Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro has long established itself as a reliable mid-range device, enjoying huge popularity due to its balance between performance and cost. However, as functionality grows, so does the amount of sensitive information we store in the memory of the gadget. Owners often wonder how to limit access to certain programs to protect personal correspondence, banking data or private photos from prying eyes.
Built-in shell MIUI It offers powerful digital security tools that don’t require third-party software installation, and allows you to create customized barriers for each program using the same software. PIN-This is especially true if you often give your phone to your children or leave it on your desk in the office where colleagues can approach it.
The procedure for installing protection is simple and intuitive, but it has its own nuances depending on the version of the operating system. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the steps necessary to activate the application protection function, you will learn not only to block access, but also to hide the icons of programs, making them invisible to the average user, this approach provides a double level of security for your personal space.
Preparation for security settings
Before you start blocking directly, you need to make sure that your Mi Account is activated and linked to the device.This is a requirement of Xiaomi’s security system, which allows you to restore access in the event of a password loss. If you have not already done so, go to Settings → Mi Account and log in using your phone number or email.
It is also important that your Redmi Note 8 Pro has a reliable method of unlocking the screen, which can be a complex graphical pattern, a digital code of 6 or more characters or biometric data, the system will not allow you to create a password for applications if the main screen of the smartphone is not protected, as this would create a critical vulnerability.
⚠️ Note: Forgotten passwords from apps cannot be recovered without access to the associated Mi Account. Make sure you remember the login details before setting up security.
Check for system updates. Often newer versions of MIUI contain bug fixes in the security module. Go to Settings → About phone and click on the MIUI version to check the firmware is up to date. Stable operation is key to the correct functioning of all security mechanisms.
Activation of the function "Application Protection"
The main tool for restricting access is in the standard Security app, which is preinstalled on all Xiaomi smartphones. To start, open a list of all installed programs and find an icon called Security (green shield). Launch the application and wait for the automatic system check to be completed.
In the menu that opens, scroll down the list of available options until you find Application Protection. Click on it and you will see a list of all the programs installed on the device. The system will prompt you to create a password if you are doing this for the first time. Select the type of protection: a pattern lock or a digital code of 4 or more characters.
Once you have entered the code, the system will suggest linking your Mi Account to restore access, a mandatory step that you should not miss. Once you have confirmed your account, you will be prompted to enable fingerprint unlocking if you want to use biometrics to quickly log in to secure applications.
☑️ Setting up application protection
Selection and blocking of specific applications
Once you have successfully set your password, you will see a complete list of all the programs installed on the Redmi Note 8 Pro. By default, all the switches are turned off. You will need to manually select those applications that should be restricted, which can be messengers, a gallery, banking customers or social networks.
Just tap the switch in front of the app, and it changes the color to blue, which means it activates protection, and now every time you run the program you select, the system will require you to enter a password, a pattern lock, or a fingerprint, and you can select multiple applications, creating a personalized list of protected content.
It is important to understand that locking only applies to the launch of the application. Notifications from protected programs will continue to come to the lock screen unless you set them separately. To hide the content of the notifications, go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification management and select the appropriate application.
| Type of application | Recommended level of protection | Risk of access by strangers |
|---|---|---|
| Bank clients | High (Password + Fingerprint) | Critical (Finance) |
| Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) | High (Password + Fingerprint) | High (Personal correspondence) |
| Gallery and Photo | Middle (pattern lock) | Tall (Private photos) |
| Social media | Middle (pattern lock) | Medium (Personal Communications) |
| Games and utilities | Low (Unprotected) | Low. |
Hiding applications through “Hidden applications”
Application Protection makes it unavailable to run without a password, but its icon remains on the desktop. For those who want to completely remove the application from view, MIUI includes Hidden Applications, which creates an additional level of privacy as the program disappears from menus and desktops.
To activate this feature, open the Security app and look for the Hidden Apps section. Turn on the switch at the top of the screen. Once activated, you'll need to make a special gesture to call in hidden space, usually a two-finger side-by-side extension on your desktop, but you can choose from any option you like.
In the hidden apps that open, click Add and select the programs you want to make invisible. Now they will only be available after you make a gesture on your desktop and enter your password. For the average user who is browsing through your phone's menu, these programs will look remote.
What happens to hidden app notifications?
Use of a second space for complete isolation
If you want to separate your work and personal content more radically, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro offers a “Second Space” feature, which is basically creating a second profile inside a smartphone, with its apps, photos, contacts and settings, and switching between spaces is like switching between users on a computer.
The second space is protected by a separate password or fingerprint, so you can set the system up so that when you unlock your phone with a certain finger, the smartphone automatically moves to the second space, which is ideal for those who want to completely hide the presence of certain applications from outsiders, since they simply will not be in the main profile.
To enable, go to Settings → Second Space and click “Create Second Space.” The system will create a clean environment where you can install copies of any applications. The data in these spaces do not overlap, ensuring maximum isolation of sensitive information from the main use of the device.
⚠️ Note: When you delete the second space, all data, photos and applications inside it will be permanently deleted.
Addressing problems and restoring access
Users may find themselves in a situation where the password is forgotten and access to important applications is urgently necessary. If you have attached Mi Account during setting up, it is quite easy to restore access. On the password input screen, click the "Forgot password" button (or similar link).
In some cases, especially on older versions of MIUI, recovery may take a while (security timeout).However, in modern versions of the shell for the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the process is usually instantaneous when there is an Internet connection.
If the account was not tied, or you do not remember the data from it, the only way is to completely reset the smartphone settings to the factory. This will delete all data from the device, so regular backup to the Mi Cloud cloud or to the computer is a critical procedure for any Android smartphone owner.
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Tip: Write down the password you created from the apps to a secure location, or use a password manager. Don't keep it in notes on the phone itself unless they're protected separately.
Additional privacy settings
In addition to blocking the launch, you should pay attention to the privacy settings inside the applications themselves. Many modern instant messengers and social networks have a built-in feature called Face Block or an additional feature. PIN-Use of these settings in conjunction with system protection MIUI It creates an almost insurmountable barrier for curious people.
It is also recommended to periodically check the list of devices that have access to your Google and Mi Account.If you notice an unfamiliar device, immediately change your passwords and remotely log out of all sessions, this will help prevent remote access to your data, even if the password from the phone itself is somehow compromised.
Remember, software protection is only one layer of security. Physical access to an unlocked phone gives full rights to anyone, so the habit of not leaving your smartphone unattended in public places and using Screen Pinning when handing over your phone to someone to make a call remains relevant.
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The combination of application protection, icon hiding and Second Space provides the highest level of privacy on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro.