Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer users flexible tools to control access to apps, from built-in parental controls to hidden system settings. App locks may be needed to limit time on social media, protect sensitive data from outsiders, or prevent accidental purchases in games. However, standard methods (such as deleting or disabling) are often not suitable: some system utilities cannot be uninstalled, and games can be automatically updated via Google Play.
In this guide, we’ll break down 7 proven ways to block apps on Xiaomi, including little-known tricks with MIUI 14/15 and circumventing restrictions through ADB. Particular attention will be paid to the hidden mode “Private Safe Profile” in MIUI 15, which allows you to create an isolated sandstone for sensitive data – a feature that is not mentioned even in the official documentation.
Built-in lock via Security (MIUI 12-15)
The easiest way is to use the built-in Security app (the shield icon), which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO s MIUI 12 and newer, but has a limitation: the lock is removed after the phone is restarted, if not configured PIN-code.
To activate the protection:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Security → Application lockdown.
- 🔒 Set your password (if not previously configured). Use a combination of numbers and letters - simple. PIN 1234 is a 5-minute trip through the Brute Force.
- 📋 Select applications from the list (social networks, games, banking programs). For convenience, sort by category Frequently used.
- ⚙️ Enable Hide Notifications to prevent blocked apps from being distracted by pop-ups.
Set a complex password (minimum 8 characters)
Add to the list of applications with access to payments
Disable notifications for blocked programs
Check the work after the phone restart-->
⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI 14/15 Android 13/14, After the system update, the lock may reset. Before upgrading, export the list of blocked applications through Settings → Xiaomi accounts → Backup.
Parental Controls: Time and Content Limitation
For families with children or those who want to limit their time on social networks, MIUI has built-in parental controls, and unlike blocking through Security, you can set time limits, prohibit the installation of new applications, and filter content by age.
Algorithm of settings:
- Go to Settings → Special Options → Parental Controls.
- Create a profile of your child (or your own with restrictions) and specify your age, which will affect the filtering of content on Google Play.
- In the Application Limitation section, select the programs to block and set a daily limit (for example, 1 hour for TikTok).
- Activate Safe Search for Google and YouTube to hide unwanted content.
| Function | MIUI 12/13 | MIUI 14/15 |
|---|---|---|
| Time limit. | ✅ There is. | ✅ + flexible schedules |
| Content filtering | ❌ Only through Google Family Link | ✅ Built-in (by age) |
| Blocking application installation | ✅ Yes. | ✅ + password request |
| Activity reports | ❌ No. | ✅ Weekly statistics |
💡 If your child is trying to bypass the restrictions through Parallel Apps, block the cloning function in Settings. → Special facilities → Parallel Apps → Password.
Built-in lock through "Security"
Parental control with limits
Third-party applications (AppLock)
Hiding applications in the "Second Space"
Don't block apps-->
3. "Second Space": Hidden profile for privacy
Second Space (or Dual Apps in some regions) allows you to create an isolated copy of the system with separate applications, contacts and files. This is not locking in the usual sense, but complete isolation: applications from the main profile will not be visible in the second space, and vice versa.
How to set up:
- 🔄 Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Second space.
- 📲 Select Create a second space and set a password (should be different from the main one!).
- 🔒 In the main space, remove or block unnecessary apps (they will only remain available in the second profile).
- 🔄 Switch between swipe spaces on the lock screen (configure in Settings). → Lock screen → Switching spaces).
What happens if you remove the second space?
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 15 and Android 14 function Second space may conflict with Google Play Services. If after creating a second profile stopped working payments through Google Pay, turn off the isolation for Google services in the settings of the space.
4. ADB Blocking: for Advanced Users
If the built-in methods are not suitable (for example, you need to block a system application like Mi Browser), you can use ADB commands. This method requires connecting the phone to the PC and enabling debugging over USB, but gives full control over the installed programs.
Step-by-step:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
- Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB Tools, and execute the command: adb shell pm hide com.android.browser (replace com.android.browser with the desired application package).
- To unlock, use: adb shell pm unhide com.android.browser
🔍 How to find out the name of the application package? Install App Inspector from Google Play or use the command:
adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword"For example, for Facebook, type "facebook" into grep.
💡
If you can still see the app after the pm hide command, try first disabling it through Settings → Applications → Application Management → Disabling, and then repeat the command.
5. Third-party applications: AppLock and analogues
If standard MIUI methods don’t work, you can use third-party utilities like AppLock, Norton App Lock or Smart AppLock, which offer additional features: fingerprint lock, automatic turn on on schedule, and even a photo trap (a snapshot of someone who tried to access).
Advantages and disadvantages of popular applications:
| Annex | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| AppLock (by DoMobile) | Face lock, PIN, fingerprint; concealment of notifications | Free Advertising; may conflict with MIUI |
| Norton App Lock | Integration with antivirus; protection against removal | Requires registration; slows down work on weak devices |
| Smart AppLock | Flexible schedules; blocking incoming calls | Complicated interface; no Russian language |
⚠️ Note: Some blocking apps (such as AppLock) may collect data about your activity. Check Google Play permissions and user reviews before installing. Use open source alternatives like AppGuard (available on F-Droid) for maximum privacy).
6. Hiding applications without blocking (for MIUI 14/15)
If you don't want to block apps completely, but just hide them from prying eyes, MIUI 14/15 has a Hidden Apps feature that doesn't remove programs, it just removes them from the menu and search, leaving them accessed through a special gesture.
How to hide the application:
- Press the app icon on the home screen and select Hide the app (or drag and drop to Hidden folder).
- To return, swipe down with two fingers on the home screen and enter the password.
🔐 Important: Hidden applications are not password protected – they can be found through a search system (Settings) → For reliability, combine this method with a lock through Security.
7. Data background restriction: blocking through the network
A little-known way to limit applications is to turn off background traffic, which won't block startups, but will make programs useless without an Internet connection, and is suitable for social media, instant messengers, and online gaming.
Instructions:
- 📶 Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data.
- 📊 Select Data Use and find the right application.
- ❌ Disable Background and Unlimited Data options.
- 🔄 For a complete restriction, also turn off Wi-Fi for the app in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Application data management.
💡
Background restriction does not block the application completely, but makes it useless without the Internet, a method that is particularly effective for online games (such as PUBG Mobile or Free Fire), where it is impossible to play without the network.