Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with advanced biometric protection systems, among which the fingerprint scanner is the leader in popularity. However, there are situations when the user needs temporarily or permanently deactivate biometric authentication. This can be due to the desire to improve data security, selling the device or banal discomfort when using the sensor.
With MIUI and the new HyperOS, security management is now in a separate, well-structured section. Disabling the scanner doesn't cause personal data to be lost, but changes the way you unlock the screen. Instead of instant touching, you'll have to enter a digital password, a pattern lock, or use facial recognition if it's configured. Understanding these nuances will help avoid locking the device at the most inopportune moment.
In this article, we will take a look at all the steps of turning off the sensor, look at hidden settings and answer frequent questions from owners of Redmi and Poco. You will learn how to properly remove old prints, whether to leave backup login methods and what changes will occur in the operation of banking applications after making changes.
Why you might need to shut down biometrics
Many users question the feasibility of using a fingerprint scanner, especially if they often encounter false positives or, conversely, the system does not recognize a finger. In some cases, biometric data can be considered less reliable than a complex alphanumeric password, especially in the face of increased risks of digital hacking. Disabling the feature eliminates the possibility of unauthorized 1-ionized access if the device falls into the hands of a person who can physically attach your finger to the sensor while you sleep or are unconscious.
Another common reason is to sell or transfer a smartphone to another person. Before the device leaves your hands, it is critical to remove all personal biometric keys. Even after a full Hard Reset, some users prefer to manually make sure that there are no traces of their fingerprint data left in the system, which gives an additional guarantee of privacy and peace of mind for their digital identity.
⚠️ Before completely removing fingerprints, make sure you remember your primary unlock password.Without it, you could lose access to the device forever, as biometrics often serves as the only quick way to log in after a reboot.
There are also scenarios where the scanner is malfunctioning due to software failures or contamination, and the user decides to temporarily abandon its use by switching to alternative methods. In such cases, turning off the function helps save battery power, albeit slightly, and relieves annoyance with the constant unsuccessful attempts to unlock.
Preparing for changes in security settings
Before making changes to your Xiaomi security configuration, a number of preparatory steps must be taken, first of all, make sure that the device has a reliable alternative method of protection. If you plan to disable your fingerprint, the system will require confirmation of actions through the PIN-If you forget this data, the process can become problematic.
In older versions of MIUI, the security menu interface may differ from modern HyperOS. Software updates often contain patches for vulnerabilities in the security module, so before manipulating biometrics, you should go to Settings → About the phone and check for updates. This will ensure the stability of the system after changing the parameters.
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If you plan to transfer your phone to another person, make a full backup of important data to the Xiaomi Cloud or computer before removing fingerprints to make sure that it is safe.
It's also important to understand which applications are tied to using fingerprints. Bank clients, password managers, and corporate gateways can use biometrics to quickly log in. Once you turn off the scanner, you'll have to enter a master password to access these services every time you turn off the scanner, and remember or write down complex passwords from critical applications in advance so you don't get blocked outside of their interface.
Step-by-step: disabling through settings
The process of deactivating the fingerprint scanner on Xiaomi smartphones is unified and takes no more than a minute. First, unlock the device and find the Settings icon on the desktop or in the application menu (usually looks like a gear).
☑️ Algorithm of disabling the scanner
Depending on the firmware version, the item you're looking for may be called Passwords and Security or simply Security. Inside this menu, find the Fingerprints section. The system will require you to enter your current unlock password to verify your identity. Once you've successfully authorized, you'll see a list of all the saved fingerprints, which are usually called Finger 1, Finger 2, and so on, unless you've renamed them manually.
To completely disable the function, delete all added fingerprints. Click on the name of a particular finger, and in the window that opens, select the option to Delete. Repeat the procedure for each saved fingerprint. When the list becomes empty, the biometric unlock function will be considered disabled. Now, when you turn on the screen, the phone will only ask for digital or graphical code.
⚠️ Note: Fingerprint removal also automatically disables authorization via Mi Pay and unlocking second space (if used) you will need to re-assign cards and configure accesses.
Deletion of individual profiles and access management
Sometimes the user only needs to delete one particular profile, for example, if you gave the phone to a family member for temporary use or if one of the fingers was recorded incorrectly. In the fingerprint management menu, Xiaomi allows you to flexibly adjust this aspect, you can leave your main finger active and the auxiliary ones to remove.
In addition, there is an application unlock feature in modern shells. Even if you turn off screen unlock through a print, some applications may still request biometrics to log in if that setting has not been reset globally. To check this, go to Settings → Applications → Application Lock. Here you can see which programs are protected, and if necessary, change the method of protecting them or disable biometrics specifically for them.
Hidden Features of the Fingerprint Menu
Access control also applies to the second space, so if you're using guest mode or a second space, your fingerprints are stored separately, so to completely clear your device of your biometrics, you need to switch to the second space and delete the data there, or you need to use a master account to force all your profiles to be cleaned through the main security menu.
Impact of disconnection on the operation of applications and services
Disabling the fingerprint scanner directly affects the operation of a number of system services and third-party applications. The most noticeable changes will affect payment systems. Mi Pay, which allows you to pay for purchases with your phone, is closely integrated with biometrics. After removing the fingerprints, you may need to reconfirm your card ownership via SMS or a bank call, and set up a new method for authorizing transactions1.
Banking applications such as Sberbank Online, Tinkoff or Alpha Mobile will report a change in security settings when they launch next, no fingerprint entry will be possible, and applications will switch to entering a full password or code from the fingerprint. 4-6 It's even safer, because it eliminates the risk of fingerprint tampering, but it's less convenient to use in everyday life. MDM-Profiles may require reinstallation or reconfiguration of security policies.
| Service/Function | Pre-outage status | Post-offline status | Action required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen unlocking | Print/Pin code | Only Pin Code/Graphics | Enter a password at each turn on |
| Mi Pay/NFC Payment | Print. | Password / Pin code of the card | Introduce PIN cards when paying |
| Banking applications | Entrance biometrics | Password entrance | Remember or write down a password |
| Password manager | Auto-filling | Password request | Enter a master password |
Also worth mentioning is the Advanced Lock feature, which prevents notifications from displaying content on a locked screen, often in conjunction with biometrics. Once the scanner is turned off, check the notification settings so that sensitive information does not become visible to everyone on a locked screen if you relied on an outsider not to be able to unlock your phone.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
In rare cases, users are faced with a situation where the fingerprint is not deleted or the delete button is inactive. security_service. In this situation, try to restart the device as normal and try again. If the problem persists, you can use safe mode by holding the off button and selecting the appropriate item to exclude the influence of third-party applications.
Another common problem is that after removing a fingerprint, the phone continues to “remember” it or require biometrics in certain applications.This is solved by completely cleaning the cache of the Security application (via Settings → Apps → All Apps → Security → Memory → Clear cache).
⚠️ Note: If the scanner stopped working after the firmware update and is not removed from the settings, the system configuration file may be damaged.
Sometimes users complain that when the scanner is turned off, facial recognition is no longer working, and these two functions in MIUI are independent, but they can conflict when setting unlock priorities. Check the screen lock menu to see which method is the first one to use. If the face doesn't work, try removing the profile and adding it again after you've disabled your fingerprints.
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Most biometric removal problems are solved by simply restarting your device or upgrading your system to the latest stable version available for your model.