How to set a password for the application in the phone Xiaomi Redmi Note 9

Smartphones store a huge amount of personal information, from instant messaging to photos and banking apps. Owners of popular Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 devices often wonder how to restrict access to certain programs to protect their data from the prying eyes of friends or colleagues. Fortunately, MIUI already has a powerful security tool built in that does not require installing third-party software.

Application protection allows you to block the launch of selected programs with an additional password or biometrics. This solution works at the system level, which guarantees high reliability and minimal impact on the autonomy of the device. In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of activating protection, configuring biometric keys and discuss possible access problems.

Preparation for the installation of protection on the Redmi Note 9

Before you start locking, you need to make sure your device is ready to work with security features. In Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, the system component “Security” is preset by default. It is important to understand that you will need a valid Mi Account to work with the function, since it is often used to restore access in the event of a password loss.

Also, you should decide in advance what type of unlock to use as the main one. The system offers flexible settings to allow you to combine different authorization methods. If you plan to use a fingerprint, make sure that your biometrics are already entered into the system through the settings menu.

⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from application protection and do not link Mi-account for recovery, you can unlock the program only by completely resetting your phone settings, which will lead to the deletion of all data.

To get started, make sure that MIUI is updated to the current version. Manufacturers regularly release security patches that may affect the operation of system protection modules. You can check for updates in the settings menu, which will ensure the stability of all smartphone functions.

Activation of the function "Application Protection"

The process of enabling protection in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is as simple as possible and does not require deep knowledge in the field of IT. All the necessary tools are in the standard Security application, which has a green icon with a shield on the desktop. Open this application to get into the security control center of your device.

Inside the Security menu, you need to scroll down to Application Protection, which can also be called App Lock depending on the regional firmware and language version. By clicking on the icon, you will run the original setup wizard, which will require you to specify the basic unlock method.

The system will prompt you to enter the password you use to unlock the screen, or create a new, unique code specifically for applications. PIN-code other than the screen unlock code to improve security, and once you enter and confirm your password, the system will ask you to link your Mi Account to allow you to restore access.

At this point, the settings don't end. Once you set the password, you'll see a list of all the programs you've installed that you can protect, you'll need to manually switch sliders against the apps you want to restrict access to, usually WhatsApp, the Gallery, Bank Clients, and personal notes.

Set up biometric unlocking

Entering a password every time you launch an app can be tedious, so Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 suggests using biometrics. The fingerprint scanner located on the side of the device works quickly and reliably. To activate this feature, go to the settings of the Application Protection itself via the menu in the upper right corner of the screen.

In the settings menu, find "Unlock fingerprint" or "Use fingerprint." By activating this switch, you allow the system to use your biometrics to verify identity when running protected programs, which greatly speeds up access, making the process almost invisible to the user.

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For maximum security, it is recommended to change the pattern lock periodically, especially if you use your phone frequently in public places.

It’s worth noting that biometric unlocking has its own peculiarities: If you reboot your phone or it’s been more than 72 hours since you last unlocked your screen, the system will require you to enter your primary password manually, a standard Android security measure that prevents you from accessing data in the event of a loss of consciousness or other emergency.

Other than the fingerprint, some versions of MIUI firmware allow face unlocking, but given the features of the front camera in the Redmi Note 9, this method is considered less secure than a fingerprint scanner and is not recommended for protecting critical banking applications.

Hiding applications and protecting notifications

The protection feature in Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is not limited to just blocking the launch. The MIUI shell allows you to hide the application icons themselves from the desktop, making them invisible to outsiders. To use this option, you need to go to the “Application Protection” settings and select “Hide Apps”.

Once the hidden button is activated, the icons of the selected programs will disappear from the home screen and from the menu of all applications, accessed through a special search field or Dialer, where you need to enter the secret code that you specify in the settings, which creates an additional level of privacy, since the attacker will not even know that the program is on the device.

⚠️ Note: When you hide applications, notifications from them may also stop appearing on the lock screen to avoid revealing hidden activity.

Protection of notification content deserves special attention. Even if the application is blocked, the text of the incoming message can be seen in the notification curtain until the phone is unlocked. In the Application Protection settings, you can activate the option “Hide the contents of notifications”. In this case, in order to read the text of the message, you will first have to unlock the application through a password or fingerprint.

This feature is especially useful for messengers and social networks, where privacy is important, and by combining the concealment of icons and the protection of notification content, you create a virtually impenetrable barrier for the curious.

Comparison of data protection methods

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 users have several layers of protection available, and it’s important to understand the difference between them: screen lock protects the entire phone, while App Protection works point by point. Below is a table comparing the main characteristics of different security methods on the device.

As you can see from the table, using all three together is the best thing to do. Screen locking is the first line of defense; application protection creates a second tier inside the system for the most important data; and application hiding provides visual privacy by removing unnecessary questions from others.

However, to protect against household curiosity and data theft in case of loss of a phone in a public place, MIUI features are more than enough.

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The combination of hiding icons and password protection makes your data virtually inaccessible to the casual user.

Addressing common problems

When using the Application Protection feature on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, users may encounter a number of typical situations. Often the question arises as to why the application requests the password again, even though it has already been unlocked. This behavior may be related to power saving settings that force the background processes to save battery power.

To avoid repeated password requests, you can add a secure application to the power saving exception list (“No restrictions”). However, this can slightly increase energy consumption, since the application will always hang in memory. It also happens that after updating the system, the security settings are reset and you have to set them again.

• 🔒 Forgot the password from the applications: use the linked Mi-account to reset over the Internet.
• 📱 The fingerprint scanner does not respond: make sure that the finger and scanner are dry, and also check if the calibration in the settings has gone wrong.
• 🚫 App crashes when you try to log in: try clearing the Security app cache through phone settings.
• 🔄 After the update, the settings are gone: check if the security settings have been reset, and activate the protection again.

⚠️ Note: With frequent password change or multiple incorrect code entry, the system may temporarily block the ability to log into secure applications for a certain time.

Another problem may be a conflict with third-party launchers: If you have installed an alternative desktop, the function of hiding applications or calling hidden programs through dialing may not work properly, in such cases, it is recommended to temporarily return to the standard MIUI launcher for settings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Regularly checking security settings and updating your password is the best way to prevent problems with accessing personal data.