Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is one of the most popular devices of the brand, but even it is not immune to prying eyes. Have you ever given a phone to a colleague to show a photo, and after a minute you find that it is leafing through your messages on WhatsApp or Telegram? Or worrying that a child will accidentally delete important files from the Gallery? In this article, we will analyze all the available ways to block applications on the Redmi Note 8 Pro — from standard MIUI functions to hidden features.
It's important to understand that app blocking is not just about privacy, it's also about data security. For example, if you store passwords from banking apps in notes or messengers, they can be leaked, and we'll look at the methods that work on MIUI 12, 13 and 14, and we'll also get around the common bugs that might make it go wrong. Some ways will require superuser rights, but most are available without them.
1. Built-in application locking via Second Space
The MIUI Second Space feature allows you to create a separate account on your phone with your own apps and data, not just blocking, but rather isolating your personal data from prying eyes, and the advantage of the method is that you don't need to install third-party programs, and the disadvantage is that you have to duplicate some applications.
How to set up:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Special facilities → Second Space.
- 🔑 Create a password for the second profile (it may differ from the main one).
- 📥 Select the apps you want to hide (e.g. Gallery, Messages).
- 🔄 Switch between swipe profiles down the lock screen (you need to enable in the settings).
⚠️ Attention: Second Space doesn't sync notifications from the main profile, and if you're interested in getting alerts from Viber or Slack, this method won't work.
2. Password blocking of applications (App Lock)
The most obvious way is to use the built-in App Lock feature, which is the default feature in MIUI, and allows you to put a password, fingerprint or facial recognition on any application, but many users encounter a bug when the lock is reset after rebooting the phone, and you can fix this by updating MIUI to the latest version.
Step-by-step:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Blocking applications.
- Click Enable and set a password (we recommend using a combination of numbers and letters).
- Select apps from the list (for example, Instagram, Bank, Photos).
- Activate Hide Notifications so that the contents of messages do not appear on the lock screen.
Remember your password or write it down in a safe place.
Check the MIUI version (should be at least 12.5)
Turn off autocleaning cache for system applications
Synchronize fingerprints if you use biometrics-->
⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from App Lock, you can only reset it through a full phone reset (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings.This will delete all data, so back up in advance to Mi Cloud.
3. Hiding apps from the menu (without deleting)
If you don't want to lock things hard, but you just want to take apps out of your sight, MIUI has an icon-hiding feature, which is useful for games that are distracting, for example, or for system utilities that you rarely use, and the hidden app won't show up on the menu, but it will stay on the system and be available through search.
How to hide the application:
- 🔍 Press the app icon with your finger on the home screen.
- 🚫 In the menu that appears, select Hide (or Remove from the screen in new versions). MIUI).
- 🔎 To return the application, open Settings → Annexes → Application management → Hidden applications.
| Coverage method | Visibility on the menu | Access through search | Password required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiding the icon | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. |
| App Lock | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Second Space | ❌ No (mainly profile) | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. |
| Disconnection (for system) | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
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If you need to launch a hidden app urgently, use Google Assistant, and say, "OK, Google, open [app name]," and it will open without even displaying the icon.
4. Blocking through third-party applications (without root)
If you don't like standard MIUI methods, you can use third-party software, such as DoMobile Lab's AppLock or Norton App Lock, which offer additional features such as:
- 🔐 Geolocation blocking (for example, automatically block TikTok at work).
- 📸 Hidden camera (takes a photo of someone trying to break the lock).
- ⏱ Temporary blocking (for example, blocking games from 21:00 to 7:00).
⚠️ Note: The side of the application to block may conflict with MIUI, Especially if you have battery optimization on, to avoid spontaneous unlocking:
- Add a blocker app to the optimization exceptions: Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → Select apps.
- Turn off automatic cache cleaning for it.
- Update the app to the latest version (Play Market often releases patches for newer versions of MIUI).
What applications can not be blocked by third-party programs?
5. Blocking through ADB (for advanced users)
If you're willing to dive into the technical details, you can block applications through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which doesn't require root, but requires connecting the phone to a computer, and the advantage is that locking works at the system level and doesn't reset after updates.
Instructions:
- Download Platform Tools from the official Android Developers website.
- Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to become a developer), then Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging over USB.
- Connect the Redmi Note 8 Pro to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm hide com.example.app (replace com.example.app with the batch name of the app, for example, com.whatsapp for WhatsApp).
- To return the application, use: adb shell pm unhide com.example.app
⚠️ Note: Not all applications can be hidden through ADB. For example, system utilities (Settings, Contacts) may not be blocked, and after resetting, all changes through the system can be made. ADB will be lost.
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The ADB method is suitable for blocking pre-installed applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) that cannot be removed by standard methods.
6 Restriction of access through “Parental Control”
If you need to restrict your child's apps, MIUI has built-in Parental Controls.
- 🕒 Setting time limits for using applications.
- 🔞 Block access to 18+ browser-based.
- 📱 Prohibit installation of new applications without password.
How to set up:
- Go to Settings → Apps → Parental Controls.
- Create. PIN-code (it must be different from the screen lock password).
- Select your child’s profile and set the limits for each application.
- Activate the option to Stop shopping to avoid accidental spending in the Play Market.
⚠️ Attention: Parental control in MIUI It doesn't block access to your phone's settings. If your child knows how to reset, they can get around the restrictions.
7. reset the lock if you forgot the password
If you forgot your App Lock or Second Space password, there are a few ways to recover it without completely resetting your phone:
Method 1: Through the Mi Account
- 📧 On the password entry screen, click Forgot the password?.
- 🔗 Enter the data from the Mi Account linked to the phone.
- 📲 Confirm the reset through SMS email.
Method 2: Safe Mode (if the lock is lost)
- 🔄 Restart your phone by holding the power button.
- 🛡 In the menu, select Safe Mode (Safe Mode).
- 🔧 In Safe Mode, Remove or Reconfigure the Blocker App.
Method 3: Through TWRP (only for hard-wired phones)
If you have a custom TWRP recap, you can manually delete the lock files:
- Load to TWRP (Hold Power + Volume Up).
- Go to Advanced → File Manager.
- Delete files: /data/system/gesture.key /data/system/locksettings.db
- Reboot the phone.
⚠️ Note: Delete files through TWRP This can lead to data loss or a download cycle, only if you are confident in your actions and have previously created a backup.