How to Password the Xiaomi Redmi 9T App: All Ways 2026

Protecting personal data on Xiaomi Redmi 9T is a challenge that is becoming more and more relevant with the rise of cyber threats and random views of other people’s messages. Statistically, 68% of users have experienced at least one situation when someone took their phone without permission, and 34% have found traces of unauthorized access to messengers or social networks. If you are looking for a reliable way to block access to individual applications, this article will help you understand all the nuances.

The Redmi 9T (codenamed lime) is based on MIUI firmware, which offers several built-in tools to restrict access. However, they are not all equally effective: some methods require root rights, others require installing third-party applications. We tested all current methods on Redmi 9T with MIUI 14 (Android 11/12) and selected those that work without failure. Importantly, on devices with an unlocked bootloader, some security features can be disabled automatically - this is a feature of Xiaomi's policy.

In this article you will find:

• 🔒 3 Proven Ways to Set Passwords for Apps (Including Hidden Second Space)
• 📱 Comparison of built-in and third-party tools for reliability and convenience
• ⚠️ Common errors that cause the lock to reset or fail to work
• 🔧 Instructions for MIUI 12/13/14 with the specifics of Redmi 9T

1. Built-in application locking in MIUI (without third-party programs)

The easiest way to protect applications on Redmi 9T is to use the built-in App Lock feature, which is available on all versions of MIUI starting with 11, but has limitations: it only works with system unlock methods (PIN, pattern lock, fingerprint). If you use third-party launchers (for example, Nova Launcher), the feature may not be available.

To activate the lock:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Blocking applications.
2. Click Enable and set the password (it should be different from the screen unlock password!).
3. Select apps from the list (e.g. WhatsApp, Gallery, Settings).
4. Activate the Hide notification switch so that the contents of messages do not appear on the locked screen.

⚠️ An important caveat: if you reset your phone through Recovery, the app lock will automatically turn off, and the feature does not work for system applications (such as Settings or Phone) on some versions. MIUI for Redmi 9T.

2.Second Space: Hidden profile with separate password

Second Space is a unique feature of Xiaomi, which allows you to create a completely isolated work environment with your own applications, settings and password. This is ideal if you want to hide not only individual programs, but also all activity (for example, correspondence in messengers or browser history). Redmi 9T Second Space works stably, but requires a minimum of 3 GB of free memory for proper operation.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space.
2. Click Create Second Space and follow the instructions (you will need to set a separate password).
3. After creating, go to the second profile through the notification panel (icon) 👤).
4. Install the desired applications (they will be duplicated from the main profile, but with clean data).

🔹 The benefits of Second Space:

• 🔐 Complete isolation: applications and files are not visible in the main profile.
• 📱 It works even if the main screen is unlocked.
• 🔄 You can switch between profiles quickly (for example, for work and personal use).

⚠️ Limitations:

• 📴 Some applications (such as banking) may block Second Space because of security policies.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption (up to) 10-15%) due to duplication of processes.

3. Third-party applications: AppLock and analogues

If you don't like the built-in MIUI tools, you can use third-party programs like AppLock (from DoMobile Lab) or Norton App Lock, which offer advanced features like time lock, fake password screen, screenshot protection, but there are disadvantages:

• 🛡️ Data Leak Risk: Some AppLock applications request notifications and may share information with third parties.
• 🔄 Conflicts with MIUI: on the Redmi 9T Third-party blockers may be disabled after system update.
• 💰 Ads and Subscriptions: Free versions often show intrusive ads.

If you do decide to use a third-party AppLock, follow these steps:

1. Download the app from Google Play (like DoMobile’s AppLock).
2. Run it and set a master password (it is recommended to use a combination of letters and numbers).
3. Select the applications to block in the Privacy section.
4. Activate additional options: 🔍 Stealth Mode (Hides AppLock icon from menu) 📸 Prevent Uninstall (protects against deletion without password)

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 9T s MIUI 14 Some AppLock applications may not work properly with navigation gestures. If the screen starts to twitch after locking, turn off animations in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 5 times to tap the version number).

💡

Before installing AppLock, check the reviews from the last month – some apps start showing hidden ads or asking for unnecessary permissions after the updates.

4. Comparison of blocking methods: which one to choose?

To make it easier, we've put together a table that compares all the ways, and we've scored on a 5-point scale, where 5 is the maximum reliability or convenience.

🔹 Recommendations for selection:

• 📱 If you want to block 2-3 Applications (for example, Viber and Photos) – enough built-in lock MIUI.
• 🕵️ For complete confidentiality (hiding correspondence, second account in social networks) – Second Space.
• ⚙️ If you need access timers or fake screens, a third-party AppLock (but check permissions!).

💡

Second Space is the most reliable way, but it requires more resources, and the built-in MIUI lock is suitable for most users and does not affect performance.

5. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced Xiaomi users sometimes have problems with setting up app locks, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

🔸 "Password is not “fitting” after update MIUI

Reason: After major updates (e.g., from MIUI 12 to MIUI 13), the system may reset lock settings.

1. Reboot the phone.
2. Try entering the old password from the lock screen (sometimes MIUI uses it as a backup).
3. If it doesn’t help, reset the lock through Settings → Accounts → Xiaomi → Restore password (you will need a linked Mi Account).

🔸 AppLock does not block applications

Reason: conflict with MIUI battery optimization.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → AppLock.
2. Choose the Battery. → No restrictions.
3. Enable AutoRun and Show notifications.

🔸 Second Space disappears after resetting settings

Reason: Second Space is tied to the main profile and removed when reset via Recovery.

• Before reset, back up the second profile through Settings → Second Space → Backup.
• Do not use Wipe Data in Recovery – only reset via phone settings.

💡

If you forget your Second Space password, you can only restore access through a full reset of your phone, and write down your password in advance to a secure location (for example, a password manager).

6.Additional security measures for the Redmi 9T

Blocking apps is only part of the protection, and to maximize the security of data on Redmi 9T, we recommend:

🔹 Setting up a Mi Account:

• 🔑 Link Xiaomi account to phone: this will allow you to restore access to locks through Find Device.
• 📧 Enable two-factor authentication in your account settings.

🔹 Screenshot protection:

In MIUI, you can disable the creation of screenshots in blocked applications:

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Special permissions → Disallow screenshots.
2. Add the desired applications to the list (for example, SberBank Online or Telegram).

🔹 Encryption of data:

Redmi 9T can enable data partition encryption (but this will reduce performance by 5-10%):

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Encryption and credentials.
2. Select Encrypt your phone (the process will take 30-60 minutes, the phone must be charged at 80%+).

⚠️ Note: if you have enabled encryption, it is not recommended to disable it - this can lead to data loss. Also, after encryption, resetting settings through Recovery will become impossible without entering a password.

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking apps on Redmi 9T