Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often face the challenge of restricting access to certain software, whether it’s to protect personal photos, bank data, or simply limit the time children spend playing games. MIUI and its current version of HyperOS offer powerful built-in tools to solve these problems without the need to install additional software.
Blocking apps creates an additional security barrier, and even if the device is unlocked, an outsider will not be able to run secure programs without entering a password or fingerprint, especially when multiple family members are using the phone or if children can pick up the gadget.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to restrict access, including the security features, parental controls settings, and third-party options, and understanding these mechanisms will help you manage data access on your device effectively.
Built-in application locking function in MIUI and HyperOS
The most reliable and easiest way to restrict access is to use the built-in App Lock feature, which is built deep into the system and runs smoothly without requiring third-party intervention, and can be found through the Security app, which is pre-installed on all smartphones of the brand.
You need to set the type of unlocking to get started, and the system will suggest using a graphical key, a digital key. PIN-Using biometrics makes it much easier to access blocked applications, since it does not require you to enter a password every time.
Once you set your password, you'll be asked to select a list of programs that you need to protect, and you can tag messengers, a gallery, banking apps, or any other service.
- 🔒 pattern lock – a classic method that requires remembering the sequence of connection points on the screen.
- 🔢 Digital. PIN-code is a faster option if you are used to entering numbers to unlock the screen.
- 👆 Biometrics is the most convenient method using fingerprint sensors or 3D-face-scanner.
⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from the App Lock feature, you can only restore access to blocked applications through a full reset of security settings or Mi Account if it was tied in advance.
App Lock works independently of the smartphone’s screen lock, which means that even when the device is on, you can’t run the secure application without re-authorizing, and it also allows you to hide notifications from blocked programs so that the contents of messages don’t appear on the lock screen.
Step-by-step setting up protection through the Security app
The activation process is standard for most shell versions, but the menu layout may vary slightly. To get started, open the Security app (a zipper or shield icon).
When you first start up, the system will ask you to create a password. If you've previously used a Mi Account, the password can be synced with it, which will make it easier to recover. Once you create the access code, you'll open a list of all the installed programs. Switch the switches against the applications you want to restrict access to.
In the feature settings (usually the gear icon in the corner), you can activate additional options, such as unlocking a fingerprint or hiding notifications, and there is the option “Block on exit”, which requires you to enter a password every time you turn off or close the application.
☑️ Setting up App Lock
It’s worth noting that the newer versions of HyperOS have made the interface more minimal, but the functionality has remained the same. If you can’t find a item in the security application, try searching in your phone’s settings by typing in “App Lock” or “App Lock.”
Use of the Second Space Mode
To further divide data and software, Xiaomi offers a Second Space feature, which is not just blocking individual apps, but creating a completely isolated environment inside a single smartphone, and in fact, you have a second desktop with your apps, photos and accounts.
Switching between spaces is done through a special password or fingerprint, and you can set the system so that when you unlock one finger, you open the main space and the other one opens the hidden space, which is ideal for storing sensitive information that you need to completely hide from prying eyes.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Additional Features → Second Space. The system will prompt you to create a new profile. Once the process is complete, you will get a clean desktop where you can install individual copies of applications or stored files.
What is the difference between Second Space and simple application hiding?
It’s important to understand that apps installed in the Second Space take up extra space in your phone’s memory. If you install WhatsApp in the main profile and in the Second Space, it will be two independent installs, each with its own cache and data volume.
Parental control and time limits
If your goal is not to hide data, but to limit the time your child spends playing games or social media, you'll need Parental Control or Digital Well-being, which allows you to set time limits for specific applications.
In Android, look for Digital Well-Being and Parental Controls, and you can set a timer for each app, and when the time limit expires, the app will be locked for the rest of the day or until the restriction is lifted by adults.
To fine-tune it, you can use Google Family Link, which integrates with Xiaomi’s system, which allows you to remotely control your child’s access to apps, block the installation of new software, and track the location of the device.
| Function | Purpose of use | Level of protection |
|---|---|---|
| App Lock | Protection from outsiders | Password/Biometry |
| Second space | Complete concealment of data | Separate profile |
| Parental control | Time limitation | Access timers |
⚠️ Attention: Parental controls require a constant internet connection to synchronize settings and time. Make sure your child's device is running a stable data connection.
Blocking through third-party applications
Built-in tools may not be enough if you need specific features, such as locking on a schedule or stealth shooting when you try to hack, in which case Google Play apps like AppLock, Norton App Lock or LockMyPix come to the rescue.
Third-party blockers often offer more flexible settings, they can block applications automatically at certain times of the day or when connecting to a specific Wi-Fi. However, it is worth remembering security: giving a third-party application permission to use over other windows and access a list of programs, you trust it with a lot of data.
When choosing such software, pay attention to the number of downloads and user reviews; avoid applications with excessive advertising or suspicious permissions; and choose products from well-known vendors in the field of cybersecurity.
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When installing a third-party blocker, be sure to give it permission to work on top of other windows and access to use, otherwise the lock will not work correctly or will be easily bypassed.
Hiding applications from the desktop
Icon hiding feature: In some versions of MIUI (especially in Chinese or through third-party launchers like Nova Launcher), you can make the app icon invisible. This does not block the launch on a direct path, but removes visual access.
To activate the standard hide (if available in your version), press the empty space on the desktop, go to the settings and find Hide applications. Here you can select programs that will disappear from the home screen and from the menu of all applications.
You can run a hidden app by typing a special code in your phone or pulling two fingers at a specific location on the screen (depending on the launcher), a "safety through obscurity" technique that is only effective against inattentive users.
💡
Hiding icons is not a way to protect data, but a way to organize your workspace. Always use App Lock or Second Space for real security.