SMS messages often contain sensitive information: bank confirmation codes, delivery data, personal correspondence. On Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO), by default, access to SMS is not password protected — anyone who takes your phone will be able to read them.
In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to put a password on SMS in MIUI 14/15 (current for 2026), including built-in shell features and third-party applications. You will learn how to restrict access to messages through Security Settings, Messages app, and what programs will help to add an additional layer of protection.
Why Xiaomi’s standard SMS is not password protected
MIUI shell, despite extensive privacy settings, does not offer a direct "password SMS" function by default.
- 🔓 Android architecture: SMS stored in a system database that is controlled at the OS level, rather than a separate application.
- 📱 Utility vs. security: Xiaomi is betting on biometric authentication (fingerprint, Face) ID) to unlock the screen, considering it sufficient.
- 🔄 Google Restrictions: In the latest versions of Android (12)+) Google tightens rules for apps that work with SMS, phishing.
But that doesn't mean that you can't protect your messages. MIUI has workarounds, and third-party apps like Message Lock or SMS Shield offer flexible settings, and the key is to understand that completely blocking SMS at the system level requires root rights, but there are plenty of software solutions for most users without them.
Method 1: Protection through the "Second Space" (Dual Applications)
The most reliable built-in method is to use the "Second Space" function (Duplicated Applications in MIUI), which creates an isolated copy of the Message app, which can be linked to a separate password, which works on all Xiaomi models, starting with the Redmi Note 8 and later.
Step-by-step:
- Open Settings → Applications → Duplicate applications.
- Find Messages in the list and activate duplication (reboot will be required).
- After creating the second space, go to Settings → Password and Security → Application Lock.
- Select the duplicate Messages (2) application and set a password.
Now the original Messages app will be left without a password (for convenience), and all confidential SMS can be viewed only through a duplicate version with protection.
Make sure your phone has enough memory (~500MB)
Backup SMS (Settings → Messages → Backup)
Remember the password for the second space (it can not be restored!)
Check the version. MIUI (must be at least 12.5)-->
Method 2: Block the Messages application through MIUI settings
If you don't want to duplicate the application, you can block access to a standard Message through the built-in Application Lock feature, which is simpler but less reliable: the password will only be requested when you first open after a reboot or prolonged inactivity.
How to turn on:
- Go to Settings → Password and Security → Block applications.
- Enter your current password/pattern lock (if not installed, you will need to create).
- Find the Messages list and move the slider to the right.
- Set up additional parameters: 🔒 Type of lock: password or fingerprint. ⏱️ Autolocking: After 1–30 minutes of inactivity.
⚠️ Note: If you use Google Messages instead of the standard Xiaomi app, lock through Settings MIUI In this case, move to Method 3.
| Protection method | Root is required. | It works with Google Messages. | Level of security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second space | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Application lockdown | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Third-party annexes | ❌ No (usually) | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Method 3: Third-party applications for blocking SMS
If the built-in methods don't work, you can use specialized programs from Google Play, which offer flexible settings, from simple passwords to hiding notifications and encrypting messages.
- 🔐 Message Lock (SMS Lock -- supports PIN, print, concealment of notifications.
- 🛡️ SMS Shield – encrypts messages and blocks access to them through other applications.
- 📱 AppLock by DoMobile – universal blocker with support SMS.
How to set up (for example, Message Lock):
- Install the app from Google Play and open it.
- Provide access to SMS (required for work!).
- Set a password or fingerprint in the program settings.
- Enable the option to Hide notifications so that the text of messages does not appear on the lock screen.
⚠️ Warning: When using third-party apps, turn off autosynchronization SMS from Google (Settings) → Google → Backup → Otherwise, messages may be accessed through Google Messages for the Web.
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Before installing a third-party blocker, check reviews about it in Google Play – some apps may collect SMS data to display ads.
Method 4: Hiding SMS through Archiving (for power users)
This is a method that is suitable for those who are willing to sacrifice convenience for maximum security, and the idea is to archive important SMS messages into an encrypted file and remove them from a standard application.
- Install Backup & Restore SMS from Google Play.
- Create a backup copy of the desired messages in encrypted format (Encrypt backup option).
- Remove the original SMS from the Messages app.
- Store the archive in a secure cloud (such as Mi Cloud with two-factor authentication) or on a flash drive.
The downside is that you have to manually restore messages if you need them, but even if the phone falls into the wrong hands, you can't read SMS, which is often used for bank messages or correspondence with important contacts.
What to do if you forget the password from the SMS archive?
Frequent problems and their solutions
When setting up SMS protection on Xiaomi, users encounter typical errors.
- 🚫 "Application Blocking is Not Working: Check if the feature is disabled in Settings → Special facilities → Remove app blocking. Also make sure you don't use Google Messages - it doesn't support blocking through MIUI.
- 🔄 Password requested too often: In the app lock settings, reduce the autoblock time or turn off the option to Request Password when returning to the app.
- 📱 The third-party app doesn't see SMS: Give him permission to read messages in Settings → Annexes → Permits → SMS. Android 10.+ You may need to make an application default for SMS.
If none of these methods worked, check the MIUI version — some features may not be available on older firmware (below 12.5). Update your system through Settings → About Phone → System Update.
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The most reliable way to protect SMS on Xiaomi is to combine Second Space + Application Lock, which gives you a double layer of security without root rights.