How to Change the Xiaomi Application Protection Password

Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often use built-in security features to hide personal data from prying eyes. However, it is quite common for an urgent need to change a previously installed code or pattern lock, this may be due to the fact that the old password has become too simple, has been forgotten, or simply needs an update of security measures to protect confidential information in the Second Space folder or system limiter.

Procedure for changing the protective code in the shell MIUI And the new HyperOS has its own nuances that set it apart from the standard screen unlock, and many users mistakenly believe that it's enough to change the PIN code. SIM-Wi-Fi cards or passwords, but accessing hidden applications requires a separate security setting. In this article, we will detail all the steps needed to successfully update access data.

It is important to understand that changing your application security password is not just a formality, but a necessary step to maintain a high level of cybersecurity of your device. If you suspect that someone has learned your current code, or if you use standard combinations like 1234 or 0000, you need to replace immediately.

Preparing for password change and checking settings

Before you start directly changing the access code, you need to make sure that your device is ready to make changes to the system security settings. Often users face problems due to the fact that they do not sign in to Mi Account, which is a key element of restoring access to the Xiaomi ecosystem. Without an associated account, the change procedure can be difficult or impossible if current data is lost.

It’s also worth checking which version of the operating system is installed on your smartphone. MIUI 12, MIUI 13 or more recent HyperOS may differ slightly from the menu items, but the logic of operation remains the same for all models.

⚠️ Note: If you do not remember your current password, the procedure for changing it will differ from the standard one and will require confirmation through your Mi Account.

To get started, open the standard Security app, which has a green shield icon and is usually located in the Tools folder on the home screen. This is where all the basic security tools for your smartphone, including antivirus, memory cleanup and permission management, are concentrated.

Step-by-step instructions for changing the password through the security menu

The main way to change the code is through the deep menu of security application settings. Once you run the security utility, scroll down to the Tools or Additionals section. We're interested in the Application Protection section, which can sometimes be called Hide Apps depending on the regional firmware and shell version.

Once logged into the security menu, the system will ask you to enter your current password, pattern lock or fingerprint to confirm access rights, which is a standard authorization verification procedure that prevents unauthorized access to security settings, and once you have successfully logged in, you will be placed in the Secure Programs List Management menu.

At the top of the screen or in the menu of additional settings (often indicated by a gear or three dots), you need to find the item "Change password." By clicking on it, the system will prompt you to enter the old code, and then twice enter the new one. Supports various formats: a pattern lock, a digital PIN or a mixed password.

Once you have entered a new combination, the system may suggest setting up a check question or confirming a recovery method. Don't ignore this step, as it is the only way to return access to data if you forget the code again. Save the changes and check the new password by trying to open any secure application.

Using biometrics for quick access

Today’s Xiaomi and Poco smartphones are equipped with advanced biometric protection modules that make it much easier to unlock secure applications. Instead of entering a complex password every time, you can use a fingerprint or facial recognition technology, which is not only more convenient, but also safer, since biometric data is almost impossible to forge.

To activate this feature, go to the application protection settings, as described in the previous section. Find the fingerprint unlock or face ID switch and activate it. The system will ask you to put your finger on the scanner or look at the front camera to create a biometric template.

Importantly, biometrics only works as an addition to the primary password, not as a replacement. Periodically, for example, after a device has been restarted or if more than 24 hours have passed since the last successful unlock, the system will still require the primary password, a security measure provided by the developers of Android and MIUI.

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Use different fingers to unlock the screen and to access hidden apps to increase security and avoid accidental access.

If you're having trouble recognizing your fingerprint, try clearing the scanner of moisture or fat, and reconfiguring the print in the main system settings.Quality settings of biometrics ensure instant access to your data without compromises in the area of protection.

Configure application hiding and second space

The protection feature of Xiaomi apps is closely related to the ability to hide them completely from the general list. When you add an application to the list of protected applications, it disappears from the desktop and from the menu of all programs. To open it, you need to use a special gesture or enter a secret code in the Phone or Explorer application.

In the concealment settings, you can set a unique access identifier. For example, you can set the code number #123# to open a hidden folder. Changing the password automatically updates this access mechanism, making old codes invalid, an important aspect that users often forget.

Second Space, which creates a completely isolated environment on a smartphone, can be the same password to log into a second space as it is to protect applications, but it is set up separately in the "Second Space" section of the phone's basic settings. Changing a password in one place doesn't always change it in another, which requires careful attention.

Understanding the differences between these features allows you to flexibly configure access to content, for example, for banking applications, common password protection is enough, and for personal photos, it is better to use a combination of concealment and protection.

Restoring access through your Mi Account

In situations where the user forgets the application protection password, the only legal way to restore access is to use the Mi Account. When the password is first set, the system strongly recommends that the account be linked, and now this precaution will play an important role.

To reset a forgotten password on the code entry screen, click on the "Forgot your password?" link. The system will prompt you to send the confirmation code to the associated phone number or email, or log in directly to your account. Once successful, you will be prompted to set a new application protection password.

⚠️ Note: When you reset your password through your account, all previously protected apps may require you to log in again inside yourself. Make sure you remember passwords from the services themselves (such as messengers or banking apps).

If you don't have access to the Internet or your account, it gets complicated, and in some cases, cleaning the Security app's data through the phone's settings menu helps, but it can lead to the deletion of the protected software list, even though the apps themselves and their data inside will remain safe, a last resort that should only be resorted to in a desperate situation.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Xiaomi users may encounter various technical problems when setting up security. One common mistake is to say “incorrect password” even when the correct combination is entered, which may be due to changing the keyboard layout or accidentally turning on Caps Lock mode if an alphanumeric password is used.

Another problem is that you can't change your password if you have Superuser (Root) rights on your device or modified firmware installed, and system security restrictions can block critical changes, and in such cases, it's recommended that you temporarily disable root access or return the firmware.

Also worth mentioning is the time desynchronization issue: If the date and time on the device are downed, it can interfere with security protocols and check Mi Account certificates, and make sure that the date and time settings include the "Use Network Time" option.

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Most access problems are solved by checking the Internet connection and the relevance of the date/time on the device.

If none of the methods work, the security configuration file may be corrupted, in which case a full reset of the phone settings may be required, but make sure to back up important data to an external medium or to the cloud before doing so.

Recommendations for creating a strong password

The security of your data depends on the complexity of the password you choose: Avoid obvious combinations such as dates of birth, sequences of numbers or repeating characters. The ideal password for app protection should contain at least 6-8 characters and combine numbers, letters and special characters.

Use mnemotechnics to remember complex passwords, such as "I like coffee at 7:00 a.m.!" can be turned into "Ylpkv7u!", an approach that allows you to create a unique code that is easy to replay in memory, but extremely difficult to match by brute force.

Regularly update passwords, especially if you suspect that the device may have been in the wrong hands. Periodic change of access codes is good digital hygiene that minimizes the risk of personal information leakage. Do not use the same password to protect applications and to unlock the screen.

⚠️ Warning: Never write down passwords on pieces of paper that are stored next to your phone, and don't keep them in notes without additional protection.The best place to store complex passwords is a dedicated password manager.

Compliance with these simple rules will ensure that your personal photos, correspondence and financial applications are protected, and remember that security is a process, not a one-time action.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions