How to remove password from applications on Xiaomi: all working methods of 2026

Forgot the password from the application on Xiaomi or bought a used smartphone with blocked programs? The situation is familiar to many: MIUI offers built-in application blocking, but access recovery is not always intuitive. Unlike iOS, where it requires iTunes or iCloud, on Xiaomi Android devices (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11) there are several ways to solve it - from standard settings to technical bypasses through ADB.

It is important to understand that the methods differ depending on whether one application (for example, Gallery or WhatsApp) is blocked or the entire smartphone through App Lock. In the first case, password reset through Mi Account is often enough, in the second case, you may need to completely reset your settings with loss of data (if you did not have a Xiaomi account attached), We will analyze all the current methods, including little-known tricks for MIUI 14 and later.

1. Standard password reset via Mi Account

The safest method is if you remember the username and password from Mi Account (even if you don’t remember the password from the app) works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models with MIUI 12 and above.

Instructions:

• 🔑 Open the blocked application and enter any password 5 times in a row – the button “Forgot the password” will appear?»;
• 📱 Select the recovery option via Mi Account and log in;
• 🔄 The system will offer to create a new password or disable the lock completely.

If the “Forgot Password” button does not appear, check:

• 🔄 Is the firmware updated (in Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system);
• 🌐 Is the phone connected to the Internet (without a network, it is impossible to restore through an account);
• 🕒 Has your Mi Account password expired (sometimes you need to re-authorize).

⚠️ Note: If the smartphone was bought with hands and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, this method will not work.

2. Delete password through security settings

If you remember the main thing PIN-If you have a code or a pattern lock on your phone, but you have forgotten the password from a particular app, you can try disabling App Lock completely.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Blocking applications;
2. Enter the main password to unlock the screen (not to be confused with the password from the application!);
3. Find the blocked application in the list and move the slider to the off position.;
4. Confirm the action if the system requests a re-entering of the password.

If the application block is not available:

• 🔍 Use the Settings Search (the magnifier icon at the top of the screen) and type “App Lock»;
• 📲 On some firmware, the path may be different: Settings → Additionally. → Confidentiality;
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the menu appears after a restart.

3. Reset password via ADB (for advanced users)

The method for those who are ready to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This is good if the standard methods don’t work, but you have access to the USB-Important: on new Xiaomi models (Redmi Note 13 Pro)+, POCO F6) Additional authorization may be required via the Mi Unlock Tool.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB Tools;
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original);
• ⚙️ Included Debugging by USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times according to version, then return to additional → For developers).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the trust in the computer on the smartphone screen.


2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) in the folder with ADB.




3. Enter the commands in order:





adb shell




su




pm clear com.miui.guardprovider (for MIUI 12-14)




or




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.guardprovider (remove App Lock in full)





4.Reboot phone: adb reboot

If the su command doesn't work, then there's no root permission on the phone, and then try an alternative method:

adb shell am start -n com.miui.securitycenter/.disallowapp.DisallowAppActivity

⚠️ Note: Removing com.miui.guardprovider may cause failures in the work of protecting privacy and optimizing the battery. Once the applications are unlocked, it is recommended to reinstall the package through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Show all applications → Guard Provider.

4. Bypass locking through Safe Mode (Safe Mode)

If the password is set by a third-party application (such as AppLock or Smart AppLock) rather than the built-in MIUI feature, you can try to delete it via Safe Mode.

How to run Safe Mode on Xiaomi:

1. Press the power button until the off menu appears;
2. Press the “Switch off” option before you request to switch to Safe Mode.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (the bottom left corner of the screen will read “Safe Mode”).

Next:

• 🗑️ Go to Settings. → Apps and find a blocker (e.g. AppLock);
• 🔄 Click on “Delete” or “Stop»;
• 🔙 Restart your phone in normal mode.

Limitations of the method:

💡

If Safe Mode doesn’t turn on, try an alternative: turn off your phone, then press the power button + increase the volume until the MI logo appears. In the recovery menu, select “Safe Mode” (if available).

5. Resetting to factory settings (last resort)

If no one has worked, you can reset your entire data via Recovery Mode, which will delete all data, including photos, contacts, and apps installed, and only use it if:

• 🔐 The phone is not tied to the Mi Account;
• 📱 You don’t have important information or a backup copy;
• 🔧 Other methods didn't work.

Instructions for Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO:

1. Turn off the phone;
2. Press the power button + increase the volume before the Mi logo appears.
3. In the recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage by volume buttons, confirmation by power button);
4. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

What to do after the discharge:

• 🔄 Restore data from backup (if it was created through Settings) → The phone. → Backup);
• 📱 Re-attach your Mi Account to avoid future problems;
• 🔒 Set up application lock through Settings → Passwords and security, but write your password to a secure location (e.g. Google Password Manager).

⚠️ Note: On devices with a bootloader, a recovery reset may require you to enter your Mi Account password when you first download it. If the phone was purchased from your hands and the previous owner did not untie the account, it will not be possible to unlock it without proof of purchase.

💡

Before reset, check if the phone is tied to the Mi Account. If so, make sure you know the username and password, otherwise you risk getting a brick.

6. Alternative methods: bypassing through TWRP and editing files

For users with an unlocked bootloader and TWRP Recovery installed, it is possible to manually delete lock files.This method requires technical skills and is suitable for MIUI based on Android 10-14.

What you need:

• 🔧 Unlocked bootloader (checked by the fastboot oem device-info command);
• 📱 Established TWRP Recovery (version for your model);
• 💾 Backup copy of data (required!).

Instructions:

1. Load to TWRP (clip the power + increase the volume);
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager
3. Delete the following files: /data/system/locksettings.db (lock-screen); /data/system/locksettings.db-wal; /data/system/locksettings.db-shm; /data/data/com.miui.guardprovider/shared_prefs/app_lock.xml (lock-in).

Reboot the phone.

Risks of the method:

• 🚨 Incorrect deletion of files can lead to a cyclical reboot;
• 🔐 On some firmware, files are restored after restarting;
• 📱 The phone guarantee will be lost (if it was).

If the lock is still locked after deleting the files, try to perform additionally in TWRP:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/system/gesture.key




rm -rf /data/system/password.key




rm -rf /data/system/pattern.key




rm -rf /data/system/locksettings.db*

FAQ: Frequent questions about deleting passwords from Xiaomi apps