How to make a folder with a password on Xiaomi Redmi

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are now digital storage, with thousands of personal photos, document scans and confidential correspondence. Device owners often face the challenge of hiding certain files from prying eyes, whether they are co-workers, friends or children. The standard Android system provides basic protection, but the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS offer much more advanced privacy tools.

Creating a secure container is not just a way to remove an icon from your desktop, but full encryption of data at the hardware level. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to make a folder with a password to Android xiaomi redmi using built-in features of the system without installing third-party software. You will learn about the nuances of Hidden Space and Second Space, as well as how to restore access to data in the event of password loss.

Many users mistakenly believe that simply hiding the icons of the Gallery or Explorer app is enough for security. In fact, the proper use of biometric protection in conjunction with digital code creates an almost insurmountable barrier to unauthorized access. Let's look at the basic methods available on Xiaomi devices and choose the most suitable for your needs.

Using Built-in Explorer to Hide Files

The fastest and most affordable way to hide individual files or entire folders is to use the standard Explorer app, which is pre-installed on every Xiaomi smartphone. This method does not require the creation of separate profiles and works as a reliable safe inside the file system. To activate this feature, open the application and go to the settings where you need to set a unique pattern or digital code.

Once you set the password, the mechanism changes: you swipe down the file list and hold your finger for a moment until the code field appears, and this action opens a hidden partition where you can move any documents, videos or archives. It's important to understand that files placed here disappear from public access and are not displayed in other applications.

⚠️ WARNING: When cleaning the cache of the Explorer app or resetting your phone settings without first unlocking and extracting files, access to hidden data can be lost forever.

To improve security, the system may suggest linking a hidden folder to your Mi Account, which will allow you to restore access to data when you switch to a new device, if you remember the credentials, but local encryption remains a priority, since the keys are stored in a secure area of the processor memory.

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Use a complex pattern lock instead of a simple one. PIN-It is a four-digit code, as it is much more difficult to see from the side in a public place.

Set up the Second Space for Total Insulation

Second Space is a more radical approach to security, creating a completely isolated environment inside your smartphone. In fact, you get two phones in one: a basic profile for routine tasks and a hidden profile that is protected by a separate password or fingerprint, ideal if you need to hide not only files, but entire applications.

To activate this mode, go to the system settings and find the "Second Space" section. The system will prompt you to create a new profile that will have its own gallery, contacts, call history and installed applications. You can switch between spaces through the notification panel or using a special fingerprint assigned to log into the second profile.

• 🔒 Complete data isolation: applications in the second space do not see files from the main profile.
• 👤 Different accounts: the ability to use different Google accounts and Mi accounts at the same time.
• 🚫 Invisibility: Without a special password or fingerprint, the existence of a second space cannot be detected.

It is worth noting that creating a second profile takes up additional space on the internal drive, as system files are duplicated, and some banking applications may require re-authorization or not work properly in an isolated environment due to the security limitations of the operating system itself.

Work with the Gallery app and the Hidden Album

The Gallery app, which allows you to create hidden albums for photos and videos, is a particularly useful way for users whose main goal is to protect media content, and to hide an album, you need to open a gallery, go to the Albums tab, scroll down and click on the hidden album creation button.

Once you set the password, you can move any images, and the thing about this tool is that it doesn't just hide the preview, it changes the metadata of the files, making them invisible to other image viewers, and it's like a hidden folder in the explorer, swiping down and entering the access code.

Newer versions of MIUI and HyperOS have introduced a “Closed Photos” feature that uses artificial intelligence algorithms to automatically detect potentially sensitive images (such as document photos or credit cards) and suggest hiding them, making it much easier to sort and protect personal information.

Path to Hiding Settings: Gallery → Album Tab → Swipe Down → Create a Hidden Album

Check the functionality regularly after major system updates.

Comparison of data protection methods on Xiaomi

The right method depends on what level of privacy you need and what resources you are willing to donate to your device. Each of these methods has its own technical features that affect performance and usability. Below is a table to help you determine the best option.

As the comparison shows, Second Space offers the highest level of security but requires more resources. Hidden folders in the explorer and gallery are a trade-off between usability and security, suitable for most use cases. Third-party applications often require extra permissions, which can be risky.

When choosing a method, you should also consider the frequency of use of hidden data. If you need to constantly switch between ordinary and secret files, it is more convenient to use hidden albums. If access is rarely required, but you need maximum reliability, you should set up a second profile.

Biometrics and additional levels of protection

Modern Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are equipped with fingerprint scanners and facial recognition modules that can be effectively integrated into the folder protection system. Biometrics setting allows you to open hidden sections with a single touch, which greatly speeds up access, but requires the correct initial calibration.

In the security settings, you can set a rule where a particular finger opens the main profile and another, specially registered finger, immediately switches the phone to Second Space or opens a hidden folder, which implements the principle of two-factor authorization at the hardware level.

• 👆 Assign a separate fingerprint to access classified data in the Passwords and Security menu».
• 👁️ Use face unlock only in combination with PIN-code.
• ⏱️ Set up lock timeouts so that hidden folders close automatically after a period of inactivity.

⚠️ Note: Biometric data is stored in a secure module TEE (Trusted Execution Environment) and are not transmitted to the Internet, but in the event of a serious hack, systems can theoretically be compromised, so a digital backup code is mandatory.

You don’t have to rely solely on Face. ID, In the mid- and low-end segments where the 2D-Scanning that can be fooled with a photo: The combination of a fingerprint and a complex password remains the "gold standard" of mobile security.

Access Restoration and Backup

Forgotten passwords from a hidden folder or second space are a common problem that can lead to the loss of important data. Xiaomi provides a recovery mechanism through the link to the Mi Account, but this feature must be activated in advance. Without linking to a cloud account, it is almost impossible to restore access to encrypted data.

To set up a recovery, go to the security menu, select the lock type, and find “Change password” or “Restore access.” The system will prompt you to enter a check question or link an account, a critical step that many users ignore before problems arise.

Regularly backing up the contents of hidden folders to your computer or external drive is the only guarantee of information security. Even with cloud synchronization, a local copy of important documents will never be superfluous. Use a USB cable and file transfer mode for periodic backup.

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Linking hidden data to a Mi Account is the only reliable way to restore access to information when you forget your password, so don’t ignore this step when you first set up.

If you are planning to sell or give up your phone, be sure to complete a complete cleanup of the second space and unlock all hidden folders before resetting.Otherwise, new owners will not be able to use part of the device's memory, and your data can theoretically be restored by specialists.