How to remove application protection on Xiaomi Redmi 9C: all working ways

Application protection on Xiaomi smartphones is a built-in feature MIUI, which blocks access to installed programs through PIN-A code, a pattern lock or a fingerprint on a Redmi model. 9C (codename angelica, this function is based on MIUI 12/13 It's often a problem, like forgetting passwords, getting bugs after updates, or just wanting to make it easier to access software. Unlike screen locking, application protection is managed separately -- and it's removed by other methods.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to disable protection, from standard MIUI settings to ADB and engineering menus. We will focus on the nuances of Redmi 9C, where due to the specifics of the firmware, some universal methods may not work. If you tried to remove protection through Settings → Applications, but received an error “failed to disable” or the system requires a password from Mi Account, here you will find solutions.

⚠️ Important: You do all the manipulations of system settings at your own risk. ADB or engineering menus can cause data loss or device "brick" (turning into a "brick"). Before starting work, back up important files through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

1. Standard method: through MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in tools of the system, which is suitable if you remember the application protection password or the Mi Account attached. On Redmi 9C, the path to settings may vary depending on the version of MIUI:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Applications → Application Protection section (in some firmwares, the path: Settings → Passwords and Security → Application Protection).
3. Enter your current password or confirm your fingerprint.
4. Click on the basket icon in the upper right corner or select Turn off protection.

If the shutdown button is inactive or the system gives an error "Can not turn off protection", try the following steps:

• 🔄 Restart the device - sometimes glitches MIUI block out changing settings.
• 🔑 Reset the password protection through Mi Account: in the application protection menu tap Forgot the password? and follow the instructions (you need access to the mail or phone associated with the account).
• 📱 Update. MIUI: In older versions of firmware (below 12.5), there were bugs with application protection. → The phone. → Updating the system.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously enabled the option "Require password on first start", the system may request PIN Even after the protection is turned off, only a complete reset will help (see Section 5).

2. Disconnection through Safe Mode (Safe Mode)

If the standard method didn’t work, try to boot into Safe Mode, a diagnostic mode where all third-party apps and some system restrictions are disabled. On Redmi 9C, this doesn’t always work, but in 60% of cases it allows you to bypass the lock:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button and hold it until the Redmi logo appears.
3. Once the logo appears, release Power and immediately press Volume Down (hold until full load).
4. In the lower left corner of the screen will appear the inscription "Safe mode".

In safe mode:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Protection.
2. Try to turn off the protection without entering a password (sometimes the system misses this step).
3. If you need a PIN, enter any 4-digit code – in Safe Mode, the verification can be weakened.
4. Restart your phone in normal mode.

🔹 Note: On some of Redmi's firmware 9C (for example, MIUI 12.0.8) Safe Mode blocks access to security settings. If the screen just flashes or reboots, move on to the next method.

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If Safe Mode doesn’t turn on the first time, try another way: press Power + Volume until the recovery menu appears, then select Safe Mode (if there is one).

3.Use of ADB-Teams (for advanced users)

If previous methods didn’t work, the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is the tool for controlling your phone through your computer, which requires USB debugging enabled and only works when the bootloader is unlocked (on Redmi 9C, it is locked by default).

📌 Preparation:

• 🖥️ Install. ADB and Fastboot Tools on PC.
• 📱 Turn on Debugging. USB on the phone: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB.
• 🔌 Get Redmi on board. 9C to the PC via the original cable (use the port) USB 2.0 for stability).

📝 Instructions:

1. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices must appear serial number of the device.
3. Run the command to disable application protection: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.guardprovider This command removes the system application responsible for blocking.
4. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

⚠️ Note: After this operation, some functions may disappear. MIUI, security related (e.g., Ad Blocking or Battery Optimization) to get them back, you'll have to reset your phone to factory settings or reinstall com.miui.guardprovider via a phone. ADB:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.guardprovider

4. Reset via engineering menu (codes and hidden settings)

The Xiaomi Redmi 9C has a hidden engineering menu that can reset some system settings, including application protection, which does not require root rights, but does not work on all firmware.

📱 Method 1: Code for resetting protection

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##3646633##
3. You will be taken to the Engineering Mode (Engineering Menu).
4. Go to the Security Settings section → App Lock.
5. Select Reset App Lock and confirm the action.

🔧 Method 2: Resetting through MTK Engineer Mode

If the first code doesn’t work, try the alternative:

1. Enter the dialer: ##4636###
2. Select Usage Statistics → Security Settings.
3. Find the Clear App Lock Data and activate it.

⚠️ Note: In the engineering menu of Redmi 9C (It's powered by MediaTek Helio processor G35) Some partitions may be missing or cause errors, and if you blink and go back to the main partition after you enter the code, this method is not suitable for you.

5. Full reset settings (last resort)

If all the previous methods didn't work, then you're left with Hard Reset, which is factory reset, and it will delete all the data, including the passwords, from app protection, but it will also be erased:

• 📸 Photos and videos (if not saved in the cloud).
• 📱 Installed applications and their data.
• 📞 Contacts (unless synced with Google Account or Mi Cloud).
• 🎮 Keeping in games.

🔄 How to make a Hard Reset on Redmi 9C:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi Recovery logo appears.
3. In the recovery menu, select the language (volume buttons) and tap Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action by entering the yes code (if required).
5. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

🔹 Important: On Redmi 9C s MIUI 13+ After Hard Reset, you may need to enter data from Mi Account if Find Device was previously activated. If you do not remember the password from the account, it will be impossible to unlock the phone without contacting Xiaomi support.

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Hard Reset is a last resort. Be sure to remove it before resetting. SIM-card and memory card (if used as internal memory, the data on it will also be erased).

Alternative methods: bypassing protection without resetting

If standard methods don't work and data resetting is undesirable, you can try to bypass application protection with third-party tools, which require caution and are only suitable for advanced users.

🛠️ Method 1: Delete protection files through TWRP

If your Redmi 9C has a custom TWRP recap:

1. Load to TWRP (Put Power + Volume Up).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Delete files: /data/system/locksettings.db /data/system/locksettings.db-wal /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Deleting these files may result in the loss of all passwords on the phone, including locking the screen. PIN freshly.

🖥️ Method 2: Use the Mi Flash Tool (only for unlocked bootloader)

If the bootloader is unlocked, you can reflash the phone through the Mi Flash Tool without losing data (Clean All and Lock option is not selected!).

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 9C (select the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume Reduction).
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and click Refresh → Flash.

🔹 Note: This method saves user data but resets all system settings, including application protection. However, it requires an unlocked bootloader, which itself resets the phone.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When trying to remove application protection on Redmi 9C, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

💡 Tip: If none of the methods worked, check if the phone has a third-party locking app (like AppLock or Smart AppLock) installed. ADB:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.sp.protector.free

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions