How to protect WhatsApp with a password on Xiaomi: all the ways for Android

Why to use WhatsApp and what risks it covers

WhatsApp has become an integral part of everyday life: personal correspondence, work chats, photos and even financial information (such as screenshots of bank transfers) are stored here. On Xiaomi smartphones with the MIUI shell, data protection is especially relevant, the manufacturer actively integrates security features, but many users do not use them. Statistics show that 37% of personal data leaks occur through unprotected messengers when the phone falls into the wrong hands for at least a few minutes.

Xiaomi smartphones (Redmi Note series, POCO X, Mi 11, etc.) offer several levels of WhatsApp protection:

• 🔒 Built-in PIN-messenger code (two-step authentication).
• 👆 Biometrics: fingerprint or facial recognition (Face) ID).
• 📱 Blocking the application through MIUI (function “Application lock").
• 🔐 Hidden chats on WhatsApp → Archive with an additional password.

But there are nuances: for example, on devices with MIUI 14+ and Android 13+, biometrics in WhatsApp can conflict with the system lock screen if you do not configure exceptions.

In this article, 5 proven ways to put a password on WhatsApp for Xiaomi, including bypassing typical errors (for example, when the messenger asks for a password every time you open or does not save a fingerprint), also discuss how to protect against phishing through fake login pages and why Resetting does not always remove the lock.

Method 1: Two-step authentication in WhatsApp (official method)

The most reliable way is to enable two-step verification directly in the messenger settings, and this password will be requested when:

• 📱 Registration of the number on the new device.
• 🔄 Reinstallation of the annex.
• ⚠️ Attempt to restore the account through SMS (Protection against SIM-swap fraud).

How to set up:

1. Open WhatsApp. → ⋮ (three-point) → Settings → Account. → Two-step verification.
2. Click Enable and come up with a 6-digit PIN-Code (Do not use date of birth!).
3. Enter an email for recovery (required!). ⚠️ Attention: If you forget PIN If you lose access to your email, your account will be permanently blocked after 7 days of inactivity.
4. Confirm by entering the PIN again.

Created a PIN of 6 digits (non-repeating)

A valid email for recovery is provided

PIN is recorded in a secure location (not on your phone!)

WhatsApp does not ask for a password every time you open it-->

Once activated, when you try to log in from a new device, the system will require you to enter a PIN. Importantly, this password is not synchronized with MIUI or Google passwords - you need to remember it separately.

Method 2: Block WhatsApp via the Application Lock in MIUI

The MIUI shell (versions 12–14) offers a built-in App Lock feature that allows WhatsApp to be closed with a password, fingerprint or graphical key, the advantage of which is that locking works instantly when an application is folded (unlike two-step authentication, which only works when reinstalled).

Instructions for Xiaomi Redmi/POCO/Mi:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application lock.
2. Enable the function (you will need to set the main password for MIUI, if it is not).
3. Find WhatsApp in the list and activate the switch.
4. Select the type of lock: Password, Fingerprint or Face.

⚠️ Note: If you use App Lock along with WhatsApp’s two-step authentication, the messenger may require two passwords in a row – system first (MIUI), later PIN To avoid this, in the Application Lock settings, disable the option to Show the contents of notifications.

Two-step authentication on WhatsApp

Application lock in MIUI

Biometrics (print/face)

Don't protect messenger

Another option-->

Method 3: Biometric protection (fingerprint or Face ID)

With MIUI 13 and Android 11+, WhatsApp has now introduced support for biometric authentication — now you can close chats with a fingerprint or a face scan. This feature works in parallel with Xiaomi’s system lock, but is configured separately.

How to turn on:

1. Open WhatsApp. → ⋮ → Settings → Account. → Confidentiality.
2. Choose fingerprint lock (or face recognition).
3. Confirm with a finger/face scan.
4. Set the automatic lock timeout: Immediately, 1 minute or 30 minutes later.

Important nuances:

• 🔹 Xiaomi. POCO F3 Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 14 WhatsApp biometrics may conflict with the application system lock.Solution: disable one of the features.
• 🔹 If the print doesn’t work, check if it’s added to Settings. → Passwords and security → Fingerprints.
• 🔹 Face ID on budget models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) It's worse because of the weak AI chip.

💡

If WhatsApp doesn't see the fingerprint, try removing all the saved fingers in the MIUI settings and adding them again, often solved after the phone is restarted.

Method 4: Hiding chats in a password archive

Few people know, but WhatsApp has an additionally protected Chat Archive feature that allows you to hide individual conversations behind a password without blocking the entire app, which is handy if you want to hide only personal correspondence by leaving work chats open.

How to set up:

1. Press your finger on the chat you want to hide and select Archive (box icon).
2. Go to the Chat Archive (scroll the list of dialogues up).
3. Press. ⋮ → Archive settings → Password protection.
4. Set a PIN or pattern lock.

⚠️ Warning: Archived chats aren't deleted from WhatsApp servers! they're just hidden from the main list. Use encryption backup for complete privacy (see next section).

Method 5: Encrypting backups (additional protection)

Even if you have a password on WhatsApp, backup chats on Google Drive or local files on Xiaomi remain vulnerable.Attacker can recover correspondence on another device if they gain access to your Google account or the phone's file system.

How to Enable Backup Encryption:

1. Open WhatsApp. → ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup copy → A copy in Google Drive.
2. Select Create a password (minimum length is 8 characters).
3. Confirm your password and save it to your password manager (e.g., Xiaomi Password Manager or 1Password).
4. Run manual backup to check the encryption.

Warnings:

• 🔐 Without a password, backups cannot be restored – even through WhatsApp support.
• ⚠️ On Xiaomi MIUI 12 and below copy encryption may not work due to error in API Google Drive. Update the firmware!
• 📱 Local copies (in the folder) /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases) You also need to encrypt – use File Lock in Settings → Annexes → Security.

💡

Backup encryption is the only way to protect chats when a phone is stolen or Google data is leaked, and without it, an attacker can recover correspondence on his device.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When setting up a password on WhatsApp, Xiaomi users often encounter problems, and here are the most common solutions:

What to do if WhatsApp is blocked:

• 📌 If you forgot. PIN Two-step authentication – use email to restore (if you specified it when setting up).
• 📌 If you forget the password of the Application Lock - reset it through Settings → Passwords and security → Application lock → Forgot your password (you will need a Mi Account).
• 📌 If the account is permanently blocked (7 days without entering) PIN) — Create a new number on WhatsApp (you can’t restore old correspondence).

FAQ: Frequent questions about WhatsApp password on Xiaomi