How to put a password on a folder in Xiaomi: from built-in features to hidden features MIUI

Protecting personal data on Xiaomi’s smartphone is a challenge that has become increasingly urgent with the rise of cyber threats, with many users storing sensitive documents, photos or videos in a gallery or file manager that they would like to restrict access to. However, the standard Android file system does not provide a built-in “password folder” function – instead, manufacturers (including Xiaomi) offer alternative solutions: from hidden albums in the gallery to full encryption through the Internet. MIUI Security.

In this article, we will discuss all working ways to create a secure folder on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO — like with native tools MIUI 14/15, And also through third-party applications. We'll focus on the hidden functions. MIUI, We'll also compare the reliability of each method and give you recommendations for choosing according to your needs: whether it's protection from prying eyes or serious encryption from hacker attacks.

1. Built-in "Hidden Album" feature in Xiaomi Gallery

The easiest way to hide photos and videos is to use the built-in hidden album in the standard Gallery app. MIUI 12 and newer, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 The main advantage of the method is that you do not need to install additional programs, and access to hidden files is protected by a password or fingerprint.

To activate the hidden album:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Select the photos or videos you want to hide (click on the file and mark the rest).
3. Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Move it to a hidden album.
4. When you first use the system will suggest setting a password or linking a biometric.

After that, the files will disappear from the main gallery to be seen.

• 🔍 Go to the gallery. → Albums. → Hidden album.
• 🔐 Enter a password or use a fingerprint.
• 📁 Files can be returned or deleted directly from the hidden album.

⚠️ Note: The Hidden Album in MIUI It doesn't encrypt files at the system level. MTP or when using a file manager (e.g. Total Commander) hidden files can be found in a folder /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/.hidden. For full protection, use the methods in the following sections.

2. Protection of folders through “Security" (MIUI Security)

Annex Security (or) MIUI Security on global firmware offers a more secure way of protecting folders with a password, unlike a hidden album, it works with any type of file (documents, APK, archives) and encrypts them at the file system level.The feature is available on all modern Xiaomi devices, including Redmi 10, POCO F4 newer.

Instructions for setting:

1. Open the Settings. → Annexes → Security (or find the Security icon in the app menu).
2. Go to the Privacy section → Application protection (on some firmware, the path may be different: Privacy → File protection).
3. Select Add folder and specify the directory you want to protect (e.g, /storage/emulated/0/Download/Secret).
4. Set a password or a pattern lock (it is recommended to use a combination of 8).+ symbolism).

After activation:

• 🔒 The folder will be hidden from the standard file manager.
• 📱 Access to files is possible only through MIUI Security after entering a password.
• 🔄 When you try to open a folder through Explorer or Total Commander, the system will ask for a password.

⚠️ Note: If you reset your phone to the factory (Hard Reset), all protected folders in the MIUI Security will be permanently deleted. Before reset, be sure to transfer important files to an unsecured directory.

3. Use of third-party encryption applications

If the built-in functions MIUI Not enough, you can use third-party software:

• 🔐 File Lock by DoMobile Lab – supports encryption of folders, photos and videos with the ability to mask under the calculator.
• 📁 Andrognito 2 – creates “secret storage” with password protection and self-destruct function when incorrectly entering the code.
• 🔒 KEEPSAFE — Specializes in photo/video protection, offers cloud backup.

Example of File Lock configuration:

1. Install the app from Google Play (link: File Lock).
2. When you first start, set a master password (it is recommended to use a combination of letters, numbers and symbols).
3. Press. + → Lock the folder and select the directory to protect.
4. Activate Hide the folder so it disappears from the file manager.

Advantages of third-party applications:

• 🔧 More settings (for example, a false password for guest mode).
• 📲 Cross-platform (some programs sync to PCs).
• 🛡️ Additional functions: encryption, compression, backup.

User reviews (rating not lower than 4.5)

Availability of the password recovery function

No requests for unnecessary permissions (e.g. access to the SMS)

Compatible with your version of Android-->

⚠️ Note: Some encryption applications (especially from unverified sources) may contain code that steals data. Install programs only from Google Play and check permissions before installing. For example, if the application for blocking folders requested access to SMS or Call Log, this is a reason to be wary.

4. Creation of an encrypted archive (without applications)

If you don’t want to install additional software, you can protect files with an encrypted archive, a method that is suitable for backing up sensitive data or transferring it over unsecured channels (for example, via messengers), and Xiaomi devices can use the standard Archivator app (or ZArchiver from Google Play).

Step-by-step:

1. Install ZArchiver (if you don’t want to use the built-in archiver).
2. Open the application and find the folder you want to archive.
3. Hold it on the folder. → Choose Add to the archive.
4. In the archive settings, select the format ZIP or 7z (The latter supports more reliable encryption).
5. Set the Encrypt box and enter the password (at least 12 characters for the code). 7z).
6. Click OK and wait for the archive to be created.

To extract the files:

• Open the archives at ZArchiver.
• Enter the password when you request it.
• Click Extract and specify the folder to unpack.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔐 Hardware encryption (in the case of 7z and AES-256).
• 📦 The archive can be transmitted by email or messengers without the risk of leakage.
• 🔄 Compatibility with PC (archive will open on the Windows/macOS).

💡

Use a password manager (such as Bitwarden or KeePassDX) to store passwords from archives. Never save passwords in notes or SMS!

5. Hidden opportunities MIUI: Second Space and Dual Apps

Firmware MIUI It offers two unique features that can be adapted to protect sensitive files: Second Space and Dual Apps. These tools are originally designed to separate work and personal data, but they can also be used to create secret folders.

Second Space allows you to create a completely isolated copy of the system with separate applications, files and settings. All files stored in Second Space are not visible in the main space (and vice versa).

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space.
2. Click Create Second Space and set the password.
3. After the reboot, select Second Space when you log in.
4. Copy sensitive files into Second Space folders (such as Downloads or Documents).

Dual Apps is useful if you want to hide files inside a particular application (like Gallery or Files).

1. Open Settings → Applications → Dual Apps
2. Select an app (like a Gallery) and create a clone of it.
3. In the cloned application, add files you want to hide.
4. Protect the clone with a password through Settings → Security → Application lockdown.

Advantages of these methods:

• 🔄 Complete file isolation (even when connected to a Second Space PC is not visible).
• 📱 There is no need to install third-party programs.
• 🔒 You can use biometrics to switch between spaces quickly.

6. Backup and Restore Protected Folders

If you're using secure folders or Second Space, it's important to take care of backing up your data, and if you reset your settings or your phone breaks, you can't restore your files without a backup.

For hidden albums and MIUI Security:

• 📤 Use Mi Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud), but note that files will be downloaded unencrypted.
• 💾 Create a local copy on the PC: connect the phone to the USB, find the folder /MIUI/SecretFolder (Or similar, and copy it to a hard drive.

For encrypted archives:

• 📁 Save your archive to the cloud (Google Drive, Mega) with encryption enabled.
• 🔐 Keep your password separate from the archive (for example, in the password manager).

For Second Space:

• 🔄 V MIUI 14+ Second Space backup function appeared via Settings → The phone. → Backup.
• ⚠️ When you recover from the backup, Second Space will only be available after you enter the original password.

💡

Never store passwords from secure folders or archives in cloud notes (Google Keep, Mi Notes) or SMS. Use specialized password managers with two-factor authentication.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When setting up secure folders on Xiaomi, users often encounter typical problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

1. Forgotten password from a hidden album or MIUI Security

• 🔓 If you forget the password from the Hidden Album, it can be reset via Settings. → Accounts. → Xiaomi → Password Recovery (requires a linked Mi Account).
• 🚫 For MIUI Security password reset is impossible – you will have to reset the phone to the factory settings (all data in the protected folders will be deleted).

2. Files are missing after update MIUI

• 🔄 After major updates (e.g., with the MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) The path to hidden folders may change. /MIUI/SecretFolder and /Pictures/.hidden.
• 📂 If no files are found, use the DiskDigger app to recover deleted data.

3. biometrics for accessing folders are not working

• 👆 Make sure your fingerprint or face is added to your settings → Passwords and security → Biometric data.
• 🔧 Restart your phone and reset access to biometrics MIUI Security.

4.The folder is visible through the file manager

• 📁 If you've used MIUI Security, but the folder is displayed in Explorer, check if the protection is disabled in the application settings.
• 🔍 For hidden albums, use only the standard Gallery – third-party file managers can ignore the concealment settings.

💡

Before the update MIUI Always back up your protected folders. Some updates reset your privacy settings!

FAQ: Answers to popular questions