Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often notice an app called “Breach” in the Tools system folder or among the pre-installed software, many users ignore it, believing it to be useless system garbage, but this component is an important element of the manufacturer’s ecosystem, responsible for the interaction of the smartphone with external accessories, smart locks and trackers, providing extended control over devices without the need to install third-party programs.
The app’s functionality goes far beyond a simple remote, as it may seem at first glance. In modern versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shell, it is integrated with Bluetooth Low Energy and Wi-Fi protocols for detecting and pairing gadgets. If you own a smartwatch, a fitness bracelet or a Mi Smart Tag tracker, this system module is necessary for initial activation and fine-tuning the peripherals. Understanding it will allow you to use the capabilities of your Android smartphone more effectively.
In this article, we will look at what exactly is solved by “Brelok”, why it can request geolocation and how to properly configure the connection with accessories. We will look at use cases, from managing a smart home to finding lost keys, and answer frequent questions that arise from Xiaomi users.
The main purpose of the system component Brelock
The keychain app on Xiaomi devices serves as a central node for managing physical accessories that do not have their own screen or complex input interface, primarily for Mi Smart Tag trackers and compatible Bluetooth tags. It is through this interface that the tag is associated with the Mi Account account, which allows you to track the location of the attached object through the network of millions of Xiaomi devices around the world.
In addition, this module often acts as an intermediary when connecting wearable electronics. When you try to connect new Mi True Wireless headphones or smart scales, the Brock system service can take over the processing of the device profile, which ensures the correct display of the battery, connection status and available functions in the notification curtain or desktop widgets.
- 🔑 Tag Management: Quickly activate and find lost things through a global search network.
- ⌚ Gadget pairing: Automatic recognition and customization of compatible brand accessories.
- 🏠 Smart Home Integration: Acting as a gateway for devices that don’t require a full-fledged Mi Home app».
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If the “Brelok” app suddenly disappeared from the menu, don’t rush to search for it in the Play Market store.This is a system component that can be returned by resetting the launcher settings or checking hidden system applications in the settings.
Importantly, removing this app (if you have root rights) can lead to unstable Bluetooth module operation or inability to use Widgets to quickly access accessories. Android system based on MIUI is tied to internal services, and Brelock is one of these services that ensures uninterrupted communication between the phone and the periphery.
Interaction with smart accessories and trackers
One of the key features that you need is a search engine for things. Unlike standard Bluetooth search, which only sees devices within a 10-meter radius, this app uses crowdsourcing technology, and when you flag an item as lost, other Xiaomi devices passing by your tag anonymously transmit its coordinates to your server.
For owners of Aqara or Xiaomi Smart Door Locks, this app is also critical: it stores digital keys and provides authorization when a smartphone unlocks the door. The data protocol is heret, and the Brelock app acts as a secure repository of access tokens, preventing third-party applications from intercepting the unlock signal.
⚠️ Attention: To properly search for tags and smart locks, it is necessary that the application has permissions to use geolocation and Bluetooth. Without this, the search function within a radius of 200 meters will not work.
The new accessories are set up automatically, just bring the device to the unlocked smartphone, and the screen will appear a system notification from the service "Brelok" with a suggestion to add a gadget. This speeds up the initial configuration process and eliminates the need to manually enter pairing codes or scan. QR-camera-code.
Technical requirements and necessary permits
The stable operation of the application “Brelok” on Xiaomi Redmi requires a certain set of permissions that may seem excessive to the average user, first of all, access to Bluetooth and Bluetooth Scan. Without them, the phone simply will not be able to detect low-voltage signals from tags and accessories.
The second critical parameter is geolocation. Many users wonder why a fob application needs a map. The answer lies in the Android architecture: scanning Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networks (to find devices) is tied to location services. By turning off GPS, you automatically turn off the ability to find new devices through this interface.
Below is a table of the required permissions and their impact on the functionality:
| Permission | Appointment | Effects of disconnection |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Connection to accessories | Impossibility to connect |
| Geolocation | Device and tag search | Search doesn't work. |
| Notifications | Discharge alerts | No battery notifications |
| Background mode | Continuous monitoring | Breaking the connection during blocking |
Also worth mentioning is the background permit, because trackers need to be monitored constantly, the system needs permission to start in the background, and the battery settings for the Brelock app recommend selecting the "No Limits" mode so that the MIUI energy saving system does not "kill" the search process.
Instructions for setting up and connecting devices
The process of setting up accessories through the application “Brelok” is as simplified as possible by the developers of Xiaomi. You do not need to be a technical specialist to connect a new gadget. The main thing is to make sure that the Bluetooth on the smartphone is active, and the accessory itself is in pairing mode (usually this is done with a long press of a button on the device).
Open the app or wait for a pop-up when you bring the device up. The system automatically determines the model and suggests the appropriate profile. If the automatic detection fails, you can manually search the application interface by selecting the type of device from the list.
☑️ Checklist of accessory connection
In some cases, especially with smart home devices, region-specific binding may be required. Make sure that the settings of the Keychain app (or associated service) select the correct region corresponding to your Mi Account. Region mismatch often leads to the error "Device not found" or "failed to add."
What to do if the device is not located?
Solving Connection Problems and Errors
Despite the system's fine-tuning, Redmi users may encounter errors, one of the most common is "Device is busy," which means that the accessory is already paired with another phone or tablet, and to solve the problem, you need to remove the device from the Bluetooth list on that old gadget, or reset the accessory to the factory settings.
Another common problem is spontaneous shutdown, which is often associated with aggressive battery optimization in MIUI. The system thinks that the background application "Brelok" consumes the charge, and closes it. To fix this, you need to go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Application Management, find "Fox" and prioritize "No Limits".
⚠️ Warning: Do not force the system application "Brelok" through the task manager. This can lead to temporary inoperability of the Bluetooth module until the smartphone restarts.
If you encounter a "Server is busy" or "Network error" error when trying to add a tag, check the date and time settings. Time dissynchronization on Xiaomi's phone and server causes a token security check failure and the connection is not established. Set up automatic time synchronization across the network.
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90% of connection problems are solved by completely removing the device from the Bluetooth list and re-pairing with the Wi-Fi turned off.
Impact on data autonomy and security
Many users worry that a constant scan of the environment will quickly land the battery. However, the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology used by the Brelock app consumes minimal energy, and the application’s contribution to the overall battery discharge is usually less than 1-2% per day, which is almost invisible against the background of screen and social networks.
Data security is also a top priority, with end-to-end encryption used to transmit tag coordinates, even Xiaomi servers don't see where your object is until you log in to the app, and location data is anonymized and fragmented, making it impossible for third parties to intercept or use information.
However, it is recommended to periodically check the list of devices that have access to your account.If you sell or lose the tracker, be sure to remove it from the “Brelock” app so that the new owner can not see the history of movements or use it to track you (although the system itself warns about other people’s trackers nearby).