Application Protection in Xiaomi Smartphones: A Complete Guide to Setup and Use

Xiaomi's smartphones today store a huge amount of sensitive information, from personal photos to bank data. One of the key tools to protect this information is the application protection feature, which restricts access to selected programs without additional authentication. But how exactly does it work? Why is it often confused with a lock screen? And what applications are really worth protecting?

In this article, we will discuss in detail the mechanism of protection of applications on Xiaomi, including hidden settings that not all users notice. → Annexes → Application protection, which authentication methods are supported (from the PIN-Previous articlePre-fingerprint code, and why some apps can automatically reset protection after an update MIUI. We will also analyze common security errors that cause protection to stop working and provide recommendations for optimizing security without losing convenience.

What is Application Protection and How Does It Work?

The application protection feature in Xiaomi is an additional layer of security that requires verification of the user’s identity every time a secure application is opened. Unlike the standard screen lock, which works once when unlocking a phone, application protection works selectively and can be customized for each application individually.

The protection mechanism is based on three key components:

• 🔒 Authentication method: PIN-code, pattern lock, fingerprint or facial recognition (depending on the Xiaomi model).
• 📱 List of protected applications: the user chooses which programs require additional verification.
• ⚙️ com.miui.guardprovider system service: responsible for handling requests for unlocking and storing settings.

It’s important to understand that app protection doesn’t encrypt data inside an app — it only restricts access to it. For example, if someone gets physical access to your phone, they won’t be able to open SberBank Online or Telegram without entering it. PIN-The code, even if the screen is already unlocked, is not clear. PIN from the lock screen, it will be able to disable application protection through settings.

How to turn on application protection on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

You can activate application protection through standard settings MIUI. The process takes no more than a minute, but has a few nuances that you should know about:

1. Open Settings and go to the Application section.
2. Select Application Protection (in some firmware it may be called Application Lock).
3. Click Enable Protection and install the authentication method (it is recommended to use a fingerprint or PIN-code of at least 6 characters).
4. In the list of applications, mark those that require protection. Please note that some system applications (such as Settings or Contacts) may not be listed.

After activating the protection when the secure application is first opened, the system will request confirmation, and further authentication will be required each time the application is launched or returned from the background (if it has been closed for more than 5 minutes).

Make sure your fingerprint is added to the system|Create a backup copy of important data|Update MIUI last-minute|Check that the application is not in Battery Optimization mode"-->

The important point is that if you use the second space (the dual app function in Xiaomi), the protection will be separate for each space, so if you protect WhatsApp in the main space, it will remain unprotected in the second space, unless you re-set the protection.

Which apps should be protected first

Not all applications require additional protection, like blocking the Calculator or the Weather, but there are categories of software where protection is critical.

Particular attention should be paid to applications that:

• 💳 Contains payment data (e.g. Google Pay or Apple Pay on some Xiaomi models).
• 📸 Store private photos/video (for example, Gallery or Google Photos with synchronization enabled).
• 🔑 Provide access to other accounts (e.g., Authenticator for two-factor authentication).

However, protecting your Settings or Phone is not always advisable, because it can be unnecessary in everyday use, and it is better to focus on applications where the consequences of unauthorized access will be most critical.

💡

If you often pass your phone to colleagues or friends (for example, to show a photo), add Gallery and Files to secure applications, which will prevent the accidental copying of personal data.

Common Problems and How to Solve Them

Despite the simplicity of the mechanism, Xiaomi users often face problems when using application protection, and here are the most typical of them and how to fix them:

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI Application protection stopped working, check if the settings in the Settings section have reset. → Annexes → Application protection → Additionally. → Setting reset. This is a problem that is common in firmware. MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 13.

Problem 1: The app does not ask for a password when it opens.

• Check if the app is added to the exclusion list (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
• Make sure that the security feature is enabled in the application settings (some programs, such as Telegram, have their own lock).
• Restart your phone – sometimes the com.miui.guardprovider system service freezes.

Problem 2: Protection works too often (e.g., every time you return to an app).

• In the protection settings (Settings) → Annexes → Application protection → Additionally), set the setting Request password in 5 minutes or 15 minutes.
• Turn off the Request Password function when returning from the background if it interferes.

Problem 3: Facial or fingerprint recognition is not working.

• Remove and add biometric data again (Settings) → Lock screen → Data to unlock).
• Check if the power saving mode is on – it can block the operation of sensors.
• Update the firmware: in MIUI 14 fixes biometric errors for Redmi Note 11 models and POCO X4 Pro.

Hidden security settings: what is not told in the instructions

In addition to the standard parameters, the MIUI There are hidden features that allow you to fine-tune the protection of applications. They are not found in the main menu, but they greatly expand the possibilities:

1. Protection through ADB (for advanced users)

If you want to block access to certain applications at the system level (for example, for a child), you can use the command:

adb shell pm hide com.example.app

This command hides the application from the launcher, but it doesn't remove it. To get access back, use:

adb shell pm unhide com.example.app

2. Automatic shutdown of protection in secure networks

V MIUI 13+ Trusted Networks, which allows you to turn off application protection when you connect to a specific Wi-Fi network (for example, home), is set up in the Internet:

Settings → Annexes → Application protection → Additionally. → Trusted networks

3. Access logs to secure applications

If you suspect that someone has tried to access your apps, you can enable logging:

Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → Press 7 times on "Core" → Enable "Developer Mode" → Back to Settings → Additionally. → Access logs

This will show all attempts to log in to secure applications, including the time and authentication method.

💡

Use of the ADB To manage application protection requires an unlocked bootloader and can lead to loss of warranty.

Comparing the protection of applications in Xiaomi with other brands

Not only is Xiaomi an app protection feature, but let's compare it to similar solutions from other vendors:

The main advantage of Xiaomi is flexibility.

• 🔄 Quickly turn on/off protection for individual applications without rebooting.
• ⏱️ Set up a timeout for a password request (1 to 30 minutes).
• 📱 Use different authentication methods for different applications (e.g. fingerprint for banking applications and PIN social-network).

But there are also disadvantages: Unlike Samsung Secure Folder, for example, application protection in Xiaomi does not create an isolated environment, which means that if an attacker gains root access to the phone, they can bypass the protection through system tools.

Security vs. convenience: how to find balance

The question that users have is, will app protection become too intrusive? Indeed, constant queries are not going to be a problem. PIN-Your code or fingerprint can be annoying, especially if you switch between apps frequently:

1.Use biometrics.

Fingerprint or facial recognition reduces authentication time to 1-2 On Xiaomi models. 12/13 The print sensor is built into the screen, which makes the process even more convenient.

2. Set up exceptions

B Settings → Annexes → Application protection → In addition, you can specify:

• 🏠 Trusted Wi-Fi Networks: Protection Shuts Down at Home or Work.
• 🔋 Power saving mode: Protection fails if battery power is below 15%.
• 🕒 Temporary windows: for example, disable protection from 8:00 to 20:00.

3. Group applications by access level

Not all apps are equally important. Divide them into three categories:

• 🔴 Critical (banks, passwords) – protection is always available.
• 🟡 Personal (social networks, instant messengers) – protection with a timeout of 15 minutes.
• 🟢 General (games, weather) - without protection.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware, application protection may not work properly.In this case, consider alternatives, such as the AppLock app from third-party developers (but consider the risks of transferring data to third-party services).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions