How to Disable the Driving App on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones come with a host of security features that can sometimes be unnecessarily intrusive. One such feature is the built-in Driving Mode (or Driving Safety) app, which is automatically activated when you connect to a car's Bluetooth system or launch navigation maps. Many users are faced with a screen locking and notifications blocking the interface, interfering with the normal operation of the device.

Complete removal of this system component is often impossible without obtaining root rights, but there are several effective ways to deactivate it. In this article, we will discuss all available methods, from simple settings in the menu to using the root. ADB-You'll learn how to prevent automatic start-ups and free up system resources.

The need to turn off is often dictated by the fact that the standard driver mode interface is not always convenient for third-party applications or just annoying with constant reminders.The right setup will allow you to use your smartphone in the car on your terms, while retaining access to important communication and navigation features.

Analysis of the built-in security features of MIUI

Before we start shutting down, it's important to understand what we're turning off. In the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS, a suite of system services are responsible for driving functions, and they can be called different names depending on the firmware version and region: "Driving Mode," "Driving Safety," or integrated into the "Safety" application. The system process tracks user behavior and connectivity.

Users often confuse system mode with features in navigation applications such as Yandex.Navigator or Google Maps. It is important to distinguish between these concepts. If you have a black screen with large buttons immediately after connecting to the tape, this is the work of the Xiaomi system component, which is designed to minimize distraction, but in reality often blocks the desired widgets.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling security systems may affect voice control and automatic response while in motion. Make sure that alternative methods of interacting with your phone are available to you.

To pinpoint the culprit, you need to look at the battery settings, and you can see which apps are using up their charge in the background during a trip, and typically, a system service called Driving or Car mode is using up resources all the time if it's active, and understanding the architecture of the background services will help you choose the right deactivation method.

Disconnection through standard system settings

The safest and first step for every Xiaomi owner is to check the standard settings. Developers have left the option to turn off automatic start-up, although they sometimes hide this option deep enough, and first of all, check the Bluetooth connection settings, since this is the most common trigger.

Go to the settings menu and find the section related to the car connection. The path may be different: sometimes it's a separate app, "Security", sometimes it's Bluetooth settings. You need to find "Driving Mode" or "Autostarting When Connected." Automatic start is a key feature that you need to disallow.

If you're using Android Auto, you can duplicate your settings, so you should check the settings of the Google service itself, and often when you update the firmware, the settings are reset and the automation is turned on again, so every major MIUI update, you should double-check these points.

Some versions of the shells have a separate Driving Mode app on the menu, and if you find its icon, try uninstalling updates or disabling the app directly from the application management menu, which is the cleanest way if the system allows you to do this without superuser rights.

Managing Permits and Notifications

If you can't completely disable the service, you can limit its appetites. The method of strangling the application with access rights works effectively on Redmi and POCO smartphones. The idea is to prevent the application from receiving location data, access to the microphone and phone, which makes its functionality unworkable.

To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find Driving Mode, Cars or Driving Safety. Go to App Permissions. You need to revoke all critical rights. It is especially important to disable geolocation and phone calls.

• 📍 Geolocation: Disable access so the app doesn’t know you’re moving.
• 📞 Phone: Stop processing calls so that no loud response is included.
• 🔔 Notifications: Turn off notifications in the curtain completely.
• 🔋 Auto Start: Stop the application from running with the system.

Additionally, you should turn off the display over other windows, which allows the driving mode to block the screen of the navigator or messenger, find the item “Other permissions” or “Advanced permissions” and disable “Display on top of other applications”, which will give you full control of the screen.

⚠️ Note: Once the rights are revoked, the application may become unstable or constantly request permission again, in which case it is better to use the freezing method through the use of the application. ADB.

Deep Deactivation through ADB (for Advanced)

The most radical and effective method is to use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) toolkit, which allows you to disable system components that do not have a “off” button in the interface, and you will need a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) and a USB cable.

First, activate the developer mode on your smartphone. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on the MIUI Version (or OS Version). In the Developer Menu, turn on Debugging on USB. Connect your phone to your PC and select File Transfer mode.

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

The command above is designed to disable the service of Xiaomi cars. The package name may vary depending on the model and region. For example, for global versions it can be com.android.car. If one command did not work, try to find the exact name of the package through the command adb shell pm list packages | grep car.

To get it back if something goes wrong, use the command: adb shell pm enable com.miui.carservice. It is important to know the exact name of your device packet before typing commands, as disabling critical system communications services can cause a signal loss.

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Use ADB AppControl for Windows if you’re afraid to type commands manually.It has a graphical interface and allows you to safely disable Xiaomi system applications in one click.

Setup of automation scenarios

Instead of a rough shutdown, you can reconfigure the logic of your smartphone, and the built-in AutoStart app or third-party programs like MacroDroid allow you to create complex scenarios, and you can set your phone up so that when you connect to your car's Bluetooth, you only start navigation and music, ignoring the driver's system mode.

Create a new macro: "If you have a Bluetooth device [your car] connected, run [Google Maps] and [Spotify], and set Do Not Disturb mode." This approach replaces the driving mode functionality with a more flexible tool, you determine which apps should work.

This method takes time to set up initially, but in the long run it is the most convenient. You get rid of the intrusive interface, but you keep the convenience of automation. The smartphone will behave exactly as you want, not as the Xiaomi engineer intended.

• 🚗 Trigger: Connecting to a car's Bluetooth headset.
• 🎵 Action 1: Launching the Media Library.
• 🗺️ Action 2: Starting the Navigator.
• 🔇 Action 3: Enable the “In your pocket” or “Do not disturb” mode».

⚠️ Note: When using third-party automation applications, make sure they are given all the necessary rights, otherwise the script will not execute at the right time.

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Using automation scenarios is the middle ground between completely shutting down functions and the comfort of using a smartphone in a car.

Solving problems with Google Android Auto

The conflict between Xiaomi’s driving mode and Android Auto deserves special attention. Often users want to use the Google interface, but MIUI insists on offering its counterpart. To give priority to Google products, you need to properly configure the applications by default.

Go to settings and search for “Default Apps.” Find the section related to your car or Assistant connection. Make sure it selects Android Auto instead of “Jimia Driving Mode.” If that’s not the case, try resetting all apps through the recovery menu.

Also, check the settings of the Android Auto app itself inside your phone. In the Startup section, select Always or Default so that the system doesn’t ask you every time you open the connection, which will eliminate the conflict between the two systems and remove unnecessary pop-ups.

If the problem persists, try removing Google Play and Android Auto updates, then updating them again through Google Play Market.This often helps to reset the erroneous configurations that occurred after the phone firmware update.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)