How to remove antivirus from Xiaomi: the full guide

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face intrusive notifications from the built-in virus scanner, which is part of the shell of MIUI or HyperOS. This system service, known as Security, constantly monitors application activities and can block the installation of software from unknown sources, causing irritation to power users. Deleting or disabling this component requires care, since it is deeply integrated into the Android operating system.

The need to get rid of built-in protection may be dictated by the desire to install modified applications that the system mistakenly identifies as malicious. In addition, the background work of the antivirus sometimes consumes significant CPU resources, which affects the autonomy of the device. In this material, we will analyze all available methods of deactivation of protection, from simple settings to use. ADB-team.

It is worth noting that complete removal of system components without Root rights is impossible with standard means. However, there are effective ways to freeze or disable the scanner functionality, making it invisible to the user. We will look at the options for different versions of firmware that are relevant in 2026 and assess the risks of each method.

Analysis of the built-in protection MIUI Security

At the heart of Xiaomi’s smartphone security is the Security app, which combines antivirus, memory cleaner and call blocker features, which is system-level and has advanced privileges that allow it to scan files in real time. For the average user, this provides a basic level of security, but for enthusiasts it becomes a barrier.

The main actor here is MSA (MIUI System Ads) and the associated analysis processes, which send requests to the company's servers to verify virus signatures. If you decide to disable this feature, it is important to understand what processes will be affected, particularly the com.miui.securitycenter package, which is responsible for visualizing the protection status and conducting scans.

⚠️ Warning: Complete removal of the system security application may cause some shell features to function unstable, such as cache cleaning or permission management.

Many users confuse the built-in scanner with separately installed antiviruses from third-party developers such as Kaspersky or Dr.Web. If it is a third-party software, its removal is done in the standard way through the application management menu. However, the built-in Xiaomi component requires a deeper approach, since the “Delete” button in the settings menu for it is usually inactive or hidden.

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Before making any changes to system services, create a complete backup of your data to avoid losing important information in the event of a crash.

Disabling Scanning Through Settings

The safest and easiest way to stop intrusive antivirus is to turn off its basic functions through the standard settings menu, which does not require a connection to the computer and preserves the integrity of system files. You will need to go through several menu levels in succession to find the desired switches.

To start, open the Security app (green shield icon) on the home screen or in the Tools folder. Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner to get into the settings menu. Here you are interested in the Antivirus section. It is in this menu that the key parameters that control the behavior of the scanner are hidden.

Inside the Antivirus section, you need to find the "Update Virus Bases" item and disable it, and you should also deactivate the "Scan When Install" option, which checks each new application when it is downloaded, and this will allow you to install software from the Internet. APK-Files without constant system warnings.

• 🛡️ Open the Security app and go to settings through the gear.
• 📉 Find the Antivirus section and uncheck the checkmarks from the database update points.
• 🚫 Turn off the Scan When Installation function to ignore APK-file.
• 🔍 Check the Cleanup section and turn off automatic garbage scanning if it interferes.

Once you do this, the antivirus will stop bothering you with notifications when you install programs. However, background processes may remain active. To clean up more deeply, you will need to use additional tools, which will be discussed below. It is also important to check the notification settings of the security application itself and prevent them from displaying in the curtain.

Using ADB to remove system components

If the standard settings do not give the desired result, you can use debugging on the USB tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method allows you to delete or disable system packages that are not available to the average user, USB-cable and installed drivers for your device.

The first step is to activate the developer mode on your smartphone. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI or HyperOS version seven times. After the message "You became a developer", go back to the main settings menu, find "Additional" or "Extended settings" and select "Developers".

In the developer menu, turn on the USB Debugging Toggle. When you connect your smartphone to your computer, you'll see a request for debugging permission on the screen, make sure you press OK. Now you can go to typing commands. Below is a manual to disable the security packet.

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.securitycenter

This command does not physically delete the file, but completely disables it for the current user, making it inoperable. If you want to return everything as it was, use the command adb shell pm enable com.miui.securitycenter. Be careful when entering packet names, as an error can lead to a malfunction of the system.

Table of system security packages

When working with ADB, it is important to know the exact names of the packages that are responsible for different aspects of security. The table below shows the main components associated with antivirus protection and advertising in the Xiaomi shell.

Using this data, you can pinpoint the unneeded functions without affecting the stability of the entire operating system. Remember that some packets may be dependent on each other. For example, disabling the main security center can affect the task manager or battery.

For ease of packet management, you can use graphical shells for ADB, such as Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools or Universal Android Debloater. These programs automatically determine the device model and offer a list of system applications for removal, marking safe and critical components with different colors.

Removal of third-party antiviruses

Often users install third-party antivirus solutions on their own, which eventually start to conflict with the system or simply cease to be necessary. Deleting applications such as Avast, Kaspersky or 360 Security is usually standard, but sometimes there are nuances with administrator rights.

If the app is not removed through the settings menu, check if it has device administrator rights. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Device administrators. If your antivirus is on the list, uncheck it. After that, the Delete button will become active in the application menu.

In some cases, the antivirus may have removal protection that you need to disable inside the application itself. Go to the antivirus settings and find "Delete Protection" or "Anti-Theft", then deaktivirujte it. Only after that the system will allow you to remove the application completely.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
• 🔍 Find an unnecessary antivirus in the list and click on it.
• 🗑️ Press the "Delete" button at the bottom of the screen.
• ✅ If the button is inactive, check the administrator rights in the security settings.

After removing the third-party security software, it is recommended to restart the device to clear the cache and complete all background processes associated with the remote application.

Possible problems and solutions

When you turn off or remove your antivirus, you may encounter a variety of errors, and one of the most common problems is a cyclical reboot or system error, and if you turn off your com.miui.securitycenter, you need to put the component back in place.

To restore functionality, use the previously mentioned ADB-command with the enable parameter. ADB It's lost due to connectivity issues, booting into Recovery mode and resetting, although this is an extreme measure that will delete all the data.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system security services reduces your device's security from real-world threats.Install apps only from trusted sources, such as Google Play Store.

Another problem may be that pop-ups are coming up with a recommendation to turn on protection. This is part of the MIUI notification system. To get rid of them, you not only have to turn off the antivirus, but you also have to stop the Security app from sending notifications. This is done through Settings → Notifications → Security Center → Disable all notifications.

Also worth mentioning is the impact on banking applications. Some banks may require active protection on the device. If the banking application stops running after removing the antivirus, you will either have to restore the security component or look for workarounds such as Magisk Hide (if you have Root rights).

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The safest way to get rid of antivirus is to disable its functions in the settings, rather than delete system files, which keeps the system stable.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions