The modern smartphone has become a store of personal information, where privacy is crucial. Xiaomi Redmi 9 users often look for ways to protect their data from prying eyes, hiding individual programs or entire sections of the system. Standard settings of the MIUI shell allow you to do this without installing questionable software, providing a basic level of protection.
There are several time-tested methods, each with its own security features, you can create a hidden folder, activate a second profile, or use guest mode, and the choice of the particular method depends on how often you need to access hidden content and what level of privacy is required.
In this article, we will take a look at each algorithm so you can choose the best option for your device, and we will look at the standard features of the system that do not require superuser rights or complex flashing of the device.
Use of the “Hidden Folders” function in the conductor
The easiest and fastest way to hide an application on Redmi 9 is to use the built-in hidden folder function in the system file manager. This method does not hide the icon completely from the desktop, but hides the contents of the folder where you can put a shortcut or a shortcut. APK-A special gesture or password is required to access such a folder.
To activate this option, you need to open the standard Files Explorer and go to the Folder category. At the top of the screen, you should pull the list down until you see a message about creating a hidden folder.
⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from the hidden folder and do not link the Mi-account, it will be almost impossible to restore access to the content without data loss.
Once you create a folder, you can move it to it. APK-However, it is worth remembering that the process of installing or launching an application may leave traces in the history of use or in the list of recent applications.
- 📂 Creates a password-protected area for files and shortcuts.
- 🔐 Uses biometrics or a pattern lock to enter.
- 🙈 Hiding contents when swiping down in a conductor.
Second Space Mode: Complete isolation
The second space on MIUI creates a completely isolated environment, similar to a second smartphone inside a single device, which is the most reliable standard method, since the applications installed in the second space are not visible in the first space, and vice versa.
To activate, go to Settings → Second Space and click “Enable.” The system will prompt you to set up a separate password, fingerprint or sign-in pattern. Using different fingerprints, you can instantly switch between the main and hidden profiles on the lock screen.
Settings → Second Space → Enable → Configure PasswordInside the second space, you can re-download any apps from Google Play or Mi Store that will work independently, have their own notification settings and access to the camera, ideal for separating work and personal life or for storing sensitive information.
☑️ Configuring the Second Space
Guest mode for temporary access
If you need to temporarily transfer your phone to someone else, but you don’t want that person to see your personal apps, use Guest Mode. Unlike Second Space, this profile doesn’t save data after you leave it, which provides a high degree of privacy.
You can activate the mode through the notification panel (swipe from top to bottom) or in the system settings in the section "Users and accounts". When you switch to a guest account, the desktop is cleared of your applications, only standard system utilities remain.
The guest will not be able to see your photos, messages or installed in the main profile of the program. Once the session is over, just exit the guest mode and all actions performed in it will be deleted, This is convenient when you urgently need to make a call or show a photo without giving full access to the device.
| Characteristics | Main profile | Second space | Guest mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data retention | Yes. | Yes (separately) | No (removed) |
| Visibility of applications | All right. | Only selected | Only systemic. |
| Difficulty setting up | Low. | Medium | Low. |
| Appointment | Daily | Permanent isolation | Temporary access |
Can I play the game in the second space?
Restriction of access through “Application Protection”
The MIUI Application Protection feature doesn’t hide the icon completely, but it blocks the program from running with a password or fingerprint.It’s an effective way to prevent unauthorized access to instant messengers, gallery or banking applications if the phone is unlocked in the wrong hands.
You can find this option by Settings → Applications → Application Protection. You need to turn on the function and select from a list those programs that should be restricted. When you try to open a secure application, the system will request authorization.
You can also configure the content of notifications for secure applications, in which case, even if the phone is unlocked, the text of the message from WhatsApp or Telegram will not be visible on the lock screen or in the notification curtain without logging in.
- 🔒 Blocks the launch of selected programs with a password.
- 👁️ Hiding the text of notifications on a locked screen.
- ⚙️ Customized individually for each application.
⚠️ Note: When you reset your phone to factory settings, all application protection settings will be reset and you will need to reset passwords for each item.
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For maximum security, use a complex pattern lock instead of a simple one. PIN-It is a four-digit code, as it is more difficult to see from the side.
Hiding through third-party launchers
If Xiaomi’s standard tools aren’t enough, you can install a third-party launcher, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which completely replaces the desktop and often has an integrated application hide (App Hiding) feature that works more efficiently than system counterparts.
Once you install the launcher and assign it to the main one, you go to its settings. Usually, the hide feature is in the Desktop or Application Box section, and you pick the applications that you want to hide, and they disappear from the general list.
To access hidden programs, a special gesture is often used, such as double-tapping at a certain corner of the screen or entering a secret code in the launcher's search bar, which provides a high level of privacy, since a third-party observer will not even know that a hidden partition exists.
Nova Launcher Settings → Application Box → Hidden Apps → Select APKUsing third-party launchers gives you more flexibility in design, but can consume more battery resources than a standard shell.In addition, some Redmi 9 system applications may not display correctly or work with launchers from other developers.
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Third-party launchers allow you to hide application icons deeper than system tools, making them invisible even in the menu of all programs.