How to turn off desktop protection on Xiaomi Redmi: 5 working ways

The problem of “desktop protected from changes” on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is one of the most common among MIUI users. The message appears when you try to add a widget, change the wallpaper, move the icon or even remove the folder from the home screen, in most cases it is not a system failure, but a security mechanism that works after updates, resets or activates certain security features.

The reasons for blocking can range from firmware bugs to intentional limitations on the part of the manufacturer. For example, in some versions of MIUI 12-14, protection is automatically turned on when using Second Space or Mode for Children. In other cases, conflicting settings of Application Protection or Battery Optimization are to blame. It is important to understand that the decision depends on the specific Redmi model (for example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro or Redmi 9A) and the firmware version.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove protection – from standard MIUI settings to advanced methods using ADB. You will also learn how to avoid re-blocking and what to do if none of the methods worked.

Why is Xiaomi Redmi’s desktop blocked from changes?

The message "Desktop protected from change" is not an error, but a notification of active protection of the system. MIUI has several mechanisms that can lead to such a lock:

• 🔒 Second Space: If the function is enabled, the main desktop can be locked to prevent accidental changes.
• 👶 Kids Mode: Restricts access to screen settings, including editing widgets and icons.
• 🔋 Battery optimization: Aggressively restricting background processes sometimes blocks desktop system services.
• 🛡️ Application Protection (App Lock): if Launcher is blocked (e.g, POCO Launcher or standard launcher MIUI Launcher).
• 🔄 Update of firmware: after major updates (for example, with MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) the settings are reset and the protection may be activated automatically.

On some Redmi models (like the Redmi Note 11 or Redmi K50), the problem is with a bug in MIUI Optimization, a module that manages animations and background processes. If you recently installed custom themes from Theme Store, this could also trigger a lockdown.

⚠️ Note: If you use unofficial firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the cause may be a conflict with GApps or lack of correct SELinux rights.

Before you start removing the protection, check if you have activated the Second Space or the Child Mode.

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Mode for Children.
2. Go to Settings. → Second space.

If one of the functions is enabled, turn it off and restart the device.

Method 1: Reset the launcher settings (without data loss)

The easiest and safest method is to reset the settings of the standard MIUI launcher. This will not delete your applications or data, but will return the desktop to the default state.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, enter Launcher (or Start in Russian).
3. Choose. MIUI Launcher (or) POCO Launcher, if you have one. POCO-firmware).
4. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and confirm the action.
5. Reboot your smartphone.

Once you reboot, the desktop will return to its standard look, but all icons and widgets will remain in place, and if the problem was cache or setting conflict, this method will solve it.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 14 for Redmi Note 12) after the launcher is reset, the possibility of changing the wallpaper through the standard menu may disappear. → Set up how → Desktop wallpaper.

If the reset didn’t work, try switching to another launcher (like a Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher) and returning the standard one back.

1. Install an alternative launcher from Google Play.
2. In the settings, select it as the default launcher.
3. Return to Settings → Applications → MIUI Launcher and clear the data again.
4. Restart the device and select a standard launcher.

Clear the MIUI Launcher cache

Make sure Second Space is offline

Backup of widgets (if important)

Reboot your phone after the changes-->

Method 2: Disable protection through “Security settings”

MIUI has hidden security settings that can block desktop changes, most often with System Protection or Interface Lock.

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Password and Security → System Protection.
2. Turn off the Block UI option (if it is active).
3. Return to Settings → Additional → Special Opportunities.
4. Check if the demo mode is turned on (it blocks screen changes).

On some models (Redmi K40, Redmi Note 10S) the path may be different:

Settings → Applications → Permissions → Additional permissions → Changing system settings

You need to find MIUI Launcher and give it all the permissions you need.

If your firmware does not have the option Block the interface, try another way:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 5-7 times on the MIUI version to activate Developer Mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the option to Disable MIUI (or Disable MIUI Optimization) and activate it.
5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Disconnection MIUI Optimization can cause some animations and features (such as navigation gestures) to work in an unstable way. If you have lags after that, return the settings back.

Method 3: Using ADB to remove the lock (advanced method)

If standard methods don't work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool for debugging Android devices, which is suitable for power users and requires the developer mode to be enabled.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode (as described in the previous section).
2. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → For Developers.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable (use the original cable for a stable connection).
4. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
5. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

(Your device should show up. If not, check the driver and allow debugging on your phone.)

adb shell pm grant com.miui.home android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 1

adb shell am force-stop com.miui.home

After completing the commands, restart the smartphone, which will give the MIUI Home launcher the rights to change system settings, which often removes the lock.

If the problem persists, try resetting the launcher settings via ADB:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.home

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB They can disrupt the stability of the system if entered incorrectly. Do not use them if you are not sure of your actions.

💡

Before using ADB, back up important data via Settings → About Phone → Backup. This will save you from losing information when crashes.

Method 4: Remove conflicting themes or widgets

Often, desktop locking is caused by incompatible themes or widgets from third-party apps. For example, if you installed a theme from MIUI Theme Store that is not optimized for your Redmi model, the system can block changes to prevent crashes.

How to check:

1. Go to Settings → Design → My themes.
2. Choose a standard theme (Default or MIUI).
3. Remove all recently installed themes (long press → Delete).
4. Reset the device.

If the problem is widgets:

• 📱 Remove all widgets from the desktop (long press) → Delete).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
• 🔧 Try adding the widget again. If the bug doesn't appear, it was the specific app that was to blame.

On some firmware (MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 11 Pro), Google widgets (e.g. Google At a Glance) are causing conflict to check this out:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google and clear its cache.
3. Turn off Google widgets in the launcher settings.

💡

If the locking occurred after installing a custom theme, return the standard design, 80% of the time it solves the problem without additional actions.

Method 5: Reset all settings (last chance)

If none of these methods work, you have to reset to factory settings, which is a radical solution, but it's guaranteed to remove all the software locks, and I think it's important that you back up your data before you reset.

How to reset your settings:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Settings Reset.
3. Please note Clear all data (if you need full formatting).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After discharge:

• 🔑 Do not restore settings from backup right away – check first if the desktop is working.
• 📥 Install applications one at a time to identify conflicting.
• 🔄 Do not activate Second Space or Child Mode before checking.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi with an unlocked bootloader, resetting settings can cause data loss in the section /data, if TWRP If you're using custom recovery, pre-create a backup through TWRP → Backup.

If the problem returns after the reset, it is a sign of hardware failure or firmware damage, in which case only flashing through Fastboot or contacting the service center will help.

How to prevent the re-blocking of the desktop?

To prevent the problem from returning, follow these recommendations:

• 🚫 Do not install themes and widgets from unverified sources (especially forums). 4PDA).
• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware through Settings → Updating the system.
• 🔒 Do not activate the Second Space or Child Mode unless you use them.
• 📱 Avoid using battery optimizers from third-party developers (such as Greenify or AccuBattery).
• 🔧 Periodically clean the cache MIUI Launcher (once 1-2 months).

If you change wallpapers or widgets frequently, install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) that conflicts less with MIUI and offers more customization options.

For Redmi models with MIUI 14 and later, it is useful to disable automatic system optimization:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Optimization.
2. Select No Limitations for MIUI Launcher.
3. Turn off Adaptive Optimization in the Additional section.

💡

If you’re exposed to MIUI bugs often, consider switching to custom firmware (like ArrowOS or HavocOS) that lacks many of the limitations of a standard shell but requires an unlocked bootloader.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)