How to completely disable application protection on Xiaomi: all ways

Application protection on Xiaomi smartphones is a built-in MIUI feature that allows you to block access to individual programs using a password, fingerprint or pattern lock. It is useful for maintaining privacy, but sometimes becomes a hindrance: a forgotten password, persistent unlock requests or incompatibility with some applications. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to disable protection, from standard settings to workarounds for forgotten passwords.

It’s important to understand that the methods differ depending on the MIUI version (12, 13, 14 or HyperOS) and the device model. For example, on the Redmi Note 12, the path to settings may differ from the POCO X5, and on older versions (before MIUI 11), some options are hidden. We took these nuances into account and put together universal solutions that work on most of the brand’s devices.

If you encounter a problem where the system requires a password to unlock the application, but you don't remember it, don't panic. There's a section on how to reset protection without losing data. And for those who want to permanently remove this feature, we've prepared instructions to disable through Settings, ADB, and even edit system files (for advanced users).

1. Standard disabling of protection through MIUI settings

The easiest way is to use built-in system options, which is suitable if you remember the password or the graphical key to protect applications, the instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS (on older versions, the path may be slightly different).

Open Settings → Applications → Application Lock. Here you will see a list of all blocked programs. To remove the protection:

• 🔓 Click on the lock icon in the upper right corner and enter the current password (or use a fingerprint).
• 📱 Select the application you want to disable the lock for and move the slider to the right (it will turn gray).
• 🗑️ To remove the protection completely, click Remove the lock password at the bottom of the screen and confirm the action.
• 🔄 If the option is inactive, check if Double Lock is enabled in the security settings.

Important: Some models (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5) may require a device reboot after the protection is disabled. Also note that when you reset the lock password through your Xiaomi Account (more on this below), all blocked applications will automatically unlock.

2. Disable protection if you forget the password

Forgot the password from blocking apps? Don't rush to reset your phone to factory settings -- there are several ways to restore access. The first and most reliable is to use a Xiaomi account.

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Make sure you're logged in. If not, log in.
3. Return to Block Apps and click Forgot Your Password.
4. Select the recovery option via Mi Account and follow the instructions (may be required). SMS-code or confirmation by email).

If this method didn’t work (e.g., your account is unlinked or Xiaomi servers are unavailable), try bypassing the lock through the Restore mode.

• 🔌 Turn off the phone and press the power buttons. + Loudness up before the appearance of the Mi logo.
• 📛 In the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset. → Erase App Lock Data (some firmware may call it something else).
• ⚠️ Note: This method only deletes the application lock data, but does not affect user files. However, on custom firmware, it can cause all settings to be reset.

On bootloader devices, you can manually delete the lock file via TWRP. Go to recovery to Advanced → File Manager, find the /data/system folder, and delete the applock.db and applock.db-wal files. After rebooting, the protection will be reset.

3. Disable protection via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work and resetting is not desirable, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires you to turn on USB Debugging and connect your phone to your computer.

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install Xiaomi drivers, and open the command prompt in the ADB folder.
4. Enter the commands in turn: adb devices adb shell su rm /data/system/applock.db rm /data/system/applock.db-wal reboot

⚠️ Note: To execute su commands, the phone must have Magisk or another root-rights tool installed. Without them, commands will not work. Also note that on some firmware, the path to lock files may differ (for example, for example, for some firmwares, the path to lock files is not possible, /data/data/com.miui.securitycenter/files/applock.db).

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If ADB doesn’t recognize the device, try reinstalling drivers via the Mi Flash Tool or using alternative versions of ADB (e.g. Google’s Platform Tools).

4. Security settings that prevent you from disabling protection

Sometimes, application protection can't be turned off because of the extra constraints on the system, and here are the most common reasons and solutions.

Another common problem is the conflict with Google Play Protection, and if you notice that the lock is activated even after it is disabled in Xiaomi settings, check:

• 🛡️ Google Play Market Settings: Turn off Threat Scanning.
• 📦 Permissions for Google Play Services: Ban access to Overlay over other apps.
• 🔄 Cash Security Center: Clear the Security app data in the settings.

5. Alternative ways to block applications

If Xiaomi’s built-in protection doesn’t suit you, consider alternatives that don’t require disabling system locks and often offer more features:

• 🔒 AppLock (by DoMobile Lab): Supports face lock, fingerprint and password, and hiding notifications.
• 📱 Norton App Lock: Integrates with antivirus and allows you to block applications on schedule.
• 🛡️ Smart AppLock: has a function of “pretend lock” (false password for outsiders).
• 🔐 Hexlock: not only blocks applications, but also individual functions (e.g. mobile data for specific programs).

Third-party apps have the advantage of flexibility in settings, such as AppLock, where you can:

• Set different passwords for different applications.
• Set up automatic unlocking on certain Wi-Fi networks.
• Hide the icons of blocked programs from the menu.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party blockers, disable Xiaomi’s built-in protection to avoid conflicts. Also remember that some applications (such as banking) may block work on devices with active debugging. USB root-rights.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When working with application protection, users often make mistakes that lead to loss of access or failures in the system, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

1. Forgotten password without a Mi Account attached. Always link your device to your Xiaomi account, which is the only official way to restore access. If you don't have an account, create it in advance in Settings → Accounts.
2. Delete system files without backup before editing files through ADB or TWRP Backup the folder. /data/system Team: Adb pull /data/system applock_backup
3. Using unofficial firmware: On custom ROMs (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), Xiaomi's built-in lock may not work properly, in which case use third-party apps.
4. Disable debugging over USB after setting up ADB. If you plan to use ADB in the future, add your computer to the list of trusted devices in Settings → For developers → Debugging permission over USB.

Another common problem is looped locking, when the system requests it again after entering the password, which is due to corruption of the applock.db file.

1. Restart your phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → hold off “Switch off” → confirm the transition).
2. Try to turn off the protection in safe mode.
3. If it doesn’t help, delete the lock file via ADB (instruction above).

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Always check the lock after updating MIUI. In newer versions of the firmware, the path to the security settings may change, and the old methods of bypassing may stop working.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions