How to remove the password for application protection on Xiaomi Redmi: a step-by-step guide

Password protection on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a useful feature for privacy, but sometimes it becomes a problem. You may have forgotten your password, bought a used phone with already installed protection, or simply decided to disable it as unnecessary. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to remove the password for application protection on Redmi devices running MIUI 12-14, including bypassing through your Mi Account, resetting settings and hidden system settings.

Many users have difficulty trying to unprotect: the system requires you to enter an old password, does not accept data from your Mi Account, or after the MIUI update, the settings are reset. We tested each method on Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/9A and POCO X3/X4 models — all instructions are valid for 2026. Important: some methods require access to Settings or a computer, so prepare the necessary devices in advance.

⚠️ Note: If you do not remember the password from your Mi Account and have not tied your mail/phone, resetting the application protection can lead to a complete locking of the phone (activation lock.

1. Delete password through MIUI settings (if you know the current password)

The easiest way to disable protection is through the standard menu. MIUI. This is appropriate if you remember your current password or PIN-code.

Open Settings → Passwords and security → Application protection. The system will request the current password.

• 🔓 Click on the basket icon (or "Delete") in the upper right corner.
• 📱 Confirm the action by entering the password again.
• ✅ Ready – Protection disabled for all applications.

If the "Application Protection" option is not on the menu, check the MIUI version: in the old firmware (below MIUI 11), the function was called Application Lock and was in Settings → Additional.

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If apps continue to request passwords after the security is turned off, reboot the phone. Sometimes MIUI caches the security settings.

2. reset password through the Mi Account (if you forgot the password protection)

If you don't remember the password, but you've linked your phone to your Mi Account, you can reset your settings through the cloud, and this only works when you're connected to the Internet.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Mi Account → Cloud Mi → Sync.
2. Make sure that the data synchronization option is enabled.
3. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Application Protection.
4. Click Forgot Password? and select Reset via Mi Account.
5. Enter the username and password from the Mi Account, confirm the action.

The system will reset the password, but all blocked applications will remain on the list - they will need to be unlocked manually.

• 🚫 Mi Account is not tied to phone.
• 🌐 No Internet connection.
• 🔄 Custom firmware installed (unofficial).

3. Remove protection through resetting (Hard Reset)

The radical method is to completely reset your phone to factory settings, which will delete all data, including passwords, accounts and files, and only use it if other methods have failed.

Step-by-step:

Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, messages)

Remember the username/password from the Mi Account (required to activate after reset)

Charge your phone at least 50%

Get out. SIM-card and memory card (optional)-->

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select to erase all data (reset).
3. Enter the screen lock password (if installed).
4. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings.

The phone will restart and start cleaning up.

• 📱 Complete the initial setup (language selection, Wi-Fi connection).
• 🔑 Log in to your Mi Account to unlock your device (activation lock).
• ⚙️ Restore data from backup (if you did backup).

⚠️ Note: On Redmi models with MediaTek chip (e.g. Redmi) 9A, Redmi 8A) After reset, you may need to log in to your Mi Account, even to log in to Recovery. Without a linked account, your phone will turn into a brick".

4. bypassing protection through ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods fail, you can delete the password through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a computer and enabled USB debugging.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (original, for data transmission).
• 📦 Installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) and type:

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


adb shell pm clear com.miui.guardprovider

These commands will remove the application protection module. Once the phone is restarted, the password will reset, but the protection feature will disappear from the settings menu until the next MIUI update.

5. Alternative methods (for specific cases)

If none of the above methods worked, try these options:

For reset via Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (Change Volume Buttons).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

Important: On newer models (Redmi Note 12 and later), Xiaomi blocks access to Recovery without authorization in Mi Account. If you don't remember your account details, this method won't work.

6. How to avoid application protection issues in the future

To avoid being blocked again, follow these tips:

• 🔐 Use one password to lock the screen and protect apps (so it’s easier to remember).
• 📝 Write passwords to your password manager (e.g. Google Password Manager or KeePass).
• 🔄 Check regularly if your Mi Account is linked to your phone (Settings) → Mi Account).
• 📱 Do not set protection on system applications (such as Settings or Phone) – this may result in a password request cycle.

If you often forget passwords, consider alternative ways to protect yourself:

• 👆 Fingerprint scanner (available on most Redmis starting with Redmi Note 5).
• 😊 Facial recognition (less safe but convenient).
• 🔒 Smart lock (unlocking on Bluetooth devices, for example, smart watches).

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Starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi has added a “Reserve” feature PIN-code" to protect applications. It can be configured into passwords and security. → Application protection → Standby PIN — This will help to avoid blocking when the main password is forgotten.

FAQ: Frequent questions about app protection on Xiaomi