How to permanently disable auto-update Xiaomi signatures: safe and without root

Automatic antivirus signature updates on Xiaomi devices are a useful security feature, but they can annoy users with constant notifications, traffic consumption and slowdowns. This is especially true for owners of Mi TVs and smartphones with MIUI or HyperOS, where background checks take up the resources of the processor and battery. In this article, we will discuss why the system so persistently updates signatures, what risks they carry, and most importantly, 5 working ways to deactivate this feature without losing warranty.

Signatures are virus threat databases that are used by the built-in Security Scanner (or Mi Protect on older versions), which are updated via Xiaomi servers, sometimes even when Wi-Fi is turned off, via the mobile Internet. If you notice that after updating the signatures, the device starts to slow down or warm up, this is a reason to think about turning them off. But before you start setting up, check if the slowdown is due to other reasons, such as background activity of applications or overheating the processor.

Why is Xiaomi so aggressively updating signatures?

Xiaomi has integrated MIUI Security, a comprehensive solution for protection against viruses, phishing and malware, into its firmware, and the signatures are automatically updated for several reasons:

• 🛡️ Protection from new threats: Hundreds of new Android viruses appear daily, and without the latest databases, the scanner becomes useless.
• 📡 Statistics: Xiaomi analyzes the prevalence of threats in different regions through updates (this is spelled out in the user agreement).
• 🔄 Service-based binding: Some features (such as Mi Cloud or Game Turbo) require current signatures to work properly.
• 📱 Frequent updates create the illusion of “active protection”, which increases user loyalty.

However, in practice, most users do not encounter viruses on Xiaomi, especially if you install apps only from Google Play.

• 📉 Traffic consumption: Each signature update weighs between 5 and 50 MB (depending on the firmware version).
• 🔋 Battery discharge: Background downloading and checking files eats up to 10% of charge per day.
• ⚙️ Slowing down: On weak devices (e.g. Redmi) 5A or Mi TV Stick) scanning can take up to 30% CPU.
• 🔔 Pesky notifications: Permanent pop-ups with a suggestion to update bases.

If you decide to disable auto-update, keep in mind that this will not make your device vulnerable to 99% of modern threats – it is enough to follow basic security rules (do not install APKs from unverified sources or give apps unnecessary permissions), but there are exceptions – for example, if you actively use Mi Pay or store critical data on your phone, it is better to leave the protection on.

Method 1: Disconnect via security settings (without root)

The easiest and safest method is to deactivate updates via the standard menu, which works on all devices with MIUI 12-15 and HyperOS, including Mi TVs and Redmi Smart TVs.

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to Virus Scanner (or Virus Protection on Newer Versions).
3. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
4. Find the auto-update signatures and move the slider to the off position..
5. Confirm the action by pressing OK in the dialog box.

On some firmware, this item may be called differently:

• Updating databases (MIUI 12)
• Automatic Update Download (HyperOS)
• Background Update (Mi TV)

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F3 or Redmi Note 10 Pro) after disabling auto-update virus scanner may stop working at all, in which case you will have to turn on the updates back or use a third-party antivirus (for example, Malwarebytes).

If there is no auto-update option on the menu, try an alternative path:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Security (or Mi Protect) and tap on it.
3. Select Notifications and disable all permissions.
4. Go back and press the Battery → Background activity → Limit.

This will not disable updates completely, but will reduce their frequency.

Method 2: Blocking through network settings (to save traffic)

If the main problem is the consumption of mobile Internet, you can prevent the application Security from using data in the background. This method does not cancel auto-updates at all, but makes them work only on Wi-Fi, POCO redmi:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data.
2. Select the Use of Data by Applications.
3. Find the list Security (or Mi Protect) and tap it.
4. Turn off the Background switch.
5. For reliability, also disable Unlimited Data (if there is such a point).

For Mi TVs, the algorithm is a bit different:

1. Press the Home button on the remote and select Settings.
2. Go to the Web and the Internet → Use of data.
3. Find System Applications and turn off background activity for Security Center.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware, after blocking background data, the virus scanner may start to give an error "Can't update databases." This is not critical - just ignore the notification or turn it off in the application settings.

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If signatures are still updated after the background data is turned off, check your router settings: some Xiaomi models (such as Mi Router 4A) have a built-in feature for forced device updates on the local network. Disable it in the router web interface at 192.168.31.1 in the Device Management section.

Method 3: Use ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

If standard methods fail, you can disable auto-update via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the device to your computer, but does not violate the warranty or require root rights.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original)
• 📥 Installed drivers ADB (download)
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB phone-on

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version (or HyperOS Build Number). Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB Debugging.

Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.

adb devices

Make sure your device is listed.

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.securityscan

For HyperOS, use:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.securitycenter

Reset the device.

To get it back, use the command:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.securityscan

or for HyperOS:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.securitycenter

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro or X-rays) POCO F5) Disabling com.miui.securityscan may cause system notifications to fail, in which case use the alternative command: adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +This will add the app to the battery optimization whitelist, but won’t turn it off completely.

Method 4: Disconnect via Mi Account (for TVs and smart devices)

On Mi TVs and some smart devices (such as the Mi Box), auto-update signatures is tied to your Xiaomi account, and to turn it off, you need to change your cloud service settings, which works even if you don't have access to Security Settings:

1. Open on TV Settings → Accounts and Security → Mi Account.
2. Sign in if you haven't already.
3. Go to Device Management and select your TV.
4. Find Cloud Services or Data Synchronization.
5. Turn off switches: Auto Security Update Synchronization of scanner settings Remote diagnosis (optional)

Save the changes and restart the TV.

For smartphones, this method is less effective, but you can try:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Select Synchronization and turn off Security.
3. Then open Settings → Applications → Application Management → Security → Memory and click Clear Data.

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Disabling via Mi Account is the only officially supported way for Xiaomi TVs.It does not require root rights and does not violate warranty, but can reset after a firmware update.

Method 5: Manually Remove Updates (Last Method)

If all previous methods failed, you can manually delete signature files so that the system can't update them, a method that is risky, which can damage system files if you do something careless, and is recommended only for advanced users.

Instructions for smartphones:

1. Install a file manager with access to system folders (such as FX Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /data/data/com.miui.securityscan/files/virusdb/ or to HyperOS: /data/data/com.miui.securitycenter/files/virusdb/
3. Delete all files with the.db or.dat extension.
4. Create an empty file in this folder called noupdate (without extension).
5. Reset the device.

For TVs, the path will be different:

/data/data/com.miui.tv.securitycenter/files/virusdb/

It can only be accessed through ADB or root.

⚠️ Note: Deleting signature files may result in: 🔄 Automatic file recovery system (through 1–2 day-day). ⚠️ The “Protection is disabled” notification (you can turn it off in the notification settings). 🛠️ Repeat the procedure after each major update MIUI/HyperOS.

Alternatively, block access to update servers via the hosts file:

1. Download the Hosts Editor app from Google Play.
2. Add the following lines to the end of the hosts file: 127.0.0.1 update.miui.com 127.0.0.1 api.security.mi.com
3. Save the changes and restart the device.

This will block access to update servers, but it may disrupt other Xiaomi services (such as Mi Cloud or Theme Store).

What do you do if nothing helps?

If none of these methods worked, consider the following options:

• 📱 Install a third-party antivirus: Apps like Bitdefender or Kaspersky let you disable auto-updates in your settings. They don’t conflict with Xiaomi’s built-in scanner, but take over its functions.
• ⚙️ Reverse to the old version MIUI: On the firmware MIUI 11 and below auto-update signatures is less intrusive.Use Xiaomi Flash Tool for downgrade (but it will reset all data!).
• 🔧 Get root rights: Magisk can completely remove the system application Security, but this will void the warranty and may disrupt the work OTA-update.
• 📦 Use custom firmware: Projects like LineageOS or Pixel Experience don’t have a built-in Xiaomi scanner, but require unlocking the bootloader.

If you decide on root or custom firmware, consider:

• 🚫 Warranty will be lost (if the device is warranty-free).
• 🔄 OTA-Updates will stop working (you will have to update manually).
• 🔒 Some features (such as Mi Pay or Mi Pay) IR-The remote may stop working.

For most users, a combination of Method 1 (disable settings) and Method 2 (lock background data) will reduce system load and traffic without drastic measures. If auto updates are critically disruptive (for example, on a weak Redmi Go or Mi TV Stick), consider buying a more powerful device - modern models (for example, Redmi Note 13 or Xiaomi TV A2) have optimized scanning algorithms that do not load the system as much.

FAQ: Frequent questions about auto-update of Xiaomi signatures