Owning a modern smartphone means storing vast amounts of personal information, from instant messaging to photos and banking apps. Protecting that data becomes a priority for users of the Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco ecosystem, especially if the device is used by other family members or colleagues. MIUI’s built-in shell (and its successor, HyperOS) offers powerful access-restriction tools that don’t require third-party software installation.
Many Chinese app owners are unaware that App Lock is already built into the default security system, not just a simple lock screen, but a full-fledged mechanism integrated with biometric protection and file hiding, and understanding the principles of this tool will allow you to create a reliable barrier for prying eyes.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the steps of activating protection, setting passwords and using advanced hide functions, you will learn not only to close applications with a password, but also completely hide their presence in the menu, making them invisible to ordinary users.
Preparation of security system and creation of password
Before you start setting the constraints directly, you need to make sure that the system has a basic security method. Application locking cannot work in a vacuum — it requires a reference point in the form of a digital code, a pattern lock or a password. Without this step, the system will not be able to identify the owner when you try to access.
The process begins with accessing the system application Security, which is the central hub for all performance and security settings in MIUI. This is where the core of privacy settings resides. If you haven't previously set a password, the system will suggest you do so when you first start the corresponding module.
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Use a complex password other than the screen unlock code to increase the level of protection for your data in case someone sees you entering a pin code to log in to your phone.
It is important to distinguish between the screen unlock password and the security password: the first one gives access to the desktop, the second one confirms the administrator's rights to change the privacy settings, and it is recommended to use different combinations for these two levels to ensure multifactorial protection of your data.
Activation of App Lock for selected programs
Once the password is set, you can move on to selecting specific applications that require additional authorization. App Lock operates on a whitelist principle: by default, all programs are open, and only those you explicitly choose are blocked. This allows you to flexibly adjust the access level without losing the usability of the smartphone.
To activate the protection of a particular application, just find it in the list of available programs and transfer the slider to the active state. The system will instantly apply the settings, and the next time you run the selected program (for example, WhatsApp, Gallery or Banking application), a request will appear for entering a password or scanning a fingerprint.
☑️ Blocker setup
It is worth noting that some system applications may require additional permissions to properly operate the lock. If after turning on the protection, the application behaves unstable or crashes, check the autostart and power consumption settings for this service.
- 🔒 Gallery – hides personal photos and videos from outsiders.
- 💬 Messengers – protects correspondence in Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber.
- 📁 File Manager – prevents access to documents and uploaded files.
- 🛒 Marketplaces – blocks the possibility of making purchases without your knowledge.
Configuring biometrics and additional parameters
Entering a password can be tedious every time, so Xiaomi suggests using biometrics for quick authorization.A fingerprint or Face ID (unlocking your face) greatly speeds up access to secure applications while maintaining a high level of security.
In the application lock settings, you can activate the "Use fingerprint" option. Once you turn on this feature, when you try to open a secure application, the system will request biometrics instead of entering a digital code, which is especially useful in situations where your hands are busy or you need to quickly respond to a message.
⚠️ Note: Biometric data is stored in a secure processor module, but in the event of a system failure or device reboot, first logging into secure applications will still require the entry of a master password.
The settings menu also includes the “Block Out” option, which if activated, will ask for a password every time you turn it down or switch to another task. If the option is turned off, re-enter for a short time (usually 1-5 minutes) will be possible without additional authorization.
You can also configure notifications. Some versions of the shell have a feature to hide the content of notifications from blocked applications on the lock screen, which prevents information from leaking through pop-up messages, even if the application itself is protected.
Hiding applications: Incognito mode
One of the most powerful features of MIUI is the ability to not just block an application, but completely hide its icon from the menu, a feature called Hidden Applications, which works independently of the standard lock, although it is often used in conjunction with it for maximum privacy.
To activate this mode, you need to go to the hidden application settings (often in the same Security menu or in the desktop settings), where you can select programs that should disappear from the main screen, and then find them in the usual way becomes impossible.
A special gesture or code is used to access hidden applications, most often swiping two fingers from the edges of the screen inside on the desktop or entering a special digital code in the search box (Dialer code), the exact method depends on the firmware version and regional configuration of the device.
| Function | Description | Level of access |
|---|---|---|
| App Lock | Requests a password at launch | Medium. |
| Hidden applications | Remove the icon from the menu | High-pitched |
| Second space | Creates a separate user profile | Maximum |
| folder-safe | Encrypts files inside the gallery | High-pitched |
It continues to work in the background, receive notifications and updates, so for complete confidentiality, it is recommended to combine hiding with blocking notifications on the lock screen.
Second Space as an Alternative to Locking
If standard app locking isn't enough, Xiaomi offers a more radical solution, the Second Space feature, which is not just hiding icons, but creating a completely isolated environment inside a single device, essentially getting two smartphones in one: the main one and the guest one.
In Space Two, you can install separate copies of apps, have different Google and Mi Account accounts, and have a separate gallery and browser history, and switch between spaces instantly through a special password or fingerprint assigned to guest mode.
How is the Second Space different from the Hidden Applications?
This feature is ideal for separating work and personal life, or handing over the phone to children, so you can give your child a phone with a profile that only has games and training programs installed, and make sure they don’t get to your work documents or personal photos.
- 🔄 Data isolation – files in one space are not visible in another.
- 🔑 Different passwords – logging into different profiles for different fingerprints.
- 📉 Resource savings – does not require additional profiles as in Android Enterprise.
- 🚫 Invisibility – Guest may not be aware of the existence of the main space.
Possible problems and solutions
Despite the stability of the MIUI shell, users may have difficulty configuring locking, often due to aggressive battery optimization, which can kill the authorization process, or access rights conflicts.
One common problem is when the application is not blocked or blocked incorrectly (e.g., only requests a password when running cold).In such cases, it is recommended to check the autorun settings and make sure that the system component Security is allowed to work in the background.
⚠️ Note: If you forget your application protection password, it will be extremely difficult to reset it without losing data. In some cases, only a full reset of your phone settings will help, so always keep backups of important data.
Also, it is worth considering that some banking sector applications may have their own built-in protection, which conflicts with the system blocker Xiaomi.
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System-based application locking on Xiaomi works at the shell level and does not require root rights, which makes it safe for use on devices with a warranty.
If you encounter a bug when your lock settings are lost after a firmware update, check for updates for the Security app in the GetApps store or through a component system update. Often, security bug fixes come through these channels.