Xiaomi and its sub-brands like Redmi and Poco are famous for their functionality and affordable price, however, standard system settings can sometimes seem redundant for power users. One of the most frequently requested features is the ability to completely disable the screen lock to get instant access to the desktop immediately after pressing the power button. This is especially true for devices that are used as home control panels, game consoles or simply on a secure home network.
The procedure for disabling data protection is not always obvious, as Android manufacturers strive to protect users’ personal data from unauthorized access. In the interface of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, security settings can be scattered across different menus, and some options can be hidden if certain types of locks are installed on the device. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to deactivate passwords and graphical keys, and also consider the nuances associated with biometrics.
It is important to understand that the complete lack of security means that anyone who picks up your phone will have access to all the apps, photos and correspondence. Therefore, before making changes to the security system, you need to weigh all the risks. If you are confident in your decision, follow the instructions below for your version of the operating system.
Basic lock type setting in MIUI and HyperOS
The most standard and secure way to remove a password request when unlocking is to change the security type to No or Screen. To do so, you will need access to system settings, which may vary slightly depending on the shell version. Open the main menu and find the Settings icon, then scroll down to the Passwords and Security section.
In the menu that opens, you are interested in the item Lock the screen. The system will require you to verify your identity by entering the current one. PIN-The code, pattern lock or password that is currently installed is a mandatory precaution to prevent unauthorized persons from changing their security settings if the device is already unlocked by the owner.
Once you've successfully logged in, you'll see a list of available security methods, and you'll see the options here: "No," "Swipe around," "pattern lock», «PIN-To completely disable the request, you need to select No or Swipe the screen. In the first case, the screen will turn on immediately upon waking, in the second case, you will only need to swipe your finger, but you do not need to enter any codes.
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If the “No” option is inactive or absent, it is possible that corporate security policies are activated on the device or applications with administrator rights are installed that require mandatory data protection.
Importantly, once you select the password-free option, all your stored fingerprints and facial data will be deleted from the system, as they are tied to the main authentication method. You will have to reconfigure the biometrics if you decide to return to password use in the future, which is standard Android security behavior.
Resolving the Double Block Problem
A common problem for Xiaomi users is when, after changing the lock type to “Swipe the screen”, the phone still requires input. PIN-This phenomenon is known as “double locking” and often arises from a conflict between system settings and customizations of the themes or third-party launchers.
The first thing you need to do is check your theme settings. Some third-party themes downloaded from MIUI Themes store can enforce their locking rules. Go to the Themes app, select My profile, and apply a standard Classic or Default theme, which will help eliminate the impact of visual design on the system.
The second reason could be an activated Pocket Mode or proximity sensor that mistakenly registers actions in your pocket as an attempt at unauthorized access. Try clearing the cache of the system application "Screen Lock" through the App menu → All Apps → Screen Lock → Memory → Clear. This will reset temporary files that may have caused the error.
⚠️ Note: If a double lock appears after a system update, don’t rush to reset to factory settings. Often it’s a temporary bug that fixes in the next security patches or after a full device restart.
It’s also worth checking whether Schedule Lock or Smart Lock is enabled, which can activate your password at certain times of the day or when you’re in a specific geolocation, which is in the extended screen lock menu and can be activated randomly.
Set up smart locks and trusted devices
For those who don’t want to give up security entirely, but want to make it easier to access a smartphone under certain conditions, there is a Smart Lock feature, which allows you to automatically disable a password request when the phone is connected to a trusted Bluetooth device, such as a Mi Band smartwatch or a car stereo.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Passwords & Security → Privacy → Advanced Protection (the path may vary). You need to find Smart Lock or Smart Lock. The system will ask you to choose the type of trusted agent: Safe Place, Trusted Device or Voice Recognition.
- 📍 Safe Place: The phone unlocks without a password when it is within range of your home Wi-Fi or in a specific geo-point set through a phone. GPS.
- ⌚ Trusted device: the screen remains open while the smartphone is connected via Bluetooth to the selected gadget, which is extremely convenient for drivers and users of fitness trackers.
- 🗣️ Voice recognition: Unlocking is done by voice command, although this method is considered less safe and may not work properly in noisy rooms.
Smart locking requires constant operation of Bluetooth and GPS modules, which can slightly increase battery consumption. However, for most users, the convenience of instant access outweighs the minimal energy loss.
Disable locking when charging and in your pocket
Particularly noteworthy are situations where locking the screen behaves in unpredictable use cases, such as many users want the phone to stay on the go and not lock while watching video or navigating when the device is connected to the charger.
In standard MIUI settings, there is a feature called “Pocket Mode” that locks the screen when the phone is in the dark and close to the object (in the pocket). Sometimes the light sensor is not working correctly and the screen goes off too early. You can turn this function off in the Settings menu → Screen Lock → Mode in the pocket, moving the switch to the off position.
To prevent automatic screen shutdowns while using apps, you can use the “Do Not Turn Off Screen” feature in the developer menu. To activate this menu, you need to click on the build number in the About Phone section several times. Then in the Advanced Settings menu → For developers, find the “Do Not Turn Off” option and activate it. Now the display will burn while the phone is charging.
| Parameter | Where to find out. | Recommended value | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen timeout | Settings → Screen | 30 seconds - 2 minutes | Average. |
| Pocket mode. | Settings → Screen locking | Off (if glitchy) | Low. |
| Keep the screen down. | For developers | On (only when charging) | High. |
| Lifting up for inclusion | Settings → Screen locking | Choices. | Average. |
These settings allow you to flexibly control the behavior of the screen in various conditions, for example, turning off timeout is useful when reading books from a phone installed on a stand, but it is not recommended to leave this feature active constantly to avoid burning out the matrix.
Resetting a forgotten password through Recovery Mode
If you have forgotten your password or pattern lock and you cannot access the system, the only official way to return access to your Xiaomi Redmi device is to completely reset your data.This process will remove all information from your internal drive, so it is important to have backups of important files.
To perform the reset, you need to turn off your smartphone and pinch the combination of the buttons Volume up + Power before the Mi logo appears. The device will go to Recovery mode. The control in this menu is carried out by volume buttons (up / down) and power button (select).
1. Select the language (English/Chinese).
2. Go to the Wipe Data menu.
3. Select Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
5. Once completed, select Reboot.☑️ Preparation for data dumping
⚠️ Warning: Once reset, the phone can request a password from a Mi Account that was previously linked to the device, which is anti-theft protection, and it is almost impossible to get around it without your account data.
The reset process takes a few minutes. Once you reboot, you'll get a clean device configured as new. At the initial setup stage, you'll be able to set a new, simpler password or discard it altogether, following the instructions in the first section of this article.
Using ADB for Advanced Users
For users with technical knowledge, it is possible to control locking over the Android debugging bridge (ADB), this method allows you to change the system security settings without the need for a complete reset, but requires debugging over USB, which can not be done on a locked screen without prior preparation.
If debugging is enabled, connect your phone to your computer and enter a command to delete the forgotten key file (works on older versions of Android up to 6.0-7.0, on new versions the partition is encrypted and this method will not work without unlocking the bootloader). For modern versions of HyperOS and MIUI 12+ ADB is used more for diagnostics or automating input, but not for direct security hacking.
ADB teams to reset security settings
A safer way to use ADB In the context of locking is the automation of input PIN-If you often forget the sequence or want to unlock the phone remotely on a trusted network, this requires writing complex scripts and is not recommended for ordinary users because of the risk of disrupting the integrity of the system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I turn off the screen lock if I have a fingerprint?
Why does the phone require a password after rebooting, even if it is worth “Swipe around the screen”?
Is it safe to completely disable screen lock on Xiaomi?
What if after disabling the password, the phone is locked and writes “The device is locked”?
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Completely disabling the screen lock is possible through standard settings, but requires biometrics to be abandoned and reduces the overall level of security of the device.