How to Remove Application Protection Password on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi’s mobile devices are equipped with a powerful security system that allows you to hide personal data from prying eyes. App Lock is one of the most popular tools in the shells of MIUI and the new HyperOS, allowing you to set an additional barrier for messengers, gallery or banking customers. However, there are situations when the user forgets the installed code, changes the device or simply decides to abandon unnecessary security for convenience.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the legal ways to remove the password for the application on Xiaomi if you remember the code, and what to do if access is lost. We will look at the standard methods of resetting through an associated account, as well as radical measures that require a complete reset. It is important to understand that the security system is designed to protect your data, so you can not simply bypass it without confirming the rights of the owner.

Before you start taking action, you need to determine the current status of your device and whether you have a Mi Account, and that's what you're going to do to restore access, and in some cases it's going to take a couple of minutes, in others it's going to take a little bit of time to back up and reinstall your system, and let's take a look at the nuances of working with App Lock on their smartphones.

Staff disabling protection through system settings

The easiest and safest way to remove a lock is to use the regular settings menu if you remember your current password or pattern lock. This method doesn't require an Internet connection or third-party tools. You need to open the Settings menu and find the security section. The path may be slightly different from firmware versions, but the logic remains the same.

Once you log into the security menu, the system will request proof of identity. PIN-It's a code, a pattern lock, or a fingerprint unlock, if the biometrics were set up before. If you enter the wrong code several times, the system may temporarily block login attempts or require you to enter a password from your Mi Account to confirm that it is the owner of the device.

Once access is obtained, you will see a list of all the protected applications, where you can selectively remove protection from specific programs or turn off the function completely. To turn off the global feature, you usually use a switch at the top of the screen or the App Lock Settings button. By removing the tick from the Application Protection function, you instantly uncheck all the restrictions.

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If you often forget passwords, set up fingerprint or face unlock in App Lock settings – it’s faster and more convenient than entering a pattern lock every time.

It’s worth noting that once the feature is disabled, all previously hidden files in the Second Space or hidden folder may become available, but the app login lock itself will disappear.This is a standard procedure that does not affect other phone data such as contacts, photos or messages.

Resetting password through Mi-account

If you forget your password but have previously linked your Mi Account to the security feature, recovery will be quick. If you enter your password incorrectly several times, the link “Forgot your password?” or “Reset through your Mi Account” will appear on the screen.

You'll need to enter your account login and password, and once you've successfully logged in, the system will suggest you set a new application protection password or delete the old one completely, and this only works if you have an active Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network), and you won't be able to verify your credentials without a network.

If the account was not tied in advance, this will not work. MIUI security system does not allow you to reset the protection without first setting up or knowing the current code, this is done so that an attacker can not access your data simply by finding the phone.

After resetting through your account, it is recommended to immediately set up a new, more memorable password or enable biometric unlocking, and it is also useful to write the new code in a safe place to avoid a repeat of the situation in the future.

Using a Secret Question

When you first set up your application protection, it often asks you a secret question and an answer, which is a backup recovery method that many users ignore, and it's a waste of time. If you haven't tied a Mi Account, but remember the answer to a secret question, this is your chance to get access back.

The password screen, after several failed attempts, may show the option "Ask a Secret Question" and if you select it, you will see the question you asked before, if you enter the correct answer, you will access the password reset menu. The response text is case-sensitive, so enter it exactly as you did when you set it up.

If you don't remember the answer or have a secret question, that's out of the question. Modern versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14 are all about Mi-accounts, so having a secret question becomes less common, but still relevant for older devices.

Radical method: full reset (Hard Reset)

When none of the gentler methods work, the only guaranteed way is to completely reset the device to factory settings, a process that completely cleans the smartphone’s internal memory by removing all apps, photos, contacts and, most importantly, the application protection password.

To do the reset, you need to go to Recovery mode. Turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo or the recovery menu appears. The Recovery navigation menu is done with volume buttons and the power button selects.

Select a language (usually English or Chinese), then go to Wipe Data and confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data. The system will warn you that the process is irreversible. Once completed, the phone will restart, and you will see the screen of the initial setting, as when you buy a new device.

⚠️ Warning: Hard Reset will completely destroy all your personal data. Before starting the procedure, if possible, try connecting to your computer and copying important files, although access to them may be limited by Android security.

Once turned on, you'll need to reconfigure your phone, log in to your Google and Mi accounts, and the application protection password will be deleted along with all the other settings, the only way to get around the protection if the owner has forgotten all the data to recover.

Features of App Lock in HyperOS and MIUI 14

Newer versions of Xiaomi shells have brought changes to security algorithms. HyperOS has increased integration with cloud services, and now resetting passwords through the Mi Account site can take longer because of security checks. The menu interface has also changed, with App Lock settings often hidden in the back of the Apps menu or available through settings search.

MIUI 14 and later introduced the "Second Space" feature, which can also be protected by a separate password. It is important not to confuse the login password for the second space with the application protection password. Resetting one does not always mean resetting the other, although Hard Reset removes both.

Users note that in new firmware, the system more aggressively requires Mi Account binding when setting a password, ignoring the secret question option, which is done to improve the overall security of the ecosystem, but creates inconvenience for those who do not like to link devices to accounts.

If you’ve recently updated and can’t find your old settings, search the settings bar by typing in “App Lock” or “App Protection” as the fastest way to navigate the confusing menus of new versions.

Comparison of Access Restoration Methods

To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have systematized all the methods in the table, and pay attention to the requirements for each method and the possible consequences.

As you can see from the table, having an account binding or knowing a password is the key to avoiding data loss. If none of the conditions are met, a full reset is the only technically feasible solution to unlock the device.

Don’t try to use questionable PC software that promises to “crack” your password in 5 minutes. 99% of the time it’s either viruses or useless software that can’t get around the protection of the Xiaomi bootloader.

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The best protection against password loss is to write it in a secure location or use biometrics that don’t require remembering complex combinations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)