Application protection on Xiaomi Redmi 9

Modern smartphones store a huge amount of personal information, from bank data to instant messenger correspondence. Owners of Xiaomi devices often face the need to restrict access to certain programs, especially when the gadget is used by other family members or it falls into the hands of strangers. The MIUI operating system has a powerful built-in security mechanism that does not require the installation of third-party software.

Setting a password on the app on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is not just an option, but a basic level of digital hygiene. The standard lock screen protects the case, but does not guarantee privacy inside the system if the device is already unlocked. The built-in App Protection tool allows you to create a second layer of security for the programs you choose.

In this guide, we will take a closer look at the process of setting restrictions, look at the features of biometric unlocking and answer frequently asked questions, learn how to hide applications and configure fingerprint access, which will make using your smartphone as safe as possible.

Why you need to block individual applications

The main purpose of setting a password to an application is to protect confidential data from unauthorized access. Even if the phone is unlocked, an attacker or a curious child will not be able to open the Gallery, Bank applications or messengers without knowing additional code, this is especially true in case of loss of a device or in situations where the phone has to be given to other people to call.

The application protection feature in MIUI works independently of the primary unlock password, which creates what's called a double lock. If someone recognizes your pin or pattern lock, the contents of the protected folders will remain inaccessible.

⚠️ Note: If you forget the password to log in to secure apps and do not connect your Mi Account account to recover, the data inside may become permanently inaccessible.

Using this feature also helps structure digital leisure. By restricting access to social networks or games, you can control the time spent on them, or simply remove unnecessary notifications while an important meeting is taking place. Xiaomi’s flexibility allows you to tailor protection to any user’s needs.

Primary setting of application protection

Before you put passwords on specific programs, you need to activate the protection function itself and set a master password. This process takes only a couple of minutes, but is a mandatory foundation of security. The settings interface in Redmi 9 is intuitive, but has its own menu layout.

To start, open the standard Security app, which is preinstalled on all Xiaomi smartphones. In the bottom menu, find and select Application Protection. The system will prompt you to create a unique password other than the screen unlock password, or use the same one, but with additional options.

When creating a password, you will be offered several protection options:

• 🔑 pattern lock: Connecting dots in a particular order on the screen.
• 🔢 Numerical Password: A classic pin code of 4 or more digits.
• 👆 Fingerprint: Quickly unlock through the scanner in the switch button.

Once you have entered and confirmed your password, the system may suggest linking your Mi Account. Linking your Mi Account is the only way to restore access to secure applications when you have forgotten your password without losing data.

The final step in the initial setup is to select the notification type, so you can set the contents of the notification to a locked screen or hide it completely, and you can also have a fingerprint login option, which is better activated immediately for ease of use.

How to set a password for a specific application

Once activated, you will see a list of all the installed programs on the device, where you can choose which applications will be protected by an additional layer of security, and by default, the system can offer to protect the most popular messengers and gallery, but the choice is yours.

To set a password, find the program you want in the list (like WhatsApp or Telegram) and click on the switch to the right of the name, which will turn green, which means that the protection is activated, and from now on, every time you run the application, the system will request a previously installed pattern lock or fingerprint.

It's important to understand that the restriction only applies to the launch of the application. If the program is already running and you've folded it, re-entry may not require a password for a short time. To fix this and improve security, you need to change the lock time settings.

At the top of the App Protection screen is the gear icon (Settings), and when you go there, you'll see "Block." Here you can select "When you exit the app," which will cause the system to ask for a password every time you fold or close the program, providing maximum protection.

Using biometrics and hiding applications

Entering a password can be tedious every time, so Xiaomi Redmi 9 suggests using biometrics. The fingerprint scanner built into the power button works instantly. To activate this feature in the protection settings menu, turn on “Unlock fingerprint”.

In addition to blocking, the system allows you to completely hide applications from the desktop, hidden programs are not displayed in the menu and are not searched by standard search. To open them, you need to use a special gesture in the Manager application or enter a secret code in the search bar, which you will specify in the settings.

To set up the concealment, perform the following actions:

• 🙈 In the "Application Protection" menu, go to settings (cogs).
• 👁️ Select the item “Hide the application».
• ✅ Activate the switch for programs that need to be hidden.
• 🔣 Set an access code (e.g. #1234#) that will open a hidden partition.

⚠️ Attention: Hiding applications is not data encryption. If an attacker gains access to the file system through a computer, hidden files can be found. Use this only as a measure against "random glance».

The combination of password blocking and icon hiding creates an “invisibility” effect on your data. Even if someone takes your phone, they will not find the apps on the menu, and when you try to enter the access code in a search without knowing the secret combination, nothing will happen.

Comparison of protection methods in MIUI

Users often find it difficult to choose between different levels of protection, and the table below compares the basic techniques available on Xiaomi Redmi 9 so you can choose the best option for your situation.

The most reliable way is a combination of methods, like using a complex pin code as your primary password and your fingerprint for quick access, and if the scanner doesn't work, you'll always have a backup login option.

Don’t neglect security updates. Xiaomi engineers regularly release patches that close vulnerabilities in scanners and encryption algorithms. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

Solving Typical Problems and Errors

During use, users may encounter a situation where application protection fails or shuts down on its own, often due to aggressive energy savings that kill background security processes, and to avoid this, add “Security” to the boot list.

To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Security. Find AutoStart and activate it. Also, in the battery settings, select No Limits mode for system protection services, which ensures that the password request appears at the right time.

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If the application crashes when you try to enter a password, try clearing the Security service cache through the application management menu without deleting user data.

Another common problem is time desynchronization: If the phone time is knocked down, security certificates may not work properly, leading to login errors, and make sure that the date and time settings are ticked with the "Use Network Time" box.

In rare cases, after a MIUI update, the security settings may go off, which is not a bug, but a security measure when updating critical components of the system, just re-activate the protection for the right programs, and your data inside the applications will not be affected.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The built-in MIUI protection is an effective and free tool that, when set up correctly (account binding + biometrics), provides a level of security comparable to paid counterparts.