How to put a password on applications on Android Xiaomi

The modern smartphone has become a repository of sensitive information that must be restricted. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often wonder how to securely block access to instant messengers, gallery or banking applications from prying eyes. Fortunately, the MIUI shell (and now HyperOS) offers a built-in and powerful tool to solve this problem without having to download third-party software.

Unlike pure Android, where these features are often absent, Xiaomi’s ecosystem is built-in system-level protection, and Application Protection works even after a device is rebooted, requiring re-authorization on its first run, ensuring a high level of security for your personal data. In this article, we’ll detail the process of activation, customization of biometrics, and solving typical blocker problems.

Many users need additional protection, especially if children or colleagues use the phone. The standard lock screen protects against accidental switching on, but does not hide the content of specific programs. That is why App Lock is one of the most popular tools in the arsenal of smartphone owner Xiaomi.

Activation of the built-in application protector

The process of turning on protection begins with finding the appropriate partition in the system settings. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell, but the logic remains the same. You will need to go through the Settings → Applications → Application Protection. In some versions of the firmware, this item may be located inside the Security menu or be entered into a separate Security app on the desktop.

When you first start up, the system will prompt you to create a special application protection password. Note that this may be a separate digital code, a pattern lock, or a pattern other than the screen unlock password, so that even if you know the phone access code, the attacker cannot log into the closed programs.

Once the code is installed, you will be asked to link your Mi Account, which is a critical step, as it allows you to restore access to blocked applications in case you forget the password you created. Without a tied account, you can only reset the protection by completely resetting your phone settings, which will lead to data loss.

Once you have completed the initial setup, you will see a list of all the installed programs, where you can choose which apps will require a password when you run them, and the system will automatically offer to protect instant messengers and banking applications, but you are free to add anything, including your phone or gallery settings.

Using biometrics for quick access

Entering a password every time you open a messenger can be tedious. Fortunately, modern Xiaomi smartphones support unlocking secure applications through a fingerprint or Face ID, which greatly speeds up the access process and makes using the lock function more comfortable in everyday life.

To activate this option, you need to go back to the Application Protection menu and click on the gear icon in the upper right corner of the screen. In the settings menu that opens, find the "Unlock fingerprint" or "Unlock face" option and activate the corresponding switch. The system may require confirmation of your biometric data to enable the function.

⚠️ Note: Facial unlock on Xiaomi budget models uses a front-facing camera and is less reliable than the one on the phone 3D-Don’t rely on this method as the only protection for storing critical financial data.

You can also activate the "Block When the screen is off" option in the security settings menu. If this is enabled, when you lock the smartphone and then unlock it, the secure applications will require you to enter your password or fingerprint again, and if the option is turned off, then after the first authorization, the applications remain open until the phone screen goes out.

Configure the hidden mode (Second Space)

For users who want maximum privacy, Xiaomi offers a “Hide Apps” or “Second Space” feature, which allows you not only to put a password, but completely remove the app icon from the desktop, access to such programs only through a special menu or secret code.

To use this feature, go to Settings → Special features → Hide applications. Here you will see a list of programs that can be hidden. Once activated, the icon will disappear from the desktop and from the menu of all applications. The hidden application is launched through a set of special code in the Phone application or through entering a secret password in the search bar on the desktop.

If you hide a messenger, notifications from it may stop coming in standard mode or come in an impersonal form, depending on the system settings, which is a trade-off between convenience and complete secrecy.

Using Second Space creates a virtually isolated environment inside your phone, a full-fledged second desktop with its own apps, gallery and accounts, and switching between the main and second spaces is quick, but requires a password or fingerprint, making it ideal for separating work and personal life.

Working with notifications and previews

One of the common problems when setting a password for apps is leaking information through notifications. Even if the application is closed, the text of the message from WhatsApp or Telegram can be displayed on a locked screen or in the notification curtain. To prevent this, you need to properly configure the privacy settings.

There is a separate tab or settings item in the Application Protection menu that handles notifications, and you can select the option “Hide Content” from the app’s name (e.g. “WhatsApp: 1 New Message”) when activated, but the message’s text, sender’s name, and media files will not be displayed until the app itself is unlocked.

Note that some system applications or widgets may bypass standard lock rules, such as a weather or calendar widget on your desktop that can show events even if the calendar app itself is password protected, and in such cases, it is recommended to remove the widgets from your desktop or also set protection on them if such an option is available in your version of MIUI.

Specifics of work in HyperOS and new versions of MIUI

With the release of the HyperOS shell and the upgrade to MIUI 14, the application protection algorithms have undergone some changes, the interface has become more minimalistic, and integration with the Xiaomi ecosystem has become deeper, and now the security settings can be synchronized between the tablet and the phone if they are connected by one account.

Newer versions have improved biometrics, with the fingerprint scanner embedded in the screen responding faster and there is little delay before opening the secure application, but users note that HyperOS has more control over background processes, so secure messengers can be updated less frequently in the background to save energy.

⚠️ Note: When updating the firmware with MIUI On HyperOS, application protection settings may be reset. Write down your password in advance or make sure your Mi Account is linked correctly so you don't lose access to data.

Newer versions also offer more flexibility in setting the lock timeout, so you can set the system so that the password is not requested immediately when you leave the application, but after a certain period of inactivity, which is convenient for those who often switch between several secure programs.

Solution: Forgotten password and other problems

The most common problem users face is a forgotten password from application protection. If you have attached a Mi Account during setting up, it will take a couple of minutes to restore. On the password entry screen, click "Forgot your password?", enter your account details, and the system will allow you to set a new access code.

If the account was not tied, the situation becomes complicated, in which case there is no standard way to reset the password without losing data, as this is contrary to the concept of security. The only option is to completely reset the device to the factory settings (Hard Reset), which will lead to the deletion of all photos, contacts and files.

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Keep your password backup in a safe place. Using a password manager or writing the code into a notebook that is stored at home will save you from losing access to important applications.

Sometimes users complain that the application stopped asking for a password, most often after updating the system or resetting the settings of the application itself, in which case you need to re-enter the Application Protection menu and make sure that the switch opposite the desired program is active, and also check whether the protection function itself is disabled in the global security settings.

Another reason could be a conflict with third-party launchers: If you use an alternative desktop (not a standard Xiaomi launcher), the app hide or even lock function may not work properly, in such cases, it is recommended to temporarily return to the standard launcher to check the security performance.

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The main principle of security at Xiaomi is the combination of an application password and a Mi Account, which without an account, it is almost impossible to restore access without losing data.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)