How to put a lock on the gallery in Xiaomi: all ways to protect photos and videos

Protecting personal photos and videos in the Xiaomi smartphone gallery is a pressing task for most users. Even if you don’t store sensitive photos, random access to your memories can come as a nasty surprise. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several built-in lock mechanisms, and third-party applications expand the possibilities of protection. In this article, we will examine all the available methods, from standard MIUI functions to hidden folders and specialized software.

It’s important to understand that locking methods vary depending on the firmware version and device model. For example, the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14 has enhanced “Private Storage” functionality, while the budget Redmi 10A may require additional utilities to be installed, we took these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that will be suitable for most of the brand’s devices released after 2018.

1. Built-in locking of the gallery through "Secure Storage"

The most reliable way to hide photos and videos from prying eyes is to use the Secure Storage feature (formerly called Private Storage), which is sewn into MIUI firmware and works on all modern Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi Note series, POCO and flagship models, the main advantage of the method is that data is encrypted at the system level and does not show up even when you connect your phone to your computer.

To activate the protection:

1. Open the standard Gallery app.
2. Slip along three horizontal lines in the lower right corner (menu).
3. Select Secure Storage (or Private Storage in older versions).
4. Set a password, a pattern lock, or link the unlock to your fingerprint.
5. Select the photos/videos you want to hide and click Move to Secure Storage.

After that, the files will disappear from the main gallery and will only be available after entering the password in the Secure Storage section. Please note that if you forget the password, it will be impossible to restore access to the files - they are encrypted locally without backups in the cloud.

⚠️ Note: Secure Storage does not work when connecting your phone to your PC MTP (File transfer mode; however, files can be retrieved through ADB or after a complete reset. For maximum security, use additional device encryption in the settings.

Backup important photos to the cloud|Remember your password or save it in your password manager.|Check the space (protected files take up additional space)|Turn off autosynchronization with Google Photos for hidden files-->

2. Password blocking of individual albums (MIUI 12 and later)

Starting with MIUI 12, the gallery now has the ability to password individual albums, which is handy if you want to hide only a portion of the photos (like screenshots or work documents) without moving them to secure storage. POCO X3 Pro, Redmi Note 11 and newer.

Instructions for setting:

1. Open the Gallery and go to the Albums section.
2. Click on the three dots next to the desired album and select Block the album.
3. Set a password (it may differ from the main password of the lock screen).
4. The album icon will change color to gray with a lock.

Now, when you try to open a blocked album, the system will require you to enter a password, and note that this method is less reliable than Secure Storage: files remain in the original folder and can be retrieved through a file manager or ADB.

3. Create a hidden folder with a.nomedia file

If you don't like the built-in MIUI tools, you can use the classic.nomedia file hiding method, which works on all Android devices, including Xiaomi, and doesn't require root rights, and the bottom line is that it ignores folders with such a file when scanning media.

Step-by-step:

1. Install any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
2. Create a new folder in the root directory of internal memory (for example, Private).
3. Bring photos and videos that you want to hide.
4. Create an empty text file in this folder called.nomedia (a point at the beginning is mandatory!).
5. Restart your device or update your media library through settings (Settings → Apps → Gallery → Storage → Clear Data).

After that, the files from the folder disappear from the gallery, but remain accessible through the file manager, which is suitable for temporarily hiding content, but does not provide protection against targeted search, for example, if someone opens the Mi File Manager, they will be able to see the folder and its contents.

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To increase protection, rename the folder with hidden files to something neutral, such as SystemBackup or Cache, which will reduce interest in it when you accidentally browse.

4.Use of third-party applications to block

If integrated functions MIUI You don't like it, you can install specialized applications to block the gallery, and they offer advanced features like calculator masking, false password, cloud backup, even remote data erasure.-3 solutions compatible with Xiaomi:

• 🔒 AppLock (by DoMobile Lab) -- blocks not only the gallery, but also other apps, supports face unlock, fingerprint and password, and has an "invisible mode" feature where the app icon is hidden from the menu.
• 📁 GalleryVault creates encrypted storage for photos and videos, you can set up automatic screenshots and downloads from instant messengers, and the premium version allows you to mask the application as an icon of system utilities.
• 🔐 KeepSafe is a cloud-based backup solution. There's a false function. PIN" It's designed to show fake files when you force them to unlock. AES-256.

Before installing, check the reviews on Google Play - some apps may contain ads or collect data.We recommend GalleryVault for Xiaomi, as it is optimized to work with MIUI and does not conflict with the built-in gallery.

⚠️ Warning: Third-party locking apps can be removed when you reset or flash your phone. Always back up important files in a secure cloud (such as Mi Cloud or Google Drive).

Built-in secure storage|Password to albums.|Hidden folder (.nomedia)|Third-party annexes|Not defending.-->

5. Blocking through Second Space (Double Space)

The MIUI's Second Space feature allows you to create a completely isolated user profile with a separate gallery, messengers and settings, ideal if you want to share personal and work data or give your phone to children, and in the second space you can set up your own gallery lock without affecting your main profile.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space.
2. Create a second profile by following the instructions on the screen.
3. Set a separate password, fingerprint or pattern lock to log in.
4. In the second space, transfer the necessary photos to the gallery or download them again.
5. Activate gallery locking through Secure Storage (as in the first method).

The advantage of this method is complete data isolation. Even if someone gets access to the main profile, they will not see files from the second space. However, note that Second Space takes up additional space on the device (about 1-2 GB) and can slightly reduce performance on weak smartphones (for example, Redmi 9A).

6. Additional security measures

Even after the gallery is blocked, there are risks of data leakage, and we have collected proven tips that will strengthen the protection of your photos and videos on Xiaomi:

• 🔄 Turn off autosynchronization with the clouds. Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Cloud and deactivate the Sync Gallery option, which will prevent file leakage when you hack your account.
• 📱 Set up a lock screen. Use a complex password (at least 8 characters) or a pattern lock with 9 characters.+ Avoid simple combinations like "1234" or "0000".
• 🔌 Restrict access through USB. B Settings → Additionally. → For developers, turn off debugging by USB and set the connection mode Only charging.
• 🔍 Check the permissions of the applications. → Annexes → Permits make sure that the gallery and file managers do not have access to contacts or location for no reason.

Critical vulnerability: On devices with an unlocked bootloader, all gallery locking methods can be bypassed through custom recovery (TWRP). If you have installed informal firmware, the only reliable way to protect is to fully encrypt the device in the settings (Settings → Additional → Encryption and credentials).

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A combination of several methods (e.g. Secure Storage + Album Lock + Sync Disable) gives maximum protection, but remember: 100% reliability is not available - always duplicate important files to a reliable cloud.

FAQ: Frequent questions about locking a gallery on Xiaomi