How to change the style of locking the screen on Xiaomi: all the ways and nuances

The lock screen on Xiaomi smartphones is not just protection from unauthorized access, but also a business card of your device. PIN-The manufacturer offers several authentication options, each of which has its own advantages, but not all users know that the locking style can not only be customized to their preferences, but also completely change at any time.

In this article, we will discuss all the available methods for changing the lock style on Xiaomi devices (including the Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models), focusing on the nuances of different versions of MIUI firmware (12 to 14), learn how to switch from a pattern lock to a fingerprint, why the ability to select a face scanner sometimes disappears, and what to do if the system requires an old password when changing the lock method.

What lock styles are available on Xiaomi

MIUI supports up to 5 main types of screen lock, but their availability depends on the model of the smartphone and the version of the software.

• 🔢 PIN-code is a classic numerical combination (usually 4-6 digits) suitable for those who prefer simplicity and speed of input.
• 🔑 Password - alphanumeric combination (minimum 4 characters) The most secure option, but requires more time to enter.
• 🎨 A pattern lock is a pattern that a user draws with their finger on a screen, convenient but less reliable than a password.
• 👆 Fingerprint - biometric authentication. Only works on sensor devices (embedded in the screen or on the back panel).
• 👤 Facial recognition -- scanning a face through a front-facing camera -- fast, but less safe than a print.

Budget models (e.g. Redmi 9A or POCO M3) may not have a face scanner or fingerprint sensor. Flagship devices (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Black Shark 5) support all options, including combined authentication (e.g. print + PIN for payments).

It is important to note that some applications (such as banking or payment services) may require mandatory installation. PIN-It's also worth remembering that facial recognition on budget models is often implemented through software processing (without an infrared scanner), making it vulnerable to being tricked by a photo.

How to change the style of the lock: step-by-step instructions

Changing the lock style on Xiaomi takes less than a minute, but requires knowledge of the current password (if installed). MIUI 12–14:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to Lock Screen (or Password and Security on some models).
3. Select the screen lock style.
4. Enter the current password/PIN/pattern lock (if requested).
5. Choose a new style from the options offered and follow the instructions on the screen.

If you want to remove the lock altogether, select the option No (or Disable), but remember: this will make your device vulnerable to data theft. On some models (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11), when you disable the lock, the system may require you to enter a password from your Mi Account.

On devices with MIUI 14, the path to settings may be slightly different: Settings → Password and Security → Lock screen → Lock style.

If you POCO-smartphone, look for the section Lock and print.

What to do if the system requires an old password

One of the most common problems with changing lock style is asking for an old password that the user has forgotten, which is a standard MIUI security measure to prevent unauthorized changes. If you don't remember the current password, you have a few options:

• 🔄 Reset via Mi Account: If your smartphone is tied to your Xiaomi account, you can reset your lock password via account.xiaomi.com (Devices section) → Find the device).
• 📱 Recovery through SMS: On some models (for example, Redmi Note 10) with 5 unsuccessful attempts of entering, the option Forgot the password? with recovery by phone number appears.
• ⚠️ Hard reset: The last measure is to reset to factory settings via Recovery Mode!

If you previously synced contacts and photos with Mi Cloud, you can restore them after reset, but application data (such as saves in games or chats in Telegram) without a backup will be lost.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13+ After a hard reset, you may need to enter data from the attached Mi Account (Factory Reset Protection). If you do not remember the username / password, it will be impossible to unlock the smartphone without contacting the service center.

Comparison of locking styles: reliability vs convenience

Choosing a lock style is always a trade-off between security and unlock speed, and in the table below we compare all options according to the key criteria:

For maximum security, we recommend using a fingerprint combination. + PIN-For example, you can set the fingerprint unlock in everyday situations. PIN-code - to confirm payments or after rebooting the device, this will protect you even if an attacker can fool the fingerprint scanner (for example, using a silicone copy).

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Configure in Settings → Password and Security → Blocking applications with separate passwords for instant messengers and banking applications – this will add an additional layer of protection.

Features of changing the lock on different models Xiaomi

While the general algorithm for changing the lock style is the same for all Xiaomi devices, there are nuances that depend on the model and firmware version.

• 📱 Redmi and POCO (Budget models: Often devoid of a face scanner and have a simplified settings menu. 9C The way to change the lock is as follows: Settings → System and device → Additionally. → Privacy → Screen locking.
• 💎 Xiaomi flagships (12/13 Series: Supports Dynamic Locking, an animation on the lock screen that responds to touch. To enable it, go to Settings → Lock screen → Locking style → Dynamic lockdown.

On devices with MIUI for POCO (e.g., POCO F4), facial recognition may not be available even if the hardware allows it, and this involves optimizing the firmware for game scenarios, in which case you can install an alternative launcher (e.g., Nova Launcher), but this will not bring back the face scanning feature.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi with Android One (e.g. Mi) A3) The lock menu is different from the standard MIUI. Here, the lock style changes through Settings → Security → Screen locking, and there is no dynamic lock option at all.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When changing the lock style, users often face typical preventable problems, and these are the most common mistakes and ways to resolve them:

• 🔄 "Failure to change lock style": Make sure you enter your current password, not a new one. If you forget it, use the Mi Account recovery.
• 👤 "Facial recognition doesn't work": "Check if the front camera is covered with a cover or film. Set up the lights -- the scanner doesn't work well in the dark.
• 👆 "Fingerprint Sensor Can't Recognize "Finger": Remove Old Fingerprints in Settings → Password and security → Fingerprint and add again. For better accuracy, register the same finger 2-3 times at different angles.
• 🔢 "PIN-code not accepted after update MIUI": This is a well-known mistake when switching to a new firmware version: try entering the old password from Mi Account or reset via Fastboot.

If your smartphone starts to slow down or discharge quickly after changing the lock style, check the background process of com.miui.guardprovider in Settings → Applications → Application Management. Sometimes it consumes a lot of resources after changing the security settings.

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Before upgrading to MIUI, always check if the new lock style is compatible with your model. For example, the Redmi Note 8 Pro may miss the face recognition option after upgrading to MIUI 13.

Additional lock screen settings

In addition to changing the lock style, you can configure other lock screen settings in MIUI that affect convenience and security:

• 📱 Displaying notifications: C Settings → Lock screen → Notifications on the lock screen can be selected which notifications to show (all, only from certain applications or no notifications).
• 🔦 Backlighting at notifications: The screen lighting option will make the display blink when new messages.Useful but shortens battery life.
• 🎵 Music widgets: You can display player controls on the lock screen (for example, for Spotify or Mi Music).
• 🔒 Automatic locking: In Settings → Lock screen → Autolock: Set the time at which the screen will be locked (from 5 seconds to 30 minutes).

On Always-On Display (AOD) devices (such as the Xiaomi 12 Pro), you can configure the display of time, date, and notifications even on the screen off. Go to Settings → Lock screen → Always-On Display and select the display style. Note that AOD increases battery consumption by 5-10%.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions