How to put a password on the folder on Android Xiaomi

Xiaomi and Redmi have long established themselves as devices that offer users advanced security features right out of the box. One of the most sought-after features is hiding personal photos, videos and documents from prying eyes. Miui owners often wonder how to secure their data so that sensitive information is not available when transferring a phone to another person. Standard screen locking methods are no longer effective if the gadget is unlocked.

Android, in conjunction with the shell from the Chinese manufacturer, offers several layers of protection, such as a built-in file hiding feature, creating secure folders, or using third-party software. It is important to understand that standard file managers can not simply “password” an arbitrary folder without the use of special tools. Data security requires a comprehensive approach, which we will discuss in this guide.

In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to isolate your files, not using complex technical terms, but explain each step in simple language, you will learn how to use the built-in features of the system, which are often hidden in the depth of settings, and what alternatives exist if standard methods do not suit you.

MIUI's built-in features for file protection

The MIUI shell and its newer version of HyperOS have powerful multimedia tools. Unlike many other manufacturers, Xiaomi has implemented Hidden Album and Hidden Files directly into system applications, allowing you to hide content without installing additional software, but it is worth noting that simply moving a file to a hidden folder is not enough – you need to configure access to it.

The built-in security system is based on encrypting file paths and changing their visibility to the system. When you hide an object, it disappears from the gallery and the guide for the average user. Access requires entering a previously installed password or fingerprint. Data encryption occurs at the file system level, which makes it extremely difficult to recover information without a password.

It is important to understand the difference between simply hidden files and password-protected files. Hidden files can be found by advanced users through root file managers, whereas password-protected files require authorization. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, these concepts are often combined into a single security feature.

📊 What kind of file protection do you prefer?
Built-in Hidden Album
Third-party radar applications
Password archive
I'm not hiding anything.

⚠️ Note: When using built-in hide-out features, remember that resetting your phone to factory settings without first unlocking hidden files can lead to their irretrievable loss.

Use of the Hidden Album function

The most popular method of protecting photos and videos is using the Hidden Album feature, which is integrated into the standard Gallery app, and to activate this feature, you need to do a few simple steps in the application interface, which is ideal for those who want to quickly remove the excess from the public eye.

The setup process starts with opening the gallery, and you have to go to the Albums tab and pull the album list down until there's a vibration or a characteristic sound, and then the system will prompt you to turn on the feature. Biometric protection (a fingerprint or Face ID) can be tied to this album for instant access.

Once you turn on the feature, all of your selected photos and videos are moved to a secure storage, they are no longer displayed in the main feed, you will need proof of identity to view, which creates an additional barrier for the curious.

☑️ Setup of a Hidden Album

Done: 0 / 4

It is worth noting that hidden albums sync with Mi Cloud if enabled, which means that your hidden photos can be accessed on other devices where you log in to your akkaXiaomi.

Protecting Files through Explorer

For documents, APK-files and other types of data that are not images or videos are used by the System Explorer. MIUI It also has a built-in hiding feature, and it's similar to a gallery, but it's focused on the file structure.

To hide a file, open Explorer, find the object you want, click on it, hold your finger. In the menu that appears, select Hide. The file will move to a special directory that is only accessible through the password. The file system will change the attributes of the file, making it invisible to other applications.

To view hidden files in Explorer, you need to pull the screen down again or go to the Explorer settings and turn on the hidden files display by entering a password. This is a convenient way to store scans of documents or personal records.

Where are the hidden files physically stored?
Hidden files in MIUI stored in the system folder along the way /MIUI/gallery_cloud/secret_album Or similar, restricted to the rights of the superuser, and without root rights, you can't see them through a third-party file manager.> If you want not just a hidden folder, but a whole separate environment with your applications and files, use the “Second Space” feature. This is a unique feature of Xiaomi that creates a virtual clone of a smartphone. It allows you to install separate versions of social networks, banking applications and store personal files, switching between the main and second spaces instantly by fingerprint or password. To an outsider, your phone will look like it's normal, even if it's unlocked, but not with the finger that opens the second space. The second space has its settings, its Google account, and its data. You can completely isolate your work life or your personal life. It's more effective than just putting a password on a folder because it hides the fact that you have apps. Third-party apps to lock the embedded folders aren't always enough, especially if you need to hide the system-type folders or you want to have a more flexible interface. In this case, applications come from Google Play. There are many options, from simple blockers to complex encryption. Popular applications create "safes" where files are placed. Some of them even have a "falsearchy password" feature: if you are forced to open the phone, and the algorithm is often opens the code in the storage. However, be careful when choosing such programs. Check the permissions they request. Some applications may require access to all files on the device, which poses a potential risk of data leakage in the event of a vulnerability of the application itself. Application Type of Protection Difficulty of hacking Availability of advertising Keepass2Android Database encryption Very high No Calculator Hide Photos Masking for calculator Medium Yes Folder Lock Password + Cloud High No AppLock (different) Access Lock Low/Medium Yes 💡Third-party apps give more flexibility, but built-in tools MIUI They're more stable and they don't consume battery in the background. Creating archived folders with a password is a universal method that works on any Android device, including Redmi and Poco, and it's archiving files with a password set. You can use file managers with support for this. ZIP And the good thing about this is that it's a password that's put on the file itself, not on access to the file, and even if someone copies it to a computer, they can't open it. ZIP They provide a sufficient level of protection for household use, and the disadvantage of this method is that it's not easy to use it all the time, so to look at a photo, you have to unpack the archive and then repack it, and it takes up time and space on the disk. However, long-term storage of important documents is a good option. ⚠️ Note: Do not use simple passwords like “1234” or “0000” for archives. It will take seconds to select such passwords. Use a combination of letters and numbers at least 8 characters long. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) What happens if I forget the password for a hidden album, if you don't link a Mi Account or ask a control question when you create a hidden album, you can't restore access to the data. MIUI It does not have a back door to reset your password without losing data. It is recommended to set up recovery via email in advance. Can you hide the folder using a standard file manager without third-party applications? Yes, the standard Explorer app on Xiaomi has a concealment feature. It's activated by swiping down the file list, but it only works for files placed in this special section, not for arbitrary folders at the root of the memory. USB? Hidden through standard means MIUI Files are not displayed when connected to USB file transfer mode (MTP). They are only visible when unlocked inside the smartphone itself. However, files in Second Space may not be accessible from PCs without special manipulation. Does the password reset when you update the system? No, when you update Android or MIUI, security settings, including passwords from hidden albums and second space, are saved. However, after a major system update, you may need to re-enter the password to confirm the owner.