How to completely disable the lock screen on Xiaomi Mi8: 5 proven ways

Lock screen on Xiaomi Mi8 — It's not just data protection, it's also a constant inconvenience for those who use a smartphone in a safe home environment, some want to save seconds when unlocking, some want to automatically turn on the screen in their pocket, and some just prefer minimalism. However, the manufacturer did not provide an obvious option to “disable completely” – instead, users are asked to choose between the two. PIN-code, pattern lock or fingerprint.

In this article, we’ll break down all the working methods to remove the lock screen on the Xiaomi Mi8 completely – from standard MIUI settings to hidden commands via ADB. It’s important to understand that some methods require superuser rights (root), others work only on certain versions of the firmware, and still others can reset security settings. We’ll describe each option in detail, its pros, cons and potential risks – so you can choose the best path without unpleasant surprises.

Why can’t you just turn off the lock in the MIUI settings?

Unlike many Android smartphones, where you can choose the “No” option in the lock menu, the Xiaomi Mi8 imposes strict restrictions.

• 🔒 Security policy MIUI: Xiaomi requires at least minimal protection (even if it’s just a swipe).
• 📱 Android Requirements: Starting with version 5.0, Google obliges implement manufacturers to have at least a basic lock for data encryption.

However, circumventing these restrictions is possible, and we will look at legal and semi-legal methods below, from the simplest to the most radical.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling the lock screen removes all privacy protections, and if your phone is stolen or lost, anyone can access photos, correspondence, and payment apps!

Method 1: Install Swipe as the only method of unlocking

The safest and most reversible way is to set up the unlock with a simple swipe, which doesn't remove the lock screen completely, but makes it instantly unlockable, suitable for those who want minimalism without risking security.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Screen lock and password.
2. Select the screen lock type.
3. Enter the current password/pattern lock (if installed).
4. Select the Swipe option (may be called "Swipe" or "No Password").
5. Confirm your choice.

Now, to unlock, just swipe your finger up the screen. Minus the method: when rebooting the phone, you will need to enter the password from Mi Account (if it is tied).

Make sure you have a backup of the data.|Check if the Mi Account is linked to the device|Remember the password from the Xiaomi account in case of resetting|Turn off the “Smart Lock” option in the security settings-->

Method 2: Disable the lock via ADB (without root)

If you are not satisfied with the swipe, you can go further - disable the lock via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method does not require superuser rights, but requires a computer and a computer. USB-It works on most versions of the cable. MIUI Xiaomi Mi8 (including MIUI 12/13/14).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI until the notification "You're a developer" appears.

USB debugging

• Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• Turn on the debugging switch over USB.
• Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
• Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
• Open the command prompt (cmd) in the ADB folder and type: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).
• Execute the command to disable lock: adb shell settings put global lockscreen.disabled 1
• Reboot your phone: adb reboot

Once you reboot, the lock screen will disappear. To return it back, execute the same command by replacing 1 with 0.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI After using this method, you may have problems with notifications or the watch widget on the locked screen. If it is critical, return the settings back through the lock. ADB.

Method 3: Editing settings.db (requires root)

For advanced users who are ready to get root rights, there is a more radical method – direct editing of the system database, which will completely remove the lock screen, including swipe, but will require caution: wrong actions can lead to a bootloop.

What you need:

• 📱 Smartphone with unlocked bootloader and installed Magisk (or other root solution).
• 💻 PC fitted ADB and the SQLite editor (for example, DB Browser for SQLite).
• 🔄 Backup copy of data (required!).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open ADB Shell with root: adb shell su Allow root access on your phone.
2. Back up your database: cp /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db /sdcard/settings.db.bak
3. Copy the file to PC: adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
4. Open settings.db in SQLite Browser and query: UPDATE secure SET value=0 WHERE name='lockscreen.disabled'; If no record, add it: INSERT INTO secure (name, value) VALUES ('lockscreen.disabled', '0');
5. Save the changes and return the file back: adb push settings.db /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/adb shell chmod 660 /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db adb shell chown system:system /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
6. Reboot the phone.

If done correctly, the lock screen will disappear completely. To return the standard settings, restore the backup of the settings.db file.

💡

Before editing settings.db, export the secure table to a separate file, which will help you quickly restore the settings if something goes wrong.

Method 4: Using the Magisk Disable Lockscreen module

The easiest way for root owners to install a finished module through Magisk, which eliminates manual editing of system files and minimizes the risks.

How to determine:

1. Make sure that the phone has Magisk installed (check in the Settings menu → About Phone → Magisk version).
2. Download Disable Lockscreen (available on XDA Developers)
3. Open Magisk Manager and go to the Modules section.
4. Click Install from Storage and select the downloaded.zip file.
5. Reboot the phone after installation.

The module will automatically disable the lock screen, while maintaining the performance of the fingerprint and facial scanner (if they are configured), the main plus is the ability to quickly return the lock by simply removing the module through Magisk.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If all previous methods failed (for example, due to custom firmware or bootloader locking), the radical solution remains: a complete reset, which will remove all data from the phone, including passwords and lock settings, but return the device to the state out of the box.

How to reset:

1. Create a backup of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

After resetting the first time you turn on, the Xiaomi Mi8 will offer you to set up the lock, at which point you can choose the option to skip or swipe to avoid entering the password.

• 🔄 After the reset, you will need to re-enter all accounts (Google, Mi Account, etc.).
• 📱 Some system applications (such as Mi Pay) may stop working without being blocked.
• 🔒 If the phone was linked to Mi Account, after reset, you may need to enter a login / password to activate.

⚠️ Warning: On devices with a locked bootloader, resetting will not remove the binding to Mi Account. If you forget your account data, your phone may turn into a brick"!

Swipe as the main way to unlock |ADB-command without root|Edit settings.db (from root)|Magisk Module |Reset to factory settings-->

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after successfully disabling the lock, Xiaomi Mi8 users face side effects. Let’s look at typical situations and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: After disabling the lock, notifications on the screen do not work

This is a common bug when used. ADB-method:

• Return the lock with the command adb shell settings put global lockscreen.disabled 0.
• Reboot the phone.
• If notifications do not appear, check the settings in Settings → Notifications → On the lock screen.

Problem 2: Phone asks for password after reboot

This is the standard MIUI behavior associated with Mi Account, and you can only circumvent it:

• Untie your Xiaomi account in the settings (before disabling the lock).
• Using root methods to remove the anchor (risky!).

Problem 3: Face Unlock or Fingerprint is not working

The biometrics are tied to the locking system, and if you shut it down completely, these functions will become unavailable.

• Return the swipe unlock.
• Reconfigure the fingerprint/face in Settings → Screen Lock → Biometrics.

💡

Before experimenting with a lock, always check to see if it has any critical features: banking apps, Mi Pay, corporate email, which can be blocked after changes!

FAQ: Answers to popular questions