Xiaomi Application Protection: How to Remove Passwords If You Forgot the Code

The forgotten password from apps on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most common problems of MIUI users. The brand's security system offers several layers of protection, but what if you suddenly can't remember the combination to unlock Galery, Messages or Mi Video? Unlike screen locking, where you can use a fingerprint or pattern lock, application passwords require a separate approach.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove protection – from standard methods through Mi Account to advanced techniques using ADB and recovery. It is important to understand that some methods can lead to loss of application data (for example, chats in Messages or media files in Galery), so we will specify the risks in advance. If you are using Xiaomi Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or the flagship Xiaomi 13 series, the instructions will suit all devices on MIUI 12-14.

Before you start, check:

• 🔑 Try entering possible password options (dates of birth, simple combinations like 1234 or 0000).
• 📱 Make sure your device is on mobile internet or Wi-Fi – some methods require a network connection.
• 🔋 At least 30% battery charge – interruption of the process can lead to failures.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The safest way to do this is to use a linked Mi Account, which works if:

• 📧 The device is tied to a Xiaomi account (check Settings). → Mi Account).
• 🌐 Internet access (mobile or Wi-Fi).
• 🔐 Remember the username and password from Mi Account.

Instructions:

1. On the app lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password?).
2. Select the recovery option through Mi Account.
3. Enter the login (email or phone number) and password from the account.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. Create a new password for the application.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously disabled sync with Mi Account or reset your device without detachment, this method will not work.

2. Reset password through MIUI settings (without data loss)

Some versions of MIUI 13-14 have a hidden option to reset application passwords through system settings, which does not require ADB or factory reset, but does not work on all devices.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Passwords and Security → Application Protection.
2. Enter the current lock screen password (PIN, pattern lock, or fingerprint).
3. Find the Application Password Management (or App Lock Password) section.
4. Click Reset password and confirm the action.

If this item is missing, your version of MIUI does not support the function, and the alternative is to use ADB (Section 4).

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Before resetting your password, check to see if you have any important data attached to your secure apps, such as Messages that may store unsaved chats and Notes that may store unencrypted notes.

3. Delete password through Safe Mode (Security Mode)

Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that disables all third-party applications, including the protection module Xiaomi.The method is suitable if the password is not set to system utilities (for example, Galery or Contacts), and on third-party programs like WhatsApp or Telegram.

How to activate Safe Mode:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press the Power button before the Xiaomi logo appears.
3. Once the logo appears, release the power button and immediately press Volume Down.
4. Hold on until the bottom left corner says Safe mode.

In this mode:

• 🔓 Password from applications will be temporarily removed.
• 📱 Open the secure application and change/delete the password in its settings.
• ⚠️ Not all Xiaomi system apps are unlocked in Safe Mode.

To exit the mode, simply restart the device.

4.Use of ADB to reset password (advanced method)

If previous methods didn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which requires USB debugging and access to your computer.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This may cause a system failure. Follow the instructions carefully.

Steps:

1. Turn on USB Debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. Click on MIUI 7 times until the message You are a developer!. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer and activate Debugging over USB.

Connect the device to the PC and confirm trust in the computer.

ADB Tools

cmd

ADB

adb shell pm clear com.miui.guardprovider

This command will reset the application protection settings.

Reset the device.

After rebooting, the password will be deleted from the apps. If the command does not work, try the alternative:

adb shell settings delete secure app_lock_password

Debugging is on. USB|The device is connected to the PC|ADB Tools downloaded and unpacked|Backup copy of data created-->

5. Reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of these things work, you'll have to completely reset the device, and this method will delete all the data, including the application passwords, but it'll also be deleted.

• 📸 Photos and videos (if not saved in the cloud).
• 💬 Messages and chats.
• 📱 Installed applications and their settings.

How to reset Xiaomi to factory settings:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Enter the lock screen password (if required).
4. Confirm the action.

Alternative method (if the device is locked):

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (Manage Volume and Power buttons).
4. Confirm the reset.

⚠️ Note: After the reset, the device will require data from the Mi Account if the account was previously linked!

6. Alternative methods and warnings

If standard methods fail, users often resort to informal solutions, and we will list them with the following risks:

⚠️ Note: Using unofficial firmware or utilities to unlock may lead to:

• 🚫 Loss of warranty.
• 🔒 Locking the device via Mi Cloud.
• 💻 Security vulnerabilities (if the firmware is modified).

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Official methods (Mi Account, ADB, Safe Mode) are safer than informal solutions and do not deprive you of warranty.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi apps