Xiaomi’s current smartphones contain a vast amount of sensitive information, from banking apps to personal photos and work documents. Standard screen protection is no longer considered a sufficient security measure for users who value the privacy of their data. The built-in MIUI file manager offers powerful tools to restrict access, but they are not always obvious to the average owner of a gadget.
Setting a password directly to the Explorer app or creating a secure partition is an effective way to prevent unauthorized access to files in the event that the phone falls into the wrong hands. There are several ways to implement this feature, each of which has its own characteristics depending on the version of the Android operating system and the MIUI shell or HyperOS.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to protect the file system of your device, you will learn about native features of file hiding, guest mode use and third-party solutions, and we will also touch on the important nuances of biometric protection and access restoration in critical situations.
Native protection in MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi’s shell was originally designed to be secure, and instead of using a password on the Explorer icon itself, it offers a more elegant solution: creating a Hidden Folder, where files moved to this section disappear from the public domain and become visible only after you enter a special code or fingerprint.
This mechanism works at the system level, which means a high degree of reliability. Even if an attacker connects the device to the computer in debugging mode, he can not simply copy the contents of the hidden storage without authorization. To activate the function, you need to go to the conductor settings and select the corresponding menu item.
It is important to understand that a Hidden Folder is not just about renaming files, but encrypting them and moving them to a secure memory sector, and access to this sector is controlled by a privacy protection system password that is created when you first set up your device or can be changed by the user at any time.
- 🔒 High level of data encryption inside a hidden partition.
- 👁️ Invisibility of files for other applications without special authorization.
- ⚡ Quick access via biometrics (fingerprint or Face) ID).
- 🔄 Automatic locking when attempting unauthorized entry.
⚠️ Warning: If you forget the password from the hidden folder and do not link your Mi Account for recovery, it will be almost impossible to return access to files.
To get started, open the Explorer app and find the folder icon at the top of the interface. Clicking on it at a certain interval or holding it for a long time (depending on the firmware version) will trigger a hidden space creation window. The system will prompt you to come up with a pattern lock or a digital pin code to be used to log in.
Step-by-step instructions for creating a hidden folder
The process of setting up file protection takes only a few minutes, but requires care. First of all, make sure that your device has a Mi Account installed, as it is often used as a backup authorization method. Open the standard Explorer app and go to the Folders section.
At the top of the screen, you'll see a folder icon. In some versions of MIUI, you'll need to press it 5-6 times in a row, in others, you'll press it for a few seconds, and then the Hide Files window will open. Click Create to run the customization wizard.
☑️ Set up a hidden folder
The system will ask you to come up with a password, it could be a pattern lock, a digital code, or a mixed version, and remember that this password will be different from the unlock password unless you set them the same, and you will need confirmation after you enter the code.
Next, the wizard will suggest adding a check question or linking an account for recovery. It is strongly recommended not to miss this step. In the case of a reset of your phone settings or a forgotten password, only the Mi Account will allow you to return access to hidden data through a special verification procedure on the manufacturer's website.
Once you've successfully set up, you'll see a special Hidden Files section in the Explorer, and to move the data, select the photos, videos, or documents you want in the shared list, click the menu (three dots), and select Hide. Files will disappear from the gallery and public access instantly.
Blocking applications as an alternative
If your goal is not to hide files, but simply to prevent third parties from logging into the Explorer app, MIUI has a separate application lock feature that allows you to set a password or biometric protection to run any programs, including file managers, messengers and a gallery.
This is convenient because it doesn't require moving files, and all the documents are left in place, but if you try to open the application, the system will require authorization, which creates an additional defense, especially if you're using a phone by children or colleagues.
To enable this feature, go to Settings and find the App section. In the list of options, select Application Lock. When you first log in, the system will ask you to set a password (or use an existing privacy password) and configure lock settings.
- 📱 Ability to block any installed application.
- ⏱️ Set up the autolock timer (immediately, after 1 minute, after 10 minutes).
- 👆 Support for fingerprint unlocking for quick access.
- 🔒 A separate password for each application group (optional).
In the application list, find Explorer and activate the switch next to it. Now every time you run a file or folder through a standard manager, you'll see a request for a password or a finger scan, and it's an effective way to protect the data from random viewing.
What to do if the lock point is hidden?
It is worth noting that the blocking of applications in Xiaomi works at the system level, not the application itself, which means that bypassing it simply by removing and reinstalling the Explorer will not work – the lock settings will be stored in the user profile.
Use of the Second Space
For users who want maximum data isolation, Xiaomi offers a “Second Space” feature, which is a full-fledged virtual copy of your operating system that runs parallel to the main one. Second Space has its own desktop, its own applications and, most importantly, its own separate login password.
In fact, you get two phones in one, and the main space is your work and personal files, and the second space is sensitive information, and you switch between them through a special label on the lock screen or in the notification curtain.
To activate Second Space, go to Settings -> Additional -> Second Space and click "Enable." The system will create a new environment and you can configure it as a new device. In this space, you can install a separate Explorer or use a standard one, but the files in it will be completely isolated.
| Characteristics | Hidden folder | Second space | Application lockdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level of isolation | Medium (hiding files) | High (full OS) | Low (entry protection) |
| Speed of access | Quickly (biometry) | Requires a switch. | Quickly (biometry) |
| Visibility. | Hidden completely. | Entry is visible in the settings | Password request visible |
| Battery consumption | Minimum | Medium (background processes) | Minimum |
Using Second Space is ideal for separating work and personal life, or storing extreme data that you don’t want to hide in a shared system, but it’s worth considering that this feature consumes more device resources, as it essentially runs two virtual machines.
💡
The second space is the best choice for complete data isolation, but it requires more memory and battery power than a simple hidden folder.
Set up biometric access protection
Entering a password can be inconvenient every time, so Xiaomi allows you to use biometric data to access protected partitions.The fingerprint scanner and Face ID facial recognition system are integrated into the file protection mechanism.
To set up, go to the menu to create or manage a hidden folder (or lock applications). In the security settings, select "Use fingerprint" or "Use face unlock" and the system will ask you to confirm the action with your current privacy protection password.
Once activated, the hidden files will be accessed with a single touch, which is not only convenient, but also increases security, since you do not need to enter the code in the presence of outsiders who can peek at it. MIUI It works locally and is not transmitted to servers.
Even if you have root permissions, you can't access that data from the outside, and if you change your device password, you may need to re-assign the biometrics to the secure folders.
Restoration of access and resetting of password
Situations when a user forgets the password from a hidden folder or locking applications, often occur. The recovery mechanism in Xiaomi is tied to the Mi Account. If you have linked an account to the setup, you can restore access through the i.mi.com site or directly to the login menu by selecting the "Forgot password" option.
The system will send the confirmation code to the associated phone number or email, and after you enter the code, you will be asked to set a new password for hidden files, a process that requires an active Internet connection.
⚠️ Note: If the Mi Account was not tied and the password is lost, the only way to return access to the phone is a full reset to the factory settings (Hard Reset.
To reset your password through your account, follow the following steps:
- 🌐 Go to cloud.mi.com from a computer or other phone.
- 🔑 Sign in to your Mi Account.
- 📂 Select the device and find the “Find the device” or “Security” section».
- 🔄 Follow the instructions for resetting the privacy protection password.
In some cases, if the device is not connected to the network, you can't remotely reset the password until you're connected, so it's critical to remember the password or keep your account tied and active.