How to password the application on Xiaomi Redmi 9: Instructions

Xiaomi’s Redmi 9 series has long proven to be affordable and functional, but basic data protection often requires additional setup. Standard screen locking may not be enough if your phone falls into the hands of strangers, even for a short time. Many users face the need to hide correspondence in instant messengers, restrict access to the gallery or protect banking applications from prying eyes.

The MIUI operating system that runs your phone’s software has powerful built-in privacy protection features. You don’t need to download dubious third-party programs that may contain adware or viruses. The system provides native tools that work consistently and don’t waste battery life. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how to activate application protection and what additional security measures are worth considering.

Before you start setting up, it’s worth noting that the process may vary slightly depending on the Android version and the MIUI shell. However, the logic of the system remains the same for all devices of the brand. We will consider the standard algorithm of actions that is relevant for most current firmware updates on Redmi 9. Ready device to work and access to the settings menu is all that you need.

Use of the built-in function "Application Protection"

The main tool for this task is the application protection system utility, which allows you to set a separate password or graphical key that will be requested each time you run selected programs, activation of this function occurs through the main security settings menu, which is the central control node of the MIUI system.

To start, you need to open the standard Security app with a green shield icon or go through the phone's general settings. Find a section called Application Protection. When you first start, the system will prompt you to set an unlock password if it is not already installed, or use an existing one. You will also need to link your Mi Account, which serves as a mechanism for restoring access in the case of a forgotten password.

Once you have the access code, you'll see a list of all the programs you've installed on your device, and you can choose which ones you want to protect, and you just have to switch the slider in front of the app to the active position, and now when you try to open something like WhatsApp or Gallery, you'll need to verify your identity.

• 🔒 Choose a reliable pattern lock that is difficult to see from the side.
• 👁️ Use the password hiding feature on the screen when entering so that others don’t see your movements.
• 🔄 Change passwords for critical applications regularly to improve security.
• ⚙️ Set up automatic application lock immediately after leaving them, without waiting for a timeout.

It's important to understand that the protection only applies to running an application. If the program supports internal privacy settings, it's also recommended that they be activated for dual protection. For example, in some banking applications, you can set the fingerprint login in addition to the system password, which creates a multi-level barrier for attackers.

Configure password type and biometrics

Xiaomi offers flexible authentication settings, not limited to just digitizing or drawing patterns. Modern smartphones, including the Redmi 9, feature fingerprint scanners and facial recognition modules that can be integrated into application protection, which greatly speeds up access to your data, eliminating the need to enter code manually every time.

To activate biometrics, go to the application protection settings and find “Use fingerprint” or “Use face unlock.” The system will redirect you to the appropriate menu, where you will need to add biometric data if it is not already entered into the device memory. Once activated, logging into the protected applications will occur almost instantly after touching the sensor or looking at the screen.

But it's important to remember the nuances of biometrics: fingerprints can be lost if your hands are wet or dirty, and facial recognition can be disrupted in poor light, which is why backup passwords remain a critical security element, and without them, you risk losing access to your data if your biometric sensors fail.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use simple combinations like “1234” or “0000” as a backup password, and avoid obvious graphic keys like the letter “L” or “Z” as the grease marks on the screen can reveal your secret to an outsider.

You can also find the option “Hide the contents of notifications” in the settings. If it is activated, even when a new message arrives in the secure messenger, the text will not appear on the locked screen. Instead, you will see a notification that a new event has come, which preserves confidentiality even before the phone is unlocked.

The Hidden Applications function in MIUI

Beyond password setting, there is a more radical method of protection in the MIUI shell, which is to completely hide the application icon from the desktop, a feature called Hidden Apps, often associated with password protection, and you can only find a hidden program through a special interface or by secret search query.

To activate this feature, you need to log into the Security app, scroll down to the Hidden Apps section, and activate the switch. The system will prompt you to select the apps you want to hide. Once confirmed, their icons will disappear from the home screen and from the menu of all programs, and they will not appear in the lists of recently opened tasks.

Hidden applications are accessed through a special action, usually swiping two fingers out on the desktop or entering a special code in the search bar, you can customize this trigger yourself in the hidden applications management menu, which creates a double bottom effect, when the stranger who took the phone does not even know that certain programs exist.

It's worth noting that hiding apps isn't a complete replacement for encrypting data, but it's a great addition to password protection. The Hidden App + Launch Password combination provides the highest level of privacy, and even if someone learns how to call the hidden app menu, they still need a password to run them.

Protection through the Second Space

One of the most interesting features of the Xiaomi ecosystem is the “Second Space” feature, which allows you to create on one device a virtual second independent smartphone with its own set of applications, photos, contacts and accounts, switching between spaces is fast, but the data in them is completely isolated from each other.

Using Second Space is ideal for separating work and personal life, or storing sensitive information. You can set a separate password or fingerprint to enter Second Space, and unlocking your phone with that particular finger will open the phone right away in Second Space, bypassing the main one.

The setting is made through the “Settings” menu» → «Second Space. The setup wizard will take you through all the steps: creating a password, choosing how to switch, and first configuring the interface, and it's important to understand that the applications will have to be re-installed, because it's a separate environment. However, many programs allow you to quickly recover data from the cloud.

This feature is especially useful if you have to give your phone to someone to call or play, you just don't switch to Second Space, and your secret data remains inaccessible, a more convenient analogue of guest mode, which is present in pure Android, but with deeper integration.

Alternative methods and third-party solutions

While MIUI is powerful, some users prefer to use specialized apps from Google Play, and programs like AppLock or analogues offer enhanced functionality, such as taking a photo of someone who has entered the password incorrectly, or hiding the locker application from the list of running processes.

Using third-party solutions has its advantages, such as a more flexible interface and cloud-based settings backups. However, it is worth considering that such applications require extensive permissions to access the system, which in theory can reduce the overall security of the device.

Another method is to use the Guest mode if your version of Android supports multiple user creation. It's not exactly an app password, but an effective way to restrict access. You create a Guest profile that doesn't have your personal apps or photos, and switch to it before giving the phone to children or acquaintances.

When choosing third-party software, pay attention to the number of downloads and user reviews. Avoid little-known developers who promise “unbreakable protection.” Often, such promises hide intrusive advertising or telemetry collection. Better use time-tested open-source solutions or from well-known vendors.

⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party blockers on Android 10 and higher may lead to system restrictions. MIUI It can aggressively unload applications from memory to save energy, which can cause the protection to stop working at the right time.

Frequent problems and their solution

During the setup process, Redmi 9 users may encounter a number of typical problems, such as when the firmware updates are updated, the security settings may get lost or the biometrics will stop working with the secure applications, often solved by re-assigning the fingerprint in the security settings or reassigning the access rights.

Another common situation is a forgotten password from application protection, which is that if you don't have a Mi Account or a checklist, it's going to be very difficult to restore access, because the security system is designed to prevent you from bypassing your password without authorization of the account holder, and in the worst case, you have to delete the application, which will lead to loss of data inside it if there is no cloud copy.

Users also complain about delays in unlocking, and if the phone is thinking long before opening the app, try clearing the security cache or restarting the device, sometimes because the phone has a crowded memory, which slows down all system processes, including password checks.

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If you often forget passwords, write down the check question and answer in a safe place, but do not store this note with your phone.

Remember that software bugs can occur in any version of the software. If you encounter a critical error that is not solved by standard methods, it makes sense to check for system updates or contact an authorized Xiaomi service center for advice.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)

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The integrated use of built-in MIUI tools, such as application protection and second space, provides a level of security comparable to paid counterparts, without the risk of installing malware.