How to password the application on Android Xiaomi: all ways to protect

Privacy protection on Xiaomi’s smartphone is becoming more and more relevant: confidential messaging apps, banking apps, photo gallery – all of which require secure locking from prying eyes. Fortunately, MIUI offers several built-in tools for passwords on apps, and third-party solutions can be used for advanced features. But not all methods are equally effective: some are easy to get by through Guest Mode, others require root rights, and others may conflict with system updates.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to password applications on Xiaomi (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models), their pros and cons, as well as the nuances of setting up for different versions of MIUI 14/15. Particular attention will be paid to the hidden method of blocking through the “Second Space”, which is bypassed even by experienced users. If you are looking for maximum protection, read to the end, where we will compare all the methods in the table and answer frequent questions.

1. Built-in App Lock: The Standard Way in MIUI

The most obvious and safe method is to use the built-in App Lock feature, which is available on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 10 and later, does not require additional software installation and is integrated into the system security settings, the main advantage is that the lock works even after the device is rebooted.

To activate App Lock:

1. Open the Settings. → Passwords and security.
2. Select the option “App Lock” (App Lock).
3. When you first start, the system will ask you to set a pattern lock, PIN or password (we recommend choosing the latter - it is more reliable).
4. In the list of applications, tick the ones you want to password (for example, WhatsApp, SberBank Online, Gallery).
5. Activate the switch to Enable App Lock.

Important nuances:

• 🔒 Type of lock: You can choose between a pattern lock, PIN For banking applications, it is better to use a password (minimum 6 characters with numbers and letters).
• ⏱️ Auto-Unlock: In the App Lock settings, you can set an automatic unlock timer (from 5 minutes to 1 hour) so as not to enter a password constantly.
• 📱 Compatibility: On some models (e.g, POCO F5) The function may be called privacy. → Application lockdown.

⚠️ Note: If you use a fingerprint to unlock the screen, you can link it to App Lock in the security settings, but after you reboot the device, you will need to enter the main password.

Set a complex password (at least 8 characters)

Disable auto-unlock for banking applications

Add a backup email to restore access

Check the fingerprint function (if used)-->

2. Blocking through the "Second Space" (Dual Apps)

A little-known but highly effective way is to use the Second Space feature (or Dual Apps in some firmware), which creates an isolated copy of an application with a separate password, making it difficult to access data even through system loopholes, suitable for instant messengers, social networks and banking services.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Second Space.
2. Activate the function and follow the setup wizard (you will need to specify a second password for the space).
3. After creating the space, go back to Settings → Applications and select the desired application (e.g. Telegram).
4. Click Create a copy for the Second Space.
5. Now, when you run the original application, the system will request a Second Space password.

Advantages of the method:

• 🛡️ Dual protection: Data is stored in an isolated environment, making it difficult to extract it even when root accessed.
• 🔄 Flexibility: You can configure different passwords for the main and second spaces.
• 📴 Secrecy: A copy of the application does not appear in the main menu (access only through the Second Space).

⚠️ Note: Some banking applications (e.g. Tinkoff or VTB Online) may block work in the Second Space due to security policies.

3. Third-party applications for blocking: pros and risks

If MIUI's built-in features aren't enough, you can use third-party programs from Google Play, which offer advanced features like geolocation locking, masking as system utilities, remote control, but it has serious drawbacks:

• 🔓 Vulnerability: Many applications require Administrator or Accessibility rights, which can be used to bypass locks.
• 📱 Conflicts: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14/15 Third-party blockers often conflict with the system App Lock.
• 💰 Subscriptions: Free versions usually limit the number of applications that are blocked (for example, only the number of applications that are blocked). 3-5 piece).

Top.-3 Proven applications for Xiaomi:

If you decide to use a third-party app, follow the safety rules:

1. Download only from the official Google Play (check the number of installations and reviews).
2. Do not give the program Administrator rights unless it is from a well-known developer (e.g. Norton or Kaspersky).
3. Update your application regularly – vulnerabilities in older versions are often exploited by hackers.

Built-in App Lock

Second space

Third-party annexes

Don't block it.

Another way.-->

4. Hidden folder and file password (for media and documents)

If you need to password not the application itself, but the files inside it (for example, photos in the Gallery or documents in Google Drive), you can use the built-in Hidden Folder feature in MIUI. This method does not block access to the application, but hides confidential data from outsiders.

Instructions for setting:

1. Open the Files app (or Gallery if you want to hide the photo).
2. Select the files you want to hide and click More → Move to a hidden folder.
3. When you first use it, the system will ask you to set a password to access hidden files.
4. To see hidden files, go to Files → Categories → Hidden folder and enter a password.

Limitations of the method:

• 📁 No app lock: Google Photos or Gallery itself will remain available, only selected files are hidden.
• 🔍 Search loopholes: Hidden files can appear in search results by device (for example, through Settings). → Search).
• ☁️ Cloud Copies: If files are synced to Google Drive or Mi Cloud, they will remain available via the web version.

💡

To completely hide files from search, rename them by adding points to the beginning (for example,.secret_photo.jpg). These files will not be displayed in standard managers, but will remain accessible through Files. → Settings → Show hidden files.

5. Blocking through ADB (for power users)

For those willing to dive into the technical details, there is a way to block apps through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method does not require root rights, but allows you to configure a password at the system level, which is harder to get around. MIUI 12-15, But it requires a computer connection.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your smartphone: go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB drivers, and open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux).
4. Enter a command to lock the app (e.g. Gallery): adb shell pm hide com.miui.gallery This will hide the app from the menu, but will not block it completely.
5. To completely lock, use the command: adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +com.miui.gallery After that, the application will require unlocking through the system PIN.

Warnings:

• 🖥️ Difficulty: The method requires knowledge of working with ADB It can cause problems if you enter the wrong commands.
• 🔄 Updates: After update MIUI The settings may be reset and the procedure will have to be repeated.
• 🛡️ Restrictions: Not all apps support blocking through ADB (For example, system utilities like Settings or Phone).

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB You may conflict with the built-in App Lock. Before experimenting, back up your data through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

💡

The ADB method is only suitable for advanced users, with the built-in App Lock or Second Space being enough for most tasks.

Comparison of all methods: which one to choose?

To make the choice easier, we have compiled all the methods into a comparison table, taking into account reliability, complexity of configuration and compatibility with MIUI 14/15:

Selection recommendations:

• 🏆 For maximum protection: App Lock combination + Second space (for example, block messengers through App Lock, and banking applications through Second space).
• 📱 For beginners: Limit to the built-in App Lock – this is enough for most tasks.
• 🔧 For experienced users: Experiment with ADB, But only after backup.

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking apps on Xiaomi