How to Remove Passwords from Xiaomi Apps: From App Lock to System Restrictions

Password protection on Xiaomi smartphones is a useful feature, but only until you forget the combination. The situation is aggravated if the phone is synchronized with Mi Account or activated Find My Device: incorrect input attempts can lead to a complete lock of the device. In this article, we will discuss legitimate ways to remove passwords without losing data, as well as emergency methods for cases where other options do not work.

It's important to understand that the methods vary depending on which password is set.

• 🔒 App Lock – Standard application lock in MIUI (demand PIN/graphical key/fingerprint).
• 🔐 Google Play Password – Restriction on Program Installation (configured in Family Control).
• 📱 System Password – A screen lock that automatically extends to some applications.
• 🛡️ Third-party applications (e.g. Norton App Lock or Smart AppLock).

We will not consider hacking or circumventing security – only official and semi-official methods that do not violate Xiaomi’s policies.If you try to access someone else’s device, remember: this is contrary to user agreement and can be qualified as a violation of the law.

1.Resetting the App Lock password via Mi Account

The easiest way to get back access to blocked apps is to use a linked Mi Account, which works if:

• 📱 Device connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔄 The phone is synchronized with Mi Cloud.
• 🔑 Remember the username and password from Xiaomi account.

Instructions:

1. On the application lock screen, tap the link Forgot the password? (or Forgot password? on English firmware).
2. Select the recovery option through Mi Account.
3. Enter your email/phone and account password. If two-factor authentication is enabled, confirm your login via SMS or email.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new App Lock password.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously disabled sync with Mi Cloud or deleted your Xiaomi account from your device, this method will not work.

After successful password reset, we recommend:

2. Use of backup PIN-code (for MIUI 12 and newer)

In the firmware MIUI 12 and above when setting up App Lock, the system suggests creating a backup PIN-code in case you lose your master password. If you set it, use this method:

Steps:

1. On the application password entry screen, click Forgot the password?
2. Choose to use a backup PIN.
3. Enter a 4-digit backup code (by default, it is asked to write when you first set up App Lock).

If you don’t remember the backup PIN, try the standard combinations:

• 🔢 1234 or 0000 – often set by default.
• 📅 Date of birth (for example, 1985 for year of birth).
• 📱 The Last 4 Figures IMEI phone number (you can find out via *#06#).

⚠️ Note: After 5 failed attempts to enter backup PIN The system can block the recovery for 24 hours, and then use the other methods in the article.

3. Password reset via Safe Mode (for third-party blockers)

If the password is not installed through the standard App Lock, but through a third-party application (for example, AppLock from DoMobile Lab or Smart AppLock), you can try to remove it in Safe Mode.

How to run Safe Mode on Xiaomi:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power button before the Mi logo appears.
3. As soon as the logo appears, release the power button and immediately press the volume down button.
4. Hold it until the system is fully loaded, and in the lower left corner of the screen, you'll see the word Safe mode.

In safe mode:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the blocker (like AppLock) and click Delete.
3. Confirm the uninstallation.
4. Restart your phone in normal mode.

If deleting doesn’t help (some blockers protect against uninstallation), try:

• 🔧 Disable the device administrator for the application in Settings → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Special permits → Device administrators.
• 📱 Reset the application settings through Settings → Annexes → [blocker] → Warehouse → Clear the data.

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If you can’t find a blocker in the list of applications, try sorting them by installation date – usually such programs are installed manually and will be at the top of the list.

4. Reset security settings (without data loss)

MIUI has a hidden security reset feature that deletes all App Lock passwords, fingerprints and facial data, but saves files, apps and system settings. This method works on most Xiaomi devices, except for models with MIUI for POCO (there may be no feature).

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times in a row on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
3. Return to the main settings menu and go to Additional → For developers.
4. Activate the debugging option via USB (if it is disabled).
5. Connect your phone to your PC and start the ADB (installation instructions below).
6. Enter the command: adb shell pm clear com.miui.guardprovider
7. Reboot the phone.

If the ADB is not installed, download Google’s Platform Tools and follow the setup instructions. Once you complete the command, all App Lock settings will reset, but the application data will remain intact.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) after this command, you may need to re-attach fingerprints. Check in advance if backups of biometric data are stored in the Mi Cloud.

5. Complete phone reset (extreme case)

If no methods have worked, the last option is hard reset, which will delete all data from the device, including passwords, but also delete:

• 📸 Photos and videos (unless saved in Google Photos or Mi Cloud).
• 📱 Installed applications and their data.
• 📞 Contacts (unless synced with Google or Mi Account).
• 📍 Settings for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other networks.

How to reset:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power button and volume button at the same time before the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
4. Confirm the action by choosing Wipe All Data.
5. After completion, select Reboot.

On the new models (Xiaomi 12/13/14, Redmi Note 11/12), the Recovery menu can be in Chinese.

⚠️ Warning: Devices with a bootloader blocked may need to log in to the Mi Account that was previously linked after reset. If you don't remember your account details, the phone will turn into a brick. Before reset, make sure you remember your email and password!

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Before resetting, be sure to remove SIM-card and memory card – this will speed up the process and reduce the risk of file damage to the SD.

6. Alternative methods for specific applications

Some applications have their own access recovery mechanisms, and let's look at some of the most common ones.

🔍 Google Play (Family Control)

If you are blocked from installing apps through Google Play, check:

1. Open Google Play and try installing any free app.
2. When you receive a password request, click Forgotten PIN-code?.
3. Enter the Google account details used for family control.

If the account belongs to another user (such as a parent), ask them to remove the restriction via Google Family Link.

📱 System applications (Messages, Contacts)

To unlock standard Xiaomi apps (Messages, Contacts, Gallery):

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → App Lock.
2. Enter the current lock screen password (if different from the App Lock password).
3. Find the blocked application in the list and turn off protection for it.

🎮 Gaming applications (Game Turbo)

MIUI has a separate lock for Game Turbo games to remove:

1. Open the Settings. → Game Turbo.
2. Go to the Locking Settings.
3. Turn off the option to block games or delete the password.

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If you can’t find Game Turbo in the settings, try running any game – there will be a button in the drop-down menu for quick access to lock settings.

Compatibility table with Xiaomi models

Not all methods work on all devices, and the following is the compatibility of the methods with popular models:

On devices with MIUI firmware for POCO (e.g., POCO F3 or POCO X3 NFC), the ADB reset function can be disabled by default, requiring pre-unlocking of the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool.

FAQ: Frequent questions about password removal