How to securely block the gallery on the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi: all the ways from password to hidden albums

Personal photos and videos on Xiaomi Redmi smartphone require protection no less than banking applications. You'll agree, it's unpleasant when someone undemandedly flicks through your gallery - whether it's a colleague who took a phone "call" or a child playing with a gadget. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several layers of protection for confidential media files. But how exactly to block a gallery on Redmi, if the standard settings are not obvious?

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, from built-in MIUI functions to third-party encryption applications. You will learn how to put a password on a folder, hide albums from prying eyes, use biometrics and even create a “false” gallery for distraction. And we will analyze the unique feature of the MIUI 14+ firmware, which allows you to block individual files without additional software. All instructions are adapted to the current models of Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11 and flagship series – proven in practice!

Method 1: Built-in folder lock in MIUI (without third-party applications)

The easiest and most secure method is to use the built-in Protected folder feature in MIUI firmware, which is available on all Xiaomi Redmi smartphones from MIUI 12 and up, and the advantage of this method is that files are not only hidden from outsiders, but also encrypted at the system level - they can not be extracted even through a connection to a PC.

To activate the protection:

1. Open the Files app (yellow folder icon).
2. Go to the Category → Images or Videos tab.
3. Select the files you want to hide (click your finger → tick).
4. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Move to the secure folder.
5. When you first use the system will ask you to set a password or a pattern lock – come up with a combination that you will not forget.

Now your files will disappear from the main gallery. To access them, open Files → Secure folder and enter your password. Note: if you forget your password, you will not be able to restore access to files, you will have to delete them through resetting.

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Back up your protected files in the Mi Cloud before moving them to a secure folder, which will save your phone’s data when you reset.

⚠️ Note: Secure folder does not work with files downloaded from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).

Method 2: Blocking the gallery through the "Second Space" (double account)

If you want to not just hide files, but create a completely isolated environment with a separate gallery, use the Second Space feature, which is a unique feature of MIUI that allows you to divide the phone into two independent profiles with different applications, settings and, importantly, media libraries.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
2. Click Create a second space and follow the instructions (you will need to create a new password).
3. Once created, restart the phone and select the right space when turned on.
4. In the second space, install a gallery (like Google Photos) and transfer sensitive files to the gallery.

Now, when you switch between spaces (through the notification bar or reboot), you'll see different sets of apps and files, which is ideal if you have multiple people using the phone, like you and your child.

Method 3: Using biometrics (fingerprint/face) to block

On Redmi smartphones with a fingerprint sensor or facial recognition system, you can set up biometric locks for individual applications, including a gallery, which is convenient because you don’t need to enter a password every time you apply a finger or look at the screen.

Instructions:

1. Make sure that at least one fingerprint is added to your phone settings (Settings → Passwords & Security → Fingerprint).
2. Open Settings → Applications → Blocking applications.
3. Enable the function by setting a password (it is necessary for backup access).
4. In the list of applications, find the Gallery (or Google Photos if you use it) and activate the switch.
5. Select the unlock method: Fingerprint or Face Recognition.

Now, every time you run a gallery, the system will require biometric authorization, which doesn't hide files, it just restricts access to the app, and if someone gets physical access to an unlocked phone, they can view thumbnails in the notification panel or through the file manager.

Add a fingerprint to your settings|Set up a backup. PIN-code|Update the Gallery app to the latest version|Check the sensor (if there is any damage)-->

⚠️ Note: On Redmi models with MIUI 13 and below, facial recognition is less reliable - it can be fooled by a photo.

Method 4: Third-party applications for hiding and encrypting files

If built-in MIUI features aren’t enough, look for Google Play’s specialty apps, which offer advanced features such as AES-256 encryption, creating fake passwords, deleting files after failed login attempts, and even masking as a calculator or game.

Top.-3 Proven applications for Xiaomi Redmi:

• 🔒 KeepSafe – hides photos/video in a secure storage PIN-There's a false code or fingerprint function. PIN" emergency.
• 📁 GalleryVault - supports encryption, cloud backup and deletion of files by timer. MIUI.
• 🤖 Calculator% - masquerades as a calculator. To open hidden files, you need to enter the password as a mathematical expression (for example, 25+35=).

How to install and configure (by example KeepSafe):

1. Download the app from Google Play (avoid third-party APKs!).
2. When you first start, set a master password (save it in the password manager!).
3. Click Import and select files from the gallery.
4. In the settings, activate Hide from the gallery - files will disappear from the standard viewer.
5. For additional protection, turn on the Disguise app (the icon will look like “Settings”).

Warning: Some antiviruses (such as Avast) may block applications to hide files, mistaking them for malicious. If after installing KeepSafe or analogs, the gallery stopped working, add the application to the exceptions of the antivirus.

Method 5: Hidden Albums in Google Photos (Cloud Method)

If you use Google Photos as your main gallery, it has Archive and Closed Album built-in (available on Android 6+) tools that don’t lock files with a password, but hide them from the main stream and search, and are suitable for temporarily hiding photos without installing additional apps.

How to hide files:

1. Open Google Photos and select the images you want.
2. Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Move to the archive (photos will disappear from the main tape, but remain in the Archive folder).
3. For full cover: go to profile → Photo settings → Closed album → turn on the function.
4. Now, the allocated files can be moved to a Closed Album (available only after fingerprint authorization or PIN-code).

Important: files in Google Photos Private Album are synced to the cloud. If your Google account is hacked, an attacker can access hidden photos via the web version of the service. For complete privacy, turn off sync for closed albums in the settings.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced Xiaomi Redmi users make mistakes when setting up a gallery lock, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

• 🔄 Forgot password from the protected folder: Unlike the lock screen, the password of the protected folder in the MIUI You can’t reset your phone through your Mi Account. The only way out is to reset your phone to factory settings (the data will be lost!) To avoid this, write down your password in the manager (Google Password Manager, KeePass).
• 📱 Files are visible in other apps: If you hid a photo through a Secure folder, but they still show up on WhatsApp or WhatsApp VLC, Clear the cache of these applications (Settings) → Annexes → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 🔌 Biometrics stopped working: After update MIUI The fingerprint sensor can glitch. Re-register the fingerprints and check if the power saving mode is on (it turns off the sensors).
• ☁️ Hidden files synced to the cloud: Turn off autoload for Google Photos or Mi Cloud in sync settings. For critical files, use local storage (folder) DCIM/.hidden).

Another common problem is that the thumbnails of the photos are displayed in the notification bar.

1. Press the notification from the gallery → click Settings.
2. Turn off the option to display the contents of notifications.
3. In the gallery settings (Settings → Notifications), turn off the preview for locked files.

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Before selling or transferring your phone to another person, you must remove files from the secure folder and second space. Even after resetting your settings, you can restore them through Recovery!

FAQ: Answers to popular questions