Xiaomi’s modern Redmi 9C smartphone stores a huge amount of personal information, from banking apps to private photos. Device owners often face the need to restrict access to certain programs to protect their data from the prying eyes of friends or children. The standard MIUI shell offers powerful built-in tools to solve this problem without installing third-party software.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of activating the App Lock feature, which allows you to set individual passwords to run specific programs, you will learn how to configure biometric unlocking, hide application icons, and what to do if you forget the security code installed.
The Redmi 9C security setting doesn’t require a lot of technical knowledge, but it has some nuances to consider for the system to work properly. The right configuration will make you feel confident handing over your phone to other people for a call or a game.
Preparing the security system before setting up
Before you start blocking individual applications, you need to make sure that the system has a main lock screen. PIN-activation of program protection is impossible, since the system must know what to encrypt access.
Go to the Settings menu and select Passwords and Security, click on Screen Lock and choose your preferred security method. For the Xiaomi Redmi 9C, the best option is often a pattern lock because of the speed of input, although the digital code is considered more reliable.
⚠️ Note: Do not use simple combinations like "1234" or geometric shapes in the form of the letter "G.
Once the primary password is set, the system will suggest adding fingerprint or face data, making it much easier to use App Lock in the future, allowing you to open secure apps with one touch, without entering the code again.
- 🔒 Install a complex pattern lock of at least 6 points.
- 👤 Add biometric data in the section "Biometrics".
- 📱 Make sure the version MIUI Updated to the last available.
Activate App Lock on Redmi 9C
The built-in App Lock tool is a standard solution from the developers of MIUI. It works at the system level, which guarantees the stability and absence of advertising typical of third-party counterparts from the Play Market.
To start settings, look for the App option in the settings menu and select Application Lock. When you first start, the system will ask you to come up with a separate password for this particular feature. This password may differ from the screen unlock password, which creates an additional layer of security.
The list that opens will show all the programs installed on the Xiaomi Redmi 9C, and you need to find the right application and switch the switch opposite it to the active position, usually by default, messengers and gallery are already selected here.
☑️ Setting up App Lock
Once you have selected the programs, try to go to the main menu and run one of the ones that are locked, and if the system requests a previously entered code or fingerprint, then the setup was successful. Now access to data within the application is limited.
Using biometrics for quick access
Constantly entering a password can be annoying, especially if you open a secure app several times a day.The Xiaomi Redmi 9C lets you use a fingerprint scanner or camera to unlock the App Lock.
To activate this function, while in the application lock menu, click on the gear icon in the upper right corner. In the settings menu that opens, find the Unlock fingerprint or Face unlock option and turn on the corresponding switch.
Now, when you try to open a secure app, your smartphone instantly reads the biometrics, and if your finger doesn't match or your face doesn't recognize the esso, the system will require you to enter a pattern lock, which is the balance between convenience and security.
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If the fingerprint scanner is slow, try adding the same finger twice in the biometric settings under different names, which will increase the coverage area and recognition speed.
Hiding apps from prying eyes
One of the advanced features of the MIUI shell is the ability to not only block, but also completely hide the application icon from the desktop, a feature called Hidden Applications, which works in conjunction with the blocker.
In the Application Lock menu, go to the Hidden Apps tab (usually on top or in the gear settings) and add the programs you want to make invisible to the average user.
To access hidden applications on the home screen, you need to make a gesture, most often by placing two fingers to the side on the desktop, and then there will be a field to enter the password, and only after successful authorization will the folder with hidden programs open.
| Function | Description | Level of protection |
|---|---|---|
| App Lock | Requests a password at launch | Medium. |
| Hidden applications | The icon disappears from the desktop | High-pitched |
| Second space | Creating a separate profile on the phone | Maximum |
It continues to run in the background, receive notifications and updates, remaining unavailable for direct launch without a special gesture.
Set up notifications and previews on the lock screen
Even if the application is password protected, the text of the incoming message can be displayed on the lock screen or in the notification curtain. To completely hide the information, you need to configure the privacy settings of the notifications.
In the Application Block settings, look for the section associated with notifications, and you can select the option to Hide content, in which case only the name of the application will appear on the screen, for example, "WhatsApp: 1 new message", without text.
It's also worth checking the app's settings. Messengers often have their own Privacy points inside them that prevent previews from showing messages, and dual protection ensures that no one reads the correspondence without unlocking the phone.
⚠️ Note: With the content concealment feature enabled, you won’t be able to quickly know who the message came from without unlocking the device.
What to do with a forgotten password App Lock
It's not uncommon for users to forget the App Lock access code, and if you haven't linked a Mi Account or asked a check question, restoring access can be a daunting task.
If you have a few incorrect password inputs, the screen will display a link Forgot your password?. By clicking on it, the system will prompt you to answer the secret question if it was set the first time you set it, and the correct answer will allow you to reset the code and ask a new one.
If the question is not asked, the only way to reset all the settings of the app blocker is through the security menu, but this will require access to the main Mi Account associated with the device.
Can I reset my password through Recovery?
To avoid problems, it is recommended to write it in a safe place immediately after setting the password or use a password manager.
Second Space as an Alternative to Locking
For those who don’t have a standard lock, the Xiaomi Redmi 9C offers a Second Space feature, which is basically creating a second profile inside a smartphone, with apps, photos and accounts.
Switching between the main and second spaces is either through a special widget or a fingerprint. If you attach a finger registered for the second space, the phone immediately opens a hidden profile, bypassing the main desktop.
It's ideal for separating work and personal life, or for storing highly sensitive information, and applications in the second space are completely isolated, and it's impossible to know if they exist without knowing your password or your fingerprint.
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The second space is not just a folder with a password, but a full copy of the Android system inside your phone with independent settings and data.