How to unlock applications on Xiaomi Redmi: from basic settings to ADB-team

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are known for their malware protection, but sometimes this system blocks even legitimate applications. Users are faced with a notification "Application blocked by the device administrator" or "Installation prohibited" when trying to run APK-The reasons can be different: from the work of the built-in antivirus MIUI Restricted by Google Play Protect.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of unlocking - from simple changes in settings to use. ADB We'll focus on the nuances of different versions. MIUI (from 12 before 14) and Redmi models, including Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/13C and flagship series).

Important: The methods vary in complexity. Start with the basic methods (sections 1–3), and only if they don’t work, go to the advanced ones (sections 4–6). Some actions require developer rights or unlock the bootloader, which can affect the warranty.

1 Unlocking through MIUI security settings

The safest way is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which are suitable for applications that are blocked by the system as “suspicious”, but not completely removed.

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management. In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select "Show System Processes." Find the blocked application in the list and tap it. If the "Unlock" button is active, press it. If not, move to the next step.

In some versions of MIUI 13/14, the path is different.

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Autostart.
2. Find the app in the list and turn on the switch for it.
3. Go back to Application Management and check the lock status.

• 🔍 What is Autostart for? This permission allows the application to run in the background. Without it, the system can block it as "unused".
• ⚙️ If there is no “Unlock” button: try to clear the app cache (Storage) → Clear the cache).
• 📱 For Redmi with MIUI Global: sometimes helps to change the region to India in settings (see section 3).

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If the application has disappeared from the installed list but is still in memory, try to find it through Settings → Storage → Files by size. Often blocked APKs are 0 bytes and marked as “damaged.”

2. disable MIUI and Google Play Protect

MIUI uses two layers of protection: its own antivirus and Google Play Protect, which often resolves the problem of blocking APK.

First, deactivate Play Protect:

1. Open Google Play Store → Profile → Play Protect → Settings (cogs).
2. Turn off the option "Scan the device for threats".
3. Go back and click "Verify for malware" → "Disable".

Then turn off the MIUI antivirus:

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Antivirus.
2. Turn off the "Scan Apps When Installation" switch.
3. In some firmware, you also need to deactivate "Real-time Protection".

⚠️ Note: Do not install protection after disconnection APK From unverified sources (for example, torrent trackers or sites like apkpure.net), the risk of picking up spyware or a miner increases by 3-5 times.

3. Change of device region (for global firmware)

On Redmi with global firmware (MIUI Global), some applications are blocked due to regional restrictions, for example, in Europe or Russia APKs for India or China can be blocked.

To change the region:

1. Open the Settings. → Additionally. → Region.
2. Choose India (the most loyal region to install APK).
3. Reset the device.
4. Try to install the app again.

If the app is blocked after a region change, try the combination: Region: India → Language: English (India) and this bypasses some of Xiaomi’s server checks.

• 🌍 What applications does it help for? Most often for banking APK (For example, PhonePe, Paytm, gaming launchers (Garena, Epic Games) and streaming services.
• 🔄 The reverse side: After the change of the region, some local services may disappear (for example, Yandex.Maps or SberBank Online).
• 📱 For Redmi with EEA-Firmware: Changing the region may cause some settings to reset (e.g. Google Assistant will stop working in Russian).

4. Unlock through ADB (for power users)

If previous methods didn’t work, try disabling the lock via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires developer rights and works on all versions of MIUI, including 14.

First, turn on the USB debugging:

1. Go to Settings. → About the phone and 7 times tap on the item "Version" MIUI" (A notice will appear saying, “You have become a developer").
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Enable "Debugging by USB" and "OEM Unlock" (if any).

Now connect Redmi to your PC and execute commands in ADB:

adb shell


pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.securitycenter # Shuts down the security center




pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.guardprovider # Disables MIUI protection




settings put global hidden_api_policy 1 # Allows hidden API

⚠️ Note: pm uninstall commands remove system applications only for the current user. Once you reboot or reset the settings, the lock can return.

• 🖥️ Where to find it. ADB? Download Platform Tools from Google’s official website.
• 🔌 If the PC can’t see the device: Install Xiaomi drivers USB Drivers and check that the Developer Item is included "USB-configuration → File transfer".
• 📝 Alternative command: If the first two didn't work, try: adb shell settings put global package_verifier_enable 0 This disables package checks during installation.

Install Platform Tools on PC| Enable USB debugging on Redmi| Connect your phone with the original cable | Check the visibility of the device with the adb devices command | Make a backup of the data-->

5. Unlocking the bootloader and custom firmware

If an application is blocked at the kernel level (e.g., Magisk, Xposed or modified Google Apps), it may be necessary to unlock the bootloader Unlock.

• Resets the device to factory settings.
• Remove the guarantee (if it is still valid).
• It requires 7-15 days of waiting (for new Mi Accounts).

Step-by-step:

1. Attach Mi Account to your device in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
2. Go to the Mi Unlock website and download the Mi Unlock Tool.
3. Launch the utility, log in to your account and follow the instructions (the device should be in Fastboot mode – press Power + Volume down when the phone is off).
4. Once unlocked, swipe through customized recavators (such as TWRP) and install modified firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

Important: On the Redmi 2022-2026 models (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or Redmi K60), Xiaomi introduced an additional protection – Anti-Rollback. Trying to flash the old version of MIUI after unlocking the bootloader can lead to a brick (complete inoperability) device.

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Unlocking the bootloader is an irreversible process, and even after blocking it again, some features (such as Mi Pay or Widevine L1 for Netflix in HD) may not work properly.

6.Use of third-party utilities (without root)

If you don’t want to unlock the bootloader, but standard methods don’t help, try specialized utilities. They work without root, but require an ADB connection.

Top.-3 Utilities for unlocking applications on Xiaomi:

• 🛠️ MIUI Hidden Settings – Allows you to include hidden options MIUI, including disabling the check APK. Download XDA.
• 🔓 App Ops manages permissions for system applications. You can turn off scanning for com.miui.securitycenter.
• 📦 Package Disabler - temporarily disables system services that block the installation. ADB.

Examples of MIUI Hidden Settings:

1. Install APK utilities (Play Protect may need to be temporarily disabled).
2. Open and go to the Security section.
3. Find the Disable MIUI App Check option and activate it.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Utilities like MIUI Hidden Settings can cause conflicts with system updates. MIUI (For example, from 13 to 14, they will have to be re-installed.

7. Alternative methods of installing blocked APKs

If you can’t unlock the application, try to bypass the restrictions in other ways:

Method 1: Installation via TWRP (if the bootloader is unlocked)

1. Download. APK-memory-card.
2. Reboot to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up).
3. Select Install → Select Storage → Micro SD and find the APK.
4. Swipe for installation.

Method 2: Convert APK to XAPK and install via SAI

Some applications (such as cache games) are blocked due to the large size.Use Split APK Installer (SAI):

1. Download SAI from APKMirror.
2. Place the APK (or XAPK) in the Download folder.
3. Open the file via SAI and follow the instructions.

Method 3: Installation via PC (Mi PC Suite)

1. Download Mi PC Suite to your computer.
2. Connect Redmi and go to the "Applications" section.
3. Drag it. APK-file in the program window and confirm the installation.

• 📲 What's the point? SAI? Install split-pack apps (e.g. Google Camera with Configs or Genshin Impact games).
• 💻 Mi PC Suite vs ADB: The first is easier for beginners, but not all supports APK. The second is universal, but requires knowledge of teams.
• 🔧 If nothing helps: Try installing it. APK on another device, backup through Titanium Backup and restore it to Redmi.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking apps on Xiaomi