Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphones offer excellent performance and functionality, but personal data protection remains a priority for every user. Standard screen lock protects against accidental access, but does not hide the content of specific programs from prying eyes. Fortunately, the MIUI shell provides powerful built-in tools for personal protection of software without installing third-party utilities.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of setting a password for applications in the Xiaomi Redmi 9 phone. You will learn how to use the “App Lock” function, how to hide icons from the shared menu, and what biometric parameters can be used for quick access, this will allow you to create a reliable barrier to confidential information.
MIUI security is integrated deep into the operating system kernel, ensuring that security is stable. You don't have to worry about third-party software draining your battery or collecting data. We'll look at the details of the setup so you can be sure that your correspondence, photos and banking data are safe.
Preparing the security system before setting up
Before you start setting restrictions, you need to make sure that your Xiaomi Redmi 9 is ready to work with sensitive data.The basic element of protection is the Mi Account account, which is often required to restore access in case of forgetting a password.
The MIUI shell uses a single security center to manage all security settings, which means that the password you set for applications will be linked to the system protection profile, and if you haven't previously installed a security access code, you'll be asked to do so during the locker setup process.
It's important to understand that biometrics like fingerprints or facial recognition greatly speed up the authorization process. On the Redmi 9, the fingerprint scanner is located on the back, which makes it very convenient to use. Add your biometrics to the appropriate settings section in advance so that you don't get distracted by this during the program protection configuration.
- 🔒 Make sure you have a strong pin or pattern lock to unlock the screen.
- 👤 Sign in to your Mi Account to restore access.
- 👆 Add your fingerprint to your biometrics settings for quick entry.
- 🔄 Check for the latest system updates in the About Phone section».
⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from blocking applications and do not link the Mi Account account, you can only restore access to data inside the programs by completely resetting your smartphone settings, which will lead to the loss of all information.
The preparation process also involves clearing the cache of system security services if third-party blockers were previously used. Conflicts between different protection programs can lead to unstable system operation. Xiaomi Redmi 9 runs an optimized version of Android, so using regular tools is the most preferred option.
Activation of the application blocking function
The main tool for protecting software is in the standard Security app, which is a system utility that is pre-installed on all Xiaomi devices and has a green icon with a shield, and this is where all the necessary tools for access control, including antivirus, memory cleanup and blocker, are concentrated.
To get started, open the Security app and scroll down the tool list. You need to find an item called App Lock. If you don't see it right away, it may be hidden in an additional tool menu that opens with a swipe up or through the Tools button at the bottom of the screen.
When you first start up, the system will ask you to come up with a special password, which can be a digital code, a pattern lock or a mixed password, remember this code, because it will be requested every time you try to open a secure application, and after you enter the password, the system will suggest that you link your Mi Account to restore access in the future.
Once you have successfully set a password, you will see a list of all the programs you have installed, and the interface is divided into two tabs: Locked and Unblocked. By default, all the apps are in the second category, which means they are available without restrictions, and you have to choose the programs that need protection.
- 📱 Open the Security app on the home screen.
- 🛡️ Find and click on the icon “Block Apps».
- 🔢 Create and enter a strong password.
- ✅ Link your Mi Account for backup recovery.
Selection of applications for protection and access setting
Once activated, you'll see a complete list of installed software, and you can choose from any application you want, from messengers like WhatsApp and Telegram to a gallery, contacts, or banking apps, just switch the switch opposite the name to the active position, and the program will go to the blocked section.
An important aspect is setting the moment of requesting a password. In the locker settings (the gear icon in the upper right corner), you can choose when the system will request authorization. Options are available: "When unlocking the device", "After 1 minute of inactivity" or "Always". For maximum security, it is recommended to choose "Always".
For owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9, the biometric access setting is especially relevant. In the lock settings menu, you can activate the “Fingerprint Unlock” option, which allows you to open secure applications instantly with your finger on the scanner on the back, without having to enter a pattern lock every time.
☑️ Checking the protection settings
Keep in mind system applications that may also contain personal information, such as blocking Contacts or Messages will prevent you from reading correspondence and viewing phone numbers, and if you use cloud services, protecting the Explorer or Files app is also a smart move.
Hiding applications from the general menu
One of the unique features of the MIUI shell is the application hide feature, which means that even if the program is password protected, its icon remains visible in the general menu, which can cause unnecessary questions. The Hidden Applications feature allows you to completely remove the icon from the desktop and from the menu of all programs.
To activate this feature, go to Settings of the smartphone, then select the "Apps" section and find the "Hidden Applications" section, where you will be asked to create a separate password or use an existing one from the blocker, and after activation you can add programs to the list of hidden ones.
Hidden applications are accessed through a special action in the Themes app or through the search box, depending on the version of MIUI. Often, a method of entering special code into the desktop search box is used. This creates an additional level of privacy, since an outsider does not even know that the program is on the device.
⚠️ Caution: Hiding system applications such as Phone or Messages may make it impossible to receive incoming calls and SMS. Be careful when hiding system software.
The table below compares the features of conventional locking and full hiding apps so you can choose the best protection option for your needs.
| Parameter | Application lockdown | Hiding applications |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility of the icon | The icon is visible on the menu | The icon is hidden from the menu |
| Password request | Required at launch | Required to access the list |
| Notifications | Can be displayed (configured) | Content is usually hidden. |
| Difficulty of search | Low (visible name) | High (access code required) |
Using biometrics for quick entry
Constantly entering a password can be tiring, especially if you access secure apps frequently throughout the day. Xiaomi Redmi 9 features a robust fingerprint scanner that integrates perfectly with MIUI security. Using biometrics is not only convenient, but also secure, as your data is stored in a secure processor module.
To set up, go to the Security app, open App Lock and click on the settings gear. Find the "Fingerprint Unlock" option and activate it. The system will ask you to confirm your action, after which you will log in to the secure programs with one touch.
In addition to fingerprints, some firmware versions allow face unlocking, but Redmi 9 uses front-facing software recognition that is less secure than a fingerprint scanner, and fingerprinting is recommended for mission-critical applications.
What to do if the scanner is not responding?
Biometric protection on Xiaomi is low-level, which means high response rates. Even if the application is heavy and takes a long time to load, the authorization request will appear instantly, which creates a sense of smooth and uninterrupted interface.
Set up notifications and content previews
Even if the application is blocked, incoming notifications can be displayed on the lock screen or in the notification curtain, revealing the content of messages. To prevent leakage of information, you need to properly configure the display of content previews for blocked programs.
The app blocker settings have the option “Hide the contents of notifications” and when activated, instead of the text of the message, you will only see the name of the application and the status “New message” or “Blocked”, the full text will be available only after successful authorization and login.
Also worth paying attention to the settings of the applications themselves: WhatsApp, Telegram and other messengers have internal privacy settings that allow you to hide previews of messages, the combination of system blocking MIUI and internal settings of the application gives the maximum level of privacy.
- 🔔 Enable the option to hide content in the settings of the blocker.
- 👁️ Check notification settings in the Notifications and Status bar section».
- 📱 Set up privacy inside the messengers themselves.
- 🚫 Turn off the display of text on the lock screen for applications.
This is especially important for banking applications and corporate email: A casual glance by a passer-by or colleague at your Redmi 9 screen should not be a source of financial data leakage or trade secrets.
Solving problems and restoring access
You may experience a password that is forgotten or the system fails, and if you forget the password from the application lock, but you have attached Mi Account, you can restore access, and you need to enter the wrong password several times, and then the "Forgot the password?" button will appear.
By clicking this button, you will be redirected to the Xiaomi account authorization page. Once you successfully enter your account login and password, the system will allow you to set a new application access code, which is the only official way to recover without losing data.
If the account was not tied, the only option is to completely reset the smartphone settings to factory settings, which will delete all data, including photos, contacts and installed apps, so it is crucial not to ignore the suggestion to link the account when you first set up the blocker.
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Tip: Write the password you have set down to a secure location (notebook or password manager on your PC) immediately after installation. Human memory tends to forget rarely used codes.
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the application crashes immediately after entering a password, this can be due to a lack of RAM or a conflict of versions, in which case, try clearing the cache of the Security application through the smartphone settings or reinstall the problematic application.
⚠️ Note: Resetting your smartphone settings via Recovery Mode does not remove application protection if Mi Cloud and device search are enabled.The device may remain locked at the account level (Mi Account Lock).
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The main conclusion: Reliable protection on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is achieved by a combination of application blocking, icon hiding and biometrics, while binding Mi Account for recovery.