Why Xiaomi is hiding password manager from users?
Have you ever tried to find a list of saved passwords from websites or apps on your Xiaomi, but you never found anything on the menu that looked like "password manager"? You're not alone. Unlike Google Chrome or Apple Keychain, where passwords are available in two clicks, MIUI It hides this function deep in system settings β and not always logical.
Xiaomi uses two different password repositories: one built into the Mi Account cloud (synchronized between devices), and the other is local, tied to the Mi Browser browser or system applications, and the interface for managing them changed with each version. MIUI, Some firmware (e.g. global firmware) have the function turned off by default, and in this article we will look at where to find the saved logins, how to export them, and why they can suddenly disappear.
Spoiler: If you use Xiaomi with firmware for the Chinese market (China) ROM), Some of the functions will be unavailable without additional manipulation. MIUI 14+ We will have to take into account the new restrictions on the export of passwords β we will also tell about this.
Where the password manager is stored in MIUI: 3 possible locations
Depending on the firmware version and regional build MIUI, The password manager can be in one of three places, and let's start with the most obvious, and the rarest.
1. in Mi Account settings (cloud storage)
If youβre logged in to a Xiaomi account and enabled sync, some of the passwords (such as from apps or Wi-Fi) can be stored in the cloud.
- Open the Settings. β Mi Account.
- Select Mi Cloud β Synchronization.
- Scroll down to "Passwords and login details" (in some versions - "Account information").
β οΈ Note: If there is no point, then your firmware does not support cloud password storage (relevant for China). ROM or older versions MIUI).
2. in the system browser Mi Browser
Most passwords from websites are saved here, even if you use Chrome or Firefox as your primary browser.
- Open Mi Browser (if it is not on the desktop, search through the system).
- Slip on three dots in the upper right corner β Settings β Passwords.
- Enter. PIN-code or fingerprint.
Important: If you have never used Mi Browser, this section will be empty β passwords from other browsers do not automatically fall here.
3. In the hidden menu "Credentials" (for the MIUI 12-15)
The most secure place to store all system passwords (including data from Wi-Fi, apps and even some gaming accounts) is the way to go there:
- Open the Settings. β Passwords and security.
- Select your Account Information (in some versions, the Password Warehouse).
- Confirm access through unlocking the screen.
If you don't have credentials, your firmware doesn't support it, and then try an alternative way:
Settings β Additional β Privacy β Account dataWhy Passwords Can Disappear: 5 Reasons and How to Avoid It
Many Xiaomi users are faced with a situation where saved passwords suddenly disappear, and there are several culprits, and not all of them are obvious.
| Reason. | How to prevent | Can we restore it? |
|---|---|---|
| Reset to factory settings | Make a backup through Settings β About Phone β Backup | No (unless there was a backup) |
| Disable synchronization with Mi Cloud | Check in the Mi Account β Mi Cloud, if the option "Passwords" is enabled" | Yes (if the passwords were in the cloud) |
| Update MIUI fully-cleaned | Do not select βClear all dataβ when upgrading via Fastboot | Sometimes (through backup) TWRP) |
| Removal of Mi Browser | Do not remove system applications without root rights | No. |
| Change of the firmware region | Don't go over China. ROM on Global without backup | Partially (only cloud passwords) |
Critical information: If you use Xiaomi with firmware for the Chinese market (China) ROM), After re-flashing to the global version MIUI All local passwords will be deleted without recovery β even if you backup through Mi Cloud.
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Before resetting your settings or updating your firmware, export your passwords manually: open Mi Browser, go to Settings β Passwords and click Export (not available on all versions) MIUI).
How to export passwords from Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions
Exporting passwords to Xiaomi is not an easy task. MIUI You may need to get from root rights to circumventing restrictions through ADB. Letβs look at all the working methods.
Method 1: Through Mi Browser (for the first time) MIUI 13-14)
If you have a global firmware, try the standard method:
Open Mi Browser and sign in to Xiaomi account
Go to Settings. β Passwords.
Click on three dots in the upper right corner β Password exports
Confirm the action through PIN print
Save the file to a safe place (e.g. Google Drive)
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β οΈ Attention: Starting with MIUI 14, password export may be blocked for some regions. If the Export button is not available, proceed to the next method.
Method 2: ADB (for advanced users)
If the standard export does not work, you can extract passwords through Android Debug Bridge (ADB). You'll need it:
- π₯οΈ Computer with drivers installed ADB
- π± Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) β The phone. β Version. MIUI β 7 times tap to unlock the developer mode, then enable debugging in Settings β Additionally. β For developers)
- π Unlocked bootloader (not necessarily, but increases the odds)
Retrieval commands (enter in the command line after connecting the phone):
adb shell
su
cd /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases
sqlite3 settings.db
.select * from secure where name='account_passwords';Warning: This method requires root rights and can disrupt the system. Use it at your own risk.
Method 3: Through Backup TWRP
If you have a custom recavator installed TWRP, You can make a backup section. /data And then extract the password file from it:
/data/data/com.miui.browser/databases/webview.dbTo extract data from this file, you will need to SQL-editorial board, DB Browser for SQLite).
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Exporting passwords to Xiaomi is often blocked by the manufacturer. If it is critical to save data, use third-party managers like Bitwarden or Google. 1Password parallel to the system storage.
What to do if passwords are not displayed: diagnosing problems
Sometimes the password manager on Xiaomi doesn't work correctly: it doesn't show the saved data, it gives out errors or it doesn't open at all, and let's look at typical scenarios and solutions.
Problem 1: An empty list of passwords if they exist
If you remember that you saved passwords, but the manager is empty, check:
- π Sync with Mi Cloud: Settings β Mi Account β Mi Cloud β Synchronization β Turn on "Passwords".
- π± Version MIUI: on some assemblies (e.g. China) ROM) Password System Manager is disabled.
- π οΈ System File Integrity: If you have removed system applications through ADB or root, the password store may have been damaged.
Problem 2: "Impossible to open the vault" error
This error usually occurs after:
- π§ Failed update MIUI.
- π Resetting settings without detachment Mi Account.
- π‘οΈ Locking the device through Find Device.
Decisions:
- Reboot the phone.
- Delete and re-add Xiaomi account to Settings β Mi Account.
- If nothing helps, reset through Settings. β The phone. β Reset settings, but pre-export data.
Problem 3: Passwords are available, but not suitable when logging in
If saved passwords do not work on websites, the reason may be:
- π Automatically update your password on the site (for example, after you restore your account).
- π± Mi Browser encoding error (relevant for Cyrillic characters).
- π‘οΈ Account blocking due to multiple failed entry attempts.
How to check the relevance of the password without entering on the site
Alternative Password Managers for Xiaomi: Which One to Choose?
If you donβt like the built-in password manager on Xiaomi (as it often does), you should consider third-party solutions, which offer more features, are more securely synchronized and are not tied to firmware.
| Manager | Pluses | Cons | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitwarden | Open source, cross-platform, security audit | No built-in synchronization with MIUI | Free (premium β $10/year) |
| 1Password | Convenient interface, support for biometrics, family access | Paid (no free fare) | From $36/year |
| KeePassDX | Local storage, not cloud-dependent, plugin support | Difficult for beginners | Free of charge. |
| Google Password Manager | Integration with Chrome and Android, automatic saving | Google Account Link (not suitable for Chinese firmware) | Free of charge. |
β οΈ Note: If you decide to use a third-party manager, export passwords from the MIUI, And then import it into a new application, otherwise it might be duplicated or conflicted.
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For maximum security, set up two-factor authentication (2FA) Not just for the password manager, but also for your Xiaomi account, which will protect your data even if someone accesses your device.
How to protect your Xiaomi passwords from theft
Built-in password manager MIUI It's not the most secure, especially if you have root access or custom firmware.
Step 1: Set up a storage lock
By default, password access is only protected by unlocking the screen.
- Go to Settings β Passwords and Security β Account Information.
- Click on the three dots in the upper right corner β Storage settings.
- Enable the option "Request password at each access".
Step 2: Turn off autocomplete in unreliable applications
MIUI It can automatically insert passwords into any input field, even phishing applications, to fix that:
- Open the Settings. β Special facilities β Auto-fill.
- Turn off autocomplete for Mi Browser and other unreliable services.
Step 3: Check the permissions for applications
Some applications (such as launchers or optimizers) may request access to passwords to check:
- Go to Settings. β Annexes β Permits β Other permits.
- Find the item "Read Account Data".
- Revoke access to all applications except system ones.
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Never save passwords from banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.) in the Xiaomi system manager. Use separate secure storage or two-factor authentication for them.