How to put a password on the application in Xiaomi: all the ways to protect personal data

Privacy protection on Xiaomi smartphones is becoming more and more relevant: private messaging apps, banking apps, photo gallery – all of which require strong protection from prying eyes. Fortunately, MIUI firmware offers built-in tools to lock individual applications with a password, fingerprint or graphical key. But how exactly does it work on different versions of the system? And what if standard settings don’t fit?

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can protect your apps on Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO devices, from basic locking through Security Settings to using third-party apps with advanced features, focus on the nuances of working with MIUI 14/15, and also solve typical problems, such as when a password is not saved or blocking works too often. If you’re looking for a reliable way to hide content from children, colleagues, or just curious, read on.

Why you should protect your apps with a password on Xiaomi

A smartphone today is not just a means of communication, but a store of personal information. According to a 2023 Kaspersky study, 68% of data breaches occur due to physical access to a device, not through hacker attacks. Even if you use a screen lock, individual applications remain vulnerable:

• 💬 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber): correspondence may contain personal or work secrets.
• 💳 Banking applications (SberBank Online, Tinkoff, Alfa-Click): access to accounts and payments.
• 📷 Gallery and cloud storage: intimate photos, screenshots of documents, family videos.
• 📧 Mail and social networks: the ability to reset passwords from other services via email.

In MIUI, application blocking is implemented through the App Lock function (in the Russian version - Application Blocking).

• 🔒 Set individual passwords for each application.
• 👆 Use a fingerprint or facial recognition to unlock quickly.
• ⏱️ Set up automatic lock after closing the application.
• 🔄 Hide notifications from blocked apps on the lock screen.

However, there are limitations to this method. For example, on some Xiaomi models with MediaTek processors, the App Lock function may conflict with power optimization, which causes the lock to be reset after rebooting.

Method 1: Standard locking via App Lock in MIUI

It is the simplest and most reliable method, without requiring third-party software installation, and works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO version MIUI 12 and newer (including) MIUI 14/15). The instructions are universal for Xiaomi models 13/14, Redmi Note 12/11, POCO X5/F5 others.

To enable the lock:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Blocking applications.
2. If the feature is being used for the first time, the system will suggest setting a master password (may be numeric, graphic or alphanumeric). Remember it! - without this password, it will be impossible to unlock applications or disable the function.
3. Once you have set your password, select the apps from the list you want to block, with each one a slider or a tick next to it.
4. Activate the option to block notifications if you do not want the content of notifications to appear on the lock screen.

For convenience, you can configure alternative ways to unlock:

• 👆 Fingerprint: Settings → Password and security → Fingerprint (must be added to the system beforehand).
• 👤 Facial recognition: only works on infrared camera devices (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro).

⚠️ Note: If you forget the main password from App Lock, you can only reset it through a full reset (hard reset).This will delete all data from the device! Xiaomi does not provide official ways to restore the password without losing data.

Method 2: Blocking through the “Dual Apps”

Second Space (or Dual Apps) allows you to create an isolated user profile with separate apps and data, which is useful if you want to not just block the app, but completely hide its presence on the device, for example, you can install WhatsApp or Telegram in a second space and protect it with a separate password.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
2. Create a second space by following the instructions on the screen, and the system will suggest setting a password or a graphical key to log in.
3. After you create, go to the second space and install the desired applications (they will be duplicated from the main profile).
4. Return to the main space – now blocked applications will only be available after entering the second space password.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔐 Complete data isolation: applications in the second space are not visible in the main profile.
• 📱 The ability to use different accounts in the same app (for example, two Telegram or WhatsApp).
• 🔄 Quickly switch between spaces through the notification panel.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ It takes up additional space in memory (each space has its own data).
• ⏳ Applications in the second space may be slower due to background limitations.

Method 3: Third-party applications for blocking (AppLock)

If the built-in MIUI features don’t suit you (for example, due to bugs or a lack of options), you can use third-party applications.

• 🔒 AppLock (from DoMobile Lab) – supports locking by fingerprint, lock schedule, fake mode (shows a false screen with an incorrect password).
• 🛡️ Norton App Lock – Integrated with antivirus, blocks access to applications and their data.
• 📱 Smart AppLock – lightweight solution with minimalist interface.

How to install and configure AppLock:

1. Download the app from Google Play (link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.domobile.applock).
2. When you first start, set a master password (it is recommended to use a combination of letters and numbers).
3. Select the apps to lock from the list or add them manually through the + button.
4. In settings, activate options: Block notifications - hides the content of notifications. Fake screen - shows a false error screen when the wrong password is used. Autolock - blocks the application after closing.

⚠️ Note: Third-party applications for blocking may conflict with MIUI Optimization is Xiaomi’s built-in optimization service. If the lock is reset after a reboot, add AppLock to the AutoRun Exclusions list:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Autorun.
2. Find AppLock in the list and enable autorun.
3. Also add it to the Cleanup Protection (in the same settings section).

2. Unlocking the fingerprint does not work

Sometimes MIUI doesn't recognize the fingerprint to unlock applications, even though it works to unlock the screen, which is due to a conflict between security modules.

Decision:

1. Delete all fingerprints in Settings → Password and Security → Fingerprint.
2. Reset the device.
3. Add the print again and check the work in App Lock.

3.Forgotten password from App Lock

If you've forgotten the password from Application Block, there's no official way to restore it.

• 🔄 Resetting (remove all data from your phone!).
• 🛠️ Use of the ADB (requires a computer and debugging USB). Reset command: adb shell pm clear com.miui.guardprovider Not working on all versions MIUI!

💡

If you often forget passwords, use a password manager (like Bitwarden or KeePassDX) to store the master password from App Lock. SMS!

Additional ways to protect confidentiality

In addition to blocking applications, MIUI has other useful features for data protection:

• 📁 Hidden folder: allows you to hide files in the gallery. → Albums. → Hidden album (must be installed) PIN-code).
• 🔍 Private mode: temporarily hides notifications and blocks access to data. → Private regime.
• 📡 Data ban: you can restrict access to specific applications to the mobile network or Wi-Fi in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data.

For maximum safety, it is recommended to combine several methods, for example:

1. Block messengers through App Lock.
2. Move banking applications to the Second Space.
3. Hide personal photos in a hidden folder.

💡

The combination of built-in MIUI (App Lock + Second Space + Hidden Folder) features provides multi-loop data protection without the need to install third-party applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking apps on Xiaomi