we clean the data of the service that protects it. To perform this operation, go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
Find an app called Security or Application Protection on the list. In some versions of HyperOS, it may simply be called Security. Click on it, then select Memory or Storage, and it will have a Clean or Reset button.
- 📂 Go to the settings of all installed applications.
- 🛡️ Find the System Application “Security».
- 🗑️ Select the option of data cleaning and cache.
- 🔄 Restart the device to apply changes.
Once you reboot, you won’t ask for a password when you try to open a previously protected application, but the security feature itself will be deactivated and you’ll have to reconfigure it if you want to hide it from prying eyes again.
☑️ Pre-resetting checks
Using a fingerprint to access
Today's Xiaomi smartphones allow you to use biometrics to unlock applications. If you previously set up a fingerprint or facial recognition login, this can be a salvation. Biometric data is stored in a secure CPU circuit and is independent of forgotten digital code.
Try simply putting your finger on the scanner or looking at the front camera when the app lock screen appears. If the system recognizes the owner, access will be granted. After that, it is strongly recommended to immediately go to the settings and change the password, since you still do not remember the old one.
In some cases, if the phone has been rebooted, the first sign-in to the apps always requires input. PIN-Biometrics only start working after the first successful authorization, and if you haven't entered a password in that session, the biometrics may not work.
| Method | Data retention | Mi Account is required | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through the Mi Account. | Yes. | Yes. | Low. |
| Resetting the "Security" data | Yeah (settings reset) | No. | Medium |
| Fingerprint. | Yes. | No. | Low. |
| Reset to factory settings | No (complete removal) | No. | Tall. |
What to do if none of the methods work
There are times when the account is forgotten, the biometrics are not configured, and cleaning the system application data is not helpful due to firmware errors, leaving the final frontier of a full device reset, which is guaranteed to remove any protection, but removes all photos, contacts and files from the phone.
Before you decide to do this, try to remember the answer to the check question, if it was set. Often users write simple answers that you can guess, and also check if the password is saved in the Google password manager or in notes if you had access to them from other devices.
If data is critical and resetting is undesirable, you can try backing up files via a PC connection in file transfer mode (MTP). Application protection in MIUI often blocks only the start of the program interface, but does not always encrypt files so that they can not be copied through the computer. Connect the phone with a cable, select File Transfer mode, and copy important documents or photos in the DCIM or MIUI folders.
After you save the data, you can safely reset. To do this, press the power and volume button (the combination depends on the model, often it is Volume+ and Power) to get into the Recovery menu. Select Wipe Data and confirm the action.
⚠️ Warning: After resetting to factory settings (Hard Reset) on the phone will work protection FRP (Factory Reset Protection. You will need to enter the username and password from the Google account that was synced on this device before.
Can I crack my password through ADB?
Preventing Access Problems in the Future
To prevent a forgotten password from happening again, you should set up your security system right after a reset. Xiaomi offers flexible tools that make protection convenient, not burdensome. The main rule is to always have a back door in the form of a tied account.
It is recommended to use fingerprint unlock for all secure applications, which eliminates the need to enter a digital code every time. In the application protection settings, enable the “Unlock fingerprint” option for each important application separately.
It is also worth recording the established PIN-Storing passwords to a safe place: in a paper notebook or in a cloud password manager (such as Google Password Manager or Bitwarden). Storing passwords only in the brain memory is an unreliable method, especially for codes that are rarely used.
- 🔒 Be sure to link Mi Account to the protection function.
- 👆 Activate biometric unlocking for all applications.
- 📝 Save a backup of passwords in the cloud.
- 🔄 Change passwords regularly if there is a suspicion of leakage.
Compliance with these simple rules will allow you to use the function of hiding applications without fear of losing access to your data. Security in MIUI and HyperOS is quite high, but it requires careful attention from the user.
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Linking a Mi Account and setting up biometrics are the only reliable ways to guarantee access to apps even if you lose your password memory completely.