Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the need to hide personal photos, videos or documents from prying eyes. The standard gallery and file managers offer built-in tools for this, but not everyone knows how to use them correctly.
MIUI and the new HyperOS have multiple layers of data protection, so you can simply hide files by making them invisible in the standard interface, or move them to a special encrypted storage, and the shell allows you to use biometric data or a digital pin to access that data.
In this article, we will discuss all the available security methods in detail: you will learn how to create a Hidden folder, how to configure access through a fingerprint and what to do if you forget the access code, and the security of your data depends on the correct configuration of these parameters.
Use of built-in hidden storage
The easiest way to hide files is to use a native system function that is built into a standard file manager, which requires no third-party application installation and works on all current firmware versions, and the hidden storage is available immediately after the initial security setting.
To activate the function, you need to open the Explorer app and go to the categories section, and you need to find the Hidden Folder and click on it, and the system will prompt you to set a password for protection if it has not been created before, which can be a digital code, a pattern lock or a fingerprint.
⚠️ Note: When you first create a hidden folder, the system will suggest linking your Mi Account. This is critical for restoring access in the event of a password loss or device change.
Once activated, you can move any files there, they disappear from public access and will only be displayed after you enter the code in a special section of the Explorer, and the file system encrypts the content, making it inaccessible to other applications without authorization.
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Use a complex pattern lock instead of a simple pin code to improve the security of hidden files.
Set up a second space for data isolation
If you want more isolation than just a hidden folder, use the Second Space function, which is a full copy of the system inside your smartphone that has its own apps, gallery and files, and accesses this space through a separate password or fingerprint.
To enable this feature, go to the system settings and find the "Second Space" section. By clicking "Enable", you start the process of creating a new profile. You can copy data from the main space or start from scratch. The separation of data here is at the system level.
You can set the entrance to the Second Space to be uniquely fingerprinted, for example, unlocking the right thumb to the main profile and the left to the hidden profile, allowing you to instantly switch between modes, hiding the fact that there is secret data.
How to hide the icon of the Second Space?
Step-by-step: Creating a secure folder
Consider a detailed algorithm for creating a secure container. Before you start, make sure you have a lock screen password, as Xiaomi’s security system requires it.
☑️ Preparation for data protection
Open the Security app (green shield icon). In the menu, look for the Hide Files or Hidden Folder section. Click Add Files and select the photos, videos or documents you want to hide. Once confirmed, the selected files will be moved to a secure area.
Now, you can only access that data by entering a code you've previously specified, and you can't display those files in a standard file manager, and you can create subfolders inside a hidden storage for easy sorting.
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Moving files to a hidden folder removes them from public access, but does not take up double the amount of memory on the device.
Use of safe applications from third-party developers
Built-in protections are good, but sometimes MIUI functionality is not enough, so you can turn to proven solutions from Google Play. Third-party safe apps offer additional features, such as fake passwords or hiding the icon of the application itself.
Popular software allows you to create secure containers that look like regular folders with system files or calculators, and to open a safe, you need to enter a special code in the interface of the calculator, which provides a high level of stealth.
- 📁 AppLock – allows you to set a password to launch any application, including a gallery and a explorer.
- 🔒 Keepass – Open Source Password Manager for Storing Critical Data.
- 📷 Calculator Vault – an application masquerading as a calculator, inside which photos and videos are stored.
When using third-party software, it is important to carefully read the permissions that the program requests. Some applications may require network access, which potentially reduces the security of local data.
Comparison of data protection methods on Xiaomi
Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on how sensitive your data is and how often you plan to access it, and below is a table comparing the main methods of protection.
| Method | Level of security | Accessibility | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden folder | Medium. | High. | Low. |
| Second space | High-pitched | Average. | Medium |
| Third-party safe | Depends on the software. | Low. | Tall. |
| AppLock (to folder) | Low. | High. | Low. |
For most users, the best option is a combination of a built-in hidden folder for photos and a second space for messengers. The combination of methods provides maximum protection without losing the usability of the smartphone.
Restoring access and solving problems
What to do if you forget your password from a hidden folder? If you have linked your Mi Account account to setup, it will take a couple of minutes to recover. In the password entry window, click "Forgot your password" and follow the instructions on the screen to reset the code via SMS or mail.
If you don't have an account attached, you can't restore access to data inside the hidden folder, because the encryption system has no backdoors, and the only way out is to completely reset the smartphone to factory settings, which will result in the loss of all data.
⚠️ Note: Password reset via Mi Account is only possible if the device is connected to the Internet.
A common problem is that the hidden folder icon disappears after the system update, in which case check the category display settings in the explorer or try clearing the Security app cache through the application management menu.