How to put a password on social networks in Xiaomi: 5 ways to protect yourself from strangers

Have you ever given your Xiaomi to a friend or family to show a photo, and then caught yourself thinking, "Did they look at my social media?" Or maybe your child picks up a phone to play, but instead of playing games, opens Instagram or VK? In an era where the smartphone stores all of our digital lives, protecting social media is not a luxury, but a necessity.

Fortunately, MIUI — Smartphone firmware Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO — It offers some built-in tools to block apps, but not everyone knows how to use them correctly. In this article, we'll look at 5 working ways to put a password on social networks, from standard features to hidden features and third-party solutions. PIN-The lock screen is sometimes not enough.

Why is it common? PIN-The code on the lock screen does not save the social network

Many Xiaomi users mistakenly believe that if they set a password to unlock the screen, their social media accounts are safe.

• 🔓 Notifications on the lock screen. Even with the screen locked, you can read messages from Telegram, WhatsApp or VKontakte, if you don't turn them off.
• 🤳 Quick access via widgets. Some apps (like Instagram) allow you to view a tape or stories directly from the lock screen through widgets.
• 🔄 Auto login. Most social media sites save a session, and once you unlock your phone, anyone can log in to your account without re-entering your password.
• 📱 Guest mode in MIUI. If you don’t set it up correctly, the guest will be able to open apps without restrictions.

Also, there’s a bug in MIUI 14 and later: When you reset your settings through Recovery, your passwords are reset, but your social media sessions remain active, which means that if someone accesses your phone after a reset, they can log in to your accounts without additional authentication.

⚠️ Note: If you use a fingerprint to unlock, anyone who knows yours PIN-A code (such as a family member) can add a fingerprint to the security settings, and then it will have full access to the phone, including social media.

Method 1: Built-in application locking in MIUI (App Lock)

The easiest and most reliable way to protect social networks on Xiaomi is to use the built-in App Lock feature, which is available on all devices with MIUI 10 and later, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 13.

1. Open the Settings. → Passwords and security.
2. Select App Lock (or App Lock in English).
3. If the feature is used for the first time, the system will prompt you to create a password to lock (it may differ from the one used for the first time). PIN-Come up with a reliable code and confirm it.
4. In the list of applications, find the social networks you want to protect (for example, Vkontakte, Instagram, Telegram), and turn on the switchboard next to them.
5. Set up additional parameters: 🔒 Hide notifications – so that the contents of messages do not appear on the lock screen. 🕒 Automatic lock – the application will be blocked immediately after closing. 👤 Allow access via print – convenient, but less secure.

Now, every time you open a blocked application, the system will require you to enter a password, and it's important that this password is only valid at the MIUI level and does not replace the password from your social network account.

Set a complex password (not date of birth)| Hidden notifications for blocked applications | Disabled access via print if others use the phone | Checked the lock in safe mode-->

⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from App Lock, it can only be reset through a full reset of the phone to the factory settings.This will delete all data, including photos and messages!

Method 2: Hidden folders in MIUI (Second Space or Private Folder)

If you want to not just block social media, but completely hide it from prying eyes, MIUI has two tools: Second Space and Private Folder. Let's take a look at both.

Option A: Second Space (Double Profile)

This feature creates a second independent profile on the phone with its own apps, settings and data, perfect if you want to separate personal and work accounts.

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space.
2. Click Create Second Space and follow the instructions. The system will prompt you to copy applications from your main profile.
3. Once you've created, reboot your phone. Now, when you turn on, you'll see a profile selection.
4. In Second Space, install the social networks you want to hide and set up separate accounts for them.

The advantage of this method is that even if someone unlocks your primary profile, they won't see the Second Space app, but the disadvantage is that you have to maintain two profiles and switch between them.

Option B: Private Folder (Private Folder)

Private Folder is a secure storage for files and applications that is hidden from the standard MIUI interface.

1. Open Settings → Passwords and Security → Private Folder
2. Set a password (it may match the password from App Lock).
3. Go back to the home screen, swipe down the screen, and find the Private Folder widget. Drag it to the desktop.
4. Open the folder, enter the password and add social media shortcuts (such as WhatsApp or TikTok) to it.

How to set up AppLock:

1. Download the app from Google Play and open it.
2. Create a master password (you can use a pattern lock).
3. In the Blocked Applications section, select the social networks that you need to protect.
4. In settings, activate options: Hide notifications → Auto Lock enabled → After 1 minute Fake password → Enable (for emergencies)

⚠️ Note: Some third-party blockers may conflict with MIUI Before installing, check user reviews of your Xiaomi model (e.g. Redmi Note 11 or X-ray). POCO F4).

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If you use AppLock, turn on Stealth Mode in the settings, and then the app icon will disappear from the menu, and you can only open it through a widget or gesture on the screen.

Method 4: Blocking through social network account settings

Many social networks allow you to add extra security right in your settings, and this won't replace MIUI-level locking, but it will add another layer of security, and let's take a look at popular platforms.

VKontakte

In VKontakte, you can enable two-factor authentication and request a password at each login:

1. Open the VK application, go to Settings → Security.
2. Enable two-step authentication and link a phone number or mail.
3. Activate the option to Request a password at each login.
4. In the Session section, remove all unfamiliar devices.

Instagram

Instagram has two-factor authentication and sign-in approval:

1. Go to profile, press. ☰ → Settings → Security.
2. Select Two-Factor Authentication and add a phone number or authenticator app (e.g. Google Authenticator).
3. Enable Sign-in Approval – You will receive a notification every time you try to sign in from a new device.

Telegram

In Telegram, you can install a lock code and two-step verification:

1. Open Settings → Privacy and security.
2. Enable the Lock Code and set a PIN (you can use a fingerprint).
3. Activate the Two-Stage Verification in the Account Security section.
4. Set up Autolock after 1-5 minutes of inactivity.

These measures will not replace MIUI-level lockdowns, but will make your accounts less vulnerable even if someone gains access to your phone.

Method 5: Blocking through Kids Mode

If you want to restrict your child's access to social media, but not to block it for yourself, use the For Kids Mode in MIUI.

• 👶 Block individual applications (including social networks).
• ⏰ Set a time limit for using the phone.
• 📵 Disable purchases and installation of new applications.
• 📊 View activity reports.

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Mode “For Children”.
2. Create a profile of the child and set a password to exit the mode.
3. Select the applications that will be available in the child mode (you do not need to add social networks).
4. Activate the mode through the notification panel or widget.

Now, with Child Mode enabled, a child can't open blocked apps without entering a password, which is convenient if multiple people with different access rights use the phone.

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The For Kids mode in MIUI doesn't encrypt data or hide apps completely; it only restricts access in an active session. For complete security, combine it with App Lock or Private Folder.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many Xiaomi users have problems with setting up social media blocking, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

If none of these methods worked, check to see if the phone has administrative rights for other applications (such as antivirus or password managers) that may conflict with the blockers.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions