How to put a password on WhatsApp in Xiaomi smartphones: all ways to protect chats

WhatsApp’s privacy is becoming more and more important, especially if you’re often handing your phone to others or fearing data leaks. Xiaomi’s MIUI-powered smartphones offer several ways to block the messenger, from the built-in App Lock feature to the use of biometric authentication, but not everyone knows how to properly configure this protection so that it works stably and doesn’t reset after updates.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of setting a password on WhatsApp for Xiaomi devices, including the Redmi models, POCO and Mi on different versions of firmware. You'll learn how to enable locking through Security Settings. MIUI, You can set up the fingerprint or face unlock, and what to do if the password suddenly stops working. MIUI 14, where the protection algorithm has changed compared to previous versions.

Why a standard WhatsApp lock is not enough

Many users mistakenly believe that WhatsApp’s built-in chat lock feature (via Settings → Privacy → Chat Block) is completely protective of chatting.

• 🔓 Easy to bypass: the lock only works when opening a specific chat, and the messenger itself remains available.
• 📱 No binding to the system: WhatsApp password is not synchronized with the lock screen Xiaomi, which creates unnecessary inconvenience.
• 🔄 Resets when reinstalled: After removal and re-installation of the application, the protection disappears.

By contrast, the App Lock in MIUI blocks access to the app itself at the operating system level.This means that even if someone unlocks your phone, they won’t be able to open WhatsApp without an additional password, fingerprint, or facial scan. Xiaomi also allows you to set up an invisible lock mode when the app disappears from the menu altogether without entering a password.

Method 1: Blocking through App Lock in MIUI

This is the most reliable and versatile method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 10 firmware and later. Instructions are suitable for the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13 and other models. Important: before setting up, make sure that the phone has a password, PIN or graphical key to unlock the screen – without this, the App Lock will not activate.

Steps to include:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Lock (App Lock).
2. If you're using the feature for the first time, the system will prompt you to create a master password for App Lock. PIN-lock-screen.
3. In the list of applications, find WhatsApp and switch the slider to the On position.
4. Click on the WhatsApp icon again to configure additional settings: 🔒 Type of lock: Choose between password, fingerprint, or face scan. 🕒 Autolock: Specify how many seconds after folding the application will be blocked automatically (we recommend Immediately). 👁️ Hide notifications: Turn on this option so that the contents of messages do not appear in the curtain.

An important nuance for MIUI 14: in this version, Xiaomi added a feature called Private Mode, which allows you to hide blocked apps from the menu.

1. In App Lock, click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
2. Enable the option to Hide icons of blocked applications.
3. WhatsApp will now only be visible after you enter your password in the App Lock.

💡

If the MIUI App Lock has stopped working after the MIUI update, try removing WhatsApp from the list of blocked apps and adding it again, often solving the problem of the lost settings.

Method 2: Biometric locking in WhatsApp

Since 2020, WhatsApp has been supporting fingerprint or face unlock directly in the app. This method is less reliable than App Lock, but is convenient if you do not want to configure system lock. Note: the feature only works on phones with fingerprint sensor or Face Unlock support (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi K50, POCO F4 GT).

How to set up:

1. Open WhatsApp → click on three dots in the top right → Settings → Privacy.
2. Scroll down and select Fingerprint Lock (or Face Unlock if supported).
3. Turn on the switch and confirm your fingerprint or face scan.
4. Set up the parameters: ⏱️ Autolock: Select the interval (Immediately, After 1 minute, After 30 minutes). 📷 Show content in notifications: disable to hide text messages.

Method limitation: WhatsApp biometric locking does not protect against access via the web version (whatsapp.web).If you use WhatsApp on your computer, we recommend you to additionally configure App Lock in MIUI.

Method 3: Hiding WhatsApp in MIUI's Second Space

If you need not just to block WhatsApp, but completely hide its presence on your phone, use the function of the Second Space in the Internet. MIUI. This creates a separate user profile with its own applications and data, a method suitable for Xiaomi with firmware. MIUI 12 and newer.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Special Functions → Second Space.
2. Click Create a second space and follow the instructions (you will need to set a separate password).
3. After creating, switch to the second space (the icon in the notification curtain or through Settings).
4. Install WhatsApp in the second space and set it up as usual.
5. Back to the main space – WhatsApp will now only be available after you switch your profile.

⚠️ Warning: The second space does not sync data with the main profile. If you use WhatsApp in both spaces, messages will be duplicated and backups will conflict.

The advantage is that even if someone unlocks your phone, they won't see WhatsApp without knowing that there's a second space, and the disadvantage is that you'll have to switch between profiles to check messages.

Problems and Solutions: Why WhatsApp Passwords Are Not Working

Xiaomi users often find that WhatsApp’s lock suddenly stops working, and consider the typical reasons and ways to fix them:

• 🔄 Reset after update MIUI: Some updates reset the App Lock settings, so add WhatsApp to the list of blocked apps again.
• 👆 Gesture conflict: If you have navigation gestures enabled, they may accidentally unlock the app. Try turning off gestures in Settings → Display. → Full screen mode.
• 🔋 Charge Saving: Ultra-Saving or Background Limitation mode can block App Lock. Add Security (com.miui.securitycenter) to exceptions.
• 📱 Shell incompatibility: If you use third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher), App Lock may not work. MIUI.

A critical error in MIUI 13: on some devices (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) after upgrading to MIUI 13, the ability to add WhatsApp to the App Lock is lost.

1. Delete WhatsApp.
2. Reboot the phone.
3. Install WhatsApp again and add it to App Lock.

💡

If none of these works, try resetting MIUI security settings: Settings → Password & Security → Resetting security settings. This won’t delete your data, but will return all lock settings to factory settings.

Additional security measures for WhatsApp on Xiaomi

Password to the app is just the first step, and to protect your emails, we recommend:

• 🔐 Two-factor authentication: Enable it in WhatsApp Settings → Account. → Two-step verification, which will protect your account even if you SIM-card stolen.
• 📤 Encrypted backups: in Settings → chat → Backup: Create a password for cloud copies (otherwise you can restore them on another device).
• 🚫 Restriction of access to files: in Settings MIUI → Confidentiality → Special permissions disable WhatsApp access to unnecessary folders.
• 🌐 Blocking the Web: On WhatsApp Web, click Exit from all devices if you are not using the desktop version.

For owners of POCO F3/F4/F5 and Xiaomi 11T/12T: these models support hardware encryption.

1. Go to Settings → Password and Security → Phone Encryption.
2. Choose Encrypt your phone and follow the instructions (the process will take 30-60 minutes).
3. Once encrypted, all data, including WhatsApp chats, will be secured at the iron level.

⚠️ Warning: If you forget the encryption password, the data will be lost without recovery.

FAQ: Frequent questions about WhatsApp blocking on Xiaomi