Xiaomi smartphones offer users a wide range of privacy features that are often undervalued. One of the most useful features is the ability to block apps, which allows you to protect personal data from prying eyes even when the screen is unlocked, this is especially true for devices that children use, or when the phone can be used by colleagues and acquaintances.
Unlike standard screen locks, software hiding works at the system level, requiring additional authorization to access content. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco can take advantage of built-in security tools without resorting to installing dubious third-party software. In this article, we will detail the protection mechanisms available in the shells of MIUI and the new HyperOS, and look at the nuances of their work.
Many users don’t even realize that their phone can create a separate hidden profile that doesn’t appear in the general installed program list, which turns the smartphone into a reliable storage for banking applications, personal correspondence or gallery with dream photos. Let’s figure out how to activate these functions and customize them to your needs.
Built-in protection of MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi’s shell, regardless of the version, has always been known for its security functionality.The system offers multiple layers of protection, ranging from a simple launch password to completely hiding the icon from the menu.The locker is part of the system’s Security app, which is preinstalled on every device of the brand.
The main advantage of native tools is deep integration with the operating system, which means that a blocked application not only requires a password when it starts, but can also hide notifications, preventing information from leaking through the notification curtain. These functions do not require root rights or complex manipulations. ADB.
There are two main methods of restricting access: using Hide Apps and creating Second Space. The first method simply hides the icon, making the program visible only through a special gesture or password. The second method creates a virtually complete second operating system inside your phone with its own settings and data.
- 🔒 Start-Blocking requires a password, fingerprint, or face scan every time you open.
- 👁️ Hiding notifications prevents messages from appearing on a locked screen or in the status bar.
- 📂 Data separation allows you to keep your work and personal files in isolated containers.
It is important to understand that activating protection does not affect the operation of background processes. For example, if you blocked the messenger, calls through it may not pass until the application is unlocked, depending on the power saving settings.
How to enable application locking through security settings
The easiest and fastest way to protect specific programs is to use a built-in blocker, ideal for those who want to quickly close access to a gallery, notes or instant messengers without completely hiding them from view.
To activate the protection, go to the system application Security. At the bottom of the screen or in the Tools menu (depending on the firmware version), find the application lock option. When you first start, the system will suggest you to create a separate password or use the same one that you used to unlock the screen, and adjust the biometrics.
☑️ Blocker setup
Once you set the password, you'll be presented with a list of all the programs you've installed, just switch the switchboard against the right app to activate the protection, and now every time you start WhatsApp, Telegram, and the phone will ask for proof of identity.
⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from blocking applications, you can only reset it through the Mi Account account associated with the device, or by completely resetting the phone settings.
The Blocker Settings menu also has a Hide Content option, which, if activated, may not show the names of the blocked apps in the recent task list, adding an additional layer of privacy, which is especially useful in public places.
Application Hiding Function: Completely Disappearing from the Menu
A more advanced level of protection is the complete concealment of applications, in which case the program icon disappears from the desktop and from the menu of all applications, and you can only find it through a special search or by entering a secret code in the "call," which creates the effect that the application is not installed at all on the device.
To activate this feature, go to Settings -> Apps -> Hide Apps. Here you will see a list of programs that you can hide. Once you select, the icons will disappear, but continue to work in the background, receiving notifications (unless otherwise configured).
There are several ways to access hidden applications, depending on the version of MIUI. Most often you need to open a standard application "Themes" or "Conductor" and enter a special code, you can also use a search system if the function of searching for hidden applications is activated in the settings.
- 📱 Hiding through the app menu is available on most Redmi and Xiaomi models.
- 🔍 Search for hidden programs is carried out through a global search system.
- 🚫 Removal from the Hidden List Returns the Icon to its Original Place.
What happens to hidden app notifications?
It is worth noting that on some global versions of firmware, the hide feature may be called differently or moved to the Second Space menu. Owners of Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 14 and newer models can find these settings in the privacy section of the new shell.
Second Space: Creating an Isolated Environment
Second Space is perhaps the most powerful data separation tool, creating a completely isolated environment that looks like a separate phone, and you'll have two sets of wallpapers, two sets of apps, and two different login passwords.
Switching between spaces is instantaneous through a special shortcut in the notification curtain or through a fingerprint. If you attach a finger assigned to guest mode, the phone unlocks immediately into a second space where all your personal apps can be hidden.
To set up the second space, go to Settings -> About Phone (or Advanced Settings) -> Second Space, and the system will suggest setting up a separate password and, if desired, assigning a separate fingerprint for quick switching, which is ideal for separating work and personal life.
| Parameter | Main space | Second space |
|---|---|---|
| Access to data | Full access to all files | Isolated, access to photos is possible only through transmission |
| Annexes | All established programmes | Only the applications you have selected |
| Accounts. | The basic Mi Account and Google | You can use other accounts. |
| Notifications | All system notifications | Only notifications of second profile applications |
The applications in the second space take up extra disk space because they are essentially re-installed, but this ensures maximum privacy: you can't see which programs are installed in the second one without entering the corresponding password.
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The second space is not just a folder, but a full-fledged isolated user profile with its own data, settings and accounts, protected by a separate password.
Parental control and time limits
If your goal is not to hide apps from yourself, but to limit children’s access to certain smartphone features, you’ll need a tool called Parental Control or Digital Well-being, which allows you to set time limits and block games or social networks from running after the allotted time has expired.
Unlike simple password locking, you can set a schedule here, such as preventing YouTube or games from running on weekdays until 18:00, and setting up via Google services or the built-in Security app -> Parental Control.
To operate parental controls, a child’s device must have a profile or companion app installed on the parent’s phone, allowing the device or specific applications to be remotely blocked if necessary.
- ⏱️ Set time limits for each application category separately.
- 🚫 Complete blocking of purchases within apps and browser.
- 📍 Tracking the location of the device in real time.
It's important to distinguish between app locking and screen time limiting: the first one protects data with a password, the second one controls pastime, and for comprehensive child protection, it's recommended to use both methods in conjunction.
Third-party solutions and alternative methods
While Xiaomi’s built-in tools are powerful, some users prefer third-party apps from Google Play, which can offer more flexible settings, such as locking on a schedule, locking on a change. SIM-Maps or hidden photo storage with a false password function».
Popular launchers may also have built-in icon hiding features, but using third-party software to block system applications can lead to unstable system performance, and such applications often require broad permissions, which in itself is a risk to data security.
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party blockers, carefully review the permissions you request. If a simple blocker requires access to your contacts and microphone, this is an excuse to abandon its use in favor of built-in tools. MIUI.
If you choose to use third-party software, choose proven solutions with high ratings and a lot of reviews. However, for most tasks, standard MIUI/HyperOS locking will be more than enough, since it works at the core level of the system and can not be easily bypassed.
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Use different fingerprints to quickly switch between normal mode and hidden space, which is the fastest and most subtle way to access secure data.