Protecting sensitive data on a smartphone is a challenge that every user faces. Photos, documents, correspondence and work files often require additional protection from prying eyes. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices have several built-in and third-party tools to lock folders with a password, but not everyone knows how to use them correctly.
In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to put a password on a folder, from standard MIUI features to advanced encryption methods. You will learn which methods are more reliable, how to avoid typical configuration errors, and what to do if you forget your password. And also compare built-in tools with popular applications from Google Play on the criteria of security and convenience.
1. Built-in "Secure folder" function in MIUI
The easiest way to password a folder on Xiaomi is to use the proprietary tool Protected Folder** (formerly called Private Folder), a feature available on most devices with MIUI 12 and later, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Xiaomi 12/13/14. Its main advantage is system-level integration, which eliminates the risk of data leakage through third-party applications.
To activate the protection:
- Open the Files app (the blue-background folder icon).
- Go to the Category → tab scroll down to the Protected folder section.
- Click Settings and follow the instructions for creating PIN-code-key.
- After setting up, move the desired files to the protected folder through the Select → Move menu.
⚠️ Importantly, if you reset your phone to factory settings, the contents of the protected folder will be permanently deleted — MIUI Does not provide a way to export files from the protected area.
Make sure the version MIUI less than 12|Create a backup copy of important files|Remember. PIN-code|Disable Autosynchronization with the Cloud for this folder-->
| Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|
| Does not require the installation of third-party applications | Files are not available via PC (even when connected via USB) |
| Encryption at the system level (AES-256) | When resetting the phone, the data is deleted |
| Works with photos, videos, documents | It is impossible to password folders in the root directory |
2.Use of the application "Security" (Second Space)
Another built-in tool Xiaomi has is the Second Space feature, which allows you to create a separate user profile with your own apps, files and settings, access to which is password-protected, which is suitable if you need to hide not only folders, but also installed programs (such as instant messengers or banking applications).
Algorithm of settings:
- Go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space.
- Click Create Second Space and set a password (different from the main one).
- In the new profile, install a file manager (for example, Files by Google) and move the folders you want there.
- Return to the main profile – access to files from Second Space will be blocked.
🔹 Nuance: Second Space creates a full-fledged second account, which can take up to 1-2 GB of memory, and some system applications (such as the Gallery) will be duplicated, which is not always convenient.
Built-in "Secure folder»|Second Space (second profile)|Third-party annexes|Encryption of archives|Don't use protection.-->
3. Third-party applications for folder lock
If the built-in MIUI features don't suit you, you can use third-party software.
- 🔒 AppLock - blocks access to folders, applications and system settings. Supports fingerprint and facial recognition.
- 📁 Folder Lock encrypts files in real time, creates a safe with a password.
- 🛡️ Keepsafe – specializes in protecting photos and videos, but can block entire folders.
🚨 Warning: Check the permissions of the application before installing. If the program requests access to SMS, geolocation or contacts without an obvious reason, this is a sign of potentially dangerous software.+.
Example of Folder Lock configuration:
- Download the app from Google Play and set a master password.
- In the main menu, select Add Files → specify folders to lock.
- Activate Stealth Mode to hide the program icon.
How to cheat spy apps?
4 Encrypting folders into a password archive
If you want to transfer protected files to another device or save them to the cloud, the best option is to archive the folder with the password.
- 📦 RAR (attachment RAR for Android – supports encryption AES-256.
- 🔐 7-Zip (through 7Z Archiver – free and open format 7z.
- 🔗 WinZip – convenient for integration with cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox).
Instructions for RAR:
1. Open the RAR app and select the folder to archive.
2. Click "Add to archive" → specify the file name.
3. In the section "Set password" enter the code and confirm.
4. Select the encryption layer (AES-256 is recommended).
5.Click OK – the archive will be created in the same directory.⚠️ Note: If you forget your password, it will be impossible to restore access to files – even specialized hacking programs (such as ArchPR or ArchPR). RAR Password Unlocker does not guarantee results for modern encryption algorithms.
5. Hiding folders without password (alternative method)
If you do not need a password, but simply hide the folder from outsiders, you can use the system functions of Android:
- Connect your phone to your PC via USB (file transfer mode).
- In the root directory of memory, create a folder with a name beginning with a point, for example:.secret_files.
- Move the files you want to see there. The standard MIUI file manager won't display that folder.
🔹 How to regain visibility:
- Use a file manager that supports hidden files (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
- Enable the display of hidden folders in the manager settings (Settings → Show hidden files).
⚠️ Limitation: This method does not protect files from access through ADB If an attacker gains physical access to the phone, they can see the hidden data through the command line.
💡
To strengthen the protection of the hidden folder, place a.nomedia file in it (without extension) and prevent its content from being displayed in the gallery and media players.
6.What to do if you forget your password?
Reset passwords from a secure folder or third-party application in several ways, but not all of them will save your data:
| Method | Are files saved? | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Reset via Mi Account | ❌ No. | Low. |
| Recovery via email (for third-party applications) | ✅ Yes. | Medium |
| Delete locksettings.db file via ADB | ❌ No. | Tall. |
| Appeal for Xiaomi support | ❌ No. | Very high. |
🔧 Step-by-step instructions for resetting via Mi Account:
- Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in.
- In the Devices section, select your smartphone → Find the device.
- Click Lock the device and install a new one. PIN-code.
- After unlocking the phone, the protected folder will be reset (files will be deleted).
⚠️ Warning: if the phone is enabled Factory Protection MIUI (Recovery resets require the username and password from Mi Account, without which the device will become a brick».
7. Comparison of methods: which one to choose?
The choice of the way to protect the folder depends on your tasks:
- 🔄 File transfer → Password archives or cloud storage with encryption (Cryptomator).
📊 Recommendations on models:
- Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 → Use Protected Folder** (optimized for newer versions of MIUI).
- POCO F4/F5, Redmi K50 → Second Space (works well with high-performance chips).
- Older models (MIUI 11 and below) → Third-party applications (AppLock or Keepsafe).
💡
On devices with MIUI 14+, the built-in Secure Folder uses hardware encryption (via the Qualcomm Secure Processing Unit or MediaTek TrustZone chip), making it more reliable than most third-party solutions.