Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the need to restrict access to certain features of the gadget, which may be due to the desire to protect the child from unwanted content, hide personal data from prying eyes or simply save mobile Internet traffic. The MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem offers a wide range of tools to solve these problems, but they are scattered on different menus, which can confuse the inexperienced user.
There are several levels of locking, from simple hiding of an icon to complete software freezing of the process. The choice of the specific method depends on your purpose and device model. In this article, we will discuss in detail each available method so that you can manage your Android device as efficiently as possible.
The Chinese manufacturer’s modern shells allow for flexible access rights settings, but it’s worth considering that menu item names may vary slightly depending on the firmware version. We’ll look at the current action algorithms that are applicable to most modern models, including the Redmi Note and Xiaomi Mi series.
Use of the Parental Control function
The easiest and most reliable way to restrict access to games or social networks for children is through the built-in Parental Control tool, which allows you not only to block the application, but also to set time limits, after which access to the program will be automatically closed.
To activate the function, go to Settings → Screen time and parental control. Here you can choose "This is a child's device" or "This is a parent's device." In the first case, the system will create a secure profile, and in the second case, you will allow you to remotely control the child's smartphone from your phone.
Inside the Parental Controls menu, you can see detailed usage statistics, you can see how much time is spent in each game, and you can set strict limits, like allowing YouTube to only go 30 minutes a day, and if the limit is exhausted, the app icon will turn gray, and you can't run it without entering a pin code.
⚠️ Please do not use your child’s date of birth as a password from parental control, as children often know this information or can find it in documents.
- 🔒 Allows you to set daily time limits for each application separately.
- 📱 It allows you to block the installation of new programs from the Play Market.
- 🌐 Contains a content filter for blocking adult websites in the Chrome browser.
- 📊 Provides detailed reports on the digital activity of the device.
The parental controls feature in MIUI shells are constantly updated, with the latest versions offering the ability to block not only apps but also certain categories of sites, as well as limiting in-game purchases, making it a universal solution for family use of a smartphone.
Blocking Launch Through App Lock
If your goal is to keep your personal correspondence, gallery or banking apps from being prying, the best solution is App Lock, which requires you to enter a password, a pattern lock or a fingerprint every time you try to run your chosen program.
You can find this setting by Settings → Applications → Application Protection. In some firmware versions, this item is placed in a separate Security app on the desktop. Once you turn on the feature, you will be asked to create a separate password, which may differ from the screen unlock password.
A feature of Xiaomi’s implementation is the ability to hide the protected applications themselves, and if you activate the “Hide the contents of notifications”, even the text of an incoming message from WhatsApp or Telegram will not appear on the locked screen, this provides a double level of privacy.
It's worth noting that the lock works at the launcher and system level, and if an attacker tries to access data through a connection to a computer in debugging mode, App Lock will not save you, since it only protects against locally running the interface, but for everyday situations this level of protection is quite enough.
- 👆 Support for biometric unlocking for quick access.
- 🔒 Ability to block system settings and task manager.
- 👁️ Hiding the content of notifications on a locked screen.
- ⏱️ Automatic locking after a certain downtime.
Hiding icons in the Second Space mode
For those who want to completely isolate some applications from the main interface, Xiaomi has implemented the “Second Space” function, which is essentially creating a second virtual smartphone inside one physical device with a separate set of applications, files and accounts.
Switching between spaces is either through a special widget or a fingerprint (if you assign different fingers to different profiles), all the applications installed in the second space are invisible in the first space, and vice versa. This is the perfect way to completely hide the presence of certain programs on the device.
To activate the mode, go to Settings → Second Space and click "Enable Second Space." The system will create a clean profile, you can migrate the desired applications there or download them again.
☑️ Configuring the Second Space
Using the second space also allows you to bypass some regional restrictions, such as having a main profile with Russian apps and a second profile with Chinese services without creating conflicts in the program’s operation.
Limiting background activity and traffic
Sometimes blocking is not about not stopping startups, but about limiting the resources that an application consumes, and this is true for programs that are constantly hanging in the background, consuming batteries and mobile Internet, and MIUI allows you to tightly control these parameters.
To manage traffic, open the Security app and select Statistics or Traffic Consumption, where you can prevent a particular application from using a mobile network or Wi-Fi. If you block access to the network, many of the app's functions will stop working, which is equivalent to a partial blocking of it.
To limit background activity, go to Settings → Applications → All applications, select the desired program and find “Activity Control.” Set “No Limits” only if the program is critical (such as messenger), for others, choose “Limit background activity”.
⚠️ Note: Complete limitation of background activity for messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) will lead to the fact that messages will only come after manually opening the application.
This approach is useful for gaming applications that don’t have to work when you’re not using them, or for stores that are constantly updating data in the background, which helps to significantly extend the battery life of the device.
- 📉 Reducing battery consumption by stopping background processes.
- 🚫 Blocking Advertising in Applications by Shutting Down Internet Access.
- 📱 Point-based management of network access rights for each application.
- 🛑 Preventing hidden data loading in roaming.
Blocking the installation of applications from unknown sources
An important aspect of security is controlling which programs can be installed on the device at all. by default, Android and the Internet. MIUI prohibit APK-files from third-party sources, but users often give permissions to browsers or file managers.
To secure your smartphone, check your settings in Settings → Privacy Protection → Special Permissions → Install Unknown Apps. This should include a list of all the programs that may request APK installation. Keep only trusted file managers or browsers that you use personally active.
If you give a phone to a child, make sure that they don’t have access to settings where you can enable installation from unknown sources, otherwise blocking specific apps through App Lock can be bypassed by installing their counterparts or modified versions.
Why does the system block the APK installation?
Regularly checking these settings helps avoid accidentally installing adware, which is often masquerading as useful utilities, the first line of defense for your digital security.
Comparison of blocking methods
The choice of method depends on the specific situation and who exactly you want to limit. Below is a table that will help determine the best way to protect your case.
| Method | Purpose of use | Difficulty bypassing | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| App Lock | Protection of personal data | Medium (password needed) | Minimum |
| Parental control | Time limitation | High (requires an account) | Medium (background work) |
| Second space | Complete cover-up | Very high. | High (duplicate data) |
| Traffic restriction | Savings in resources | Low (needs settings) | Positive (battery savings) |
As you can see from the table, for maximum security, it is better to combine methods, for example, use the Second storage space, and configure the App Lock for system settings on the main profile.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I block Xiaomi system applications?
What to do if I forget my password for App Lock?
Does the application lock work in safe mode?
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If you are planning to sell a phone, be sure to complete a full Wipe Data reset, as simply removing apps does not guarantee that your data will be protected from recovery.
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The combination of several security methods (App Lock + Parental Control) creates a multi-level security system that is extremely difficult to get around without special knowledge.
The use of MIUI tools allows you to turn your smartphone into a secure device that is fully adapted to your needs. Don’t neglect setting passwords and regularly updating your system to stay protected from new threats.