How to remove security mode on the phone Xiaomi: 5 working ways

Security mode on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi models, POCO Black Shark is a security mechanism that is activated when unauthorized access is suspected, firmware malfunctions or after unsuccessful unlock attempts. Many users are faced with a situation where the phone suddenly goes into this mode, blocking access to basic features. Unlike the standard Android Safe Mode, which disables third-party apps, the security mode on Xiaomi can completely limit the operation of the device – from a ban on installation. APK before blocking access to settings.

In this article, we will discuss 5 Proven ways to disable security on Xiaomi phones, including official methods MIUI You'll learn why the smartphone is going into this mode, how to avoid re-activation, and what to do if standard methods don't work. MIUI 14/15 and new devices based on HyperOS, where the logic of the security mode has been changed.

What is Xiaomi’s security mode and why it’s turned on

Safe Mode or Security Mode on Xiaomi is not the same as Android Safe Mode. If the standard Safe Mode only disables third-party applications, then it is about deep system protection that can:

  • πŸ”’ Lock down the installation APK-files from unknown sources;
  • πŸ“± Limit access to system settings (e.g., Settings) β†’ For developers);
  • πŸ”„ Prohibit changing security settings (fingerprints, pattern lock);
  • 🚫 Error: Device blocked by administrator".

The main reasons for activation of the regime:

  • πŸ”§ Failed rooting or unlocking bootloader (fastboot oem unlock);
  • πŸ“² Installation of incompatible or damaged APK (especially modified versions of system applications);
  • πŸ”„ Failures when updating firmware (for example, interrupted) OTA-update);
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Suspicion of malware (MIUI It can activate the mode when suspicious activity is detected).

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14, Redmi) K70) The security mode can be activated automatically when you try to roll back on the old firmware version.This is due to the new security policy, where the system checks the integrity of the vendor partition.

If your phone is in security mode after installing a custom Recovery (TWRP) or firmware via fastboot, most likely the problem is incompatibility of versions of anti-rollback (the mechanism of protection against rollback). In this case, the standard shutdown may not work - you will need to flash through the Mi Flash Tool.

Method 1: Reboot your phone (the easiest method)

In 60% of cases, the security mode on Xiaomi is turned on temporarily, for example, after an application crash or an incorrect update, in which case a simple reboot is enough:

  1. Press the power button for 5-10 seconds until the shutdown menu appears.
  2. Select Restart (Restart).
  3. If the menu does not appear, hold the power button for 15-20 seconds for a forced reboot.

After the reboot, check if the security mode has disappeared. If not, move on to the next method.

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) After the reboot, you may notice, "Device not certified." It's not a mistake, just confirm that you own the phone and continue using it.

If the reboot didn’t work, try hard reset via the recovery menu:

  • Turn off the phone.
  • Press the Power button + Volume up for 10 seconds.
  • From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data β†’ Reboot.

Importantly, hard reset will delete all data, including photos and apps, and only use this method if other methods have failed.

πŸ“Š Your Xiaomi phone has ever gone into security mode on its own?
Yes, after the update.
Yes, after the app is installed.
Yeah, for no apparent reason.
No, never.

Method 2: Disconnection through settings MIUI (formality)

If the security mode is activated due to an application conflict or a temporary failure, it can be disabled through system settings. MIUI 12-15 and HyperOS:

  1. Open the Settings. β†’ Memory. β†’ Security (or Settings) β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management).
  2. Find the Security Mode section (which may be called Safe Mode or Device Protection).
  3. Turn off the switch next to the option to Enable Security Mode.
  4. Confirm the action by entering a password or pattern lock.

If the Security section is blocked, try an alternative path:

  1. Go to Settings. β†’ The phone.
  2. Click 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
  3. Back to Settings β†’ Additionally. β†’ For developers.
  4. Find the USB debugging option and turn it on.
  5. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.securitycenter (This command removes the security center) MIUI for the current user.)
Xiaomi modelThe Way to Security SettingsPassword required
Redmi Note 11/12Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management β†’ SecurityYes (pattern lock or PIN)
POCO X5/F5Settings β†’ System system β†’ Additionally. β†’ SecurityNo (confirmation only)
Xiaomi 13/14 (HyperOS)Settings β†’ Confidentiality β†’ Device protectionYes (PIN + biometrics)
Black Shark 5/6Settings β†’ Playing space β†’ SecurityNo.

If the phone reboots to the phone after the security mode is turned off, the problem may be in the damaged system application, in which case only the firmware will help.

Battery charge > 50%|Make a backup copy of the data|Make sure you're known. PIN/graphical|Disable two-factor authentication (if any)-->

Method 3: Reset security settings via Recovery

If you access the settings MIUI It is blocked, and the reboot didn't help, and you can reset security settings through the Recovery Mode menu, which does not delete user data, but resets all security settings (including fingerprints and faces).

Instructions:

  1. Turn off the phone.
  2. Press the Power Button + Volume combination upwards for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
  3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).
  4. Go to Wipe & Reset β†’ Wipe Security Settings.
  5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
  6. Select Reboot to System.

If your Recovery doesn’t have Wipe Security Settings, try an alternative way:

  1. From the Recovery menu, select Advanced β†’ File Manager.
  2. Go to /data/system/.
  3. Delete files: gatekeeper.password.key gatekeeper.pattern.key locksettings.db
  4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Delete files in /data/system/ This can cause all passwords to be reset, including your Mi Account, and if you don't remember login details, you can't use this method, and your phone can lock forever.

On devices with HyperOS (such as Xiaomi 14), the Recovery menu may differ. If standard Recovery does not offer a security reset option, you will need to install a custom recovery (TWRP) β€” But it's risky for new models because of anti-rollback protection.

Method 4: Use ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

If the phone is on, but access to settings is limited, you can try to turn off security mode via ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method requires a PC connection and enabled debugging. USB.

Step-by-step:

  1. Install ADB and Fastboot Tools on PC.
  2. Enable USB debugging on your phone (Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ MIUI Version β†’ 7 times Press β†’ For Developers β†’ USB debugging).
  3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
  4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and execute: adb devices (you should display your device).
  5. Execute the command to disable security mode: adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 0
  6. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

If the first command didn’t work, try alternatives:

  • For resetting security policy: adb shell pm clear com.miui.securitycenter
  • To disable forced safe mode: adb shell settings delete global hidden_api_policy_pre_p_apps adb shell settings delete global hidden_api_policy_p_apps

On HyperOS devices, an additional command may be required to unlock system settings:

adb shell cmd appops set com.miui.securitycenter android:system_alert_window allow

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB On devices with a locked bootloader (bootloader) can cause Mi Anti-Rollback protection to work and the phone to be completely locked. Before executing commands, make sure that the bootloader is unlocked (checked by the fastboot oem device-info command).

πŸ’‘

If ADB doesn’t recognize the device, try reinstalling Xiaomi USB Drivers drivers or using the original cable from the kit. Cheap cables often don’t support data transfer.

Method 5: Flashing through the Mi Flash Tool (extremely)

If all the previous methods didn't work, the last option is to completely flash the phone through the Mi Flash Tool, which is a radical way to bring the phone back to factory status, but delete all the data. Use it only if:

  • πŸ”„ The phone is constantly back in security mode after restarting;
  • πŸ”’ Access to the settings is completely blocked;
  • πŸ“± The device is not determined by ADB.

Flashing instructions:

  1. Download the official firmware for your model from the MIUI Download website (choose the Fastboot version).
  2. Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\MIUI\).
  3. Install the Mi Flash Tool.
  4. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down).
  5. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
  6. Press Select and indicate the path to the unpacked firmware.
  7. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
  8. Wait for the finish (5-10 minutes) and restart the phone.
Type of firmwareIs the data preserved?Do you need to unlock the bootloader?
Fastboot (Clean All)❌ No (full reset)βœ… Yes.
Fastboot (Save User Data)⚠️ Partially (photos are saved, but settings are reset)βœ… Yes.
Recovery (OTA)βœ… Yes (unless you manually reset your data)❌ No.

After flashing, the phone will return to factory settings and the security mode will be turned off, but if the problem was a hardware failure (for example, a damaged memory), it can recur.

⚠️ Note: On new devices (Xiaomi) 13T, Redmi Note 13 Pro+) The firmware via the Mi Flash Tool may require authorization of the Mi Account. If you do not remember the login details, use the official recovery service before the firmware.

What to do if the Mi Flash Tool gives you a β€œFlash is not done” error
Flash is not done error usually means that: 1. The firmware version is not suitable (download it specifically for your model and region). 2. The bootloader is blocked (unlock through the official Xiaomi website). 3. Driver problems (try another one). USB-Port or cable. 4. Anti-rollback protection is activated (only flash the new version). MIUI, not the old).

How to prevent the re-enactment of security mode

To prevent Xiaomi from activating security mode again, follow these guidelines:

  • πŸ“± Install apps only from Google Play or the official Mi App Store.
  • πŸ”„ Do not interrupt firmware updates (even if the process is long).
  • πŸ”§ Do not change system files without unlocking the bootloader.
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Check your phone regularly for viruses through Settings β†’ Security β†’ Scanning.
  • πŸ”‘ Do not use unofficial unlocking methods (for example, bypassing). FRP third-party).

If you often experiment with firmware, it is recommended that:

  • Create a backup copy through Settings β†’ System system β†’ Backup.
  • Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool.
  • Use it. TWRP Only on supported models (check compatibility on twrp.me).

On devices with HyperOS, additional security measures:

  • Don’t go back to the old versions. MIUI (It's an anti-rollback).
  • Do not change the vendor section manually.
  • Before you run the firmware, check the hash sums of files (MD5).

πŸ’‘

If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to contact the Xiaomi service center.Incorrect firmware or reset security settings can lead to a complete lock of the device (brick).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you try to turn off security, users often face typical problems, and we'll look at the most common ones.

Mistake.Reason.Decision
"This device is blocked by the administrator."Enterprise policy activated (for example, through Microsoft Intune)Remove the administrator profile in Settings β†’ Accounts. β†’ Delete the account
"We failed to disable the security mode."The settings.db file in the /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/Reset your settings via Recovery or reflash your phone
The phone will not turn on after resettingBootloop is damagedFastboot with Clean All and Lock selection
ADB does not see the deviceDrivers not installed or debugging not activatedCheck Adb Devices, Reinstall Drivers, Enable Debugging Again

If after disabling the security mode, the phone is unstable (for example, spontaneously restarts), do:

  1. Cache reset via Recovery (Wipe Cache Partition)
  2. System Integrity Checking through Mi PC Suite.
  3. Update to the latest version MIUI/HyperOS.

On models POCO Globally integrated (Global) ROM) The security mode may be activated due to a conflict with Google services:

  • Removing updates for Google Play Services
  • Clearing the cache of the com.google.android.gms application;
  • Transition to EEA ROM (European firmware).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I turn off security without losing data?
Yeah, most of the time. Try rebooting, disabling through settings. MIUI or ADB-Data reset is only required if the phone is locked at the bootloader level or the firmware is damaged.
Why does the phone turn it on again after the security mode is turned off?
This is due to: Damaged system files (needing firmware reflashing); Active malware (check through Settings) β†’ Security; Application Conflict (remove recently installed programs).
Does the ADB method work on Xiaomi with a blocked bootloader?
Partially. You can execute some commands (e.g., reset security settings), but operations affecting system partitions (/system, /vendor), The bootloader must be unlocked to be fully accessible.
Can I turn off security mode on Xiaomi without a computer?
Yes, if: You have access to settings (Settings) β†’ Security; the phone reboots to normal mode after shutdown; you can log in to Recovery and reset security settings. If the phone is fully locked (does not respond to taps), you can't do without a PC.
What if the phone doesn’t turn on after the firmware (brick)?
It's called hard brick. Try: Swipe through the Mi Flash Tool in mode EDL (You need an authorized account. Contact Xiaomi Service Center (if warranty is valid). XDA Developers to find custom firmware for your model. ⚠️ Warning: Self-recovery of hard brick can lead to the complete loss of the device.