Modern smartphones store a huge amount of confidential information, and the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro is no exception. Owners often face the need to hide the content of individual programs from prying eyes, whether it is personal correspondence in messengers or banking. The MIUI protection system installed on the Xiaomi 10 Pro offers built-in and reliable tools to solve this problem without installing third-party software.
Implementing additional data protection is not just a recommendation, but a necessity in a digital security environment. Standard screen locking is often not enough if the phone falls into the hands of friends or colleagues for a short time. Built-in App Lock allows you to create a standalone barrier to access selected programs using a pin code, a pattern lock or biometric data of the owner.
The setup process takes only a few minutes, but provides long-term protection for your digital identity. It is important to understand that the MIUI security system has its own features that distinguish it from pure Android. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions, possible problems and nuances of the security mechanisms on the flagship device Xiaomi 10 Pro.
Preparation of the security system before blocking
Before you start setting restrictions for specific programs, you need to make sure that the system has a basic level of protection. Without a basic screen unlock password or a pattern lock, the application protection function may not work properly or require enforcement, a fundamental element of the MIUI security architecture.
Make sure your device is updated to the latest firmware version. Developers regularly release patches that close vulnerabilities that could theoretically bypass security. Go to Settings → About your phone and check for updates. It’s also worth linking your Mi Account in advance, as it may be necessary to restore access in case of password loss.
⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from the Mi Account associated with the device, the process of restoring access to secure applications can be significantly complicated or impossible without a complete data cleanup, it is also recommended to check whether biometric authorization methods are activated. The fingerprint scanner in Xiaomi 10 Pro is integrated into the screen and works fast enough to unlock applications.This will save you from having to enter a digital code every time you log in to the messenger or gallery. Activation of the built-in App Lock feature The main tool for protecting data in the shell MIUI It's called Application Protection. To find it, open the standard Security app, which is preinstalled on all Xiaomi devices. The icon is usually green with a white shield. Inside the menu, you need to find the Application Protection or App Lock section». When you first start up, the system will suggest you create a password to protect it, which can be a digital code or a graphical pattern, and importantly, this password will be different from the unlock password of the screen, although for convenience, they can be made the same. Once you create a password, the system will offer you to set up recovery through your Mi Account, which is a critical step. 📊 What type of password do you prefer to protect applications?Graphical key PIN-When you set your password, you'll see a list of all the programs installed on your device, and you'll need to find the apps you want to restrict from that list, and just move the slider opposite the program name to the active position. From now on, each time you run the selected application, the system will request authorization. ☑️ Setting up App Lock Open app Security:Find application protection:Find a strong password:Select applications to lock: 0 / 1 Set up biometric authorization Using biometrics on Xiaomi 10 Pro greatly speeds up access to secure data, and in the Application Protection settings, you can activate the use of a fingerprint or Face. ID. To do this, go to the settings of the protection function itself (usually the gear in the corner of the application list screen) and turn on the appropriate switches. You can choose whether to request unlocking every time you run an app or only after you first unlock your smartphone screen. The first option provides maximum security, the second one provides greater comfort with frequent use. It is worth noting that biometric data is stored in the secure module Xiaomi 10 Pro and is not transmitted to the company's servers. However, if the biometrics did not work several times in a row (for example, the finger was wet), the system will require you to enter the main password or pattern lock that you created during the setup stage. What to do if the fingerprint scanner does not work?In some cases, after updating the firmware or resetting, biometric data can be removed from the application protection memory. In this case, you need to re-introduce the fingerprint in the App Lock settings, even if it is in the main settings of the system. Using the second space of the smartphone, this is actually a more radical solution of the Pro 10. Applications installed in the Second Space are completely isolated from the main profile and require separate login authorization. To activate, go to Settings → Second Space. The system will suggest creating a separate password or using a different fingerprint to instantly switch between profiles. This is the perfect way to hide not only individual applications, but entire folders with photos, contacts and browser history. Inside the Second Space, you can install the same apps as in the main profile, but with other accounts. For example, you can have two WhatsApp or Telegram accounts, each of which is protected by its own access level. Switching between spaces is instantaneous and does not require a device reboot. App Lock Comparison Parameter (Application Protection) Second Space Insulation Level Only Log in App Complete Data Isolation and Settings Access Speed Instant (biometry) Requires Profile Switching Battery Consumption Minimum (Background Processes) Setup Difficulty Low Average Hiding App Icons Through Hiding Apps Another privacy level on Xiaomi 10 Pro is the "Hide Apps" feature, which allows you to remove icons from the desktop and menu. You can only find them through a special input in the "Themes" application or through the search widget if you can choose the application from the desktop, "Herekon, you need to open the user's" feature. To access them, a name search or special gesture is usually used. ⚠️ Attention: Hiding applications is not a complete data protection. If an attacker knows the name of a hidden application, they can find it through a system search and run it. Use this feature in conjunction with App Lock. Combining methods gives the best result. You can hide the banking app icon and further protect it with a password, so even if you detect it, you can't access your finances without logging in. 💡For quick access to hidden applications, create a folder on your desktop called “Systems”, where you place rarely used system utilities, and next hide real hidden applications, if they are available through widgets. During operation, users of Xiaomi 10 Pro may encounter situations where application protection stops working correctly. Often this is due to the aggressive MIUI energy saving system, which "kills" background protection processes. To avoid this, find the Security application in the list of running processes and select the No Limits mode. Another common problem is resetting App Lock settings after the system update. In this case, you may need to re-assign to the Mi Account. If the system requires a password that you do not remember, and recovery through the account is not available, the only way out is a complete reset of the application, and users complain that the application will open a password when certain conditions. This can happen if the security settings do not tick “Block immediately.” Check the lock timer settings: the best option is to set the “Immediately after leaving the application” value». 💡The stable operation of application protection depends on auto-run permissions and work in the background for the system application "Security (FAQ) Is it possible to bypass the password for Xiaomi 10 Pro? There are no official ways to bypass the security without a password. Protection is tied to hardware keys and Mi-account. Password reset is possible only through a linked account, otherwise you will need a full reset of the phone. Does App Lock affect smartphone speed? On current processors like the Snapdragon 865 in the Xiaomi 10 Pro, the feature’s impact on overall performance is imperceptible. The delay in launching apps is fractions of a second and is necessary to check the biometrics or password. What happens if I sell the phone without removing App Lock? The buyer will not be able to access your data, but also fully use the phone. Before selling, be sure to completely reset (Settings → About Phone → Resetting), pre-unlocking the Mi Account. Does application protection work in safe mode? In safe mode, third-party applications do not start, but system protection functions may work differently. However, entering safe mode also requires unlocking the device, which is the first layer of protection.