How to put a password on the application in Xiaomi: all the ways to protect personal data

Why Passwording Apps to Xiaomi and What Risks It Prevents

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones store a wealth of sensitive information, from instant messaging to banking apps. Even if you trust others, random access to your phone can lead to personal photos leaked, financial losses or unwanted social media activity, and statistics show that 37% of users have experienced at least one incident where someone has viewed their phone without permission.

Unlike iOS, where app blocking is built into the system, MIUI offers several alternative solutions, from standard tools to third-party utilities. However, not all methods are equally reliable: some are easy to get through Developer Mode, others require root rights. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, including hidden firmware features and circumventing restrictions on older versions of MIUI.

We will focus on the vulnerability in MIUI 12.5-14, which allows you to reset your application password through a reset of security settings – and how to prevent this.

Method 1: Built-in Application Protection in MIUI

The easiest method is to use the built-in Application Protection tool available on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices (except for models for the European market with MIUI Global), which allows you to set a password, fingerprint or graphical key to individual programs.

To activate the protection:

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Application Protection.
2. Enter the main password of the device (if it is not set, the system will prompt you to create it).
3. Select the apps from the list you want to password (e.g. WhatsApp, Gallery, SMS).
4. Set up the type of lock: Password, Fingerprint or Face (on supported models).

Important nuances:

• 🔒 Function not available on firmware MIUI Global without rooting (solution – see spoiler below).
• ⚡ When resetting phone settings, application passwords are reset automatically.
• 📱 Does not work for system utilities (e.g. Settings or Phone).

If the application is not listed, check if it is system-based (e.g. Camera or Contacts) and you will need root access or third-party software to block it.

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To speed up access to password applications, enable the option "Allow access through notifications" in the security settings, which will allow you to unlock the program directly from the lock screen.

Method 2: Using the “Second Space” to Isolate Applications

The second space (or Dual Apps) function in MIUI creates an isolated copy of the system where you can set duplicate applications with separate settings and passwords, which is useful if you want to separate personal and work accounts (for example, on Telegram or Instagram).

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space
2. Create a new space and set a separate password for it.
3. In the main space, go to Settings → Applications → Dual Apps and select programs for duplication.
4. Run secure applications only from the second space.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔐 Complete data isolation: files and application cache do not overlap.
• 📲 It even works on MIUI Global without additional manipulation.
• 🔄 You can quickly switch between swipe spaces on the lock screen.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ It takes up additional space in memory (each space weighs) ~1-2 GB).
• ⏳ Applications in the second space are updated separately.

Method 3: Third-party applications for blocking (AppLock)

If the built-in MIUI tools don’t fit, you can use third-party utilities like AppLock, Norton App Lock or Smart AppLock, which offer advanced features like geolocation locking, an automatic lock timer, and even recording photos of an attacker when login attempts fail.

Top.-3 applications:

How to set up AppLock:

1. Install the app from Google Play and grant permissions to access Special Features.
2. Select the applications to lock and set a password (it is recommended to use a fingerprint to speed up access).
3. In the settings, activate the option to Prohibit Deletion so that the attacker cannot uninstall AppLock.

⚠️ Note: Some banking applications (e.g. VTB Online or Alpha-Click) block work when AppLock is detected due to security policies. MIUI Or second space.

Method 4: Hiding apps through “Hidden Album” and folder password

If the goal is to hide the presence of the application (not just access to it), MIUI has two tools:

1. Hidden album in the Gallery - allows you to hide photos and videos behind a password.
2. Passworded folders in File Manager – hides files and APK applications.

How to hide the application:

1. Create a backup copy APK-application file (for example, through APK Extractor).
2. Move the file to a folder on your phone, then open Files → Personal → Settings → Passworded folders.
3. Add the APK folder to the protected list and set the password.
4. Delete the original application (it will remain hidden in the password folder).

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 It does not work for system applications (for example, SMS or Calls).
• 🔄 When updating the system hidden APK They may stop working.

Alternatively, you can use hidden folder launchers like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher, which allow you to hide your application icons without deleting them, but don't protect your data with a password.

Method 5: Blocking through ADB (for power users)

If you're willing to work with ADB, you can manually block access to applications through system commands, a method that's suitable for MIUI Global, where there's no built-in Application Protection.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm hide com.example.app (replace com.example.app with the batch name of the app, for example, com.whatsapp).
4. To unlock, use: adb shell pm unhide com.example.app

List of packet names of popular applications:

• 📱 WhatsApp: com.whatsapp
• 📷 Instagram: com.instagram.android
• 💬 Telegram: org.telegram.messenger
• 🏦 Sberbank Online: en.sberbankmobile

⚠️ Attention: Pm commands hide/unhide They only work on supportive firmware. MIUI Optimization (e.g., optimization, MIUI China. MIUI Global may require pre-installation of Magisk and module MIUI Optimization Disabler.

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ADB-commands are the most reliable way to lock, but they require technical skills, and they're not suitable for beginners because of the risk of errors in typing commands.

Frequent problems and solutions

Even after you set up the lock, Xiaomi users are faced with typical errors.

1. Password is not requested when opening the application

Causes and solutions:

• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the security service will crash after the update.
• 📱 Check if the option to remember password in the security settings is disabled.
• 🔧 If you are using AppLock, update it to the latest version (in the app). MIUI 14 Older Versions Conflict with the System).

2.The banking application does not start after blocking

Many financial applications (such as Tinkoff or Raiffeisen Online) block work when third-party lockers are detected.

• 🏦 Use the Second Space instead of AppLock.
• 🔒 Disable the lock for banking applications in the application protection settings.
• 📱 Update the bank’s application – new versions often support the work with the bank. MIUI.

3.After resetting the settings, the passwords reset

This is standard MIUI behavior, so you can avoid data loss.

• 🔐 Regularly export the list of blocked applications (appLock has a backup function).
• 📱 Link your Xiaomi account to your phone – this will help restore some of the settings.

4.The fingerprint for unlocking does not work

The problem often occurs after the MIUI update.

• 👆 Remove and add the print again to Settings → Passwords and security → Fingerprint.
• 🔧 Turn off and turn on Application Protection again.
• 📱 Check if the power saving mode is on – it can block the scanner.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions