How to Password Apps in Xiaomi: Full Instruction for MIUI 12-14

Why to put a password on applications in Xiaomi and what risks it closes

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones store a huge amount of personal information, from instant messaging to banking app data. Even if you trust your loved ones, random access to some programs can lead to leakage of sensitive data, unauthorized purchases, or changes in important settings, such as a child can delete work chats in Telegram, and a colleague can see the history of the browser with the visited sites.

Statistics show that 38% of mobile data breaches are due to physical access by third parties to an unlocked phone. App password solves this problem by creating an additional barrier. MIUI has three layers of protection: standard App Lock, hiding applications through Second Space and using third-party programs to block it advanced. Each method has its own nuances, from speed to compatibility with specific models (Redmi Note 12, Poco X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.).

It is important to understand that blocking applications does not replace the main one. PIN-The lock screen code, and it complements it, if the attacker gains access to the smartphone itself (for example, through a vulnerability in the smartphone). MIUI Or social engineering, it can bypass application protection. So combine the techniques: a password on the screen. + blocking of critical programs + Two-factor authentication in your Mi Account.

Method 1: Built-in App Lock in MIUI – Quick Setup

The easiest way to block apps is to use the built-in App Lock tool available on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later. This method does not require installing third-party programs and works even on budget models like the Redmi 10A or Poco M4 Pro. The main advantage is integration with the system: locking is triggered instantly when you open the application, and unlocking is done through a fingerprint or pattern lock.

To activate App Lock:

1. Open Settings → Applications → App Lock.
2. Click Enable and set a password (other than the one you have). PIN-lock-screen!).
3. Select apps from the list (e.g. Gallery, WhatsApp, SberBank Online).
4. Activate Hide notifications so that the content of messages does not appear on the locked screen.

Please note the additional settings:

• 🔒 Lock after closing – the app will require a password every time it opens, not just after it reboots.
• 👤 Allow access via print – speeds up unlocking, but reduces security (the fingerprint can be copied).
• ⏱ Autolock in 5 minutes – useful for frequently used applications.

Unique password installed (not matching screen PIN)|Selected all critical applications |Selected option "Hide notifications" |Automated lock-->

⚠️ Note: If you forget your password from App Lock, you can only reset it through a full reset (Settings) → The phone. → Reset settings. This will delete all data from the device! Write the password to a secure location (e.g., Google Keep with encryption).

Method 2: Second Space – a hidden profile with separate applications

The MIUI Second Space feature creates an isolated user profile with its own apps, settings and data, not just a lockdown, but a full-fledged sandbox where you can hide messengers, banking programs or personal photos, and the advantage of the method is that applications in Second Space are not visible in the main profile and do not appear in the multitasking menu.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space.
2. Create a second profile with a separate password (you can use a fingerprint).
3. In the main profile, remove or hide the apps you want to migrate (like Viber or Tinkoff).
4. Log in to Second Space, install the programs you want again through Google Play.

Important nuances:

• 📱 Memory: Second Space apps are duplicated, taking up extra space. On the Xiaomi 12 Pro with 256 GB, it's not critical, but on Redmi 9A 32GB may be a problem.
• 🔄 Sync: Notifications from Second Space are not shown in the main profile (and vice versa).To avoid missing important messages, turn on the option to Show notifications in the second space settings.
• 🔑 Security: Second Space must have a different password than the main one.

App Lock|Second Space| Application side (e.g. Norton App Lock)|I do not block applications-->

Method 3: Third-party applications for advanced locking

If you don't have enough built-in MIUI tools, you can use third-party software, which offers advanced features like geolocation locking, time constraints, screenshot protection, even masking as system utilities.

• 🛡 Norton App Lock – supports face lock, has log log of attempts to log in.
• 🔐 AppLock by DoMobile – allows you to set different passwords for different applications.
• 🕵 Smart AppLock – Masquerades as a calculator or weather, hiding the fact of blocking.

How to install and configure (as in the example of Norton App Lock):

1. Download the app from Google Play (avoid APK from unknown sources!).
2. Grant permissions for Special Opportunities (required for blocking).
3. Select protection apps and set a password (it is recommended to use a combination of 8+ characters).
4. Activate Screenshot Warning to block screenshots from being taken in protected programs.

⚠️ Note: Third-party applications for blocking may conflict with MIUI If, after installing the AppLock, applications start to spontaneously close, add the blocker to the exception list: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Select applications.

Advantages of third-party solutions:

• 🌍 Cross-platform – you can synchronize settings between devices (e.g. Xiaomi and Samsung).
• ⏰ Flexible timers – Scheduled lock (for example, Instagram only from 20:00 to 22:00).
• 📊 Statistics – some programs keep logs of entry attempts with time and geolocation.

Frequent problems and errors when blocking applications

Even when you set it up properly, users are faced with typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

Another common mistake is using the same password for the lock screen and the App Lock, which loses the sense of dual protection: if someone finds out, PIN-The phone code, it will automatically access all blocked applications:

• For lock screen: 6-digit PIN (easy to enter, but difficult to match).
• For App Lock: a graphical key (10+ dots) or an alphanumeric password.

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If you often forget passwords, use a password manager (such as Bitwarden or KeePassDX) to back up your App Lock and Second Space access codes with a master password.

How to protect the lock from bypass: expert advice

Attackers and just curious users can try to bypass app protection. Here are 5 ways to enhance security that work on all Xiaomi models (from Redmi 7 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra):

1. Turn off USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to become a developer), then to Settings → Additional → For developers, turn off USB debugging. This will prevent access to data via your computer.
2. Block installation from unknown sources: In Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications, disable permission for all browsers. This will protect against installing spyware.
3. Use two-factor authentication in Mi Account: Link your Xiaomi account to your phone number and email. This will make it harder to reset your password through recovery.
4. Set up automatic screen lock: In Settings → Lock screen → Autolock set a minimum time (15 seconds) This will shorten the window to access the unlocked phone.
5. Check permissions for applications: In Settings → Privacy → Permissions disable access to SMS, Call Log and Geolocation for suspicious programs.

Pay special attention to social engineering. Even the most secure password is useless if you keep it in notes on a lock screen or share it on the phone. Example: in 2023, 23% of Mi Account hacks occurred due to leaking access codes through phishing messages on WhatsApp (“Your account is blocked, send us a password to unlock”).

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App Lock + Second Space + two-factor authentication in Mi Account provides the most protection, but even this won’t work if you use simple passwords (like “123456” or date of birth).

Comparison of locking methods: what to choose for your Xiaomi model

The choice of locking method depends on the model of the smartphone, the version of MIUI and your tasks. Below are recommendations for different scenarios:

Another method available to Poco and Black Shark owners (with the POCO Launcher shell) is to hide apps without a password, not locking them, but masking them: programs disappear from the menu, but remain searchable, to hide the app:

1. Press the app icon on the home screen.
2. Select Hide in the context menu.
3. To return, open Settings → Applications → Hidden Applications.

This method is suitable for temporary concealment of underused programs, but does not replace full-fledged blocking.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Blocking Apps in Xiaomi