Application Protection on Xiaomi: How to Enable and Configure a Lock for Individual Programs

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer a convenient feature to protect individual applications — the ability to set a password, fingerprint or facial recognition to access instant messengers, banking programs, a gallery or social networks — an option that becomes especially relevant if you often put your phone in the hands of children, colleagues or just want to protect confidential data from prying eyes.

Unlike full screen lock, application protection works selectively: you decide which programs require additional authentication. The feature is available on most models - from the budget Redmi Note to the flagship Xiaomi 13/14, but its location on the menu and the set of available authorization methods may vary depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14).

Why you need to protect applications in Xiaomi

According to a 2023 Kaspersky study, more than 60 percent of smartphone users have experienced a personal data breach due to unauthorized access to a device, and protecting applications on Xiaomi solves several key tasks:

• 🔒 Privacy: blocks access to instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), mail or banking applications (SberBank Online, Tinkoff), even if the phone is unlocked.
• 👶 Controlling children: Restricts the launch of games, social networks or video hosting without your knowledge.
• 📱 Protection against theft: if the phone is stolen, an attacker will not be able to quickly access critical data.
• 🔄 Setting flexibility: you can choose different authorization methods for each application (for example, a fingerprint for a bank and a bank). PIN-gallery-code).

It is important to understand that application protection is an additional layer of security, not a replacement for the main password of the lock screen. If you use a simple pattern lock or a PIN of 4 digits, we recommend first to strengthen the basic protection (for example, set an alphanumeric password of 8 characters).

Supported models and versions of MIUI

The application protection feature is available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones running MIUI 12 and later.

On models without a fingerprint scanner (e.g. Redmi A1 or POCO C50), only password lock is available, and the feature may not be available on devices with custom firmware or global versions of MIUI for some regions (e.g., European builds are sometimes deprived of this option due to legal restrictions).

⚠️ Note: If you have updated your smartphone with MIUI 11 or earlier, the application protection feature may not appear in the menu.In this case, try resetting the security settings via Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings → Reset the security settings.

Step-by-step: how to turn on application protection

The activation algorithm depends on the version of MIUI, but the general scheme looks like this:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to Passwords and Security (or Privacy for MIUI 12).
3. Select Application Protection (on some models – Application Lock).
4. Enter the main password of the lock screen (if requested).
5. Activate the switch at the top of the screen.
6. Select applications from the list and set an authorization method for them.

Let’s look at the process in more detail for each version of the shell.

For MIUI 12

On older versions, the path to settings may differ:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Application Protection.
2. Click Enable and confirm the action with the main password.
3. In the list, tick the necessary applications (for example, Gallery, WhatsApp).
4. Click the Lock Method and select a fingerprint or password.

For MIUI 13/14

In the new versions, the interface is simplified:

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Application Protection.
2. Turn on the function with a slider.
3. Slip on the + icon in the upper right corner and select programs from the list.
4. For each application, you can set an individual unlock method (for example, Face ID for Instagram and fingerprint for SberBank).

Make sure that the main screen password is installed on the phone.

Update MIUI to the latest version

Check the fingerprint scanner (if you plan to use it)

Make a backup copy of important data-->

⚠️ Note: If after turning on the protection applications start to spontaneously close or give an error "failed to unlock", try to disable the battery optimization for them in the Settings menu → Annexes → Application management → Optimizing the battery.

Choosing the Authorization Method: Which Is Safer

On Xiaomi smartphones, there are up to four ways to unlock secure apps, and consider the pros and cons of each:

• 🔢 Password/PIN-code: the most reliable method, but inconvenient for frequent use, we recommend setting a code at least 6 digits long or an alphanumeric password.
• 👆 Fingerprint: Fast and convenient, but vulnerable if someone knows your primary password (you can unlock it) Some models (Redmi Note 11 and later) support up to 5 fingerprints.
• 👤 Facial recognition (Face) ID): It only works on infrared cameras (Xiaomi 13 Pro, POCO F4 GT). Less reliable than a print, as it can work on a photo.
• 🔑 Xiaomi Account (only) MIUI 14): allows you to unlock applications through your account, but requires a constant Internet connection.

For maximum safety, combine methods.

• For banking applications (SberBank, VTB Online) – fingerprint + password.
• For social networks (VK, Telegram) – Face ID (if the model supports).
• For gallery or notes — PIN-code (so that children cannot unlock accidentally).

💡

If you use a fingerprint to protect your applications, register a backup method (password) in case the sensor fails or your hands are wet/dirty.

Hidden applications: how to hide programs completely

Since MIUI 14, Xiaomi has introduced Hidden Apps, which not only blocks access, but also removes icons from the home screen and menu, which is useful if you want to hide the existence of certain programs (for example, a second messenger or work chats).

To hide the app:

1. Open Settings → Passwords and Security → Hidden Applications.
2. Enter the lock screen password.
3. Click Add Apps and select the ones you need from the list.
4. Confirm the action. The icons will disappear from the screen.

To access hidden programs:

1. Swipe down the main screen to open the search bar.
2. Enter the name of the hidden application (for example, Telegram).
3. In the search results, an icon with a lock will appear - tap on it and enter a password.

⚠️ Note: Hidden apps still appear in the Settings menu → Annexes → Application management. To completely remove traces, use the Second Space feature (available on Xiaomi flagships), which creates a separate user profile.

Typical problems and their solution

Users often encounter errors when setting up application protection, and here are the most common cases and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try resetting your security settings:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset Security Settings.
3. Confirm the action and restart the device.

Additional security measures

App protection is only part of comprehensive security, and to maximize the security of data on Xiaomi, we recommend:

• 🔐 Set a complex lock screen password: avoid simple combinations like 1234 or date of birth. Use Bitwarden, KeePass password managers to generate strong codes.
• 🔄 Enable two-factor authentication for your Xiaomi account: this will protect against unauthorized access to cloud data. → Xiaomi account → Security.
• 📱 Set up Second Space: The feature creates a separate profile with its own apps and data (available on Xiaomi flagships) 12/13/14).
• 🛡️ Install antivirus: for example, Avast or Dr.Web to scan installed programs for malware.

Also pay attention to the privacy settings in Settings → Privacy:

• Disable Location and Microphone access for unnecessary applications.
• Check the Special Permits section – some programs may request access to SMS or call logs.
• Activate Surveillance Protection (available in MIUI 13/14) to limit data collection to advertising services.

💡

Application protection is only effective when combined with other security measures, and don’t rely on it as your only way to protect data.

Frequently asked questions