How to securely password photos on Xiaomi: all the ways from MIUI to Secret Vault

Protecting personal photos on Xiaomi’s smartphone is a pressing task for most users. Even if you don’t store sensitive photos on your device, an additional layer of security will never hurt. MIUI (the Xiaomi brand shell) has several built-in tools to block access to media files, but not all of them are equally effective. Moreover, after system updates, the settings interface often changes, which causes confusion.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to password photos on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones, from standard features like a Private Album to hidden Second Space features and third-party apps. We will focus on the nuances of what to do if your password is forgotten, how to protect yourself from resetting, and why some methods work only on certain models.

1. Built-in "Private Album" at MIUI Gallery

The most obvious and affordable way is to use the built-in Private Album feature in the Gallery’s standard app, which works on all devices with MIUI 12 and later, including the Redmi Note 11, Xiaomi 13 and POCO F5.

To activate the protection:

1. Open the Gallery app.
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner and select a Private Album.
3. Click Enable and set the password (you can use a fingerprint).
4. Select the photos you want to hide and confirm the transfer.

Files from a private album are not displayed in the main gallery, are not indexed by the system, and do not get backed up by Google Photos.

• 🔒 The password for the private album matches the lock password for the screen. PIN-code, he'll get access to the photo.
• 📁 Files are stored in an open form in a folder /MIUI/PrivateAlbum/ — You can find them through the file manager.
• 🔄 When resetting the settings, the album is automatically unlocked.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI 13 and later, the private album syncs with the Xiaomi account. When you log out, files may become unavailable!

💡

To increase protection, disable the display of a private album in the gallery settings: Settings → Private album → Hide the icon. Then you will only be able to log in through a search by folder name.

2.Second Space: A separate profile with a password

Second Space allows you to create a completely isolated environment with your own applications, files and settings. It's not just hiding photos, but creating a parallel system with a separate password. MIUI 10–14, but may not be available on some models for the European market.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space.
2. Click Create Second Space and follow the instructions.
3. Set a unique password (different from the main one).
4. In a new space, copy the right photos or take new pictures – they will only be available there.

The benefits of Second Space:

• 🔐 Complete isolation: files are not visible in the main profile even through the file manager.
• 📱 You can use different Google and Mi Account accounts.
• 🔄 Works independently of the main system – even if the main profile is blocked, the second one will remain available.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU), Second Space may conflict with Magisk or root rights!

3 Third-party apps: Vault, KeepSafe, LockMyPix

If the built-in MIUI features are not enough, you can use specialized programs from Google Play.

• 🔒 Vault by Xiaomi (official app, but not preinstalled)
• 🛡️ KeepSafe (encryption) + cloud-backup)
• 📁 LockMyPix (Face and Fingerprint Support)
• 🔐 GalleryVault (masking under a calculator or other application)

Example of Vault by Xiaomi setup:

1. Download the app from Google Play (it is free, but with ads).
2. Launch Vault and set a master password.
3. Select photos from the gallery or import them through the file manager.
4. Activate the option to Hide the Vault icon in the settings.

Advantages of third-party applications:

• 🔐 More secure encryption (for example, AES-256 KeepSafe).
• 📲 Additional functions: false PIN-Automatic deletion when incorrectly entered.
• 🌐 Cross-platform (you can open a photo on another device).

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. GalleryVault) may conflict with MIUI Optimization. If you have lags after installation, turn off optimization in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap).

4. Archiving of photos with a password (ZIP/RAR)

If you need to encrypt photos, you can use password-enabled archivers, which are suitable for long-term storage or transfer of files.

Instructions for Xiaomi:

1. Install a file manager with support for archives (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
2. Select the photos and select Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer.

Pros of the method:

• 🔐 High level of encryption (especially in the RAR5).
• 📁 The archive can be stored in the cloud or on a flash drive.
• 🔄 It does not depend on the firmware or phone model.

Cons:

• ⏳ Additional steps to view (unpacking each time).
• 📱 Inconvenient for frequent use (e.g. daily browsing).

5. Hidden folders and file managers

For tech-savvy users, there is a way to hide photos by changing folder attributes or using file managers with a concealment function, which does not encrypt files, but makes them invisible to standard applications.

Implementation options:

• 📂 Creating a folder with a point (for example,.secretphotos) – such folders are hidden by default in the Linux/Android.
• 🔧 Use of Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer to install the hidden flag».

An example from.nomedia:

1. Open a file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager).


2. Go to the photo folder.




3. Create a new text file and call it `.nomedia` (without extension).




4.Reboot the device or update the media scanner (the Media Storage app).

Limitations of the method:

• 🔍 Files are available through any file manager.
• 🔄 When connecting to the PC, folders can be displayed.
• 📱 It does not work if the gallery has.nomedia filtering disabled.

💡

The.nomedia method is only suitable for hiding from the gallery, but it does not protect against targeted search. For real security, combine it with archiving or encryption.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of protection depends on your needs:

• 🔒 For confidential photos (documents, personal correspondence) - use Second Space or KeepSafe.

If you share your phone with others often, Second Space is the best option. + It creates a double barrier: first you have to unlock the second profile, and then the album itself.

For maximum safety:

1. Do not use the same passwords to lock your screen and private folders.
2. Regularly update MIUI – new versions fix vulnerabilities.
3. Avoid storing passwords in notes or screenshots on your phone.

What to do if I forget my password?

Situations where a user forgets the password from a private album or Second Space are common, and recovery methods depend on the method of protection:

If you have forgotten the Second Space password:

1. Try to enter a backup PIN (if you have installed it).
2. Go to Settings → Memory → Second Space → Delete Second Space (data will be lost!).
3. Contact Xiaomi support by providing proof of device ownership (checks, IMEI).

⚠️ Note: When resetting Second Space via Fastboot (e.g., by fastboot erase command) userdata_second) data is deleted without the possibility of recovery!

FAQ: Frequent questions about photo protection on Xiaomi