How to set a password for Android apps on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Privacy protection on Xiaomi smartphones is becoming more and more relevant: messengers with confidential correspondence, banking applications, a gallery with photos – all of which require reliable protection from prying eyes. Unfortunately, many users mistakenly believe that locking the screen sufficiently protects their data, and in practice, even an unlocked phone can end up in the hands of curious colleagues, relatives or children who can open any application without restrictions.

In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to set a password for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone applications, from built-in MIUI functions to third-party solutions with advanced capabilities. You will learn how to block individual programs with a password, fingerprint or graphical key, as well as how to avoid common configuration errors. The instructions are relevant for all modern firmware versions (including MIUI 14/15) and work on models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra flagships.

Why is standard screen locking not enough?

Many users wonder why you need to set a password for individual applications, if the phone already has a problem. PIN-In fact, there are at least 5 situations where additional protection is critical:

• 🔓 Temporary phone access: You give a friend a phone to call, but you don’t want them to see your Telegram or WhatsApp messages.
• 👶 Children and Teenagers: A child may accidentally delete important files or make purchases in games if apps are not protected.
• 💼 Corporate data: if the phone stores work documents or access to the CRM-systems, their leakage can turn into serious problems.
• 🚨 Theft or loss of a phone: even if SIM-The card will be blocked, the attacker can extract data from unprotected applications through recovery modes.
• 🔄 Shared phone: in a family or among colleagues, where a smartphone is used by several people.

Moreover, there is a vulnerability in MIUI: if an attacker gains physical access to a locked phone, they can reboot the device in Safe Mode, where many apps will run without a password.

Method 1: Built-in Application Protection in MIUI

The easiest and most reliable way is to use the built-in App Lock feature that has been in MIUI since version 8.

• 🔢 P.IN-code (4-16 digits)
• 🔄 pattern lock (pattern)
• 👆 Fingerprint (if supported)

To activate the protection:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Protection.
2. Click Enable and set the unlock method (recommended fingerprint + PIN for reliability).
3. Select the apps from the list you want to block (e.g. Gallery, Messages, Banking Apps).
4. Activate the Hide notification switch so that the contents of the blocked applications do not appear on the lock screen.

Set the primary password (PIN/graphical)|Add a fingerprint for quick access|Select applications to block|Disable notifications for confidential applications|Check the work of the lock in Safe Mode-->

An important nuance: if you use dual apps (the Dual Apps feature in MIUI), you need to set the protection separately for each copy, for example, if you have two WhatsApp accounts, the lock will only be installed on the version you selected in the settings.

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If Application Protection has disappeared after the MIUI update, check if it is disabled in Settings → Special Options → Simplified Mode. In simplified mode, many security features are hidden.

Method 2: Locking through the “Dual Space”

Xiaomi’s “Second Space” (or Dual Space) feature allows you to create a completely isolated user profile with separate apps, settings, and data. It’s not exactly password-blocking, but an effective way to hide apps from outsiders.

• 🔒 Complete isolation: Applications in the second space are not visible in the main profile.
• 📱 Individual accounts: You can use different Google, Facebook, etc. accounts.
• 🔄 Fast switching: the transition between spaces takes 1-2 seconds.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings. → Second space.
2. Click Create a second space and follow the instructions (you will need to set a password to log in).
3. After you create, go to the second space and install the apps you want (they will be hidden in the main profile).
4. Return to the main space – now blocked applications will only be available after entering the second space password.

The critical feature is that in the second space, apps don't automatically update, so you need to log in to your profile and manually run updates through Google Play.

Method 3: Third-party applications for blocking (AppLock)

If the built-in MIUI features are not enough, you can use third-party apps from Google Play.

• 🔐 AppLock (from DoMobile Lab) – supports password, fingerprint, lock Wi-Fi/geolocation.
• 🛡️ Norton App Lock – with antivirus integration and screenshot protection.
• 🔒 Smart AppLock – allows you to block system settings and incoming calls.

Advantages of third-party solutions:

• ⚡ More lock options (e.g., by time or location).
• 📊 ← Entry Attempts Statistics (you can see who tried to access).
• 🔄 Automatic locking when connected to a specific Wi-Fi network (e.g. at work).

How to install AppLock:

1. Download the app from Google Play and open it.
2. Set a master password (remember it! When lost, recovery is difficult).
3. Select the applications to block in the Privacy section.
4. Activate additional settings: 🔕 Hide the AppLock icon (so that no one knows it is there). 📸 Ban screenshots in blocked applications. 🔄 Autolock after 30 seconds of inactivity.

⚠️ Note: Some third-party blockers may conflict with MIUI Check compatibility reviews with your Xiaomi model before installing it (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ Xiaomi 13T).

Method 4: Blocking through Kids Mode

If your primary goal is to restrict kids from accessing certain apps, MIUI has a Kids Mode that allows you to:

• 🧒 Block the launch of any applications other than permitted.
• ⏰ Set time limits for use.
• 📵 Disconnect mobile and Wi-Fi at certain hours.

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Mode for Children.
2. Set a password to exit mode (this should be a separate PIN, not the same as the lock screen!).
3. Select apps that will be available in child mode (such as YouTube Kids or Learning).
4. Activate the mode – now when you try to open a blocked application, a password will be requested.

This method is convenient for parents, but has limitations:

• ❌ It does not work for adult protection (child can tell password).
• ❌ Does not block system settings (can be bypassed through Settings) → Annexes).
• ❌ Does not hide notifications from blocked applications.

Method 5: Hiding apps without password (for additional privacy)

If you don't need a password, but you want to just hide apps from prying eyes, MIUI has a Hidden Apps feature that doesn't block access, but makes programs invisible in menus and search.

• 📱 Apps you rarely use (such as Tinder or Boom).
• 🔐 Duplicate applications (created through Dual Apps).
• 📂 System utilities that should not be available to other users.

How to hide applications:

1. Press your finger on the home screen and select Screen Settings.
2. Go to Hidden Apps.
3. Select the programs you want to hide and confirm the action.
4. To see hidden apps, swipe down on the home screen and enter the screen lock password.

⚠️ Note: Hidden apps can still be found through Settings → Annexes → For complete privacy, combine this method with password locking (Method 1 or 3).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When setting up app locks, Xiaomi users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

Another common mistake is to use the same password to lock the screen and protect applications, and if an attacker recognizes your PIN, they will gain access to everything.

• 🔢 Use different passwords for the lock screen and AppLock.
• 🔄 Enable two-factor authentication for your Xiaomi account (this will help restore access when you lose your password).
• 📱 Regularly check the log of login attempts in the AppLock settings (if you use third-party software).

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Never store passwords from blocking apps in notes or cloud services (like Google Keep or Mi Cloud).If the phone is stolen, an attacker will have access to all data.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions