How to remove the lock from the application on Xiaomi: all ways to unlock

The lock on the Xiaomi app icon is a standard MIUI security feature that blocks access to the program without entering a password, fingerprint or facial recognition. Most often, users experience this problem after updating the system, resetting settings or accidentally activating the protection. But what if you forgot your password or want to completely disable the lock?

In this article, we will discuss 5 official and informal ways to remove the lock from the application on Xiaomi, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13 and others. All methods tested on MIUI 12-14 and do not require superuser rights (root), unless otherwise stated. Important: some actions can lead to resetting the application settings, so save important data in advance.

If you only see the lock on system utilities (e.g. Settings or Security), it may be due to activation of the "Second Space" or "Children's" mode, in which case the solutions will be different - read about this in the relevant sections.

Why does Xiaomi apps have a lock?

The application blocking feature in MIUI is called App Lock, and is part of the Mi Security suite, and it is automatically activated in several cases:

• 🔒 When you first set up your smartphone, if you have chosen the option "Protect confidential data".
• 📱 After updating MIUI, When the system resets some security settings.
• 👶 If the "For Children" or "Guest Mode" is enabled".
• 🔄 When recovering data from the backup where the lock was activated.
• 🚨 After several failed attempts to unlock the screen (the system can block individual applications).

You can also see a lock if you manually add an app to your protected list. → Passwords and security → Application protection. If you don't remember the password from App Lock, you can reset it through your Mi Account, more on that in the next section.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global for European region) App Lock may be hidden. To find it, search the settings on request "application protection".

Method 1: Disable protection through MIUI settings

The easiest method is if you remember the password from App Lock or use biometric authorization (print/face).

1. Open the Settings. → Passwords and security.
2. Select Application Protection (App Lock).
3. Enter a password or confirm unlocking with biometrics.
4. In the list of applications, uncheck the ticks from those you want to unlock, or click Disable Application Protection at the top of the screen.

If the application protection item is not on the menu, try an alternative path:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Select App] → Permissions → Application Protection

On some models (such as the POCO F3 or Redmi K40), the path may be different. If you don't find the right partition, search in the settings.

Method 2: Reset the App Lock password via Mi Account

If you forget your App Lock password, you can reset it through your Mi Account, which works only if:

• 📱 Smartphone connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔑 Remember the username and password from Mi Account.
• 🔄 The device is enabled synchronization with the account Xiaomi.

Resetting instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Application Protection.
2. Click Forgot Password? (or Reset Password)
3. Choose Reset with Mi Account.
4. Enter your account details (email or phone number + password).
5. Confirm the reset – after that, all blocked applications will be available.

⚠️ Note: After resetting the App Lock password, all application protection settings will be deleted. You will need to configure the lock again if you need it.

If the reset via Mi Account does not work, check:

• 🌐 Internet connection (try switching to mobile data if you use Wi-Fi).
• ⏳ Account Synchronization: Settings → Xiaomi account → Synchronization.
• 🔄 System updates: sometimes bugs in MIUI squash.

Method 3: Remove the lock via Safe Mode

If your smartphone has blocked system applications (like Settings or Phone) and you can’t log in to the App Lock menu, try Safe Mode.This mode disables all third-party apps and some MIUI features, including locking.

How to start Safe Mode:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power button and hold it until the Xiaomi logo appears.
3. As soon as the logo appears, release the power button and immediately press Volume down.
4. Keep Volume down until the phone boots in Safe Mode (the screen will be labeled Safe Mode at the bottom).

In Safe Mode:

• 🔓 Try to open a blocked application - there should not be a lock.
• 🔧 If you need to disable App Lock, go to Settings and do it (password may not be required).
• 🔄 Restart your phone in normal mode.

⚠️ Note: Fingerprint and facial recognition are not working in Safe Mode, and if the application is password-protected from Mi Account, you won't be able to unlock it.

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If your smartphone doesn’t boot in Safe Mode, try an alternative way: connect your device to your PC and use the ADB command:

adb shell settings put global safe_mode 1

Method 4: Reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

If no methods have worked, the last resort is a complete phone reset, which will delete all data, including passwords, accounts and app settings.

• 🔐 You don’t remember the password for App Lock and Mi Account.
• 📱 System applications are blocked (Settings, Phone).
• 🔧 Other methods didn't work.

Resetting instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press both Power and Loudness up until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and the Recovery menu will appear.
4. Use volume buttons to navigate and select Wipe Data (or Clear Data).
5. Confirm the reset by choosing Yes.
6. Once completed, select Reboot to reboot.

After the reset, the phone will be like new – you will have to reconfigure MIUI, restore data from the backup (if any) and log into accounts.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 9 Pro, POCO X3 NFC) After the reset, you may need to enter data from the Mi Account, which was tied to the phone. If you do not remember the username / password, it will be impossible to unlock the device without contacting the Xiaomi service center.

Method 5: Use ADB (for advanced users)

If you have access to the debugging USB (USB Debugging, you can remove the lock through ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method does not require root rights, but is only suitable for users who previously included debugging.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 USB Type C C Cable (original).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB smartphone.

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and allow debugging (the phone will have a request).
2. Open the Command Prompt (CMD) on your PC and type:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.guardprovider

1. Reboot the phone.

After that, the application protection (App Lock) will be disabled. If you need to return the function back, update the system application through Settings → Applications → Application Management → Guard Provider.

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The ADB method only works if the USB debugging was enabled before it was activated, and if it wasn't activated, it wouldn't work.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to remove a lock from an application, users often encounter typical problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

If none of these methods worked, you may have custom firmware or a modified version of MIUI installed on your device.

• 🔄 Refuse the phone to the official version MIUI via Fastboot.
• 📞 Contact an authorized Xiaomi service center.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions