The modern Redmi Note 9 has become a repository of our digital lives, containing personal correspondence, banking apps and sensitive photos. Owners of devices based on MIUI often wonder how to restrict access to specific programs without blocking the entire screen of the smartphone every time. Fortunately, Xiaomi offers built-in security tools that do not require the installation of third-party software and work at the core level of the operating system.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to set a password for applications. You will learn how to use the function "App Protection", how to hide programs from prying eyes and what nuances the work of biometric protection on the Redmi Note 9 model. Properly configuring these parameters will allow you to feel confident handing the phone to children or colleagues for a call.
The process of installing protection is intuitive, but in different versions of the MIUI firmware (from 12 to 14), the location of some menu items may vary slightly. We will consider a universal algorithm of actions that will suit most users. It is important to understand that the security of your data depends not only on the complexity of the password, but also on the correct configuration of system constraints.
Setting up a security password in MIUI
Before you block individual programs, you need to create a single access key that will be used by the system for all restriction operations. In the MIUI shell, this mechanism is called Application Protection and it requires initial configuration. Go to the main settings menu of your Redmi Note 9 and find the Apps section.
Then you have to select App Lock, and the system will tell you to create an unlock password, which can be a pattern lock, a digital code, or a mixed password, and the pattern lock is considered the most convenient for frequent use, because it is faster to enter with a single finger movement.
Once you have created a password, the system strongly recommends that you link your Mi Account, which is a critical step, as it allows you to restore access to blocked applications in case you forget the unlock code. Without linking your account, resetting your forgotten password will be extremely difficult, sometimes even requiring a complete reset of your phone settings.
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Use a pattern lock other than the screen unlock code to increase security and make it harder for attackers watching you.
At the setup stage, you will also be prompted to add a fingerprint or facial data to unlock.This greatly speeds up access to secure applications on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9. You do not have to enter complex code every time, you just need to touch the scanner or look at the screen.
Choosing applications to block
Once you have successfully set up your security password, you will see a list of all the programs installed on your device, and the interface is divided into two tabs: Secure and Unsecured. By default, all the applications are in the second group, and you need to manually move the programs that require protection.
Find messengers (such as WhatsApp, Telegram), a gallery, banking apps, or any other program with sensitive information. Click on the lock icon next to the app name to activate the protection. The icon will change color or position to signal that access is restricted.
- 🔒 Social networks are the first candidates for blocking VK, Instagram and Facebook, where personal correspondence is stored.
- 📸 Gallery and Camera – blocking access to the media library will prevent viewing of personal photos and videos by unauthorized persons.
- 🏦 Financial applications – although banks have their own pin codes, additional protection from the system MIUI Creates a second tier of defense.
It's important to note that once you activate the protection every time you run your chosen application, the system will ask for proof of identity, and if you set up the biometrics, the request will be short-lived, otherwise you'll need to enter a previously created pattern lock or password.
☑️ Checking the security settings
Don't block system applications like Phone or Messages unless you're sure of the consequences. While MIUI allows you to do this, in an emergency (e.g., emergency services), not having quick access to calls can be a problem.
Using biometrics for quick access
The Redmi Note 9 features a fingerprint scanner on the side of the device, making it very convenient to use. Integrating biometric data with Application Protection allows you to instantly open locked programs without entering code.
To activate this feature, go to the application protection settings and find Add unlock data or Unlock fingerprint. The system will redirect you to the security menu, where you need to make sure that the use of the fingerprint to unlock the applications is enabled.
⚠️ Warning: Biometric data is stored in a secure phone module, but in rare cases, the scanner may fail due to moisture on your fingers or protective film.Always remember your pattern lock in case your biometrics fail.
There is also a face unlock feature in MIUI, but on the Redmi Note 9, it is implemented software-based through the front camera, which is less secure than a fingerprint, since the system can be fooled by a photo, but for basic protection against casual glance this option is quite suitable.
The convenience of using biometrics is that you don't have to confirm your sign-in every time, just tap the power button and the app will open, and this is especially true for the messengers that we use dozens of times a day.
Function of hiding applications in the system
In addition to setting a password, Xiaomi offers another level of privacy: completely hiding the app icon from the desktop. Unlike locking, when the icon is visible but locked, the hidden app disappears from the screen completely.
To activate this mode, you need to go to the settings (cog in the corner) in the Application Protection menu and select Hide the Applications, and here you will see a list of programs that can be made invisible, and after selecting the application will disappear from the menu and from the desktop.
Hidden applications are accessed through a special search box, and you need to open the standard Security app (green icon with a shield), scroll down to the Hidden Applications section and enter a special access code or pattern lock.
| Parameter | Application protection | Hiding applications |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility of the icon | I see, with a lock. | Hidden completely. |
| Access. | Password/print. | Through a search on "Security" |
| Notifications | They may come to the lock screen. | Hidden in the notification curtain |
| Level of privacy | Medium. | High-pitched |
Using the concealment feature is especially useful if you want to take out apps that you rarely use or that outsiders shouldn't know exist, but remember that this isn't encryption, it's visual concealment.
Set up notifications and confidentiality
Even if an application is password protected, its notifications can be displayed on the lock screen or in the curtain, revealing the contents of messages. To prevent leakage of information, you need to properly configure the display of notifications for protected programs.
In the application protection settings, look for Notification Settings or Hide Content, and activating this feature will cause you to see only the title (“WhatsApp: New Message”) instead of the text of the message (“Hello, How are you?”).
It is also recommended to check the general notification settings in Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Display format. Select Hide Content so that no application shows text on the locked screen.
What if notifications are coming anyway?
For maximum privacy, you can set up "Incognito Mode" in the gallery. Open the album, click three dots in the corner and select "Hide Album" and the photos will move to a secure folder that is only accessible through the application protection password.
Solution and resetting of settings
When using the lock feature, Redmi Note 9 users may encounter various situations that require intervention, the most common problem is a forgotten password. As mentioned earlier, having a Mi Account linked is the key to solving.
If you forget your password, enter it incorrectly several times, and the "Forgot your password?" link will appear on the screen, and by clicking on it and logging in to your account, you can reset the security code and set a new one, and without an account, you can't restore access to data inside the apps.
Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the application is not blocked or crashes, in which case it is recommended to clear the cache of the application “Security” and “Application Protection”. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find the desired components and select Clear → Clear the cache.
⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to remove system protection components or stop them from working through the security system. ADB, If you don't have deep knowledge, it can cause the whole system to be unstable. MIUI loss of data.
Another feature is that some heavy games or applications may require re-authorization after the security is installed, which is normal security behavior that ensures that the device owner is the one who has accessed the game.
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The main security is the regular updating of the MIUI system and the availability of an up-to-date backup of important data on a cloud server or PC.