How to remove the lock on Xiaomi applications: the complete guide

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face intrusive system restrictions that interfere with normal use of the gadget. Application blocking can manifest itself in various ways, from the sudden closure of background processes to the emergence of full-screen advertising in system utilities. MIUI and the new HyperOS shell have an aggressive energy saving policy, which is often perceived by users as a malicious lock. Understanding the mechanisms of the system allows you to effectively circumvent these restrictions.

Solving the problem requires a comprehensive approach, since “locking” is a collective term, which can be a ban on installation from unknown sources, limiting background activity, or locking the screen when running certain games. Xiaomi’s system settings offer many control tools that are set to maximize charge savings by default, but at the expense of functionality.

In this article, we will break down all types of locks and provide proven methods to eliminate them, learn how to set up autorun, disable ads and properly manage permissions, which will allow your Xiaomi to work as intended by the manufacturer, without unnecessary restrictions.

Types of locks in the shell MIUI and HyperOS

Before you start taking action, you need to clearly identify the type of lock you've encountered.The Xiaomi security system divides the restrictions into several categories, each requiring a different approach.The ad blocker is often confused with a virus, although it's a regular feature of the system.

The first type is blocking applications from running in the background, killing processes to save battery, which means that messengers can not receive notifications and the navigator can reset the route. APK-Third-party files that require confirmation via Mi Account or password.

The third type, the most annoying, is the ad locks inside system applications like Explorer, Security, or Music. MSA (MIUI System Ads) is responsible for displaying banners, and turning it off is a priority for many users, and there is also a screen lock that can be activated when trying to run heavy games or applications from unknown sources.

Set up autostart and background activity

The most common problem is that apps don't work when the screen is off, and this is solved through the AutoStart menu and battery settings, and the activity control in MIUI is very strict, so every important application needs to be added to the exceptions manually.

To start, open the Security app (green lightning icon). Find the Permissions section and select AutoRun. You need to activate the switches in front of all the applications that need to work all the time: messengers, email clients, task trackers. Without this step, the system will force them to close after they are folded.

Then you need to set the background for each application separately. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Select the desired application, go to the Battery and set the value No restrictions. This is a critical step that removes the software blocking of background processes.

Remember that after the system update, settings may reset. It is recommended to periodically check the autorun list, especially after installing major Android or MIUI updates. This ensures that notifications and data synchronization work consistently.

Removing Advertising and Disabling MSA

Ad blocking in Xiaomi is not a virus, but an in-built monetization that can be abandoned.The process requires disabling multiple services, since MSA (MIUI System Ads) has protection against accidental shutdown.

The first step is to turn off ad personalization. Go to Settings → Password & Security → Privacy → Advertising Services. Here you need a deactivate switch Get recommendations. This will remove some of the personalized banners in the system.

Then you need to turn off the MSA service itself. Go to Settings.

⚠️ Note: When you try to disconnect the service MSA The system will warn you several times about possible instability, this is a standard measure of protection, ignore the warnings and confirm the shutdown.

After disabling MSA, ads in standard applications should disappear. However, some applications, such as Downloads or Explorer, may have their own ad settings inside their interface. Open the menu of each system application, find Settings, and turn off the option to Receive recommendations or Show ads.

Unlocking the installation of unknown applications

Installation APK-Xiaomi blocks the installation process for security reasons, requiring additional confirmation via Mi Account or antivirus scanning of the file.

To unlock the installation, at the first start APK-The system will prompt you to click the "Allow" button. If this does not happen, go to Settings. → Protection of confidentiality → Special features (or Install unknown applications) Find your browser or file manager in the list and allow installation.

Sometimes, you get the error, "Unable to install. App not installed." In this case, cleaning the packet installer data helps. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. From the menu, select Show System Processes. Find Package Installer, click Memory → Clear. After that, try installing the application again.

💡

Installation APK-Files from unverified sources always check the digital signature of the application. Xiaomi lock often works on really dangerous files containing malicious code.

Unlocking the game mode and Game Turbo

For gamers, it's important to have a steady, non-interrupted experience. Game Turbo is a built-in optimization tool that can also block notifications and calls while playing, and users sometimes perceive this as a problem if they can't take an important call.

You can configure Game Turbo via the app Security → Game Turbo. There's a settings icon in the top right corner. You can add or remove games from the optimization list. If the game doesn't start in acceleration mode, make sure it's added to the list.

Also in the Game Turbo settings, you can turn off brightness lock and automatic response to messages, which allows you to maintain full control of the device even during gameplay. For some Xiaomi models, the Memory Clearup feature is available before starting the game, which frees up RAM and prevents lags.

If Game Turbo causes crashes or blocks the launch of modified versions of games, it can be temporarily disabled.In the Game Turbo settings, find the Game Accelerate and deactivate switch.This will return the standard mode of operation of the system without game optimization.

Removing screen lock and parental controls

Sometimes, blocking apps is linked to parental controls enabled or Second Space.If you forget your password or your child has set restrictions, you will need to reset your settings or log in to your Mi Account.

Parental controls in Xiaomi are often implemented through Google Family Link or built-in time limits. Check the Digital Well-being settings in the settings menu. Here you can see the time limits for applications. If you lock it, you can unblock it knowing. PIN-parental code.

The second space is an isolated environment on the phone, and to remove the space-to-space lock, you need to know your password or your primary profile fingerprint, and if access is lost, the only way is to completely remove Second Space through the basic settings, which will result in the data being deleted in the isolated profile.

⚠️ Note: Resetting the Second Space password without access to the main Mi Account is possible only by a full reset of the phone (Hard Reset), which will delete all data from the device.

💡

The Second Space feature creates a full-fledged copy of the system inside the phone, and locks work independently of the main profile, so you need to check the settings in both spaces.

Advanced Methods: ADB and System Limitations

For power users, there is a method to unblock through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to remove system applications and disable services that are not removed by standard methods.

To work, ADB must enable Developer Mode. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version in About Phone. Then in Advanced Settings, enable USB Debugging. Connect the phone to your computer and execute a command to remove advertising packages.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.misys


adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.msa.global

Using ADB requires caution. Removing critical system components can lead to unstable operation or a “boot loop” (cyclical reboot). Removing the com.android.vending (Google Play) package through ADB without proper preparation will make it impossible to install applications from the store. Use this method only if you understand the purpose of the deleted packages.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)