Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the need to hide personal correspondence or bank details from prying eyes. The Redmi Note 7, despite its age, remains popular thanks to its MIUI functional shell, which offers built-in encryption tools.
In this article, we will take a look at the algorithm for activating application protection, how to set up biometric unlocking, use hidden space, and what security features are in different versions of the firmware, and how to set these parameters up correctly will make you feel confident handing over your phone to friends or colleagues.
Android, in conjunction with its proprietary shell, provides flexible access control tools, so you don't have to be a programming expert to activate these features, but you just have to follow the steps below to securely shut down your chosen programs.
Preparation for data protection settings
Before you start setting restrictions, you need to make sure that your Mi Account is activated and linked to the device, a security requirement of Xiaomi itself that allows you to restore access in the event of loss of a pattern lock, and without an associated account, the setup process can be interrupted or limited.
It is also worth checking the current version of the operating system. Although the basic functionality is the same, the location of the menu in MIUI 10, MIUI 11 or more new versions may vary slightly, and it is recommended to update all system applications through the built-in GetApps store or Google Play to eliminate errors in the operation of security modules.
It is important to create a strong password that is different from the unlock code of the screen. Using the same combination reduces the overall level of protection of the device. Write the new combination in a safe place to avoid locking your own smartphone.
⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from the applications and do not link the Mi Account, it will be impossible to restore access to data inside the protected programs without completely resetting the settings.
Make sure the device is on the Internet, which is necessary for the initial activation of the security service and synchronization of credentials, and once successfully configured, access to security features will work offline.
Activation of the function "Application Protection"
The main tool for blocking programs is in the standard system application "Security", which has a lightning shield icon and is preinstalled on all Redmi Note 7 devices, and through this interface, all access rights are controlled.
To get started, open the Security app. Scroll down to Application Protection (or App Lock) and the first time you start, the system will ask you to create a pattern lock or enter a digital code, which will be asked each time you try to open a blocked program.
Once you create a password, the system will suggest you link your Mi Account, and it is strongly recommended to agree to this action, and the account binding allows you to reset your forgotten password through the "Forgot your password?" button on the input screen by sending the confirmation code to the associated number or email.
☑️ Checking before blocking
Select from the list all the applications you want to protect. Usually, users block the gallery, messages, messengers and banking clients. Once selected, the sliders will become active, and when you run the selected program, you will see a password entry window.
Set up biometric unlocking
The Redmi Note 7 features a fingerprint scanner on the back, as well as a facial recognition module. Using biometrics greatly speeds up access to secure applications, eliminating the need to enter a pattern lock every time.
To activate this feature, go to the Application Protection settings. In the upper right corner, click on the gear icon. In the menu that opens, find "Unlock fingerprint" or "Face ID" and activate the corresponding switches.
The system will require you to confirm the action by entering a previously set password, then when you try to open a blocked application, the smartphone will read your finger or face, and if the biometrics do not work, for example, due to wet hands or poor lighting, you can access the standard way.
| Method | Speed. | Reliability | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|
| pattern lock | Medium | Tall. | Low. |
| Fingerprint. | Tall. | Very high. | High. |
| Facial recognition | Very high. | Medium | Very high. |
| Pin code. | Low. | Tall. | Average. |
Using a fingerprint scanner is considered the safest method available on the Redmi Note 7.It has virtually no false positives and works even without an internet connection.
Using Hidden Space
For users who want maximum privacy, the MIUI has a Hidden Space feature, a second isolated desktop that is hidden from prying eyes and is only accessible after a special password or fingerprint is entered.
Unlike simply blocking apps, hidden space creates a completely separate environment: apps installed in that space are not visible in the regular menu, do not display notifications on the home screen, and have their own data.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Special features → Hidden Space. Click Enable and create a login password. The system will also suggest selecting a fingerprint that will instantly switch the smartphone to hidden mode.
⚠️ Warning: When you remove hidden space or reset your phone to factory settings, all the data and applications inside it will be irretrievably lost.
Switching between the main and hidden space is instantaneous, you can use different accounts in the same apps, for example, in the normal mode you have one Telegram account, and in the hidden mode you have a second, working one.
What is the difference between the hidden space and the second space?
Decisions and errors of access
Xiaomi users sometimes face a situation where the application stops asking for a password or, conversely, is blocked constantly, often due to a system update or access rights conflict. If the protection does not work, check whether the permissions of the system application “Security” are disabled.
In some cases, third-party antivirus programs may conflict with built-in MIUI protection. If you use such programs, try adding Application Protection to the exclusion list, which will ensure that the lock mechanism works smoothly.
If you forget your password but your Mi Account is tied, click Forgot your password on the input screen. The reset code will come to your email or phone. If your account is not tied, the only way is to completely reset your device, resulting in all data being lost.
For advanced users, you can reset protection settings via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), but this method requires a computer and enabled debugging over USB. In most cases, linking an account is the easiest and most reliable solution.
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Mi Account binding is the only guaranteed way to restore access to blocked applications without losing data.
Additional security measures in MIUI
The MIUI shell offers not only app lock, but also a "Close in Recent" feature, which, when activated, will keep app previews in the list of running tasks hidden by asterisks until the password is entered, preventing you from peeping at the screen content.
You should also pay attention to the notification settings, so you can prevent the content of messages from being displayed on a locked screen in the Application Protection menu, and even if the phone is unlocked but the app is protected, the notification text will not be visible.
Check the list of applications that have access to special features regularly. Attackers can use these permissions to bypass locks. Keep the system updated to get the latest security patches from the manufacturer.
💡
Use Guest Mode to temporarily transfer your phone, which allows you to restrict access to contacts and certain apps without completely locking your device.