How to remove the blocking of applications on Android Xiaomi Redmi

Modern Xiaomi Redmi and Poco smartphones come with a powerful MIUI shell that provides users with a variety of customization tools. However, one of the most annoying features for many owners is an aggressive restriction system that can suddenly block the launch of certain programs, often after a system update or when a device is first launched due to built-in security filters.

Blocking can be different, from simply banning a startup with a password to completely hiding an app icon from the menu. In some cases, Security tags harmless utilities as potentially dangerous and forcibly shuts them down. Understanding the causes of such restrictions is the first step to successfully solving a problem.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the existing methods of unblocking, from standard parental controls to more complex procedures through the engineering menu. It is important to understand that some restrictions are designed to protect your data, so removing them should be a deliberate action.

Reasons for blocking applications in MIUI

Before proceeding with active unlocking actions, it is necessary to accurately identify the source of the problem. The MIUI shell has several layers of protection that can conflict with each other or with the user's actions. Most often, the lock is initiated by the system application Security, which scans the installed software for viruses or undesirable behavior.

The second common reason is the activated “Prohibit Start” or “Parent Control” mode, which is often triggered randomly when you quickly scroll through the settings menu or after a device reset, when the user agrees to all the configuration options offered.

⚠️ If the lock is accompanied by a pop-up with an antivirus logo or a “critical threat” warning, first make sure you’re not trying to run a real malicious file. Download programs only from trusted sources, such as Google Play or the official GetApps store.

Regional features of services should also be considered: on global firmware versions, some Chinese services can be blocked by default, and vice versa, sometimes causing a conflict between the installed third-party antivirus and the built-in protection system Xiaomi.

Checking and disabling Parental Controls

The most common scenario users face is Parental Control, built into the Security app, which allows you to limit device usage time and block specific applications from running on a schedule or manually, and if you have a timer or a password requirement to run a game or social network, this is probably the case.

To disable the restrictions, you need to find a standard application with a shield icon, which is usually called "Security." Inside the interface, you need to scroll through the tool list to the section responsible for controlling use. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic remains the same.

• 📱 Open the Security app on the home screen or in the Tools folder".
• 🔒 Find and click on the Parental Controls icon or menu item (may be called "Limitations" or "Digital Wellbeing").
• 🚫 In the list of applications, find the blocked program and remove the switch in front of it.
• 🔑 If the system requests a password, enter the code set when the function is activated (often the same code as when you unlock the screen).

If you forget your password from parental controls, the standard Mi Account recovery procedure may not work immediately, and in such cases, cleaning the security application itself sometimes helps, but it will reset all your antivirus and optimization settings.

Set up auto-start and system permissions

The aggressive power saving system in Xiaomi Redmi smartphones often blocks applications in the background, which the user may perceive as a lock. If the program does not start or close immediately after opening, the problem may lie in the lack of permission to Autorun.

Any application requires a set of permissions to work properly; the default system may restrict access to a microphone, camera, or file system, believing the application to be untrusted, especially for programs downloaded from third-party sources (APK-files, not through the official store.

To fix the problem, go to the phone's basic settings. Find the Apps section and select All Apps. In the list, find the problem program. Here you're interested in the Permissions tab and the separate Auto Start switch. Make sure it's activated.

Also on this menu, check "Battery Savings." Set a value "No Limits" that will allow the application to function fully without being "sedated" by the system a few minutes after launch. Without this step, many notification services may not work.

Removing ad blockers and viruses

Sometimes the source of the blockage is not a system function, but malware or an aggressive ad blocker that was installed accidentally, which can be embedded in the system and block the interface of other applications, demanding payment for "unlocking" or imposing their services, a common problem when installing modified versions of games or programs.

The first sign of this software is that it's on the desktop, or it's impossible to close a pop-up, and in this case, standard methods of unblocking won't help, because the locking app itself prevents access to the settings, and you need to act through Safe Mode or Application Manager.

To remove malware, go to the settings, Apps, and look carefully at the list. Look for programs without a name, without an icon, or with strange system names that you didn't install. If you can't find and remove them through the normal interface, you'll need to log in to Safe Mode.

⚠️ Warning: If a virus blocks settings, try to start your phone in Safe Mode. To do this, press the off button, and when the "Off" button appears on the screen, press it and hold it for a few seconds until the prompt to go to Safe Mode appears.

Unlocking the block via ADB (For Advanced Users)

In cases where the MIUI GUI does not allow the restrictions to be removed (e.g., the developer menu is blocked or the settings are hidden), you can use the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) toolkit, a powerful method that allows you to send commands directly to the operating system without the user interface, and is effective at removing system blockers or hidden services.

To use this method, you will need a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux), USB-cable and on-line debugging USB If the developer menu is blocked by the Mi Account password, this method may not work without first unlocking the bootloader, which is a more complicated procedure.

First you need to activate debugging. Go to Settings. → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the item "Version" MIUI". Then in the advanced settings will appear menu "For developers", where you need to turn on the switchboard "Debugging by USB".

adb shell pm grant com.android.permission_controller android.permission.GET_INSTALLED_APPS


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

The above command is an example and can vary depending on the specific version of the system. Using ADB commands requires caution: disabling critical system components can lead to unstable phone operation. Disabling the com.miui.securitycenter component completely removes the built-in antivirus and optimizer, which can reduce the security of the device.

Resetting settings as a radical solution

If none of the software methods helped to remove the lock and the system continues to malfunction, the last option is a full reset to factory settings (Hard Reset), which completely clears the internal memory of the device of user data, applications and, most importantly, all configuration files that cause conflicts.

Before starting the procedure, it is critical to back up all important data: contacts, photos, documents and correspondence in messengers. Once reset, it will be impossible to recover deleted information without a pre-created backup. Make sure that the battery is at least 50%.

• 💾 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings.
• 🗑️ Select the option “Erase everything).
• 🔐 Enter the screen unlock password and the Mi Account password to confirm.
• ⏳ Wait for the reboot process to be completed and the initial setup.

Once turned on, the phone will be like new. Don't rush to install all the apps at once. First, check if the system is stable. Then install programs one at a time, so that if the problem repeats, you immediately identify the culprit.

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A complete reset is a guaranteed way to remove software locks, but it takes time to recover data and reset the device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)