The Digital Wellbeing feature on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is designed to help users monitor their screen time, monitor app activity, set limits on use, and even block access to programs on a timer, but for many owners, this option becomes more of a hindrance than an assistant โ especially if restrictions work at the most inopportune time or interfere with work.
In this article, weโll look at all the possible ways to disable Digital Well-being on Xiaomi, including hidden MIUI settings, ADB bypassing, and even radical methods for those who donโt have the feature disabled by standard means. Itโs important to understand that depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14, or HyperOS) and the device model (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5, etc.), the interface may be different โ so weโll give universal instructions with all the nuances.
What is Digital Well-Being and Why You Want to Shut It Down
The Digital Wellbeing feature (in Russian firmware โ โDigital Wellbeingโ) was introduced in MIUI since version 10 and is a set of tools to monitor and limit smartphone use.
- ๐ Usage statistics โ time spent in each application.
- โฑ๏ธ Application timers โ Automatically lock programs after a set limit has expired.
- ๐ก๏ธ Focus Mode โ Temporary disabling of notifications and โdistractionโ applications.
- ๐๏ธ Sleep tracking โ analysis of the time of falling asleep and waking up.
On paper, everything looks useful, but in practice, users face problems:
- ๐ค Restrictions for children that are difficult to get around without a password.
This is especially important for users who:
- ๐ผ Work with corporate applications that require constant access.
- ๐ฎ Play mobile games with long sessions.
- ๐ฑ Use the smartphone as the main working device.
Method 1: Standard shutdown via MIUI settings
The easiest method is to deactivate the feature in the settings menu. It works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.
- Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- Go to Digital Well-Being and Parental Control (some firmwares simply say Digital Well-Being).
- Press three points (โฎ) in the upper right corner and select Settings.
- Move the Digital Well-Being slider to the off position.
- Confirm the action if a request appears.
If there is no Settings item on the menu, try an alternative path:
- Getting into Digital Well-Being โ Control panel.
- Slip the gear icon in the upper right corner.
- Turn off the use tracking option.
Check out the MIUI version (Settings โ About Phone โ MIUI version)
Make sure you have administrator rights (if the device is corporate)
Close all applications that may be blocked by timers
Backup important data (in case of failure)
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โ ๏ธ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) A3 With Android One, the feature may be called Digital Wellbeing and is located in the Android Settings menu, rather than in the Android Settings menu. MIUI. The path will be as follows: โ Digital Well-Being and Parental Control โ Settings (โฎ) โ Disable Digital Wellbeing.
Method 2: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)
If the standard method did not work (for example, the slider is inactive or after turning off the function again), you can use debugging by ADB. This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and basic knowledge of the command line.
What you need:
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and tool ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
- ๐ฑ Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (path: Settings) โ The phone. โ Version. MIUI โ 7 times tap the assembly number โ return to Settings โ Additionally. โ For developers โ Debugging by USB).
- ๐ Cable USB (preferably original).
Step-by-step:
- Connect the smartphone to the PC and allow debugging (a request will appear on the phone screen).
- Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:
adb devicesMake sure the device is identified (should appear its serial number).
- Execute the command to disable Digital Wellbeing:
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.guardprovider
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.midropThese commands remove the system packets responsible for the function.
Reboot your smartphone:
adb rebootโ ๏ธ Note: Removing system packages may cause some functions to function unstable MIUI (If you have problems after you turn off, return the packets with a command:
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.guardprovider๐ก
If ADB does not recognize the device, try reinstalling drivers manually through Windows Device Manager (select โXiaomi ADB Interfaceโ).
Method 3: Resetting the Digital Well-Being settings
If the function does not turn off or continues to work after deactivation, try resetting it to factory settings.
- ๐ App timers are reset but reappear after reboot.
- ๐ Parental Control Password Lost.
- ๐ฑ The function is unstable (e.g., shows incorrect statistics).
How to reset your settings:
- Open the Settings. โ Digital well-being.
- Go to Settings (โฎ) โ Reset the data.
- Confirm action. All timers, stats and restrictions will be deleted.
If there is no Reset data item, use an alternative method:
- Go to Settings โ Applications โ Application Management.
- Find the Digital Wellbeing (Digital Wellbeing) app.
- Slip the vault. โ Clear the data.
โ ๏ธ Note: Data reset does not disable the feature completely, but only removes user settings. If you need to completely deactivate Digital Wellbeing, use the ADB (Method 2) or roll back the firmware (Method 5).
Method 4: Disconnecting via Safe Mode
If Digital Well-being blocks access to settings (for example, due to parental controls), you can temporarily boot your smartphone in Safe Mode, where all third-party restrictions are disabled.
How to log in to Safe Mode:
- Press the power button before the turn off menu appears.
- Press and hold the finger to the option to turn off (or turn off power).
- A request to restart in safe mode will appear - confirm.
In Safe Mode:
- ๐ง Open the Settings. โ Apps and Delete Digital Well-Being Data (as in Method 3).
- ๐ Restart the device in normal mode.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Safe Mode shuts down all third-party apps, including launchers and widgets. Don't be afraid if the interface looks different - after the reboot everything will return to normal.
Method 5: Radical methods (for advanced users)
If none of the above methods work, extreme measures remain, and are suitable for users willing to sacrifice system stability for the sake of removing Digital Wellbeing altogether.
Option 1: Firmware rollback
On some versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 12.5), the Digital Well-Being feature is less intrusive or non-existent. You can return old firmware via Fastboot or Recovery, but this is:
- ๐ด Risky (possible briquette device).
- ๐ Requires unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader Unlock).
- ๐ฑ Drops all the data on the phone.
Option 2: Delete system files via TWRP
If you have custom TWRP Recovery installed on your device, you can manually delete the files responsible for Digital Wellbeing:
- Boot to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up when turned on).
- Go to Advanced โ File Manager.
- Delete folders: /system/priv-app/GuardProvider/system/app/DigitalWellbeing
Reset the device.
โ ๏ธ Note: Deleting system files may result in loss of warranty and inoperability of individual functions MIUI (Use this method only if you understand the risks!
What happens if you delete Digital Wellbeing through TWRP?
Comparison of Digital Well-Being Disablement Methods
To choose the best way, read the comparative table:
| Method | Difficulty | Risks. | Efficiency | PC required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard shutdown | โญ (simple) | No. | Medium (may be switched on again) | โ No. |
| ADB-team | โญโญ (middle-of-the-road) | Low (small disruptions are possible) | Tall. | โ Yes. |
| Data resetting | โญ (simple) | No. | Low (setting reset only) | โ No. |
| Safe Mode | โญ (simple) | No. | Medium (temporary) solution | โ No. |
| Removal via TWRP | โญโญโญ (difficult) | High (brick risk) | Maximum | โ Yes. |
๐ก
For most users, a standard shutdown or ADB is enough. Radical methods (TWRP, firmware rollback) are justified only if the function critically interferes with work and other methods did not help.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after Digital Well-Being is turned off, users are facing challenges, and consider typical situations and ways to address them:
Problem 1: The function is turned on after the MIUI update
๐น Solution: Once you update your firmware, check your Digital Well-Being settings and turn it off again if you need to. If the problem recurs, use it. ADB permanently remove the package.
Problem 2: You canโt reset your parental control password.
๐น Decision:
- Try resetting app data through Settings โ Apps โ Digital Well-Being โ Storage โ Clear the data.
- If it doesnโt work, use Safe Mode (Method 4).
- In extreme cases, reset to factory settings (but this will delete all data on the phone).
Issue 3: Applications are still blocked
๐น Solution: Check if there are restrictions in the settings โ Annexes โ Permits โ Special access โ Battery optimization, sometimes. MIUI Blocks background application activity, which is similar to the work of Digital Wellbeing.
Issue 4: No Digital Well-Being in Settings
๐น Solution: On some devices (e.g, POCO F1 Xiaomi Mi. A2 Android One, the feature is called Digital Wellbeing and is located in the main Android settings menu. Also check if it is hidden through Settings. โ Additionally. โ Special facilities โ Simplified regime.