Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the challenge of hiding sensitive data from prying eyes. The standard MIUI 12 interface offers several layers of protection, but not all of them are obvious to the average user. Hiding an app icon isn’t just about removing it from the desktop, it’s about real data protection.
In this article, we will discuss all available methods, from standard system tools to advanced security settings, you will learn how to use the Hidden Space mode, which is a unique feature of the shell from the Chinese manufacturer.
Sometimes standard methods are not enough, and then specialized solutions come to the rescue, we will look at the nuances of working with system constraints and show you how to avoid common mistakes when setting up privacy.
Using the Hidden Space Mode
The most reliable way is to use the built-in Hidden Space function, which is a separate, isolated environment in the system, accessed through a special password or fingerprint, and the applications installed in this mode are completely invisible in the normal interface.
To activate, you need to go to the security settings. Find the Application Protection or Hidden Space section in the system settings menu. The system will suggest creating a separate password that will differ from the main unlock code of the screen.
Once you've turned on mode, you can move any software, and it's important to understand that they don't send you notifications until you've logged into a hidden profile, which is ideal for storing personal photos, messengers, or bank clients.
⚠️ Warning: Don't forget the password from the hidden space! It is almost impossible to restore access to data inside this profile without a password, since this is a separate encrypted container.
Working with two spaces requires getting used to, and you'll switch between them by entering different passwords or putting different fingers on the fingerprint scanner.
- 🔒 Complete isolation of data from the main system
- 👁️ Invisibility of icons and notifications in the usual mode
- 👆 The ability to use different fingerprints to enter
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Use different fingerprints for the main and hidden modes, which will allow you to instantly switch between them, just by putting the right finger on the scanner, without manually entering passwords.
Configure through the Security app
The central element of privacy management at Xiaomi is the system app Security. This is where the main tools for hiding content are concentrated. The interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same.
Open the app and scroll down to Hide the apps, and you'll be asked to create a password if you haven't already, and after activating the feature, all the installed programs will appear in the list.
Just turn on the switchboard in front of the app you want, and it disappears from the desktop and from the menu of all the apps, and you have to type in a special code or use biometrics to access it.
☑️ Checking security settings
It is worth noting that some system applications may not be supported by this feature, which is a limitation of the Android operating system itself, which cannot be circumvented by standard means.
| Function | Availability | Level of protection |
|---|---|---|
| Hide applications | All models. | Medium. |
| Hidden space | MIUI 12+ | High-pitched |
| Application protection | All models. | Basic |
Method of hiding through a dialer (access code)
There is a lesser-known but more effective way to access hidden data, and some versions of MIUI 12 include a dial-up hidden access feature that not only hides applications, but also quickly goes into hidden mode.
The essence of the method is to use a special code in the Phone application. You specify a secret code, for example *1234#, and when you type it, the system automatically opens hidden space or shows hidden files.
This method is convenient because it does not require additional applications to run, but it may not work on global firmware versions due to regional constraints.
What if the code doesn't work?
The use of numerical combinations is a classic defense method that many users are familiar with, and the key is to choose a combination that is easy to remember but difficult to guess.
Alternative launchers for disguise
If Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t seem flexible enough, you can always turn to third-party solutions. Installing an alternative launcher allows you to completely change the interface and application management methods.
There are launchers that have an inbuilt icon hiding feature, and they create a separate folder or password-protected page where you can move apps.
When using third-party software, it is important to pay attention to the permissions you grant it. Launcher has deep access to the system, so choose only proven products from reputable developers.
- 🎨 Possibility of complete customization of appearance
- 📂 Creating secure folders for applications
- 🚫 Blocking access to launcher settings
Use of calculator applications
A special category is applications that masquerade as conventional utilities, like a calculator, which at first glance looks like a standard computational tool, but when you put in special code, it becomes a storage tool.
These programs are often called safe calculators, and they allow you to hide not only apps, but also photos, videos and documents, and once you enter a password, you open the storage interface.
The advantage of this is that it's invisible, and no one will suspect that behind the innocuous icon of the calculator, there's a hidden access to information.
⚠️ Note: When you delete the calculator application, all the data inside the calculator will be permanently lost.
When choosing such an app, make sure that it has a good reputation in the Google Play store. The security of your data depends on the reliability of the developer.
Limitations and Features of MIUI 12
Despite the vast capabilities, the MIUI 12 shell has its limitations, some system processes that cannot be hidden by standard methods, and this is done to keep the operating system running smoothly.
Security updates can also change the behavior of the hideout function, and what worked in one firmware version can be changed or removed in another.
Users should check their privacy settings regularly after major system updates to make sure your data is still protected.
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Regularly checking your settings after system updates is a guarantee of the constant security of your data.
Understanding these limitations will help you choose the most appropriate defense method, and combining different methods will give you the best result.