Have you ever given your Xiaomi smartphone to friends to show a photo but worried that they might accidentally or intentionally flip through the rest of the photos? Or do you need to hide personal photos from children who like to play with the phone? Password gallery on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO devices in a number of ways - and it doesn't require installing third-party apps.
In this article, we'll look at all the available methods for protecting the gallery, from built-in MIUI features to hidden system applications, learn how to configure password access, fingerprint or facial recognition, and how to bypass common bugs that might cause the protection to fail. Importantly, some methods only work on certain versions of the firmware — we'll show you which ones.
If you use a smartphone based on MIUI 12 and later (including MIUI 13 and MIUI 14), all the methods described will be relevant. For older versions (for example, MIUI 11), some features may be missing, in which case an update or alternative solutions will be required.
Method 1: Protection through Application Lock (embedded MIUI function)
The most reliable and versatile method is to use the system tool "App Lock". It is available on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 8 and newer, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5 and the flagship Xiaomi series 12/13/14. This method allows you to block not only the gallery, but also any other applications.
To activate the protection:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application lock.
- If the feature is used for the first time, the system will suggest setting a password (you can also attach a fingerprint or Face ID).
- In the list of apps, find the Gallery (or Google Photos if you use it) and move the slider to the right.
- Choose the type of lock: at each opening or 5 minutes after closing.
Now, when you try to open a gallery, the system will require password or biometric authentication. Please note that if you use Google Photos as your main gallery, locking through Application Lock will only work for the MIUI system gallery.
Make sure that the phone has a primary password (PIN or pattern lock) installed.
Update MIUI to the latest version (old firmware may have lock bugs)
Check that the security settings allow the use of fingerprint/face
Make a backup of important photos in case of resetting settings-->
Method 2: Hidden albums in the MIUI gallery (without password, but with restricted access)
If you don't need a password, but you just need to hide individual photos from prying eyes, MIUI has a built-in Hidden Albums feature that doesn't block access with a password, but makes the photos invisible in the main interface.
How it works:
- 📁 Select a photo or video in the gallery, click More → Hide (or additionally) → Move to a Hidden Album in New Versions).
- 🔍 To see hidden files, open the gallery, swipe down and enter the password from the lock screen (or use a fingerprint).
- 🔄 V MIUI 14 Hidden Albums Synced with Mi Cloud if Backup is enabled.
This method is convenient for temporary hiding of files, but does not provide full protection: when connecting the phone to the computer through the Internet. MTP Hidden photos can be accessed in the folder DCIM/.hidden. For reliability, combine it with the "Application Lock".
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If you use Google Photos, create a private album and share it with you through your second account, which will not replace your password, but will add a layer of protection.
Method 3: Second Space Locking (Dual MIUI)
Second Space allows you to create a separate user profile with your own apps, files and settings, ideal if you want to completely isolate personal photos from the main interface.
How to set up:
- Go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space.
- Create a second space by setting a separate password for it.
- In the new space, install a gallery (like Google Photos) and transfer your personal photos.
- In the main space, remove or hide the gallery so that no one knows it exists.
The advantage of this method is that even if someone unlocks your phone, they won’t see the second space without a special gesture (double swipe down on the lock screen in MIUI 13/14). However, remember: the second space takes up additional memory and can slow down the phone on weak models (for example, Redmi 9A or POCO M3).
Application lock (password/fingerprint)
Hidden Albums at MIUI
Second Space (Second Space)
Third-party applications (such as KeepSafe)
Don't defend the gallery-->
Table: Comparison of gallery protection methods on Xiaomi
| Method | Level of protection | Do you need a password? | Works on MIUI 12-14? | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application lock | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Yes (or biometrics) | Yes. | Does not hide files when connecting to a PC |
| Hidden albums | ⭐⭐⭐ | No (only lock screen password) | Yes. | Files are visible through the file manager |
| Second Space | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Yes (separate password) | Yes. | It takes up extra memory. |
| Third-party annexes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Yes. | Yes. | They may be in conflict with MIUI. |
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many users have problems configuring gallery protection, and here are the most common errors and solutions:
⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from "Application Lock", you can only reset it through a full reset phone (Settings) → The phone. → Reset settings. This will delete all data, so back up in advance!
- 🔄 "Application lock" does not save settings → Check if sync with Mi Account is enabled in security settings.
- 📱 Hidden albums are seen in Google Photos → Turn off automatic download in Google Photos settings.
- 🔑 Second Space is not open. → Try another gesture (in) MIUI 14 is a double touch on the lock screen).
- 🔍 Photos are visible through the file manager → Move them to the.nomedia folder (create it at the root of the memory).
If neither method works, check the MIUI version: in some regional firmware (e.g. Europe), the application lock function may be disabled, in which case installing a global or Chinese firmware version via Fastboot will help.
How do I check the MIUI version?
Additional Security Measures: What to Do When Your Phone Is Stolen
Passing a gallery is only half the battle, and if your Xiaomi falls into the wrong hands, an attacker can bypass the security by resetting your settings or connecting to a PC to minimize the risks:
- Enable device encryption in Settings → Additional → Encryption. This will block access to files even when you connect to a computer.
- Activate Find Device in Mi Cloud, which allows you to remotely lock your phone or erase data.
- Turn off USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap on version → Developer Settings → Debugging by USB.
- Use SIM-card binding (in some Xiaomi models, you can lock your phone when you change the SIM).
If your phone is already stolen, try to find it through i.mi.com (requires a link to your Mi Account), and if you want to, do a remote data cleanup to protect your personal information.
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Device encryption is the only way to completely protect files from being retrieved via PC or recovered after a reset.