How to remove the password for application protection in Xiaomi: the complete guide

Xiaomi’s modern smartphones store a huge array of sensitive information, from personal messaging to photos and banking apps. To ensure security, developers have implemented the “App Protection” feature, which requires entering a password, pattern lock or fingerprint before running selected programs.

The need to remove a password can arise for various reasons: the user has forgotten complex code, changed a Mi Account or just wants to simplify access to frequently used functions. It is important to understand that the security system of MIUI and the new HyperOS is designed to make unauthorized access as difficult as possible, so there is no simple way to bypass security without proof of identity.

Before you start, you need to decide on your current status, if you remember your password, it takes a couple of minutes, if the code is lost, the process will require confirmation through your Mi Account or Google account, and in the rare cases when all the data is forgotten, you will have to resort to a complete reset, but this is a last resort.

Standard Disconnection of Protection through System Settings

The easiest and safest way to remove the lock is to use the system’s regular tools if you remember your current password or have access to biometrics. This method does not require installing third-party software and guarantees the safety of all data.

In the list of options, find a section that may be called Application Protection or Application Lock, and the path to it is often hidden in the Applications or Security submenu. Once logged in, the system will ask you to enter your current password, pattern lock, or attach a finger, and only after successful authorization will the list of secure programs open.

In the menu that opens, you'll see the Application Protection switch, which, if you put it inactive, will require you to confirm the action with a password, and then you'll be deactivated from all programs instantly, but if you want to remove the password only from specific applications, you'll want to use a customized approach.

• 🔒 Open the settings and go to the "Applications" section».
• 🔒 Select “Application Protection” and enter the current access code.
• 🔒 Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner to access settings.
• 🔒 Turn off the Application Protection Toggler or select specific programs to unlock.

⚠️ Note: When you disable general protection, passwords may be saved for individual applications if you previously activated the option "Additional Passwords." Check the settings of each application separately.

It should be noted that the interface may vary slightly in different versions of the shell, and owners of HyperOS devices are encouraged to search for these settings by searching by parameters, typing in the “Protection” query, which will allow you to quickly find the desired item, even if the icon was moved by the developers.

Resetting password with Mi Account

The situation when the user forgets the password is one of the most common. Xiaomi security system provides a mechanism for access recovery associated with the Mi Account, which is the main way to return access to blocked applications without losing data if the standard code is lost.

First, you need to type the wrong password multiple times on the app lock screen. After the fifth attempt, the system usually offers the option "Forgot the password?" or "Reset the password." By clicking on this button, you will go to the authorization screen, and here it is critical that the device is active Internet.

Enter your Mi Account login and password. If the data is correct, the system will suggest setting a new application protection password or disabling the feature completely, which only works if the account was previously linked to the protection feature, which happens automatically when you first turn on this option.

Sometimes the process can be delayed due to server problems or unstable connection, in which case try to switch from Wi-Fi to mobile Internet, also make sure that the date and time on the device are set correctly, as this affects the operation of security certificates.

Using Google Accounts to Restore

An alternative method that worked on many versions of MIUI is to link application protection to a Google account, which is relevant if the Mi Account is not set up or forgotten, but the phone is synchronized with Google services, the mechanism of action is similar to the previous one, but uses a different account.

After several failed attempts to enter a password, a Google recovery option may appear on the screen, the system will redirect you to the login page where you need to enter credentials from your Gmail mail. Successful login allows you to create a new lock code.

It’s important to understand that this method doesn’t work on all models and firmware versions, and the Xiaomi ecosystem is the priority in recent HyperOS updates, but it’s worth checking for this option, especially on global devices.

• 📧 Enter the wrong password 5 times in a row on the lock screen.
• 📧 Click the link “Forgot the password?».
• 📧 Select the recovery method via Google (if available).
• 📧 Get authenticated and set a new access code.

⚠️ Note: If none of the accounts are tied or you don't remember passwords from them, it will be impossible to restore access to secure applications without resetting data».

Some users try to get around this stage by setting the time back or using special applications, but on modern versions of Android this is ineffective. The security mechanism is closely integrated with the system time of the server, so local time changes will not help.

Radical method: complete resetting of settings

If no recovery method works, the only option is a full Hard Reset, which is guaranteed to remove any password, but has a critical disadvantage: all data on the phone will be deleted, and photos, contacts and apps will only be accessed after recovery from the backup.

Before starting the procedure, be sure to back up important data if you have access to the file system through a computer or cloud services. Once reset, the phone will look like new, and you will have to reconfigure all settings and install applications.

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 appears, then release the power button, keep the volume high. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English) and the Wipe Data item.

Once the cleaning process is complete, the phone will restart. The initial setup will take some time. When you first log in, you may need to enter a password from a Google or Mi Account that was synced to the device earlier (FRP protection).

Nuances of work in HyperOS mode

With the release of the HyperOS shell, Xiaomi has changed the logic of some system functions, including application protection, the interface has become more minimalist, and some menu items have been moved or renamed to harmonize with other devices in the ecosystem.

In the new shell, password management is often put into a separate Security section in the Security app (green lightning icon), which is (hence) the most convenient way to manage biometrics and digital codes, and there is a more flexible setup for smart unlocking.

Users note that HyperOS has improved the fingerprint scanner when unlocking applications, and now recognizes your finger faster, reducing the need to enter your password manually, but if you choose to change the unlock method, the system may require you to re-enter your primary password to confirm it.

• 🚀 The interface has become more intuitive, but the ways to customize have changed.
• 🚀 Improved integration with Mi Cloud for password recovery.
• 🚀 New types of blocking, including facial recognition, added.

Keep in mind that switching from MIUI to HyperOS sometimes causes conflicts with old security settings. If you encounter access issues after the update, it is recommended to delete the old application protection password (if you remember it) and configure the function again in the new interface.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)