How to remove application protection on Xiaomi: 5 proven methods (MIUI 14/15)

Application protection on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is a built-in MIUI mechanism designed to protect user data from unauthorized access. However, sometimes this feature becomes a hindrance: it blocks the launch of the desired programs, interferes with the setup of automation, or simply annoys with persistent password requests. Depending on the type of protection (system lock, App Lock, restrictions of Google Play Protect or antivirus), the ways to turn it off will vary.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for removing protection, from standard MIUI settings to advanced solutions for power users. Importantly, some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights, which can affect the warranty and security of the device, we will specify the risks for each option so that you can choose the best path.

If you are experiencing a specific application blocking (e.g., com.miui.securitycenter or a banking client), check out the exclusion sections in App Lock and MIUI Optimization settings. For device owners on MIUI 14/15, you have added up-to-date screenshots and ADB commands.

1. Standard disabling of App Lock in MIUI settings

The easiest way to remove protection is to use built-in tools. MIUI. This method is suitable for applications blocked through the App Lock function (lock icon in the multitasking menu). MIUI 15 on Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 and POCO F6.

To disable the lock:

1. Open Settings → Applications → App Lock.
2. Enter your current password, fingerprint, or face scan (if requested).
3. Find the desired application in the list and move the slider to the right (status will change to “Blocked” → “Unblocked”).
4. To completely disable the function, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select “Switch off App Lock.”

If the App Lock item is not on the menu, check:

• 🔍 Version MIUI: on old firmware (up to) MIUI 12) the function could be called “Application Lock” and be in Settings → Password and security.
• 📱 Firmware region: Global (Global) and Chinese (China) versions may have different paths.
• 🔧 Updates: Sometimes after the update MIUI The menu is reset. Check the relevance of the software in Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.

⚠️ Note: If you forget your App Lock password, you can only reset it through your Mi Account (device binding required) and you will have to do a hard reset without binding, which will delete all data!

2.Exclusions for system applications through "Special Permits"

Some applications (e.g., com.miui.securitycenter or com.android.settings) are not blocked through App Lock, but through MIUI Optimization, a built-in process protection mechanism, to remove the limitations of:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Special Permits".
3. Find the “Run in the background” or “Out-Run” section and turn it on for the desired application.
4. To completely remove restrictions, go back to the application list, select your target and click on “Allowances” → disable all restrictions (for example, “Limit background activity”).

If the app is still blocked, check:

• 🛡️ Battery settings: in Settings → Battery → Select “No Restrictions” for the app.
• 🔒 Google Play Protect: Open the Play Store → Profile icon → Play Protect → Settings and disable application scanning.
• 📛 ADB-commands (for power users): some restrictions are removed only through the command: adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +com.example.app (replace com.example.app with your app package).

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To find out the batch name of the application, install App Inspector from the Play Store or use the command adb shell pm list packages | grep "name".

3. Disable protection through ADB (no root)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to manage system settings without superuser rights, which is suitable for removing locks set by MIUI at the system level (for example, restrictions on third-party launchers or changing DNS).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install it. ADB-Drivers and check the connection with the command: Adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
4. Execute the commands to remove the restrictions: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.guardprovider # Removes App Lock adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 0 # Unlocks hidden ones. API

Possible errors and solutions:

⚠️ Note: Adb shell pm uninstall commands remove applications only for the current user (--user 0). After rebooting or resetting the settings, the lock can return.

4. Unlock the bootloader and remove system restrictions

To fully control application protection, Xiaomi needs to unlock the bootloader, which will allow custom recovery (TWRP) and edit system files, including those responsible for App Lock and MIUI Optimization.

Important: Unlock the loader:

• 🔓 Resets the device to factory settings (make a backup!).
• 🚫 Cancellation of warranty (on some models, for example, Xiaomi) 13T or Redmi K60).
• 🛡️ Can result in Mi Account being blocked if you do wrong.

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Apply for unlocking via Xiaomi’s official website (requires a tied Mi Account older than 7 days).
2. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the device is off).
3. Run the utility and follow the instructions. It takes 3-5 minutes.
4. Once unlocked, install TWRP and delete files through it: /system/priv-app/MiuiGuardProvider/ /system/app/AppLock/

5.Use of Magisk and modules to bypass protection

If you have already obtained root rights (through Magisk), you can use specialized modules to bypass system constraints.

• 🔓 Blocking banking applications (such as SberBank or Tinkoff) that do not work on rooted devices.
• 🚀 Shutdowns MIUI Optimization that prevents you from changing system settings.
• 🔧 Removing the built-in restrictions of Google Play Protect.

Recommended modules for Magisk:

How to install the module:

1. Download the module file (.zip).
2. Open Magisk Manager and go to the Modules section.
3. Click “Install from storage” and select the downloaded file.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: After installing the modules, check the banking applications through SafetyNet Test. If the check fails, try disabling Magisk Hide and reinstalling Universal SafetyNet Fix.

6.Alternative methods: bypass without root and unlock

If the previous methods don’t work (for example, you don’t want to lose your warranty or risk data), try to bypass the protection without making deep changes to the system:

• 📱 Cloning App: Use Parallel Space or Island (from Play Store) to create a sandbox where the app will work without locks.
• 🔄 Resetting the app settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → [Title of the annex] → Warehouse → Clear the data. Sometimes it resets the lock.
• 🌐 VPN to bypass regional restrictions: Some blockages (e.g. Google Play Protect) vary by region. VPN (For example, ProtonVPN and try to run the app again.
• 📂 Installation APK Third-party sources: If the app is blocked by the Play Store, download it from APKPure or APKMirror (pre-disable Play Protect).

On devices with MIUI 15 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 processor (such as Xiaomi 14 Pro or Redmi K70), some system locks get by through Safe Mode mode.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button and when the MI logo appears, hold Volume down until Safe Mode boots.
3. In this mode, disable App Lock or uninstall the problem app.

FAQ: Frequent questions about app protection on Xiaomi

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Before any manipulations with the system, make a backup via adb backup or TWRP. This will save your data even when resetting.