How to password the application on Xiaomi: all ways to protect personal data

Have you ever given your Xiaomi smartphone to friends or family — and then worried that they might see your private messages, photos or financial apps? In an era where the phone stores almost all of our lives, privacy is becoming critical. Fortunately, MIUI firmware offers several built-in tools to block apps, and there are third-party solutions for advanced users.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to password apps on Xiaomi, Redmi, Poco and Black Shark, from the standard App Lock to hidden Second Space features and Google Play Protection settings. You’ll learn how to bypass MIUI restrictions, what to do if you forget your password, and which Google Play apps are really worth your attention. And a unique life hack using guest mode for temporary lock without password.

1. Built-in App Lock in MIUI: Basic Protection

The easiest and most reliable way to do this is to use the built-in App Lock feature that's in every version of MIUI since the 8th, which allows you to block individual applications with a password, fingerprint or pattern lock, and the main advantage is that you don't need to install anything extra, and the protection works at the system level.

To activate App Lock:

1. Open Settings → Applications → App Lock.
2. Click Enable and set a password (minimum 4 digits).
3. Select the apps from the list you want to block.
4. Activate Hide Notifications so that the contents of messages do not appear on the lock screen.

An important nuance: if you use a fingerprint to unlock, make sure it is added to Settings → Lock screen and password → Fingerprints. Otherwise, the system will require you to enter a password every time.

Add a fingerprint to the system|

A password is secure (not 1234!)|

Turned off autocomplete passwords in the browser |

Check Face Unlock (if supported)-->

Method limitation: App Lock does not work in Safe Mode and can be bypassed by resetting settings, and some applications (e.g. banking) have their own protection, which can conflict with MIUI.

2.Second Space: Create a separate work profile

If you want to not just password apps, but completely hide their existence, use Second Space, a separate work profile with its own settings, applications and data, and password-protected switching between profiles.

How to set up:

• 🔒 Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Second Space.
• 📱 Click Create Second Space and follow the instructions.
• 🔑 Set a password to switch between profiles (it may differ from the main password of the phone).
• 📲 In the new space, install only those applications that you want to show to "outsiders".

Pros of the method:

• 🔐 Complete data isolation – Second Space applications are not visible in the main profile.
• 📵 You can customize individual wallpaper, sounds and even SIM-map.
• 🔄 Quickly switching through the notification panel.

Cons: Not all models (for example, it is not available in some versions of Poco for the European market), Second Space also takes up additional space in memory - up to 1-2 GB depending on the number of installed applications.

Hidden settings MIUI Security: Advanced protection

Few people know, but Xiaomi has a hidden MIUI Security menu that offers advanced lock options, which not only allows you to password applications, but also restricts access to system functions, such as developer settings or restore menus.

How to open it:

1. Launch the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the Privacy section.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Special Access.
4. Activate the option Block Apps and set up the rules.

This menu can be used:

• 🔒 Block system applications (such as Settings or Files).
• 📱 Set different passwords for different groups of applications.
• 🔑 Set up automatic lock time (for example, from 22:00 to 7:00).

Built-in App Lock|Second Space| Application side |Do not use lock-->

Warning: If you block Settings and forget your password, you can only unlock your phone through hard reset, so we recommend using this method only for experienced users.

4 Third-party applications: when MIUI is lacking

If you don't have enough built-in Xiaomi features, you can use third-party programs from Google Play, which offer additional features: geolocation lock, remote control or hidden mode.

Top.-3 tested applications:

Before installation, check:

• 📌 Compatibility with your version MIUI (Some applications do not work on MIUI 14+).
• 🔋 Impact on autonomy – some programs consume up to 10% of the charge per day.
• 🛡️ Security Certificates (avoid applications with suspicious permissions).

💡

Before installing a third-party App Lock, back up your data via Settings → About Phone → Backup. Some programs may conflict with MIUI and cause crashes.

Warning: Never install App Lock from unknown sources (APK-In 2023, researchers at Kaspersky discovered several fake blocking apps that stole user data.

5 Guest Mode: Temporary lock without password

If you need to give a phone to a friend for a few minutes, but you don't want to enter the password from App Lock, use Guest Mode. This is a temporary restricted profile that resets after the reboot.

How to turn on:

1. Deploy the notification bar and click on the user icon.
2. Choose a Guest.
3. In guest mode, only basic applications (Phone, Camera, Browser) will be available.
4. To return, click on the user icon again and select your profile.

Advantages:

• 🔓 You don’t have to enter a password every time.
• 🧹 All guest data is erased after exit.
• 📵 There is no risk that someone will see your personal apps.

Limitations:

• 🚫 You can not add your apps to the guest profile.
• 🔋 Guest mode consumes a little more battery due to background activity.

💡

Guest mode is the only way to temporarily lock, which does not require a password and leaves no traces in the system.

6.What to do if you forget the password from App Lock

The situation is familiar to many: they put a password on the application, and after a month they forgot it. Depending on the method of blocking, there are several ways to restore it:

For the built-in App Lock:

• 🔑 Try to restore your password through Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account. → Security if you have a Mi Account attached).
• 📱 If it doesn’t help, reset your password through Settings Reset (but it will delete all data!).

For Second Space:

• 🔒 Reboot your phone and click Second Space Forgot Password?.
• 📧 The system will offer to send the code to the attached email or phone number.

For third-party applications:

• 🔓 Check if the application has a recovery function via email or SMS.
• 📲 If not, delete the app through Settings. → Applications and reinstall.

Note: If you used MIUI Security to block system applications and forgot your password, the only way out is to reset completely via Recovery Mode.

1. Turn off the phone.


2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.




3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking apps on Xiaomi