How to password the application on the Xiaomi phone: all ways + life hacks

Protecting personal data on Xiaomi’s smartphone is a challenge that’s getting more and more relevant every year. Even if you don’t keep government secrets on your phone, accessing instant messengers, banking apps, or a photo gallery can backfire. Fortunately, MIUI’s firmware offers several built-in ways to lock apps with a password, and there are third-party solutions for advanced users.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from standard MIUI 14/15 functions to hidden features and circumventing restrictions (for example, when the "App Lock" option suddenly disappears from the menu), and you will learn how to protect not only individual programs, but also hide them from the list of installed ones, so that even knowing the password, an outsider does not know their existence.

1. Built-in application locking in MIUI (official method)

The easiest and most reliable method is to use the built-in Application Lock feature, which is found in most models of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO based on MIUI 12-15. It works without root rights and does not require the installation of additional programs.

To activate the lock:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Blocking applications.
2. If the function is hidden, try an alternative path: Settings → Special features → Blocking applications (on some firmware).
3. Click Enable and set a password or graphical key (other than unlocking the screen!).
4. Select the apps from the list you want to protect.

When you activate the blocked application, a window will appear with a request for a password, and the important thing is that if you forget the password, you can only reset it through a complete reset of the phone to the factory settings!

Make sure that MIUI Updated to the latest version|Remember the lock password (other than the one used) PIN-screen-code)|Check that the application is not hidden in the system settings|Disable Auto Update for Blocked Programs-->

2.Why is the option "Block applications" may not be available?

Many users face a problem: there is simply no “Block Apps” option in the settings.

• 📱 Regional firmware. Some versions. MIUI European or Russian service disabled due to legal restrictions.
• 🔄 An outdated version MIUI. In the firmware older MIUI 11 the lock worked differently (via "Second Space").
• 🛠️ If you have an informal build (e.g. Pixel Experience), the feature may not be available.
• 🏷️ Manufacturer's limitations: on some models (e.g, POCO F1) The lock is only available after manual activation through ADB.

If you don’t have an option, try updating your firmware to the latest version or use alternative methods from the following sections.

Yes, it works |No, no option in settings |I don't know, haven't tried |I'm using third-party apps-->

3. Blocking through Second Space (for older versions of MIUI)

MIUI 8-11 firmware used what is known as a “second space” instead of a separate application lock, an isolated copy of the system with separate settings and applications, which still works on some devices, but has limitations:

• 🔐 You can hide applications only in the "Second Space", and not block them with a password mainly.
• 📱 You need to switch between spaces manually (via the notification panel).
• 🚫 Some system applications (such as Google Play) are not supported.

To set up:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
2. Create a new space and set a separate password for it.
3. Move the desired applications to the "Second Space" through the Application Management menu.

⚠️ Note: When you delete Second Space, all data in it (including passwords and application settings) will be permanently deleted!

Third-party applications for blocking (AppLock, Norton, Smart AppLock)

If the built-in methods don't work, you can use third-party programs that offer more features, but require caution: some applications may collect data or conflict with MIUI.

Check reviews and ratings before installing, some applications may contain malicious code, and note permissions: If a program requests access to SMS, Contacts, or Geolocation without an obvious reason, it is better to refuse to use it.

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Before installing AppLock, back up your data to Settings → Additional → Backup. Some applications may conflict with MIUI and cause crashes.

5. Hiding applications without password (alternative method)

If you don't have to lock an app so much as hide it from prying eyes, MIUI has a built-in concealment feature that doesn't password-protect, but makes it invisible in menus and search.

How to hide the application:

1. Press the app icon on the home screen and select Remove (don’t worry, it won’t be deleted).
2. In the menu that appears, click Hide.
3. To return the app, open Settings → Apps → Application Management → Hidden Apps.

This method is suitable for programs that you rarely use but do not want to delete (such as Tinder, Boom or work messengers). However, remember: the hidden application can still be found through Settings or special launchers.

6. Blocking through ADB (for advanced users)

If you're willing to dig a little deeper, you can activate the hidden lock function through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works even on firmware where the option is disabled by default.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install it. ADB Tools and execute command: adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1
4. Restart your phone. Then you'll see Application Lock in the settings.

⚠️ Attention: Wrong commands ADB If you are not sure about your actions, you should use other methods in this article.

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The ADB method is suitable for models where the lock is disabled by the manufacturer (for example, Xiaomi Mi A2 on pure Android or European versions of Redmi Note 10).

7.How to get around the lock if you forgot the password?

If you forgot the password from the blocked application, there are not many options:

• 🔄 Dumping through MI-On some models, you can reset the lock password through your Xiaomi account (enter the wrong password 5 times and follow the instructions).
• 📱 Delete application data. For third-party blockers (such as AppLock), you can reset settings through Settings → Annexes → [Name of the blocker] → Warehouse → Clear the data. Attention: this will delete all saved passwords!
• ⚙️ Hard Reset. Complete reset of the phone to factory settings (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings) will delete all passwords, but all data will also be erased.

If none of the methods worked, you just need to contact the Xiaomi service center with confirmation of purchase of the device, in some cases, specialists can reset the lock through the engineering menu.

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking apps on Xiaomi