How to set a password for the Xiaomi gallery: all ways to protect photos

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones store thousands of personal photos, from family snapshots to sensitive screenshots. But what if the phone falls into the wrong hands? According to 2026 statistics, 68% of users never set up gallery protection, risking data leakage. This article will explain how to password Xiaomi gallery in different ways, from built-in MIUI features to third-party encryption apps.

We will not only discuss the standard methods (hidden albums, app lock), but also advanced ones - for example, how to hide folders from system search or configure two-factor authentication to access photos. We will separately focus on the typical errors: why the password is not saved, how to restore access when resets, and what to do if MIUI "does not see" protected files after an update.

Important: the instructions are valid for MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 (including global and Chinese versions), as well as for models from Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra. If you have an Android One device (such as Mi A3), some features may not be available, we will mention this too.

Ways to protect the gallery on Xiaomi: a comparison of methods

Before you set a password, decide what level of protection you need. MIUI has three main options:

• 🔒 Locking the Gallery app is a simple password or pattern lock every time you open it, and it's good for protecting against random browsing.
• 📁 Hidden albums - photos disappear from the main interface, but remain in the memory of the device. PIN-fingerprint.
• 🔐 Folder encryption – files are protected at the system level (for the purpose of MIUI 15 on Xiaomi flagships 13/14). It requires a secure area (Private Space).

Let's compare them in the table:

The critical detail is that hidden albums in MIUI don't encrypt files -- they're just excluded from the gallery's index. When you connect to a PC via USB or use a file manager (like Solid Explorer), the.hidden folder will be visible. For full protection, use Private Space or third-party solutions like KeepSafe.

Method 1: Blocking the Gallery application with a password

The fastest way is to set a password to the Gallery app itself. This doesn't hide the photo, but it requires authentication every time you run it, and it works on all devices with MIUI 12 and up.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Blocking applications.
2. Enter the current lock screen password (if not installed, create it).
3. Find the Gallery in the list and activate the switch.
4. Select the type of lock: PIN, pattern lock or fingerprint.

Limitations of the method:

• ⚠️ Password does not apply to thumbnails in Quick Ball or gallery widgets.
• ⚠️ When you reset the settings, the lock is removed.
• ⚠️ V MIUI 14 for Redmi may not have a fingerprint option.

How to remove the lock: go back to Settings → Applications → Lock applications and turn off the switch in front of the Gallery. If you forgot the password, you will need to reset through Mi Account.

Method 2: Hidden albums in MIUI (without third-party apps)

The function of hidden albums allows you to hide the selected photos behind the PIN-Unlike locking an application, files are not displayed in the main gallery, but remain in the device memory.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Gallery app and select the photos/videos you want to hide.
2. Press. ⋮ (three-point) → Add to the hidden album.
3. When first used, the system will request PIN-Do not use date of birth or simple combinations like 1234!
4. Confirm the password and wait for the transfer of files.

To view the hidden photos:

1. In the gallery, click on the albums → Hidden album.
2. Enter. PIN-code.
3. To remove files from the hidden album, hold your finger in the photo and select Remove from the hidden.

⚠️ Attention: Hidden albums in the MIUI Not protected from access through ADB To completely delete files from your device, use the "Removal of files" feature in the album menu.

Method 3: Private Space - a safe area for photos (MIUI 15)

Private Space (or Personal Space in Russian firmware) is an isolated environment in MIUI 15, where you can store photos, applications and files separately from the main profile. The feature is only available on flagship models: Xiaomi 13/13T/14, Mix Fold 3 and later.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Personal Space.
2. Click Create Personal Space and follow the instructions (you will need to come up with a new password and PIN-code).
3. Once created, restart the phone.
4. Go back to the settings and select Switch Space – now you have two independent profiles.
5. In your personal space, install a gallery and transfer confidential photos there.

Advantages of Private Space:

• 🔐 Complete isolation: files are not visible in the main profile even through the file manager.
• 📱 Separate settings: you can install other wallpaper, applications and even SIM-map.
• 🔄 Quick switch: swipe on the notification panel or via Quick Ball.

⚠️ Warning: When you reset your phone to factory settings, Private Space is removed without recovery!

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If you don't have Private Space in your model, but you have Second Space, you can use it in the same way, but Second Space doesn't automatically transfer files, you have to copy the photos manually.

Method 4: Third-party applications for gallery protection

If built-in MIUI features aren't enough, use specialized applications that offer encryption, cloud redundancy, and additional layers of protection.

• 🛡️ KeepSafe - encrypting photos with PIN-code and false password (shows a fake album when you enter the wrong code).
• 🔒 GalleryVault – hides files under the guise of a calculator, supports steganography (hidden a photo inside other images).
• 🌐 LockMyPix – cloud redundancy with two-factor authentication.

How to install and configure (by example KeepSafe):

1. Download the app from Google Play (avoid APK from unknown sources!).
2. When you first start, create the main PIN-code and question for recovery.
3. Click + → Import photos and select files from the gallery.
4. In the settings, activate the False PIN and set a second password for the "distraction" album.

Comparison with built-in MIUI tools:

⚠️ Note: Some apps (e.g. GalleryVault) may conflict with MIUI Optimization is a system process that closes the background tasks. To avoid loss of access, add the application to Settings. → Battery → Exceptions.

Typical problems and their solutions

When you set up gallery protection, you're going to see some common mistakes.

1. Password is not saved or reset

Reason: conflict with the Autoclean function in MIUI or resetting the cache of the gallery.

Decision:

• Open Settings → Memory → Autoclean and turn off the option for the Gallery app.
• Clean the gallery cache manually: Settings → Apps → Gallery → Memory → Clear the cache.
• If the problem persists, reset the security settings.

2 Hidden albums are not displayed after the MIUI update

Reason: When upgrading the firmware, the folder structure may change.

Decision:

1. Check for the.hidden folder in /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/ through the file manager.
2. If the folder is empty, restore the files from the backup (if it was created).
3. Reboot your phone and try again to access the hidden album.

3.The fingerprint for unlocking does not work

Reasons:

• Fingerprint not added to Settings → Lock screen → Fingerprints.
• The function is disabled for a specific application (check in Settings → Applications → Application Locking).
• Redmi devices with MIUI 14 may require a firmware update.

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If you lose access to hidden albums after resetting, you can only restore them through a backup in Mi Cloud, otherwise the files will be lost irretrievably.

FAQ: Frequent questions about protecting Xiaomi Gallery