How to put a password for an album in the gallery Xiaomi: 3 proven ways

Xiaomi smartphones based on firmware MIUI They offer built-in privacy protection tools, but not everyone knows how to password an album in a gallery. Unlike third-party apps like Google Photos or GalleryVault, the standard gallery is the one that is used in the gallery. MIUI has hidden features that allow you to limit access to personal photos and videos without installing additional software.

In this article, we will discuss three working methods for protecting albums, from basic concealment through system settings to creating an encrypted storage with a password. MIUI (12 to 14), and we will also tell you how to get around common errors that can cause the password to reset or stop working, POCO X5 Xiaomi 14 flagship – the instruction is suitable for all models.

Important: The methods vary in the level of protection, such as hiding albums through Settings. → Special features do not block access to files through the file manager, whereas password-enabled storage MIUI It encrypts data at the system level, and you can choose the way you want to do it based on your security needs.

1. Method: Hiding the album through gallery settings (no password)

The easiest, but least reliable, method is to hide an album from a public list, which doesn't protect files with a password, but makes them less visible in the gallery interface, which is good if you need to quickly remove an album from view, for example, before handing over your phone to another person.

How it works:

• 📂 The album remains in the device's memory, but disappears from the main view of the gallery.
• 🔍 Files can be found through a gallery search or file manager (e.g. Files). MIUI).
• 🔄 After a phone reboot, hidden albums are not automatically restored.

Instructions:

1. Open the Gallery app.

⚠️ Note: This method does not protect files from access through Files → Internal memory. → DCIM. For real protection, use methods 2 or 3.

2. Method: Pass the album through "Secure Storage" MIUI

Secure Storage (or Private Safe in global versions) is a built-in tool. MIUI, It encrypts files and requires a password (or fingerprint) to access, and unlike concealment, it physically transfers files to an encrypted memory area, making them inaccessible without authorization.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Encryption at the system level (even when connecting to a PC, files are not visible).
• 👆 Support for biometrics (fingerprint or facial recognition).
• 📱 It works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO s MIUI 11 and newer.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Gallery and select an album or individual files.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Move to Secure Storage.
3. If the function is used for the first time, the system will offer to set a password (at least 4 digits) or to associate biometrics.
4. Confirm the file's moving.

To access protected files:

1. Open the gallery. → Albums. → Secure storage.
2. Enter your password or use your fingerprint.

Set a strong password (not date of birth)

Link backup email to restore

Check the space available (encryption increases the file size on the file size) ~5%)

Backup important files on your PC-->

⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from Secure Storage, it will be impossible to restore access to files - even resetting the phone to factory settings will not help. Xiaomi does not provide a recovery service for this feature.

3. Method: Using third-party software for album password

If integrated functions MIUI You don't like it, you can use third-party apps, and they offer you additional options, like, for example:

• 🎨 Customization of the Hidden Album Interface.
• 🔐 Two-factor authentication.
• ☁️ Synchronization with the cloud (with encryption).

Top.-3 album-password:

How to save the album through GalleryVault:

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Create a master password (at least 8 characters are recommended).
3. Click Import and select files from the gallery MIUI.
4. Activate the option to Delete originals if you want to leave copies in secure storage only.

4.How to remove the password from the album in the Xiaomi Gallery

If you decide to remove the protection from the album, the process depends on the method you chose earlier:

For hidden albums (mode 1):

1. Open the gallery. → Albums.
2. Scroll down and click Hidden Albums (or Show Everything).
3. Select an album, click on three dots and uncheck Hide.

For Secure Storage (mode 2):

1. Open the Secure Storage and log in.
2. Select files or album, click Delete from storage.
3. Confirm the transfer of files back to the main gallery.

For third-party applications (mode 3):

• GalleryVault: Open the album → Export → select the destination folder.
• In KeepSafe: Click on the file → Share. → Save it to the gallery.

⚠️ Note: When deleting files from Secure Storage MIUI They go back to the original folder (DCIM/Camera If the folder has been deleted, the files may be in the root directory of internal memory.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Xiaomi users often encounter security errors, and let’s look at the typical cases and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: The password from Secure Storage doesn't fit, even though you haven't changed it.

• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes an authorization failure is associated with a temporary glitch MIUI.
• 📱 Check if the date and time on the device are lost (incorrect settings can block access).
• 🔧 If the password is lost, the only way is to reset the phone to factory settings (but the files will be lost!).

Problem 2: Hidden albums reappear after update MIUI.

It's a famous firmware bug. MIUI 13 and MIUI 14. Decision:

1. Clear the cache of the Gallery app (Settings → Apps → Gallery → Storage → Clear the cache).
2. Re-disclose the album through the menu (see method 1).
3. If the problem recurs, use Secure Storage instead of hiding.

Problem 3: Files from Secure Storage are double-spaced.

When moving files to the storage MIUI Sometimes it doesn't delete the originals to make room:

1. Open Files → Internal Memory → DCIM
2. Remove duplicate files manually (pre-check that they are in storage!).
3. Use the Files by Google app to find duplicates.

💡

If you frequently move files to Secure Storage, turn on the option “Original Auto Cleanup” in the storage settings (Settings) → Confidentiality → Secure storage. → Automatically remove originals).

6. Methods comparison: what way to protect the album to choose?

To determine the optimal method, we evaluate each according to the key criteria:

Selection recommendations:

• 📸 For temporary concealment (for example, before transferring the phone) - method 1.
• 🔐 For long-term protection of personal photos - method 2 (Secure storage).
• 🌐 If you want to sync hidden files between devices – method 3 (application side to cloud).

💡

Secure storage. MIUI — It's the most reliable built-in method, but it takes care: if you lose your password, files will be lost forever.

7 Additional security measures for albums

Even if you have passwords for an album, you should take additional steps to protect your privacy:

1. Turn off automatic booting to the cloud

By default. MIUI It can sync photos to Mi Cloud or Google Photos to avoid leakage:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn off the gallery sync.
3. For Google Photos: Open the app → Settings → Backup and synchronization → turn off the function.

2. Set up a screen lock

If the password for the album is set, but the phone screen is unlocked by the swipe, the protection loses its meaning.

• 🔐 Use it. PIN-code (minimum 6 digits) or a pattern lock of complex shape.
• 👆 Add a fingerprint (Settings) → Password and security → Fingerprints).
• ⏱️ Set automatic lock after 15-30 seconds of inactivity.

3. Check permissions for applications

Some apps (such as messengers or social media) may request access to the gallery to restrict them:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Application permissions.
2. Select Warehouse and disable access for unnecessary applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the password for the album in Xiaomi