The modern smartphone has become a storehouse of our digital lives, where bank cards, instant messengers and personal photos are stored. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often wonder about increasing privacy, since standard screen locking may not be enough if a friend or relative uses the phone. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS offer a built-in and powerful tool to solve this problem without the need for third-party software.
Password setting for specific applications is a feature that allows you to create an additional security barrier. Even if someone unlocks your phone, they won't be able to open a gallery or a banking application without re-authorizing. This process takes only a couple of minutes, but provides peace of mind for their data. Below we'll take a detailed look at the algorithm of actions, the nuances of biometrics and possible problems when setting up.
It’s important to understand that the functionality may vary slightly depending on the version of the Android operating system and the shell version. However, the basic principle remains the same for all current models.
Preparation for data protection settings
Before you start directly restricting access to programs, you need to make sure that the device is given the main way to unlock. PIN-Without this step, you can't activate the application protection, because the system needs to know how to verify the identity of the owner.
Also worth checking for updates for system components. Sometimes security features contain bugs that developers fix in patches. Go to settings and check the relevance of the MIUI or HyperOS version. This will help avoid unforeseen crashes when you first run secure applications.
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It is recommended to link the Mi Account in advance, as in some versions of the shell this is required to restore access to protected data in the event of loss of password.
Make sure you have free time and a stable internet connection, although the setup itself is local. If you plan to use fingerprint or face unlock, make sure that this biometric data is already logged in and works correctly on the main lock screen.
Step-by-step: activation of the function
The setup process is built into the system security settings, you don't need to download additional utilities from the Google Play store, which reduces the risk of malware infecting your device. All the necessary tools are already built into the firmware of your Xiaomi smartphone.
Follow a clear algorithm of actions to properly configure access:
- 📱 Open the main settings menu and find the "Applications" section».
- 🔒 Select “Application Protection” (may be called “Application Blocking»).
- 🔑 Click the button “Enable Application Protection” and come up with a password.
- 👆 Select the type of unlock: pattern lock, PIN-code.
Once you have entered and confirmed your password, the system will suggest setting up additional settings, such as fingerprint unlocking, which makes it much faster to access your data, because you don't have to enter numbers or draw a key every time. Just put your finger on the scanner and access is allowed.
Note that when you first turn on, the system may suggest creating a Privacy Password if it is not already installed, which is a single key for hiding files, protecting applications and working with Second Space. Remember it or save it securely, as it will be extremely difficult to reset it without losing data.
☑️ Pre-launch check
Choosing applications to block
Once you have set the primary password, you will see a list of all the programs installed on the device, and you can flexibly configure which apps will require additional authorization when you launch, and by default, the list is sorted by frequency of use or alphabetically.
To activate the protection, you just have to move the slider against the right name.
- 💬 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) to hide correspondence.
- 🏦 Banking applications and financial services.
- 📸 Gallery and cloud storage with personal photos.
- 📞 Call log and contacts.
It is important to note that the lock only applies to the start of the application. If the program is already running and you fold it, you may not need to re-enter immediately. To improve security, you should set the settings “Block immediately” or “In 1 minute” in the settings of the protection function itself.
Some system applications, such as Settings or Security, may be blocked by default or blocked by the default, as this will limit access to device management.
Using Biometrics and Smart Unlocking
Password entry can be tedious every time, so Xiaomi allows you to use biometrics. In the Application Protection settings, you can activate the use of a fingerprint scanner or face camera (Face ID), which makes the login process instant and convenient.
However, it is worth considering the peculiarities of the biometrics, for example, when restarting the device or after 65 seconds of inactivity, the system will still require input of the main part of the system. PIN-It's a standard Android security measure that you can't get around.
⚠️ Attention: Biometric unlocking is less secure than a complex password. Fingerprints can be copied and the face tricked by a photo (on older models). Use biometrics only for convenience, not as the only protection for critical data.
There is also a Smart Lock feature that allows you not to ask for a password if the device is in a trusted place (such as at home) or connected to a specific Bluetooth device, such as a smartwatch.
What to do if the scanner is not working?
Set up notifications and hide content
One of the common problems is that the application is blocked, but notifications from it come to the lock screen or into the curtain, allowing you to see the text of the message without entering a password.
There's a separate item on the Application Protection menu called "Notification settings," and here you can choose how to behave in the system:
- 🔇 Not to show the contents of the notice.
- 🚫 Hide notifications completely.
- 👁 Show only after unlocking the application.
This feature is especially relevant for instant messengers and social networks, you will be able to see that a new message has arrived, but the text will be hidden with asterisks or simply will not appear until you open the identity confirmation application itself.
| Type of protection | Level of security | Convenience | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| pattern lock | Medium. | High. | For everyday use |
| PIN-code (6+ sign) | High-pitched | Average. | For banking applications |
| Fingerprint. | Medium/High | Very high. | For quick access |
| Facial recognition | Low/Mediocre | Very high. | Only for new models with 3D-scanner |
By combining these methods, you can create a flexible security system, such as a gallery with a fingerprint, and a banking application with a complex password that you must enter every time.
Restoring access and solving problems
The most common problem is the forgotten password for app protection. Unlike the screen password, there is no "Forgot your password?" button with the code sent to your email unless you set up your Mi Account beforehand. If you have an account, you can reset it over the Internet.
If the account was not tied, the only way to access the data is to completely reset the device to factory settings, which will delete all the data, so it's important to remember backups. In some cases, cleaning the data of the Security application itself through the recovery menu helps, but this does not work on all versions of MIUI.
⚠️ Warning: Pumping attempts to match passwords can temporarily block the security function for minutes or hours.
Users may also experience a situation where the app crashes immediately after entering a password, which may be due to a lack of RAM or a conflict of versions.
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Regular sync with Mi Cloud and account binding is the only reliable way to restore access to protected data without losing information.
In conclusion, Xiaomi’s built-in protections provide powerful tools for the average user, and a competent setup will make you feel confident transferring your phone to other people or using it in public.