How to put a password on a photo in Xiaomi: hidden folders, encryption and applications

The privacy of photos on a smartphone is one of Xiaomi users’ main concerns. Even if you don’t put your phone in the wrong hands, random access to the gallery can lead to awkward situations. Fortunately, MIUI offers several built-in ways to protect photos, and third-party apps extend the capabilities to the level of bank encryption. But not all methods are equally reliable: some are vulnerable to resetting, others require root rights.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 working ways to put a password in a photo, from standard Xiaomi features to advanced encryption solutions, how to hide folders in a gallery, block access through Private Safe, use password archives, and even create “invisible” albums, and why renaming a folder to “.nomedia” won’t work on MIUI 14 and how to get around it.

1. Built-in Private Safe: How to set up and why it's not always secure

Private Safe is a safe from Xiaomi, which allows you to hide photos, videos and documents for a reason. PIN-It's a code or fingerprint, and it's available on all devices. MIUI 10 and newer, but has limitations: files remain in the phone's memory and can be retrieved through ADB or after resetting to factory settings.

To activate Private Safe:

• 📱 Open the Gallery app → Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Choose Private Safe.
• 🔒 Set a password (it is recommended to use a combination of 8).+ letter-and-numeral).
• 📁 Move the necessary photos to the safe: press the file → "Move to Private Safe".
• 👆 Enable the option “Hide Private Safe icon” in the settings to hide the shortcut from the desktop.

A password is complex (not date of birth)

Disabled notifications about new files in the safe

Enabled to hide the Private Safe badge

Password backup (for example, in the password manager)

-->

⚠️ Important: Private Safe files are not encrypted at the system level. MTP You can find them in a folder. /MIUI/PrivateSafe/, If you know the way, use additional encryption to completely eliminate access (see section). 4).

2. Hidden folders in the gallery: how to hide photos without a password (but with a trick)

If you don’t need a password, but simply remove a photo from public access, you can use the hidden folder feature in the standard Xiaomi gallery.This method works on all models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 13, but has a critical disadvantage: hidden files are still indexed by the system and can be displayed in other applications (for example, in Google Photos).

Instructions for concealment:

1. Open the gallery. → Choose an album or photo.
2. Press three points. → Hide.
3. Confirm the action. The photos will disappear from the main view, but will remain in the.hidden folder.

To get the files back:

• 🔍 In the gallery, click three dots. → Settings → Show hidden files.
• 📂 Or through any file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager) go to /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/.hidden/.

⚠️ Attention: Hidden folders are not password protected. Just connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager to access files. For real protection, use Private Safe or third-party apps.

3. Password Archives: A Reliable, But Inconvenient Way

One of the most reliable methods is to pack photos into a ZIP or RAR archive with a password, which works on any device, including the old Xiaomi models on MIUI 9, and guarantees protection even if you steal a phone.

Step-by-step:

1. Install an archiver (such as RAR or ZArchiver from Google Play).
2. Select a photo in the file manager → "Add to the archive".
3. Select the ZIP or RAR format, set a password (at least 12 characters) and the AES-256 encryption method.
4. Delete the original photos (preliminary make sure the archive is created!).

💡 Tip: Store your archives in the cloud (like Google Drive or Mi Cloud) with two-factor confirmation enabled, so you can protect your photos even if you lose your phone.

Built-in Private Safe

Hidden folders in the gallery

Password archives

Appendix side (KeepSafe, Vaulty)

Not protecting photos.

-->

4.Side of the application: Vaulty, KeepSafe and other "safes"

If Xiaomi’s built-in features aren’t enough, look out for specialized photo protection apps that offer additional features: false. PIN-code, auto-delete if you type incorrectly, and even mask it as a calculator, but many of these applications collect user data, so only choose proven options.

Top.-3 apps:

• 🔐 Vaulty - hides the photo behind PIN-code, supports cloud backup, but shows ads in the free version.
• 🛡️ KeepSafe – encrypts files, there is a function of “false security” PIN" (Shows an empty safe when forced).
• 📱 GalleryVault – simulates an application error when you try to hack, but requires many rights.

⚠️ Warning: Before installing, check the app's permissions. If the safe requests access to Contacts, SMS or Geolocation, it's suspicious. Optimal set of rights: Warehouse, Camera (to add new photos) and Biometrics (to fingerprint).

-->

5. folder encryption via Cryptomator: for advanced users

For maximum protection of photos on Xiaomi, you can use Cryptomator, an open source application that creates encrypted storage. Unlike archives, files are available for viewing and editing without unpacking, but you need to manually connect storage.

How to set up Cryptomator:

1. Download the app from Google Play or the official website.
2. Create a new safe (Create New Vault) and set a complex password.
3. Transfer the photo to the encrypted folder through the application interface.
4. Disable the storage after work – files will become unavailable without a password.

🔧 Technical details:

• 🔑 Encryption: AES-256 (standard).
• 📱 Compatibility: working on MIUI rootless.
• ☁️ Cloud Sync: You can store encrypted files in Google Drive or Mi Cloud.

⚠️ Warning: If you forget your password from Cryptomator, it will be impossible to restore access to files - even developers will not be able to help. Keep your password backup in a safe place (for example, in the Bitwarden password manager).

-->

Comparison of methods: what method of photo protection to choose

The choice of method depends on your needs:

• 🔹 For quick protection: Private Safe (built-in) MIUI, but vulnerable to discharge).
• 🔹 To hide from prying eyes: hidden folders (does not protect against targeted search).
• 🔹 For secure encryption: Cryptomator or archives RAR s AES-256.
• 🔹 For convenience: third-party apps like KeepSafe (but check permissions!).

📊 Recommendations for Xiaomi models:

FAQ: Frequent questions about photo protection on Xiaomi