How to disable the password for personal data protection on Xiaomi: all working ways

The Xiaomi privacy password is an additional layer of security that blocks access to sensitive information (messages, photos, apps) even after unlocking the screen, usually enabled through Settings → Passwords and security → Personal Data Protection, but it is not so easy to disable. Users often face a situation where they forget this password or buy a used device with activated protection.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to disable the data protection password on Xiaomi (including the Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models) running MIUI 12-15 and HyperOS. It is important to understand that some methods require a reset settings, while others require a tied Mi Account. We will also explain how to avoid data loss and what to do if the smartphone requests a password after firmware.

What is a personal data protection password for Xiaomi and why you need it

Privacy Protection Password (or Privacy Protection Password) is a function of the MIUI, It encrypts individual partitions of the device's memory, unlike the normal partition. PIN-a code or pattern lock, it:

• 🔒 Blocks access to encrypted data even when the screen is unlocked (for example, to a folder). MIUI/Private inner-memory).
• 📱 Activates automatically when you set up your Mi Account or manually in the security menu.
• 🔄 It may be different from the lock screen password (but often users will put the same password on the lock screen).
• ⚠️ When resetting settings through Recovery is not reset – requires a separate input.

The main problem is that without this password it is impossible to:

• 📁 Access to protected files (photos, videos, documents).
• 🔧 Install custom firmware or get root rights.
• 📱 Sell/transfer phone to another user without a complete reset.

⚠️ Note: If you bought a used Xiaomi with activated personal data protection, and the previous owner did not turn it off, it is almost impossible to restore access without his password or Mi Account. In 90% of cases, you will need a complete reset with loss of data.

Method 1: Disable password through settings (if you know it)

If you remember the data protection password, you can turn it off in a few steps, and this method works on all versions of MIUI and HyperOS:

1. Open the Settings. → Passwords and security.
2. Select the option "Privacy Protection" (or "Privacy Protection" in English firmware).
3. Enter the current password.
4. Click Turn Off (or Turn Off)
5. Confirm the action by entering the password again.

After that, all encrypted data will be available, and the folder will be available. MIUI/Private If you don't have a privacy item on the menu, it means the function is not activated.

Do you remember the password from the lock screen?

Is there a backup of important data?

Is there a Mi Account linked to the phone (email and password known)?

Battery charge over 50%?

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On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14 for the global version), the path may differ:

Settings → Passwords & security → Privacy protection → Enter password → Disable

Method 2: Reset password through Mi Account (if linked account)

If you have forgotten your password, but your phone is tied to your Mi Account, you can try resetting the protection through Xiaomi's official service, which only works if you meet three conditions:

• 📧 Mi Account is tied to device until protection is activated.
• 🔄 The phone is enabled mobile Internet or Wi-Fi.
• 🔒 Remember the username and password from Mi Account.

Instructions:

1. On the data protection password entry screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password?).
2. Select the recovery option through Mi Account.
3. Enter your email and password from your account.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email (depending on your account settings).
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to reset your password.

If the phone requests the password again after this action, then the account was not tied before the protection was activated, in which case only a complete reset will help (see Method 3).

Yeah, tied up from day one.

Yeah, but I don't remember the password.

No, I didn't.

I don't know what that is.

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⚠️ Note: After resetting the password through Mi Account, all encrypted data (photos, messages, files from the protected folder) will be deleted without recovery. MIUI.

Method 3: Complete reset (Hard Reset)

If you don't remember the security password and can't restore it through Mi Account, the only reliable way is to completely reset your settings, which will delete all data from your device, including:

• 📸 Photos and videos (including from the gallery and cloud, if not synchronized).
• 💬 Messages in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.).
• 📁 Files in a secure folder MIUI/Private.
• 🎮 Game and application data (progress, settings).

The reset can be done in two ways:

Option A: Reset via Recovery Mode

Suitable for all Xiaomi models, including Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4, Mi 11/12/13:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
4. Confirm the reset by choosing Wipe All Data.
5. After completion, select Reboot.

Option B: Reset via Fastboot (if Recovery is blocked)

If you need to enter a password in Recovery, use the Mi Flash Tool:

1. Download the official firmware for your model.
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool on your PC.
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log in to Fastboot.
4. Connect the device to your PC and run the firmware through Mi Flash (select Clean All).

Method 4: Bypassing EDL protection (for advanced users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a service firmware mode that allows you to reflash a device even with a locked bootloader. It works on most Xiaomi models, but requires:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows and Qualcomm drivers.
• 🔌 Cable. USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Knowledge of working with Mi Flash Tool or QFil.
• 🔓 Unlocked loader (on some models).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware in.tgz format for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Install Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers (can be found on XDA Developers).
3. Turn off the phone and put it into EDL mode: For most models: Press Volume Up + Volume Down + Power for 10-15 seconds. For POCO F3/Redmi K40: Use Testpoint (take your phone apart and close the contacts).

Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008

Mi Flash Tool

Flash

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL Resets all data, including IMEI If the network is lost after the firmware, you'll need to restore it. IMEI via the engineering menu (#4636##) or service center.

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Before you run your firmware through EDL, check the phone model with the fastboot getvar product command in the terminal. Wrong firmware can turn the device into a brick.

Method 5: Delete password through ADB (only for unlocked phones)

If your Xiaomi has USB debugging enabled and the bootloader unlocked, you can try removing the password through ADB. This method doesn’t work on all versions of MIUI, but sometimes it helps to bypass the protection without resetting.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Open the command line on your PC and type: adb shell su rm /data/system/privacy_password.key
3. Reboot the phone.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell


pm clear com.miui.privacy

On MIUI 14+ and HyperOS, this method often fails due to enhanced protection, leaving only a reset via Recovery or Fastboot.

What to do if nothing helps: contact the service center

If all of these methods do not work, there are two options:

1. Xiaomi's official service, which requires a check of purchase or proof of ownership, can help in some cases even without a check, unless the phone is blacklisted (not stolen).
2. Unofficial service centers: Many workshops offer services to unlock encrypted Xiaomi through EDL or UFI Box, costing from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles depending on the model.

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If the phone is bought from hand and locked with a data protection password, it will not work to return it to the seller under the law "On Consumer Protection" - this is not a factory defect.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data protection password on Xiaomi