How to password the application on Xiaomi: all available methods

Why to Password Apps in Xiaomi and What Risks It Eliminates

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones store a lot of sensitive information, from instant messaging to banking apps, and even if you lock your screen, individual apps are vulnerable to being opened by anyone who picks up your phone for a few minutes, like a colleague at work, a child at home, or an unscrupulous service center employee.

Statistics show that 37 percent of data breaches are due to physical access to an unlocked device, and app passwords solve this problem, but MIUI doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all method, depending on the firmware version and smartphone model. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to password-protect applications on Xiaomi in 2026, including hidden features and workarounds for older devices.

Method 1: Built-in Application Protection in MIUI

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Application Protection option, which is found in most versions of MIUI 12-15, which allows you to set a password (or fingerprint) for individual programs.

• 🔹 It does not work on all models (not available on some devices for the European market)
• 🔹 Requires a pre-setting of the screen lock (PIN, graphical key)
• 🔹 Does not support protection of system applications (e.g., “Settings” or “Phone»)

To activate the protection:

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Application Protection
2. Enter the current screen lock password
3. Select applications from the list (check boxes)
4. Click "Ready" and confirm the action.

Make sure that the phone is installed PIN-code

Update MIUI to the latest version (protection may not be available in old firmware)

Check the list of supported applications (some programs may not show up)

Backup important data in case of a failure-->

When you activate the secure application, you'll be asked to give you a password when you first start it, and it's important that if you reset your phone, the application protection will automatically shut down.

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If your region does not have App Protection, try changing the region in your phone settings to India or China (reboot required).

Method 2: Use of Second Space (Dual Space)

Second Space creates an isolated copy of the system with separate applications and data, not exactly an application password, but a reliable way to hide confidential programs from prying eyes.

• 🔐 Complete isolation: Second Space applications are not visible in the main space
• 🔄 Quick switching between spaces (double pressing the home button»)
• 📱 It works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO s MIUI 9+

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space
2. Create a new space and set a separate password for it.
3. Install the apps you want only in Second Space (they won’t show up in the main menu)

The downside is that to access hidden applications, you have to switch completely to Second Space, which is not always convenient, but it's 100% reliable protection against random viewing.

Method 3: Third-party applications for blocking (AppLock)

If the built-in methods do not fit, you can use third-party programs from Google Play.

How to install and configure:

1. Download the selected application from Google Play
2. Grant permissions to access other applications (Settings → Applications → Special Access → Use of Other Applications)
3. Select the programs to lock and set the password

MIUI's built-in protection

Second Space

AppLock by DoMobile

Norton App Lock

Other-->

⚠️ Note: Some blocking applications (especially from unknown sources) may collect data about your activity.

Method 4: Hiding applications without password (for quick privacy)

If you don't need a password, but you just need to hide the app from outsiders, MIUI has a built-in concealment feature that doesn't block access, but makes the program invisible on the menu:

1. Press the app icon on the home screen
2. Select “Hide App” (or drag and drop to the Hidden folder)
3. To return – open Settings → Applications → Hidden applications

For additional protection, hidden applications can be blocked through Second Space:

• 🔒 First, hide the app in the main space.
• 🔄 Then install it in Second Space and lock it with a password.

This solution is suitable for applications that you rarely use, but want to keep away from the public eye (for example, diaries, financial trackers or personal messaging messengers).

Method 5: Protection through Mi Account (for system applications)

Some Xiaomi system applications (e.g. Notes, Calculator, Gallery) support protection through a Mi Account, a method less secure than a password, but can be useful as an additional measure:

1. Open the app (such as “Notes”)
2. Go to the app settings (usually through three dots in the corner)
3. Select “Privacy Protection” or “Private Mode”
4. Activate protection and link to your Mi Account

After that, when you open the application, you will be asked for confirmation through Mi Account. Less of the way: if someone knows your username and password from your Xiaomi account, they will be able to access. So always use two-factor authentication for Mi Account.

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Mi accounts are a weak protection for sensitive data, and use them only with other methods (e.g., screen lock + AppLock).

Frequent problems and their solutions

When setting up application protection, Xiaomi users encounter common errors. Here's how to solve them:

If none of the methods work, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI (Upgrade to the last stable assembly)
• 🔧 Developer settings (turn off "Do not save actions»)
• 🛡️ Antivirus (some programs block AppLock)

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for POCO (for example, POCO F5 or X6 Pro) Application Protection may be called App Lock and may be located in Settings → Lockdown and protection.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions