How to Install an App as Secure on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi smartphones based on firmware MIUI The unique “Secure Space” feature allows you to create an isolated environment for applications, files and settings. This solution is ideal for those who want to hide personal data from prying eyes – whether it is work chats, financial apps or confidential photos. Where to find it in the menu, how to move apps to the protected area and what to do if the Suddenly option disappears after the update.

In this article, we will discuss all ways to install applications as protected on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO — From standard Second Space to hidden features like App Lock and Private Mode, you’ll learn which models support these options, how to get around the limitations. MIUI And what if the protection is dropped after the reboot, and then there's a unique life hack to create invisible applications without using Second Space, which even works on budget models like Redmi. 9A.

What is a “Secure App” on Xiaomi and Why You Need It

The function of the protected space in MIUI — It's not just password locking an application (as in the standard App Lock), it's completely data isolation:

• 🔒 Completely hidden from the main desktop and application menu.
• 📱 Works in a separate environment with its own settings, accounts and files.
• 🔄 Not synced to the main space (e.g. WhatsApp messages will not be duplicated).
• 🛡️ Protected with a password/print at each entrance.

The difference from App Lock (which just blocks access to the app) is that Second Space creates a second user profile, like on Samsung Knox or Huawei PrivateSpace.

• 💼 Divide the phone into “working” and “personal” modes.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Give your kids a phone, but you want to keep some apps inaccessible.
• 🔐 Keep sensitive information (passwords, banking applications, correspondence).
• 🕵️‍♂️ Test beta applications without risk to the main system.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F3 Xiaomi 11T) Second Space can be disabled by default in regional firmware, in which case it can be activated via Settings. → Special facilities → Full version MIUI (reboot required).

What Xiaomi models support protected space

Second Space is available on most Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO, but there are nuances:

If your model is not on the list, check for the feature along the way:

Settings → Accounts and Synchronization → Second Space

On the old versions. MIUI (below 12, the path may differ:

Settings → Additional → Privacy → Second Space

Step-by-step: how to install the application as protected

The Second Space setup process takes no more than 5 minutes.

1. Activate Second Space: 📱 Open the Settings. → Accounts and synchronization. 🔧 Choose Second Space → Create. 🔐 Set a password (different from the main lock screen!).
2. Set up a protected space: 📲 Once Second Space is created, the phone will reboot. Select Log in Second Space on the lock screen. 🛠️ Go through the initial setup (as when you first turn on your phone). 📥 Install the desired applications through Google Play or MIUI App Store.

Hiding applications from the main space:

• 🔄 Return to the main space (swipe down on the lock screen) → Getting out of Second Space).
• 📌 Applications installed in Second Space are automatically hidden from the main menu.

Make sure your phone is charged at least 50%|Remember the password for Second Space (it is different from the main one!)|Turn it off. VPN — It can block access to MIUI App Store|Check the vacant space (required) ~1-2 GB for second space)-->

If you don’t need a full second space, but only hide individual applications, use an alternative method:

Settings → Applications → Applications Blocking (App Lock)

Here you can block access to applications with a password or fingerprint, but they will remain visible in the menu.

How to Transfer Applications to a Protected Space

If you have already installed the app in the main space and want to migrate it to Second Space, do the following:

1. Export data (if necessary): 📤 For instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) create a backup of chats. 📁 For files (photos, documents) copy them to Google Drive or flash drive.

Remove the application from the main space:

Settings → Applications → Remove

Install the app again in Second Space:

• 🔄 Go to Second Space.
• 📥 Download the app through the Play Market or APK-file.
• 🔄 Restore data from backup (if necessary).

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g., Banking Apps) may block Second Space because of security policies, in which case use App Lock or Private Mode to hide files.

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If the app is not installed in Second Space due to a device incompatible error, try downloading it. APK from the official website of the developer and install manually.

Hidden functions MIUI protection

In addition to Second Space, MIUI There are lesser-known tools to protect privacy:

1. Private Mode (Privacy Mode)

Hiding files (photos, videos, documents) from prying eyes:

Settings → Confidentiality → Private Mode

• 🖼️ Hidden files are not displayed in the gallery or file manager.
• 🔐 Access only after entering the password.
• 📎 You can attach files directly to secure applications (for example, scans of documents for a banking application).

2. App Lock (Application Block)

Blocks access to applications, but does not hide them:

Settings → Privacy → Blocking applications

• 🔒 Works with a fingerprint, pattern lock or PIN-code.
• 🔔 You can set up notifications about attempts to enter.
• 📱 Supports a “false password” (shows a blank screen when you enter incorrect code).

3. Hidden folders in MIUI File Manager

For additional file protection:

1. Open the files. → select a folder.
2. Press. ⋮ → Hide.
3. The folder will disappear from public access and will only be visible in Private Mode.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after setting up Second Space correctly, users are confronted with bugs, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If Second Space has stopped working after the update, try:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three dots (⋮) → Show system → Second Space → Clear the data

⚠️ Warning: This will remove all data from the protected space!

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If Second Space is missing after resetting, check the firmware region. MIUI function is disabled – switching to MIUI China (risky for beginners!).

Alternative ways to hide apps without Second Space

If your Xiaomi model doesn’t support Second Space or it doesn’t work well, use these methods:

1. Hiding through the launcher

Some launchers (e.g. Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher allows you to hide applications:

1. Install a launcher from Play Market.
2. Press your finger on the desktop → Launcher settings → Hide applications.
3. Choose the apps that you want to hide.

⚠️ Disadvantages: Apps remain available through search or settings.

Archiving APK into ZIP

For complete cover-up:

1. Download. APK Applications (for example, with APKMirror).
2. Put the file in the archive. ZIP password-wise.
3. Remove the original app.
4. If necessary, unpack and re-install.

3. Use of Safe Folder (Google Files)

Google Files has a Safe Folder feature:

• 📁 Hiding files and APK.
• 🔐 Protected. PIN-code.
• 📱 It works on all devices, including Xiaomi.

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For maximum secrecy, rename APK-file in something neutral (e.g. config.backup) and hide it in a folder with system files like /Android/obb/.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions