How to disable Smart Lock on Xiaomi smartphones: the full guide 2026

Smart Lock on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO models) is designed to make it easier to unlock a device in trusted conditions – for example, when you are at home or connected to a familiar Wi-Fi network. However, sometimes this feature starts to fail: the device unlocks in inappropriate places, authentication errors occur, or you just want to improve security by disabling automatic unlock. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to deactivate the Smart Lock, including hidden settings and solutions for cases where the standard method does not work.

It is important to understand that the process of disconnection may vary depending on the version of MIUI (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15) and the device model. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12, the path to settings may differ slightly from the POCO F5. We took these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions, as well as alternative methods for complex cases - for example, when the Smart Lock is not displayed in the menu or its settings are blocked by security policies.

What is a Smart Lock and Why Should It Be Disabled?

Smart Lock is an Android feature integrated into the shell MIUI, which allows you to unlock the smartphone without input PIN-A code, a pattern lock or a fingerprint under "safe" conditions:

• 📍 Trusted places (geolocation, such as home or work)
• 🔗 Trusted devices (connected via Bluetooth, such as a smartwatch or car radio recorder)
• 📶 Trusted Wi-Fi networks (such as home routers)
• 👤 Facial/voice recognition (on some models)

Despite the convenience, the function has serious disadvantages:

• 🔓 Security vulnerability: If an attacker recognizes your “trusted place” or connects to your Wi-Fi network, they will be able to unlock your phone.
• 🔄 Unstable work: the smartphone can spontaneously unlock in public places or, conversely, require PIN-code.
• 📵 Conflicts with other features, such as Find My Device or corporate policies MDM.

⚠️ Note: If you use Smart Lock to unlock through Mi Band or other Xiaomi devices, disabling them may make it impossible to automatically authenticate. PIN-code!

Method 1: Disable Smart Lock through standard MIUI settings

This is the easiest and most secure method that works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with MIUI 12-15.Instructions are suitable for models Released after 2020 (e.g. Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 11, POCO X5).

Steps to shut down:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to Passwords and Security (or Security on some firmware)
3. Select Smart Lock (can be called Smart Lock or Reliable Devices).
4. Enter the current one. PIN-code, pattern lock or fingerprint to confirm.
5. Turn off all active options: 📍 Trusted Places – Remove all saved locations. 🔗 Trusted devices – remove all associated gadgets. 📶 Trusted Wi-Fi Networks – Clear the Network List.

Smart Lock

Disconnected.

Make sure you know the main thing. PIN-code

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network or mobile Internet

Close all background applications, especially those related to security

Check the battery charge (recommended >30%)

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If the Smart Lock item is not on the menu, it can mean:

• 📱 On your device an outdated version MIUI (before MIUI 11), where the function is called differently.
• 🔒 The function is disabled by the device administrator (for example, in corporate phones).
• 🛠️ Google services have crashed (rebooted or updated with Google Play Services).

Method 2: Disconnecting with Google Smart Lock (for Google accounts)

If you use Smart Lock through a Google account (for example, to unlock a Chromebook or other devices), its settings can be duplicated in the cloud. To fully deactivate the feature, you need to disable it in Google settings.

Instructions:

1. Open your browser and click on myaccount.google.com/smartlock (sign up with your Google account).
2. In the Smart Lock for Passwords section, click Control.
3. Remove all stored trusted devices and places.
4. Return to your smartphone and restart it – the changes will apply after start.

⚠️ Note: Disabling Google Smart Lock may affect other services, such as auto-login apps or synchronizing passwords through Google Password Manager. If you use these features, consider alternative disabling methods only at the level of the Google Password Manager. MIUI.

On some Xiaomi firmware (e.g. MIUI Global for the European region), the Smart Lock feature can be tied exclusively to Google services, not to MIUI system settings.

Method 3: Using ADB to force shutdown

If standard methods don’t work (for example, the Smart Lock is missing or locked), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is suitable for advanced users and requires connecting your smartphone to your computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your smartphone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version until you become a developer!

USB debugging

Settings → Additional → For Developers

Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable (use the original cable for connection stability).

ADB Tools

cmd

Terminal

adb devices

(Your device with a serial number should appear)

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

(Allows access to hidden APIs)

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.SmartLockSettings

(directly calling the Smart Lock menu)

Smart Lock

Method 1

adb shell am start -a android.settings.TRUST_AGENT_SETTINGS

Smart Lock

If the Smart Lock menu does not open after the commands are executed, check:

• 🔌 Correct connection USB (Try another port or cable).
• 📋 Root rights (not required for most teams, but may be needed for deep changes).
• 🔄 Version MIUI — on certain firmware (for example, MIUI China's path to settings may be different.

Method 4: Reset security settings (last resort)

If Smart Lock does not disable any of the above methods, the radical solution remains: reset security settings, which will delete all stored passwords, fingerprints and data of Smart Lock, but will not affect user files (photos, videos, documents).

How to perform the reset:

1. Go to Settings. → Passwords and security.
2. Select Reset Security Settings (or Delete All Credentials).
3. Confirm the action by entering PIN-code-key.
4. After restarting the device, set the screen lock again – the Smart Lock will be turned off.

⚠️ Note: This method will also remove: 🔑 All saved passwords from Wi-Fi and applications. 👆 Biometric authentication data (fingerprints, facial recognition). 📱 Find My Device and other security services settings, and prior to resetting, it is recommended to back up your important data via MIUI Cloud or manually.

Through the standard MIUI settings

Through Google Smart Lock

With ADB

Resetting security settings

Another way.-->

Solving problems: Smart Lock is not disabled or is not on the menu

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the Smart Lock does not appear in the settings or it cannot be deactivated.

If none of these methods worked, try the following:

1. Update MIUI to the latest stable version via Settings → System Update.
2. Clear the cache and data of the Settings app (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Settings → Storage).
3. Check for root rights (if any, remove the modules associated with the lock via Magisk).
4. Perform a hard reset (last option, deletes all data!).

Security after disconnecting Smart Lock: recommendations

Once you deactivate your Smart Lock, your smartphone will become less vulnerable to unauthorized access, but it’s important to take additional security measures:

• 🔐 Use the complex PIN-code (at least 6 characters, no repeating numbers).
• 👆 Set up a backup fingerprint (if the sensor is supported).
• 🔄 Enable two-factor authentication for your Xiaomi and Google account.
• 📍 Turn off geodata transfer for unnecessary applications in Settings → Confidentiality.
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Mi Security or Bitdefender) to protect against phishing.

It is also recommended to periodically check the activity of the device in the Google account:

1. Go to myaccount.google.com/device-activity.
2. Remove any unknown or unused devices.
3. Check out the latest security login events → Latest security events.

💡

Disabling Smart Lock is only the first step to improving security: Update MIUI regularly, avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi without a VPN, and don't install apps from unverified sources.

FAQ: Frequent questions about switching off Smart Lock on Xiaomi