How to set a password for Xiaomi apps: full instructions

Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on the shells MIUI or the new HyperOS, offer users advanced tools to protect confidential information. Often there is a situation when you need to hand over the phone to a relative to call or a friend to show a photo, but you do not want to open access to all data, which is in such cases, the built-in function of blocking individual programs that works at the system level and does not require the installation of third-party software.

This feature allows you to create an additional security barrier, different from the main password unlocking the screen. Application protection in the ecosystem of Xiaomi is implemented quite flexibly: you can choose the method of authorization (pattern lock, digital code or fingerprint) and set up a list of programs that will be restricted, this is especially true for banking customers, instant messengers and gallery with personal pictures.

In this guide, we will discuss the process of configuring this feature on current firmware versions. We will look at the nuances of working with Second Space, how to restore access in case of forgetting your password and answer frequent questions that arise from owners of Redmi and POCO devices. The security of your data should be a priority, and the use of regular system tools is the most reliable way to ensure it.

Preparation for data protection settings

Before you start to install locks directly, you need to make sure that your Mi Account is active and connected to the device. This is a critical step, since it is the Xiaomi account that is often used to restore access to secure partitions if you forget the code created. Without an associated account, the risk of losing access to your own data increases many times over.

It’s also worth checking which version of the operating system is installed on your gadget. In the new versions of HyperOS, the settings menu has been slightly revised compared to the classic one. MIUI 14 or earlier versions, but the logic of the security mechanisms has remained the same, and the paths to the desired functions are similar. PIN-code to unlock the screen itself, as security requires a basic level of protection.

⚠️ Note: If you reset your phone settings to factory without detaching your Mi Account, the protection feature can lock the device after turning it on, requiring you to enter a password from your account.

It is recommended to pre-determine the list of applications that require increased privacy, usually social networks, banking applications, notes and a gallery, thinking through the list in advance will save time during the setup process and will allow you to avoid missing important programs that should be limited from prying eyes.

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Use a complex pattern lock that does not repeat the shapes of letters or geometric shapes so that it cannot be guessed from the fingerprints on the screen.

Instructions: setting password through security settings

The main way to set the restrictions is in the system application “Security”, which is preinstalled on all smartphones of the brand. This method is universal and works on the vast majority of models, from the budget series Redmi Note to the flagship Xiaomi 13/14. First, find an icon on the desktop called “Security” (green shield) and run it.

Inside the app, you need to scroll down to the Application Protection section. In some versions of the shell, this item may be called "App Lock" or simply "Protection." By clicking on it, the system will prompt you to come up with a new password, different from the unlock password, so that even if you know the access code to the phone, an outsider can not log into the secure programs.

Once you create a password, you will be asked to choose the type of unlock for secure applications. You can use the same graphics, digital code, or customize your fingerprint login. Using biometrics greatly speeds up the access process, allowing you to open apps instantly, but having backup digital or graphical code remains a requirement of the system.

The next step is to open up a list of all the programs you've installed, and you'll have a switch in front of each of them, you'll have to activate the switches in front of the apps you want to hide from others, and when you activate the program you've chosen, the system will ask for proof of identity.

Configures to hide the contents of notifications

One common mistake users make is to set a password on the application, but to ignore the notification settings. Even if the messenger is password protected, the text of the incoming message can be displayed on a locked screen or in the notification curtain, making the protection meaningless. To completely hide the information, you need to activate the function of hiding the content.

To do this, go back to the Application Protection menu and click on the gear icon at the top right of the screen, and there's the Hide Contents switch, and when it's activated, instead of the text, the notification will display a standard phrase, like "New Message" or just the sender's name, without revealing the essence of the correspondence.

You can also set up the "Unlock by fingerprint" option on this menu, so if you turn on this option, after you successfully unlock one secure application, the rest will open without re-requesting your password for a certain time (for example, 1 minute), which increases usability, eliminating the constant input of code when switching between programs.

⚠️ Note: Hiding the content of notifications only works for Xiaomi's standard "Security" app. Third-party launchers may ignore these settings.

It is important to understand the difference between hiding notifications and completely blocking startups. The first option only masks the text of the message, the second one completely prevents you from entering the application. For maximum privacy, it is recommended to use both methods simultaneously, creating a double level of protection for your personal correspondence and data.

Use of the Second Space for Maximum Insulation

If standard app locking isn't enough, MIUI's shell offers a more radical solution, Second Space, which is not just a password for a program, but a completely isolated environment inside a smartphone, and in fact, you have two independent phones with different desktops, galleries and accounts.

You can navigate to Second Space through settings (Settings → Second Space) or by adding a special widget to the lock screen, which is either a separate password or a specially configured fingerprint, which means that by putting a specific finger on the scanner, the phone unlocks immediately in hidden mode.

Inside the Second Space, you can install copies of social media, banking apps, or store sensitive files. Data in the main and second spaces don't overlap unless you set up your own transmission, which is ideal for separating work and personal life, or for handing over the phone to children so they don't have access to your basic data.

However, it should be borne in mind that the use of the Second Space consumes additional RAM and battery power, since background processes can be duplicated. On devices with a small amount of RAM (less than 4 GB), working in two spaces simultaneously can lead to a noticeable slowdown of the system.

Restoration of access and resetting of password

The situation when the user forgets the password from the protected applications is quite common, especially if the code was installed long ago and rarely used. Unlike the unlock password, here recovery is possible only if you previously linked your Mi Account and answered the control question.

If you mistype your password five times, the "Forgot your password" button will appear on the screen. When you click on it, the system will prompt you to enter the password from your Mi Account. Once you successfully log in, you can reset the old application protection code and set a new one. If the account was not tied, the only way to reset the phone is to completely reset the factory settings, which will result in the deletion of all data.

To prevent such situations, it is strongly recommended to periodically check the relevance of the associated phone number and email in the Mi Account settings, and you can also use the password to the specified email whenever you change your security settings, so that you always have up-to-date information at hand.

⚠️ Note: After resetting your password through your Mi Account, all previously protected applications will remain blocked until you enter a new code, but access to the protection settings will be restored.

There is also a secret code for emergency reset that only works if USB debugging is enabled and ADB is available, but for the average user, this method is too complex and risky.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Regularly checking your Mi Account settings and remembering the check question is the only reliable way to ensure that you can restore access to data in case you forget your password.