Xiaomi and Redmi’s smartphones today store a huge amount of sensitive information, from instant messaging to banking apps. Standard screen locking is no longer a sufficient security measure, especially if the device is sometimes used by other people or lost. Owners often wonder how to restrict access to specific programs without blocking the entire phone.
Fortunately, the shell. MIUI (And the new version of HyperOS offers built-in tools to do this, and you can configure access to your selected applications through a fingerprint scanner, a pattern lock, or a digital key. PIN-This allows you to instantly open authorized programs with one touch, leaving the rest of the content inaccessible to prying eyes.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the application protection algorithm on Xiaomi devices, not only the standard lock settings, but also more advanced methods such as creating hidden space, learn how to avoid typical errors when setting up biometrics and what to do if the scanner stops responding to your touch.
Preparation of biometric data in the system
Before you assign a fingerprint to an application, you need to make sure that the system reads your biometrics correctly. On Xiaomi smartphones, the scanner can be located on the back, in the side button or even under the screen, depending on the device model, the read quality directly affects the speed of unlocking protected programs.
To start, go to the basic settings of your gadget, find the section responsible for security and passwords. This is where all the access keys are stored. If you haven't previously added fingerprints, the system will suggest doing this first. We recommend adding several fingerprints - for example, with the thumb of your right and left hand, so that unlocking is convenient in any position of the phone.
⚠️ Note: When adding a fingerprint, try to touch the scanner with different parts of your finger, not just the center, which will significantly improve future recognition accuracy, especially if the finger is slightly wet or contaminated.
After successful addition of biometrics, the system will offer to set a backup method of login - a password, a pattern lock or a key. PIN-Remember this code, because it's going to be required to log in to applications if the fingerprint scanner doesn't work several times in a row. Without a backup code, it's not possible to activate application protection.
Activate application blocking through MIUI settings
The main security tool is in the security menu. To get there, open Settings and scroll down to Apps. In some versions of the firmware, this section may be called Application Protection and put into a separate menu on the home settings screen.
In the menu that opens, you will be asked to select the unlock method. Select "Unlock fingerprint." The system will warn that this feature must be configured at least one fingerprint.
Once confirmed, you'll see a list of all the installed programs, and you can select those that require additional protection, and users will typically block access to:
- 📱 Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)
- 💳 Banking applications and wallets
- 📸 Gallery and Hidden Albums
- 📞 Call log and contact log
Activate the switch against the right programs. Now, when you try to open any of them, the system will request confirmation through the fingerprint scanner. If the finger does not match or it has been too long since the last unlock of the phone, access will be denied.
☑️ Checking the lock settings
Using Hidden Space for Maximum Privacy
For users who want to not just block, but completely hide the presence of certain applications, Xiaomi offers a feature called “Second Space” – creating a virtual copy of the system inside your phone, in which you can use your applications, your contacts and your galleries, access to which is only possible through a special fingerprint.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Second Space. Press Enable. The system will suggest setting the input. Here lies the key: you can assign different fingerprints to enter the main and hidden space.
For example, unlocking your right thumb opens up your desktop, and tapping your left thumb into the phone instantly switches to hidden space mode. To an outsider, the phone will look unlocked, but you will find yourself in an isolated environment.
| Parameter | Main space | Hidden space |
|---|---|---|
| Access to files | Full access | Isolated. |
| Notifications | Displayed | Hidden in the main mode |
| Annexes | All installed | Only selected |
| Accounts. | Main Mi Account | Separate or the same |
Using a second space is the most reliable way to hide sensitive data, but it’s worth remembering that switching between spaces takes a few seconds, which can be less convenient than simply locking individual applications.
Can we remove the second space?
Configure access to individual functions within applications
Some built-in MIUI applications, such as Gallery or Explorer, have their own privacy settings that work independently of the general application lock, which allows you to create a layered security system, for example, you can block the entrance to the Gallery itself, and inside it create a hidden album that requires a separate password.
To set up a hidden album, open the Gallery app, go to the Albums tab, and scroll down to Hidden Album, and the system will ask you to set a password or use your fingerprint to log in, and once activated, you can move photos and videos that will disappear from public access.
It's the same with files in Explorer, where you can create a hidden folder that's also protected by biometrics, and it's useful for storing scans of documents, personal videos, or financial reports, and even if someone gets access to your phone, they can't find those files without additional confirmation.
It is important to understand the difference between blocking an application and hiding content: blocking simply locks the input, but the app icon remains visible, while hiding content from view, making it extremely difficult for the average user to detect.
💡
Use different fingerprints for different levels of protection, like your index finger to unlock your phone and your thumb to enter a hidden album, which will speed up navigation and increase security.
Solution: If the print doesn't work
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the scanner stops recognizing the finger when trying to open a secure application, this can be due to contamination of the scanner, the use of a low-quality protective film or a software failure in the operation of Android drivers.
First, wipe the scanner area and finger with dry cloth. Humidity and fat significantly reduce read accuracy. If the problem persists, try recalibrating the print. To do this, remove the old print in the security settings and add it again, paying special attention to the edges of the finger.
It's also worth checking if the phone has a thick security glass that's not designed for your model, and some screens have a built-in scanner, and thick glass can block the signal, and in such cases, re-registration of the fingerprint directly in the protective case helps.
⚠️ Warning: If the fingerprint scanner is no longer working fully (it doesn't respond to touch anywhere), there may be a hardware problem.
In rare cases, resetting biometrics helps, by removing all the stored fingerprints and reconfiguring them, often solving software conflicts that have arisen since the MIUI update.
Alternative Data Protection Methods at Redmi
If built-in protections don't suit you for some reason, the market offers a lot of third-party solutions. There are locker apps in the Google Play store that can block access to programs using the same biometric data.
But third-party software carries risks, requiring broad permissions to access data and can itself be a source of leakage, and often consumes more battery power than native Xiaomi tools.
Another method is guest mode, which, although it doesn't require a fingerprint for every app, allows you to temporarily transfer your phone to another person, limiting access to only basic features, which is convenient when you need to call someone or look at a photo, but you don't want to give full access to the system.
To sum up, the fingerprint + app lock bundle on Xiaomi is the optimal balance between convenience and security, and the right setup will allow you to safely use your smartphone in any environment without fear of personal data.
💡
The combination of blocking apps and using Second Space creates a double layer of protection, making your data virtually inaccessible to outsiders even when the screen is unlocked.