How to block a folder on Xiaomi: hide files from prying eyes

Privacy on your smartphone is one of the main concerns of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO owners. Even if you don’t keep state secrets, document photos, personal correspondence or work files require protection from prying eyes. Fortunately, MIUI firmware offers several built-in ways to lock a folder on Xiaomi — from a simple password to biometric authentication. But not all users know where to look for these features and how to use them without risking losing access to files.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for locking folders on Xiaomi devices (relevant to MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS versions), including hidden system features that are not written about in the official instructions. You will learn how to put a password on a folder through the standard Security application, how to use Private Safe to store sensitive data, and what to do if you forget the access code, and also why blocking through third-party applications from Google Play can be more dangerous than no protection at all.

1. Lock the folder through the Security app (built-in method)

The most reliable and recommended way is to use the built-in Security app, which is the default on all Xiaomi smartphones, which does not require super-user rights (root) and works even on locked downloaders. The main advantage is integration with the system: locked folders will not appear in the gallery or file manager without entering a password.

To block the folder:

1. Open the Security app** (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Privacy section. → Private Safe (Private Safe).
3. If this is your first start, the system will offer to install PIN-- code or pattern lock. - Come up with a reliable code (do not use date of birth!).
4. Click Import Files and select the folder or individual files you want to hide.
5. Confirm the action – the folder will disappear from the standard file manager and will only be available through Private Safe.

Important: If you delete the Security app or reset your phone settings, access to locked folders will be lost. Backups of files from Private Safe are not automatically created - they need to be exported manually (more on this below).

☑️ What to check before blocking the folder

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2.Use of a “Private Safe” for hidden files

Private Safe is not just a lockdown, it's a full-fledged, encrypted storage, and the files you put here are not only hidden from outsiders, but also protected from being deleted through Recovery or after you reset.

• 🔒 Double authentication: you can configure unlocking not only by PIN-code, but also fingerprint or facial recognition (on supported models).
• 📁 Size limit: Private Safe can store up to 500 files in the free version MIUI HyperOS 14 and Limit Increased to 1000).
• 🔄 Export and import: files can be downloaded SD-map or cloud Mi Cloud, but they will be encrypted – without a password to open them is impossible.

How to add a folder to Private Safe:

1. Open Files (Files by Google or Xiaomi’s standard manager)
2. Find the folder you want to hide and click on the three dots next to its name.
3. Select Move to Private Safe (if you don’t have the option, activate Private Safe in Security first).
4. Confirm the action with a password.

💡

If you often work with locked files, add a Private Safe widget to the home screen. To do this, pinch the empty space on the screen → Widgets → find “Personal Safe”.

⚠️ Note: Do not store files in Private Safe that are needed to restore the system (for example, backups). TWRP If you reset them through Fastboot, you lose access to them.

3. Blocking the folder through the archive with a password (without third-party applications)

If you need to temporarily hide a folder (for example, before handing over your phone for repair), you can archive it with a password directly in the standard Xiaomi file manager. This method does not require Internet access and even works without the Security application.

Instructions:

1. Open the files and find the folder you want to block.
2. Press it with a long tap and select Compress.
3. In the window that appears, activate the option Protect with a password.
4. Create a password (at least 8 characters, with numbers and letters) and confirm.
5. After archiving, the original folder can be deleted – it will remain only in the encrypted.zip file.

To unseal:

1. Open the archive through the Files.
2. Enter the password.
3. Click Extract and indicate the path to unpack.

4. Hiding a folder through a.nomedia file (for power users)

This method does not block the folder with a password, but makes it invisible to standard applications (Gallery, Music, Video), suitable if you just need to hide files from random viewing, but not protect them from targeted search.

How it works:

• 📂 Create an empty text file in the folder you want to hide called.nomedia (a point at the beginning is mandatory!).
• 🔍 After rebooting your phone or updating your media index (Settings) → Annexes → gallery → Warehouse → Clear the data) files from this folder will no longer appear in the gallery.
• 🔓 Access to the folder will remain through any file manager (for example, Solid Explorer or other file manager). FX File Manager).

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Does not protect against viewing through Explorer or Total Commander.
• ❌ Does not work for system applications (e.g. Mi Video can ignore.nomedia).
• ❌ After updating MIUI Sometimes you need to re-create the file.

⚠️ Note:.nomedia file does not encrypt data. If you connect the phone to a computer, the folder will be visible to My computer without any protection.

5 Third-party applications for folder locking: risks and alternatives

There are hundreds of apps on Google Play that promise “strong folder locks” from AppLock to Vault, but most of them have critical flaws:

• 🕵️ Data collection: Many applications (especially free ones) request contact rights, SMS and geolocations. For example, Clean Master and CM Security has repeatedly been involved in scandals over the transfer of user data to third parties.
• 🔓 False protection: Some safes simply rename files or hide them in a folder /data/data, from which it is easy to extract through root or ADB.
• 💰 Hidden payments: Once installed, you may find that unlocking files requires a subscription (e.g. KeepSafe blocks file export without a premium account).

If you still decide to use a third-party application, choose only those that:

• ✅ Have open source code (e.g. Cryptomator for encryption).
• ✅ Do not ask for unnecessary permissions (check through Settings) → Annexes → Rights).
• ✅ Support local encryption (without uploading files to the developer server).

💡

The built-in MIUI (Private Safe) tools are more reliable than 90% of third-party apps from Google Play. Use them first.

6.What to do if you forget the password from the blocked folder

The situation is unpleasant, but not hopeless. The way to restore access depends on the method of blocking:

🔹 Forgot the password from Private Safe

If you used your Mi Account to sync:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Click Restore Private Safe (Option will appear after 3 failed attempts to enter a password).
3. Confirm the recovery via SMS or email linked to your account.

If sync is not enabled, file access will be lost forever, and the only chance is to contact Xiaomi support with proof of ownership of the device (check, IMEI).

🔹 Forgot the password from the.zip archive

You can use the following to open the archive:

• 7-Zip or WinRAR on PC (Try all passwords from the list).
• Online services like LostMyPass (Data Leak Risk!).
• Zip Password Cracker (for advanced users)

⚠️ Warning: Do not use questionable password cracking software, many of which contain viruses. If critical data is in the archive, contact a data recovery specialist.

7. Additional security measures for confidential files

Locking the folder is only part of the protection, to minimize the risk of data leakage:

• 🔄 Backups: Regularly copy important files to an external drive or to an encrypted cloud (e.g. Proton Drive).
• 📱 Device Encryption: Enable full phone encryption in Settings → Additionally. → Encryption. It'll protect data even if you steal a phone.
• 🚫 Restriction of Rights: Deny applications access to storage through Settings → Confidentiality → Permits.
• 🔧 Disabling debugging: If you do not use ADB, Turn off the debugging. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 taps → Additionally. → For developers).

For maximum protection, combine methods.

1. Put the files in Private Safe.
2. Make a backup of this folder in an encrypted archive on SD-map.
3. Remove the original files from the main storage.

Frequently asked questions