How to put a password on the application on Xiaomi: data protection

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO have long since ceased to be just a phone caller, becoming digital repositories of our personal lives. Memory stores instant messengers, bank accounts, personal photos and work documents. Data security becomes critical, especially if the phone is used by children or it can fall into the hands of strangers for a short time.

Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS offer a powerful built-in privacy protection tool. You don't have to search for and install third-party software that is often overloaded with ads. The standard App Lock mechanism allows you to set a separate PIN, pattern lock or biometric password to run selected programs. This creates an additional barrier even when the main screen is unlocked.

In this article, we will discuss how to set up protection for specific applications, what are the nuances of the function on different versions of firmware, and what to do if standard settings do not work. Digital hygiene begins with simple steps, and setting a password on an application is one of the most effective ways to maintain privacy.

Preparation for security settings

Before you start setting restrictions, you need to make sure that your Mi Account is active and connected to the device. This is due to the fact that Xiaomi security system is closely integrated with the company’s cloud services. In the case of a forgotten password from blocking applications, it is the Mi Account that will help restore access. It is also recommended to update the system to the latest available version through the Settings → About Phone menu, as new patches often fix security vulnerabilities.

It is important to determine the type of protection that will be used. You can choose a pattern lock, a 4-digit or 6-digit digital PIN, or a complex alphanumeric password. Biometric protection (fingerprint or face unlock) greatly speeds up access, but it only works in conjunction with the main password, which you will have to enter once after rebooting the device.

⚠️ Note: If you choose to change the primary unlock password, the system may require you to reset the password for App Lock for security reasons.

Check for free storage space. Although the protection function itself weighs a little, logging login attempts and background processes require stable operation. If your Redmi or POCO smartphone is heavily loaded, clear the cache before setting serious restrictions.

Activation of App Lock in Settings

The process of turning on security starts with the main menu of operating system settings. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the section responsible for device security. In most modern models, the path is: go to Settings → Applications → Application Lock. In some older versions of firmware, this item may be in Settings → Advanced Settings → Privacy.

When you first log in to the lock menu, the system will ask you to create a password, which will be your key to access protected programs. Don't use too simple combinations like "1234" or "0000." Once you enter the code, the system will suggest linking it to your Mi Account. Accept this action: this is the only way to restore access if you forget the code. Also, at this stage, you can configure the content of the notifications: you can hide the text of messages until you enter the password.

Once you create a password, you'll see a list of all the programs installed on your smartphone. By default, all the switches will be turned off. You'll need to manually activate sliders in front of the apps you want to protect. Usually WhatsApp, Telegram, Gallery, Contacts and banking apps. Once you turn on the switch, the next time you start the program, the system will require you to enter a previously created code or fingerprint.

It's worth noting that App Lock works regardless of the main unlock, and even if the phone is on the table unlocked, trying to open a secure app will require re-authorization, creating a robust two-tier barrier for unauthorized individuals.

Configuring biometrics and additional parameters

Entering a password can be tedious every time, especially if you often turn to messengers. To optimize this process, Xiaomi allows you to use biometric data. To activate fingerprint or face login, go to the application lock settings themselves. This is usually the gear icon in the upper right corner of the list of secure programs or a separate item in the application lock menu.

Here you'll find the fingerprint unlock switch, which will check your finger when you try to log in to a secure application, and if the fingerprint matches, you'll get instant access, and you'll also get face unlock if your smartphone has a matching module or uses AI algorithms to analyze the image from the front camera.

The menu also offers subtle lock behavior settings, so you can choose when to request a password: each time you run an app, or only after you first unlock the screen, and Hide Content, which turns notifications from secure apps into a message, Content is Hidden, until you enter the code.

⚠️ Note: Biometric data is stored in a secure circuit of the processor and is not transmitted to servers. However, if you have dirty or wet hands, the system may not recognize the fingerprint, and you will have to enter a digital code.

Another useful option is the ability to block the removal of applications. If you activate this feature, no user will be able to remove the program from the list of installed without entering the password App Lock. This is useful for parental control or protection against accidental removal of system components.

Use of the Second Space for Total Isolation

If standard app locking isn't enough for you and you want to create a completely hidden environment for personal data, Xiaomi offers a "Second Space" feature, which is not just a password for the app, but creating a second, independent operating system inside your smartphone, logged in either through a special fingerprint or through a separate PIN when you unlock the screen.

In Space Two, you'll have your own set of apps, your Google and Mi accounts, your gallery and your contacts. Apps installed in the main space are not visible in the second space, and vice versa. It's perfect for separating work and personal life, or for handing the phone to a child: you give them access to the main space with games, while your banks and photos remain in the second, hidden space.

To enable this feature, go to Settings → Second Space → Enable Second Space. The system will suggest setting the switching method. The most convenient way is to link to a separate fingerprint, for example, the thumb of the right hand opens the main profile, and the thumb of the left hand opens the hidden profile.

Switching between spaces is instantaneous. You can copy files and contacts between profiles, but by default they are isolated. This ensures the highest level of data privacy available at the Android operating system level.

Comparison of data protection methods on Xiaomi

The choice between simply blocking applications and creating a Second Space depends on your security and convenience needs. Below is a table that will help you determine the appropriate method of protection for your situation.

As you can see from the table, App Lock is a one-stop solution for most users who want to protect their correspondence and photos from prying eyes. The second space is to choose between paranoids or those who need a strict separation of smartphone use contexts.

It's also worth mentioning the Hide Apps feature, which allows you to remove the icons of selected programs from the desktop, and to find such a program, you will need to enter a special code in the Security application or use the search widget. However, without setting a password on the App Lock itself, anyone who knows this code or search method can find and run the hidden application.

Solution: Forgotten password and other problems

The most common problem users face is a forgotten password from blocking apps. If you have a Mi Account, it takes a couple of minutes to recover. If you have five failed attempts to enter the code, the "Forgot your password?" button will appear on the screen. By clicking on it and entering the data from Mi Account, you can reset the code and install a new one.

If the account was not tied, the situation becomes complicated, in which case the only way to reset the App Lock password is to completely reset the smartphone settings to the factory (Hard Reset), which will delete all data from the device, so regular backup to the Mi Cloud or Google Drive cloud is a mandatory procedure.

Sometimes users complain that the lock is not working or the application opens without a password. This can happen if the App Lock settings do not include the "Block at Start" option or if the application is added to exceptions ("No restrictions") in the battery settings.

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Expert advice: Check periodically (once a month) to see if the lock is working, trying to open the secure app immediately after the screen is turned on, to make sure that the settings are not lost after the system update.

It is also worth considering that some system applications may not be supported by the App Lock function, in which case the only option is to use Second Space or third-party launchers, although the latter may not work stable on the MIUI shell.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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The reliability of protection on Xiaomi depends not only on the complexity of the password, but also on the binding of the Mi Account, which serves as a way to restore access in case of forgetfulness.