How to turn off personal data protection on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Privacy protection on Xiaomi smartphones is a two-way sword. On the one hand, it protects your photos, messages and passwords from prying eyes, and on the other hand, it can become an obstacle when selling a phone, transferring it for repair or even a normal setup. If you are faced with the need to turn off personal data protection (for example, due to a forgotten password, synchronization error or MIUI restrictions), it is important to understand: the procedure varies depending on the model, firmware version and type of lock.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods – from standard disconnection through settings to bypassing protection with ADB and Fastboot. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances for devices with MIUI 12/13/14 and the latest flagships (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5).

Why is Xiaomi blocking access to personal data?

The protection system on Xiaomi works on several levels:

  • 🔒 Local lockdown — PIN-a code, pattern lock or fingerprint that you manually install.
  • 🌐 Mi Account – a binding to a Xiaomi account that requires confirmation when resetting or unlocking.
  • 📱 Protection MIUI — built-in firmware mechanisms that encrypt partition data /data (for example, when activating the function "Personal Data Protection" in the settings).
  • 🔧 Hardware protection – new models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) use the Titan chip M2, escaping.

The main reasons why users want to disable protection are:

  • 📦 Transfer of the phone before selling or transferring to another person.
  • 🔧 Repairs – workshops often require disabling protection for diagnosis.
  • 🔄 Resetting – if you forget your Mi Account password or local password PIN.
  • 📱 Synchronization errors – when data is not restored after an update MIUI.

⚠️ Attention: Disabling the protection of personal data on devices with MIUI 14+ and Mi Account can lead to a lock for 72 hours if you enter the password incorrectly more than 5 times. SMS or email linked to an account.

Method 1: Standard shutdown via MIUI settings

If you remember the password from the device and the Mi Account, the easiest way is to use the built-in settings. This method works on most models (Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Xiaomi 11/12/13).

Battery charge > 50%

Connecting to Wi-Fi or mobile network

Password from Mi Account at hand

Backup of important data (optional)-->

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
  2. Scroll down and select Exit from your account.
  3. Enter the password from the Mi Account and confirm the exit.
  4. Back to Settings → Passwords and security.
  5. Select Screen Lock and enter the current PIN/pattern lock.
  6. Click Remove the lock and confirm the action.

If the "Remove lock" option is not available, then the device has activated additional protection MIUI.

  • 🔄 Reboot the phone.
  • 🔐 When requesting a password, enter it correctly on the first attempt (repeated errors will result in a lock).
  • 📱 If confirmation is required through SMS, Use the number associated with your Mi Account.

💡

If your phone needs to be re-authorized after you log out of your Mi Account, check your Settings → Additional → Special Options → Delete all accounts. This option is not available on all firmware.

Method 2: Disconnect via ADB (without data reset)

If the standard method didn’t work (for example, because of the “Can’t remove lock” error), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is suitable for devices with unlocked OEM Unlock and enabled debugging over USB.

Warning: Incorrect ADB commands can lead to data loss or bootloader lockdown. Use this method only if you are confident in your actions.

Steps:

  1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
  2. On your phone, activate: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to become a developer) Settings → Additional → For Developers → USB Debugging (enable) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Unlock OEM (enable)
  3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
  4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
  5. Enter the commands in order: adb devices (your device should appear) adb shell su rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 and later, the su command may not work without root rights. In this case, use an alternative method via Fastboot (see Method 4).

After the reboot, the screen lock will be reset, but the data will remain intact. However, the Mi Account may still require authorization when reset or upgraded.

Method 3: Factory reset (Hard Reset)

If you don’t remember your password and can’t use ADB, you’ll have to reset your settings completely, which will delete all data from your device, including photos, messages and apps. Newer models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) may require you to enter data from your Mi Account tied to your phone after reset.

Instructions for resetting via Recovery Mode:

  1. Turn off the phone.
  2. Press the buttons Power + Volume up at the same time (on some models - Power + Volume up + Volume down).
  3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if available).
  4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
  5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
  6. Select Reboot to reboot.
Xiaomi modelCombination for RecoveryDo I need a Mi Account after the reset?
Redmi Note 10/11Food + Volume upYeah, if he was tied up.
POCO X3/X4Food + Volume upNo (on some firmware)
Xiaomi 12/13Food + Volume up + Volume downYes, I will.
Redmi 9/10Food + Volume upDepends on the firmware region

If after resetting the phone requires data entry from the Mi Account, and you do not remember them, go to Method 5 (bypass locking through the official service).

Factory reset via Recovery

Reset via MIUI settings

ADB-team

Fastboot

Never dropped it.-->

Method 4: Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced)

The Fastboot method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader, which allows you to reset the security without losing data (in some cases) or reflash your phone with clean firmware.

What you need:

  • 🖥️ PC with Mi Unlock Tool installed.
  • 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
  • 📱 Permission to unlock the bootloader (as requested through Mi Account).

Step-by-step:

  1. Download and install the Mi Unlock Tool.
  2. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down).
  3. Connect the device to the PC.
  4. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool and log in under the same Mi Account as your phone.
  5. Click Unlock and wait until it is completed (it can take up to 72 hours if the account is new).
  6. After unlocking the bootloader, run the phone through Fastboot using the command: fastboot flash all [firmware name].tgz

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and a Titan chip M2 (For example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra unlocking the bootloader can lead to loss of warranty and lock IMEI. Before the procedure, check the model on the official Xiaomi website.

What if the Mi Unlock Tool gives you a "Couldn't unlock" error?
1. Mi Account is not tied to the phone (you need to log in to the device before unlocking). 2. The device does not support unlocking (check the list Method 5: If all previous methods did not work (for example, due to a forgotten password from the Mi Account or hardware lock), you can contact the official Xiaomi service center. This is the only legal way to unlock your phone without risking loss of data or warranty.How it works: Find the nearest Xiaomi service center. IMEI). If the phone was bought with hands, proof of legal ownership (e.g., a purchase contract) may be required.The service center will send a request to Xiaomi for unlocking (the process takes 1 to 5 days). Once confirmed, the phone will be unlocked without data loss (in most cases), the cost of the service varies from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the model and the reason for the lock. MIUI 14+ Unblocking through the service center may be the only option if you do not remember the data from the account. 💡Officially unlocking through a service center is the only way to keep the warranty and avoid the risk of "bricking" the phone.Frequent errors and how to avoid them When trying to disable the protection of personal data, users often face typical problems. Here are the most common of them and how to solve them: Error Reason Decision "Cannot remove lock" Mi Account is not confirmed or phone is not online Check the Internet connection and try "This device is locked" in Fastboot bootloader not unlocked Use Mi Unlock Tool (see below). Method 4) Phone asks for old password after reset Mi Account data saved in device memory Update firmware via Fastboot or contact the service ADB not see the device Not installed drivers or debugging not enabled Install ADB Drivers and Check Developer Settings If you see an error that isn’t in the table, try it: 🔍 Finding a solution in forums 4PDA or XDA Developers (exact model and version) MIUI). 📱 Check if the “Find Device” function is activated in the Mi Account settings (it can block unlocking). 🔄 Try another cable or port USB (Some cables do not support data transmission). FAQ: Answers to popular questions: Can I turn off the protection of personal data without losing data? Yes, if you remember the password from the Mi Account and local lock. Use Method 1 (settings) or Method 2 (ADB). If the password is forgotten, the data will be lost when reset. What if after reset the phone asks for the old password from the Mi Account? This means that the device is tied to the Mi Account. Options: Remember the password or restore it through the Xiaomi site. Contact the service center with proof of ownership of the phone. On some models, the firmware on Fastboot helps with disabling account verification (risky). Does the security bypass through the engineering menu (#4636##) work? No, the engineering menu (#4636###) does not allow you to disable the protection of personal data. It's designed to diagnose network and battery. Use the methods described in the article to bypass locking. How do you know if the bootloader on my Xiaomi is unlocked? Turn off your phone and press Power + Loudness down to log in to Fastboot. If the bottom of the screen says "Unlocked" - the bootloader is unlocked. If "Locked" - you will need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool. Can you turn off the protection on Xiaomi without a computer? Yes, but only if you remember the password from locking the screen and Mi Account. Use Method 1 (Setting) or Method 3 (Unlocked) if you can't get around the computer.