How to Remove a Certificate from a Xiaomi Phone: A Complete Guide to Error Solutions

Certificates on Xiaomi smartphones play a key role in ensuring the security of connections, but sometimes they need to be removed.This may be necessary when changing the work network, after installing suspicious applications or to fix connection errors to the Wi-Fi/VPN. However, improper removal of certificates can disrupt system functions, so it is important to act carefully.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for all types of certificates (root, user, VPN), including features of the MIUI 12/13/14 interface. We will also analyze common errors (for example, "Certificate not deleted" or "No permissions") and give recommendations for system recovery if something goes wrong.

Before you start, make sure you have a backup of important data - some operations may require resetting.If you use a smartphone at work, coordinate with the IT- department: removing corporate certificates may block access to internal resources of the company.

Types of certificates on Xiaomi: which can be removed and which can not

Xiaomi devices have three main types of certificates, each of which has its own purpose and level of risk when deleted:

• 🔐 Root certificates are built into the system to authenticate sites and applications, and deleting most of them will cause errors in SSL- connections in the browser and applications.
• 👤 User certificates are manually installed (e.g., for corporate mail or Wi-Fi) and can be removed without system consequences.
• 🛡️ VPN- Certificates -- used by applications to create secure tunnels, and deleting them would break the connection to the VPN- services.

Particular care should be taken with certificates whose names contain Android, Google or MIUI. their removal can cause disruptions in the work of Google Play Services or Xiaomi branded services (for example, Mi Cloud or Mi Account).

⚠️ Warning: On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO F3), deleting the MiuiSystemUI certificate may result in loss of functionality of the notification panels.

Preparing the phone before removing the certificates

Before you start deleting, follow a few mandatory steps to avoid data loss or device locking:

1. Backup. Use the built-in Settings → About Phone → Backup or third-party apps like Swift Backup (root rights required).

Check out MIUI's version.

• MIUI 14 – Settings → Passwords and Security → Additional → Certificate Management
• MIUI 12/13 – Settings → Additional → Privacy → Certificate Management
• Disable antivirus. Software like Mi Security or Avast can block access to system settings.
• Choose a certificate. Find the one you want in the list (see name or date of installation). If there are many certificates, search by name.
• Delete the certificate. Click on it, then select Delete (or Revoke for some types). Confirm the action with a password/fingerprint.

If the Delete button is inactive, it means that the certificate is protected by the device's policy.

• 🔓 Try resetting security settings (Settings → System → Resetting → Resetting security settings).
• 📱 Reboot your phone in Safe Mode (hold the power button → “Reboot in Safe Mode”) and try again.

⚠️ Warning: Some Xiaomi models (e.g., Mi 11 Ultra) may require re-authorization in applications using this certificate (e.g., Outlook corporate mail or Microsoft Teams) after deleting the user certificate.

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If you delete the certificate for a Wi-Fi network, write down its password before it is deleted, and after it is deleted, the network may require you to re-enter the data to connect.

Removal of VPN- Certificates: Features and Risks

VPN- certificates differ from standard user certificates in that they are often tied to specific applications (e.g. OpenVPN, NordVPN or ProtonVPN) and deleting them will break the secure connection but not affect the system's performance. Here's how to do it correctly:

1. Find VPN- certificates. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → VPN. Click on the gear (⚙️) next to the active VPN- connection. Select Certificate Management (or Security Settings).

Delete the certificate.

• In the list, find a certificate called VPN- service (for example, NordVPN Root CA).
• Click Delete and confirm the action.
• Reboot the device. This is necessary for the changes to take effect.

If the VPN stopped working after you delete it, try:

• 🔄 Reinstall the VPN application, which will automatically install new certificates.
• 📥 Manually download the certificate from the provider’s website (usually the “Manual Setup” or “Configuration Files” section).
• 🔧 Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).

Some VPN- services (e.g., WireGuard) do not use traditional certificates but rely on encryption keys, in which case deleting certificates will not help - you need to delete the application itself or its data (Settings → Applications → VPN- Application → Storage → Clear Data).

How to remove a root certificate without root rights

Removing root certificates is a risky operation that can cause browsers, messengers, and even system updates to fail, but in some cases it is necessary (for example, to remove suspicious certificates installed by viruses).

1. Open the root certificate menu. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Additional → Certificate Management → Root. If there is no item, search by settings (the magnifier icon at the top).
2. Turn off the certificate (don't delete!). Click on the certificate → select Disable (do not delete!) This will temporarily block its use without physically deleting it.

Check the workability.

• Open your browser and try to visit HTTPS- sites (e.g. google.com).
• If errors such as NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID occur, turn the certificate back on.

If you still need to completely remove the root certificate, you will need to use the ADB- command (Developer Mode is required):

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 <name package certificate>

To find the name of the package, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "cert"

⚠️ Warning: Deleting root certificates via ADB may disrupt Google Pay, Mi Pay, and other payment systems. On devices with MIUI Global, it may also block access to Xiaomi branded services (e.g., Mi Cloud).

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Disabling the root certificate is a safer option than deleting it, and it allows you to test the consequences without irreversible changes.

Hidden Certificates: How to Find and Delete Invisible Files

Some certificates are not displayed in the standard MIUI menu, but they continue to affect the device.

• 🕵️‍♂️ Certificates installed by viruses (often disguised as system certificates).
• 🏢 Corporate Certificates Hidden by MDM (Mobile Device Management) Policy.
• 🔄 Residual files after deleting applications.

To find them, use one of the methods:

Method 1: File Manager (without root)

1. Open File Manager (or any other file manager with access to system folders).
2. Go to /data/misc/user/0/cacerts-added/ User certificates are stored here.
3. Delete files with the.0 extension (e.g., user_added_cert.0).
4. Reset the device.

Method 2: ADB (for experienced users)

If you have Developer Mode enabled, follow the commands:

adb shell


su




cd /data/misc/user/0/cacerts-added/




ls -la

To remove the certificate:

rm <name file certificate>

⚠️ Warning: Deleting files from the /data/misc/keystore folder may result in loss of access to protected data (such as Wi-Fi passwords or application data).

If you suspect that the certificate is installed by a virus, check the device with an antivirus (Malwarebytes or Dr.Web) and reset (Settings → About Phone → Reset) This will delete all user certificates, but save personal data.

Errors in the removal of certificates and their solutions

When working with certificates on Xiaomi, users often encounter common mistakes, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If after removing the certificates, the phone began to overheat or discharge faster, this may indicate:

• 🔋 Background activity of system processes attempting to reconnect.
• 🛠️ Damage to system files (e.g. keystore)

In this case, perform a soft reset (Settings → About Phone → Resetting → Resetting all settings) or contact the service center.

FAQ: Frequent questions about deleting certificates on Xiaomi