Owning a modern smartphone involves storing a huge amount of confidential information, from personal correspondence to bank data. That is why the question of how to put a password on the application on Xiaomi becomes one of the most pressing for users of the Mi and Redmi ecosystem. Standard screen locking is not a sufficient measure of protection, especially if the device falls into the hands of friends or colleagues for a short time.
Xiaomi has introduced MIUI and the new HyperOS with a powerful built-in protection mechanism that does not require third-party software installation, a system feature that works at a deep level, which guarantees high reliability and minimal impact on the autonomy of the gadget. Unlike third-party launchers, the system limitation cannot be simply killed through the task manager.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the process of activating protection for any program, set up biometric authorization for quick access, and look at hidden features that not all Chinese smartphone owners know about.
System preparation and verification of updates
Before you start setting the restrictions, you need to make sure that your smartphone is working correctly. Application protection is tied to the Security system services, which can be updated regardless of the main firmware. If you have trouble finding the right items, first check for updates for system components.
Go to the standard Security app (green shield icon) that is preinstalled on every device of the brand. Scroll down to the Optimization section or click on the gear icon in the upper right corner. It is important to make sure that all modules, especially those responsible for privacy, have up-to-date versions. Outdated software may contain bugs that prevent the blocker from working properly.
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Before setting up important security features, back up your data via Mi Cloud or locally to eliminate the risk of losing access to your data in the event of a system failure.
It’s also worth noting that the interface may vary slightly depending on the shell version. On global versions of MIUI, menu items are often translated more accurately than on Chinese builds, where you may need to use an image translator. However, the logic of the work remains the same for the entire line of devices, whether it is a budget Redmi Note or flagship Xiaomi 14.
Activate application protection through the Security menu
The main way to set up restrictions is through the already mentioned Security app, which is the central hub for managing all aspects of protecting your device, and this is where the tool that is popularly called "App Lock" is located. To get started, open the application and find "App Protection" (or "App and File Protection").
When you first start up, the system will ask you to create a special password, which can be a pattern lock, a digital code or a mixed password. Importantly, this password will be different from the unlock code of the screen, although you can choose to use the same code for convenience. Remember this, because restoring access without a tied Mi Account can be a difficult task.
☑️ Setting up application protection
Once you have the code installed, you will be asked to select specific programs that you want to block, and you will see a complete list of apps installed on your smartphone with switches opposite each one, and just activate the switch next to the desired icon, such as WhatsApp, Telegram Gallery, so that the protection will take effect instantly.
Note the feature of hiding the content of notifications. In the settings of the blocker, you can activate the option where the text of the incoming message will not appear on the locked screen or in the notification curtain until you enter the password. This adds another level of privacy, preventing information from leaking through the preview of messages.
⚠️ Note: If you forget the application protection password and have not tied your Mi Account for recovery, the only way to remove the restrictions may be to completely reset your device to factory settings, which will lead to the loss of all data.
Using biometrics for quick access
Constantly entering a pattern lock or pin code every time you open a messenger can be annoying. Fortunately, modern Xiaomi and Poco smartphones allow you to use biometric data to confirm access, which not only speeds up the process, but also increases security, since a fingerprint or face is more difficult to forge than a simple code.
To set up, go to the application protection settings and find “Use fingerprint” or “Use face unlock.” The system will redirect you to the appropriate menu, where you will need to add a biometric template if it has not already been created. Once activated, login to the protected applications will occur almost instantly.
There is a nuance that not everyone knows about: In some versions of the firmware, biometrics for App Lock only works if it is turned on and to unlock the screen itself. If you only have a pin code on the screen, the fingerprint option for the app may not be available or require additional confirmation.
It is also important to note that face recognition on models without 3D-The camera (most Redmi and Poco models) is a less secure method than a fingerprint. A good-resolution photo of the owner could theoretically unlock the device.
The function of Hidden Space and Second Space
The MIUI shell has features that go beyond simply locking individual icons, such as Second Space and Hidden Profile, which create a virtual second independent smartphone inside your device with its own set of apps, photos and accounts.
The second space is a fully-fledged, isolated environment, and when you switch into it (usually through a special gesture or an icon on your desktop), you see a clean desktop, like on a new phone, the applications installed in the second space are not visible in the first space, and vice versa, which is ideal if you want to completely hide the fact that certain programs are present.
Second Space is set up via Settings → Additional → Second Space. Here you can set up a separate password or fingerprint to log in. For example, the thumb of the right hand opens the main space, and the thumb of the left hand opens the hidden space, which allows you to instantly switch between the modes "for everyone" and "for yourself."
| Function | Level of secrecy | Impact on the battery | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application lockdown | Low (icon visible) | Minimum | Low. |
| Hiding contents | Average (hidden text) | Absent. | Low. |
| Second space | High (complete isolation) | Medium (background processes) | Medium |
| Hidden album | Medium (available in gallery) | Absent. | Low. |
Using Second Space requires more system resources, as it actually runs a second user profile. On older models with less RAM, this can lead to more frequent unloading of background applications. However, the level of privacy that this method provides is not comparable to conventional locking.
Setup of a hidden album in the Gallery
The protection of media content deserves special attention, and users often need to hide specific photos or videos inside the app, rather than the app itself. The standard Xiaomi gallery has a Hidden Album feature that allows you to remove media files from public access.
To activate this feature, open the Gallery app, go to the Albums section and pull the album list down. A lock icon will appear that suggests creating a hidden album. Once you set a password (or use a password to protect the apps), you can move any photos there.
The hidden album is accessed by the same swipe down the album section. Files placed there disappear from the shared feed, are not displayed in widgets, and are often hidden from third-party apps requesting media access, a convenient way to store personal documents or photos.
Where do the files from the hidden album go when resetting settings?
It is important to understand that the hidden album is tied to a specific device and profile, and when you move to a new phone, you will have to manually transfer these files, first opening the album and saving copies in an accessible place or uploading them to the Mi Cloud cloud storage with the synchronization of hidden albums enabled.
Solving and restoring access
Despite the reliability of the system, users may experience situations where access to applications is lost, most often after a firmware update, reset or trivial forgetfulness. If you forget the password from application protection, the system will prompt you to enter an answer to the control question, if you installed it.
In case the control question is also forgotten, the only official way is to link to Mi Account. If several failed attempts to enter a password, a link “Forgot your password?” may appear on the screen, which initiates the recovery process through the account, without which it may be impossible to restore access to blocked data.
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Always link the application protection function to your Mi Account – this is the only guarantee to restore access to data when you lose your password.
Sometimes users complain that application protection spontaneously turns off or does not ask for a password, and this can be due to aggressive energy savings that kill the blocker process. To avoid this, go to the battery settings, find the application "Security" or "App Protection" and set the "No restrictions" mode.
⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party blocking apps (AppLock from Play Market) at the same time as built-in protection can cause conflicts, leading to endless password request cycles or system freezes.