Creating a secure folder with a password on Xiaomi

The modern smartphone has become a repository of our digital lives, containing personal photos, financial statements and confidential correspondence. Owners of Xiaomi devices running the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS often wonder about additional protection of private data. Standard lock screen, although effective, does not save if the phone was unlocked in the hands of another person, such as a friend or colleague.

Xiaomi’s security system offers advanced file isolation tools that do not require third-party software installation. Built-in mechanisms allow you to create virtual containers that are protected by a separate pin code or pattern lock. This solution is ideal for those who want to hide certain applications or media files from prying eyes without losing the functionality of the device.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for creating a secure space, you will learn how to activate the Second Space mode, use the Hide Apps function, and configure automatic buffer cleaning for maximum privacy.

Use of the Second Space Mode

The most reliable way to create an isolated password environment is with Second Space, which actually creates a second virtual machine inside your smartphone that looks and works like a separate device, and once activated, you get two independent desktops, each with its own apps, gallery and settings.

You can use a separate fingerprint or pin to enter the second space, and if you're asked to unlock your phone, you can use the main profile print to hide the secret data, and you can switch between spaces instantly and you don't need to restart the system.

To activate this feature, follow the Settings → Additional settings → Second space. The system will suggest creating a new profile by setting a unique unlock method for it.

⚠️ Note: When you delete the Second Space, all the data stored inside it (photos, contacts, installed applications) will be permanently lost.

This method is particularly convenient for separating work and personal use: You can install social media or games in a second profile, leaving the main screen clean for work tasks, and notifications from a hidden profile will not be displayed mainly, which provides additional privacy.

Hiding applications through system settings

If creating a full-fledged second profile seems redundant, you can use an easier app shortcut feature, which removes icons of selected programs from the desktop and menu, making them visible only after you enter a special access code, an effective way to hide financial applications, messengers or personal albums.

To activate the function, go to Settings → Applications → Hide applications. Here you will be asked to select programs that you want to hide. After selecting, the system will ask you to specify an access code. In the future, you will need to open the standard Phone application to view hidden applications and enter the specified code, after which the hidden partition will open.

It's important to note that hiding applications doesn't encrypt their data, it just hides labels. If an attacker has access to the file system through a computer, they can theoretically find traces of software use. But to protect themselves from curious views in everyday situations, this is quite enough.

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Use an access code that is easy to type with one hand, but difficult to peek from the side. Avoid simple combinations like 1234 or 0000.

Once set up, hidden apps will no longer appear in the list of recent tasks and will not show pop-up notifications on the locked screen, creating an additional layer of privacy, making smartphone use more secure in public places.

File protection in the Gallery and Explorer

The built-in MIUI media and document applications have their own security mechanism, so you can put individual photos, videos or documents into a secure album that you can access only after authentication, and you don't need to create separate folders in the file system.

To hide a photo or video, open the Gallery, select the files you want, and click on the "More" button (three dots or the corresponding icon). From the menu, select the Hide option. Files will move to a special album, which can be found by pulling down in viewing all albums and entering the privacy password.

The same principle works in the Explorer app, where you can create a folder, click on it, and select the hide option, and these folders are marked with a special icon and disappear from public access, and you also need to enter a password or scan your fingerprint.

The use of built-in gallery tools is preferable to third-party locker applications, since they have deep access rights to the system and cannot be bypassed by simple methods.

Configuring a password to protect privacy

The foundation of Xiaomi's entire security system is the Privacy Protection Password, a master key that is used to access hidden albums, secure folders, and a second space, and without it, file hiding features will be unavailable or ineffective.

You can configure this parameter in the Settings section. → Protection of confidentiality → Confidentiality protection password--The system will suggest creating a pattern lock or a digital pin code, and it is recommended that this password be linked to the Mi Account account so that you can restore access in case of forgetting the code.

Biometric authentication speeds up the access process, so you can add a fingerprint or facial data to unlock hidden partitions, but it's worth remembering that biometrics can sometimes be bypassed (for example, by bringing a phone to a sleeping owner), so knowing the digital code remains a must.

⚠️ Note: If you forget the privacy protection password and do not link it to Mi Account, it will be impossible to restore access to hidden files.

Regular password changes and biometric updates (if your finger is damaged or poorly read) will help maintain a high level of security. Don't use the same codes to unlock your screen and protect your privacy to make it harder for a potential attacker to do so.

Limitations and features of work in the background

Despite the high efficiency, the built-in security features have their own technical limitations, which the user should be aware of, especially when it comes to the operation of background processes. Applications running in the Second Space may not receive notifications if the main profile is actively using the CPU resources or if the power saving mode is turned on.

Another feature is interaction with cloud services: synchronizing Mi Cloud or Google Photos in the second space may not work correctly or require a separate account setting, this is done specifically to prevent data leakage, but can cause inconvenience for users who are used to automatically uploading photos.

It is also worth considering that some banking applications may detect the presence of a root rights or a modified system (even if it is just a Second Space) and refuse to work, in which case you have to look for workarounds or use the main space for financial transactions.

Alternative methods of data encryption

For users who don't have enough MIUI built-in tools, there are alternative security options, such as 7Zipper or ZArchiver, which allow you to pack files into an archive with a password that you can't open without a key, even if you have direct access to the file system.

Another option is to use “safe folders” from third-party vendors, although they often run less stable on Xiaomi due to aggressive battery optimization, which can create virtual storage but require permanent permissions to work in the background, which can affect the autonomy of the smartphone.

The most advanced users are advised to pay attention to encrypting individual files before they are placed in the cloud or transferred.Using cryptographic containers provides maximum protection, but requires certain technical knowledge to set up and use.

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Combination of protection methods (Second Space) + Archive encryption creates an almost insurmountable barrier to non-Sank--zionized access.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)