How to Protect Applications with a Password on Xiaomi: All Ways from App Lock to Second Space

Why put a password on applications in Xiaomi?

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones store a lot of sensitive information, such as instant messaging, banking app data, personal photos and documents. Even if you trust your loved ones, random access to your phone can lead to data leaks or embarrassing situations, such as a colleague seeing your Telegram messages, and a child accidentally deleting important files from Google Drive.

Redmi, POCO and Mi device owners often face the question of how to securely lock individual applications without having to completely lock the screen. MIUI 14/13/12 has several built-in tools, from the standard App Lock to advanced Second Space. But not everyone knows that some methods only work on certain versions of the firmware or require additional settings. In this article, we will discuss 5 protection methods, including hidden features and third-party solutions for cases where standard tools do not fit.

Important: If you use Xiaomi with Global ROM, some features may not be available. For example, Second Space is not available on some models for the European market. You can check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

Method 1: Built-in App Lock (App Lock)

The simplest and most common method is to use the standard App Lock, which is available in all modern versions of MIUI (starting with 11) and allows you to block applications with a password, fingerprint or pattern lock, the main advantage of which is that you do not need to install third-party programs, which reduces the risk of data leaks.

To activate App Lock:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Blocking applications.
2. Click Enable and set a password (minimum 4 digits) or a pattern lock.
3. Select the apps from the list you want to block (e.g. WhatsApp, Gallery, SberBank Online).
4. Activate Hide Notifications so that the contents of blocked applications do not appear on the lock screen.

Note that if you forget your App Lock password, you can only reset it through your Mi Account. Without an associated account, your data will be lost! and the feature does not work for system applications (such as Settings or Phone).

Make sure your phone is 30%+ charged

Link your Mi Account (to recover your password)

Update MIUI to the latest version (older versions may have bugs)

Backup of important data (in case of resetting)-->

Method 2: Second Space – a separate work profile with a password

Second Space is a unique feature of MIUI that creates a second independent profile on the phone with its own apps, settings and data, and can be protected with a separate password, making it ideal for those who want to completely isolate personal information.

How to set up Second Space:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Second Space.
• 🔑 Click Create Second Space and set a password (other than the main one).
• 📥 Select apps that will be duplicated in the second space (like Instagram or Tinkoff).
• 🔄 Switch between profiles can be swiped down the lock screen (if activated option Quick switching).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Complete data isolation: applications in the second space are not visible in the main profile.
• 📱 The ability to use different accounts in the same apps (for example, two Telegrams with different numbers).
• 🛡️ Accidental Access Protection: Even if someone unlocks the main screen, they won’t see the contents of Second Space.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ It takes up extra memory space (up to 1-2 GB for duplicate applications).
• ⚠️ Not all applications work correctly in two profiles (for example, some banking programs may require re-authorization).

⚠️ Warning: If you delete Second Space through settings, all data in it will be permanently erased!

Method 3: Hidden folders in MIUI (for photos, videos and documents)

If you want to protect specific files (photos, videos, documents) rather than applications, MIUI has a built-in Hidden Folder feature that allows you to hide files from the gallery and file manager, making them available only after you enter a password.

Instructions for setting:

1. Open the File Manager application.
2. Select the files or folders you want to hide and click More → Hide.
3. Set a password (if not previously set) or use a fingerprint.
4. To see hidden files, go to Files → Categories → Hidden folders and enter a password.

Features of the method:

• 📁 It only works for files, not applications.
• 🔍 Hidden files are not displayed in the gallery or other applications (e.g. Google Photos).
• 🔄 When resetting the phone to factory settings, hidden files are not restored - they must be previously returned to visible storage.

Built-in App Lock

Second Space (second profile)

Hidden folders for files

Third-party applications (e.g. Norton App Lock)

Don't use protection.

Another option-->

Method 4: Third-party applications for blocking (if standard methods do not fit)

If your version of MIUI does not have the necessary features (for example, on the POCO X3 Pro with EEA ROM), you can use third-party programs.

• 🔐 Norton App Lock – Blocks applications with a password or PIN-It's coded, supports fingerprints.
• 🛡️ AppLock by DoMobile – allows you to block not only applications, but also system settings (for example, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth).
• 📱 Smart AppLock – has a function of Hack Resistance, which prevents bypassing the lock through the developer settings.

How to install and configure:

1. Download the app from Google Play (e.g. Norton App Lock).
2. Launch the program and set a master password.
3. Select the applications to block from the list.
4. Activate Hide the icon (if any) so that no one knows if there is a blocker.

⚠️ Note: Third-party blockers can collect data about your applications and send it to developers. Before installing, check the program permissions in Settings → Annexes → Permissions and disable unnecessary permissions (e.g. access to contacts or location).

Advantages of third-party solutions:

• ✅ Works on all versions. MIUI Android.
• ✅ Often have additional features (e.g., time-locking or geolocation).
• ✅ You can block system applications (for example, Settings or Calls).

💡

Before installing a third-party blocker, check its Google Play ranking and reviews. Avoid programs with a score below 4.0 or with complaints about advertising and data collection.

Method 5: Blocking through the developer settings (for advanced users)

If you're willing to dig into the settings, you can restrict access to applications through Developer Mode, a technique that works for MIUI 14/13, and allows you to block, for example, the installation of new programs or access to certain features.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to block the installation of unknown applications and activate it.
4. To block access to specific functions (e.g, USB-Debugging, set the password in the Privacy section.

This is more suitable for restricting rights than for fully blocking applications, for example, you can prohibit:

• 📱 Installation APK-files from unknown sources.
• 🔌 Connection to ADB (break-in).
• 📡 Change your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth settings without a password.

Disadvantage: The method requires technical knowledge and can lead to unstable phone operation if the settings are incorrect.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When setting up application protection, Xiaomi users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🔄 App Lock doesn't save settings after restart. Reason: conflict with battery optimizer. Solution: add Application Lock to autorun exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
• 🔑 Second Space password is forgotten. Solution: Reset space through Settings → Second Space → Delete Second Space, but all data will be lost.
• 📱 Third-party blocker doesn’t work after update MIUI. Reason: New firmware versions can block background application activity. Solution: Allow auto-run for blocker in battery settings.

Another common mistake is using simple passwords (like 1234 or 0000), which can be easily picked up by hackers or even acquaintances.

• 🔢 Use at least 6 characters (preferably 8)+).
• 🔤 Combine numbers, letters and special characters (for example, k7!P9@m).
• 🔄 Do not use dates of birth or simple sequences (1111, 123456).

💡

If you use your fingerprint to unlock, be sure to set a backup password. In the event of a sensor failure or phone reboot, access to the apps will be blocked!

FAQ: Answers to popular questions