How to put a password on a folder in a Xiaomi phone: all the ways to protect personal files

Protecting personal data on a smartphone is one of the main tasks of the modern user. Photos, documents, correspondence and other sensitive files are often stored in folders, access to which should be restricted. Owners of Xiaomi phones based on the MIUI shell have several ways to put a password on a folder, but not all of them are equally effective and secure.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current methods, from built-in MIUI functions to third-party encryption applications, learn how to protect folders on Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and other devices with MIUI 12-14, and what pitfalls can be encountered using each method, and pay special attention to data encryption, so that even when you steal your phone, attackers can not extract your files.

Why MIUI Standard Methods Aren't Always Reliable

Many Xiaomi users try to protect folders through built-in shell features, such as a Private Album or a Secure Folder, but these methods have critical drawbacks:

• 🔓 Lack of full encryption: files are simply hidden from view but remain accessible through a file manager or PC connection.
• 📱 Link to Mi Account: when you reset your phone or log out of your account, access to folders may be lost.
• 🔄 Limited functionality: you can’t protect arbitrary folders – only system directories (DCIM, Downloads and others.).

Moreover, some versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 13 for global firmware) do not have a Secure Folder feature at all, due to Google’s policy that prohibits manufacturers from blocking access to standard Android directories, so third-party solutions will have to be used to secure them.

Method 1: Protected folder in MIUI (for selected models)

If your Xiaomi supports Secure Folder, it's the easiest way to hide files from prying eyes, but it'll only work with folders from the gallery and downloads. Here's how to turn it on:

1. Open the Files (or Gallery) app.
2. Go to the Category section → Secure folder.
3. Click Settings and follow the instructions to create a password (you can use a fingerprint).
4. Add files to the protected folder through the Select → Move to the protected folder.

⚠️ Note: this feature is not available on all devices. POCO F4 It may not be available with global firmware, but also remember that files in the secure folder are not encrypted, they can be retrieved through a secure folder. ADB root-access.

Method 2: Private album in the Gallery (for photos and videos)

To protect photos and video files, MIUI has a Private Album, which hides media files from standard viewing, but, like a secure folder, does not provide complete security.

• 📷 Open the gallery and select photos/video.
• 🔒 Press More. → Move it to a private album.
• 🔐 When you first use, set a password (you can link to your fingerprint).

The downside of this method is that files stay in the original folder (DCIM/Camera), just hidden from the gallery interface, can be found through any file manager or by connecting the phone to a computer.

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If you want to completely remove files from a private album, first transfer them back to the main gallery, and then delete them.

Method 3: Password Archivators (ZIP/RAR with encryption)

One of the most reliable ways to protect a folder is to pack it into a password archive, and applications like RAR, ZArchiver, or 7Z are suitable for this.

• 🔐 Full encryption (AES-256 into 7Z or ZIP-encryption).
• 📁 Works with any folders and files.
• 🌐 You can transfer the archive to your PC or cloud without losing protection.

Instructions for ZArchiver:

1. Install ZArchiver from Google Play.
2. Open the application, find the folder you want to protect.
3. Keep your finger on the folder. → Add to the archives.
4. Select the ZIP or 7z format, set a password and encryption method (e.g. AES-256).
5. After creating the archive, delete the original folder.

⚠️ Note: If you forget your password, you can't restore access to your files, and avoid using simple passwords (such as 123456 or date of birth) that can be picked up with brute force.

Make sure there are no temporary files in the folder |Select a reliable format (7z is better than ZIP) |Set a complex password (12+ characters) |Save a copy of the archive in the cloud |Delete the original folder after archiving-->

Method 4: Third-Party Applications for Blocking Folders

If the built-in MIUI features don't suit you, you can use specialized applications to lock folders.

The most reliable option on the list is Cryptomator, which creates an encrypted container that you can put any files in, but the originals stay in place, but you can't read them without a password, and the disadvantage is the complexity of setting up for beginners.

For simple locking without encryption, AppLock or Folder Lock are suitable. They allow you to hide folders behind a password, but do not protect you from extracting files through ADB or root.

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If you want maximum security, choose encryption applications (like Cryptomator) and simple folder lockers are only suitable for protection from accidental access.

Method 5: Encrypting a folder via EFS (for advanced users)

For those willing to take drastic measures, it is possible to encrypt a folder at the file system level using the Encrypted File System (EFS), a method that requires root rights and is only suitable for advanced users.

• 🔒 Full protection: files are encrypted at the Android kernel level.
• 🛡️ Invisibility for Third-Party Apps and PCs.
• 🔄 Flexible configuration (selection of encryption algorithm).

Instructions (Magisk and Terminal required):

su


efs create /sdcard/SecretFolder




efs mount /sdcard/SecretFolder



After entering the password, the folder will be mounted and available for work.



efs umount /sdcard/SecretFolder



Unmount (files will be unavailable again)

⚠️ Attention: in case of incorrect use EFS You can lose access to all the data on your phone, and encryption can slow down your device by 10 to 15 percent!

Comparison of methods: what way to choose

To determine the best option, we evaluate each method according to the key criteria:

For most Xiaomi users, the best solution is a combination of:

1. Archiving important files in 7Z with a password (for backups).
2. Use Cryptomator for frequently used folders.
3. Additional lock through AppLock for convenience.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When protecting folders on Xiaomi, users often make critical mistakes that nullify their efforts.

• 🔑 Simple passwords: Use dates of birth, names or sequences like qwerty, and these passwords are broken in seconds.
• 📱 Storing passwords in notes: if an attacker gets access to the phone, he will find passwords.
• 🔄 Failure to delete originals: After archiving or encryption, the source files remain in place.
• 🌐 Cloud Sync: Files uploaded to Google Drive or Mi Cloud can be accessed without a password.

⚠️ Note: If you are using a secure folder MIUI Or a private album, remember that when you reset your phone to factory settings, all hidden files will be permanently deleted!

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To generate strong passwords, use managers like Bitwarden or KeePass, which create and store complex combinations that you can't remember or match.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions