How to put a password on the application in Xiaomi: a complete guide with pictures and nuances

Why to put a password on applications in Xiaomi and what risks it closes

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones store a lot of sensitive information, like instant messaging, banking apps, photos, work documents. Even if you trust your loved ones, random access to your phone can lead to data leaks, unauthorized purchases, or changes in settings, such as a child can delete important files from the Gallery, and a colleague can read private messages on Telegram or WhatsApp.

Setting a password for applications solves several key tasks:

• 🔒 Protection from children: blocking games with purchases, social networks or video hosting (for example, YouTube or TikTok).
• 🕵️ Privacy: hiding correspondence, banking applications (Sberbank Online, Tinkoff) and working chats.
• 🛡️ Loss Security: If the phone falls into the wrong hands, an attacker will not be able to open secure applications without the need to open them. PIN-code-print.
• 🚫 Blocking Spyware: Some viruses try to access Settings or Administrator Rights – password prevents this.

MIUI has three main ways to protect applications: built-in App Lock, Second Space, and third-party utilities like AppLock or Norton App Lock. Each method has pros and cons — let’s go through them in detail.

Method 1: App Lock – standard lock in MIUI

App Lock is a built-in MIUI feature that allows you to put a password, pattern lock or fingerprint on any application. It works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models with the MIUI 10 and later shell version (including MIUI 14).

To activate App Lock, follow the steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Lock (App Lock).
2. When you first start up, the system will prompt you to create a master password (PIN or graphical key) that you can't restore -- write it down on paper or in a secure place!
3. Select the applications you want to block (e.g. Gallery, Messages, Settings).
4. Activate the Block option in the background so that the application requests a password even when switching between tasks.

Important nuances of App Lock:

• 🔄 If you log out of your Mi Account, the lock will reset – applications will be available without a password.
• 📱 On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T Redmi Note 11 can be set to automatically unlock by facial recognition or fingerprint.
• ⚠️ If you forget the password from App Lock, it can only be reset through a complete reset (loss of all data!).

Method 2: Second Space – Second Desktop with Separate Passwords

Second Space allows you to create a completely isolated environment with your own apps, settings and password, which is useful if you want to separate personal and work data or give a phone to a child with limited access.

How to set up Second Space:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space.
2. Click Create Second Space and follow the instructions (you will need to come up with a new PIN or pattern lock).
3. After creating, restart the phone – a switch between spaces will appear in the lock menu.
4. In Second Space, install the desired applications (they will be duplicated from the main space, but with separate data).

Advantages and disadvantages of the method:

Second Space doesn’t use Google Pay or Mi Pay, because payment services only work in the main space, and some games (like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact) may not allow you to sign in from duplicate accounts.

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

If the built-in MIUI features aren't enough, you can use third-party utilities, which offer advanced features: time lock, masking as system errors, protection from deletion through Settings.

Top.-3 Applications to block on Xiaomi:

• 🔐 AppLock (by DoMobile Lab): Supports fingerprint, face and locking PIN-There's an Intruder Selfie feature that takes a picture of someone trying to crack a password.
• 🛡️ Norton App Lock: from a well-known antivirus, integrates with Norton Security to protect against viruses. You can block system applications (for example, Settings or Play Market).
• 📱 Smart AppLock: allows you to set different passwords for different applications and set the lock schedule (for example, block games from 22:00 to 7:00).

How to install and configure AppLock:

1. Download the app from Google Play (link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.domobile.applock).
2. When you first start, come up with a master password (don’t use your date of birth or simple combinations like 1234!).
3. In the Applications section, select the programs to block (you can even protect Calls or SMS).
4. Activate Delete Protection in the settings so that the application cannot be uninstalled without a password.

⚠️ Some third-party blockers may conflict with MIUI and cause errors like "App Stopped" before installing, check user reviews of your model (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi) 10C).

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If the blocker doesn’t work after the MIUI update, try clearing its cache in Settings → Applications → [Application Management] → [Blocker Name] → Clear the cache.

Frequent problems and errors when blocking applications

Even after setting the password for the apps correctly, Xiaomi users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

1. App Lock does not ask for a password

• 🔄 Check if the Block option in the background is enabled in the App Lock settings.
• 📱 Restart your phone – sometimes the lock service will “hang” after the update MIUI.
• 🔧 Make sure that the application is not added to the Exclusions (Battery section) → Application power management).

2. Forgot the password from App Lock or Second Space

If you forget your password, there are few options:

• 🔑 For App Lock, try to restore access through Mi Account (if tied); if it doesn't, only a full reset (loss of all data!).
• 📲 For Second Space: Remove space through Settings → Special facilities → Second Space → Delete (data erased).
• 🛠️ For third-party blockers: some (like Norton App Lock) allow you to reset your password via email.

3.Apps brake or fly off after being blocked

This is most often due to a conflict with battery optimization.

1. Open Settings → Battery → Power management applications.
2. Find the blocker (App Lock or third-party app) and select the No Limits mode.
3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention, on the phones with MIUI 14 and the latest models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi) K60) App Lock may conflict with Game Turbo. If the lock doesn't work, turn off Game Turbo in the settings.

Additional security measures for Xiaomi

App passwords are only part of the protection, and to keep your data as secure as possible on Xiaomi, we recommend:

1. Screen lock setting

• 🔐 Use a fingerprint. + PIN (adjusting to the settings → Lock screen → Add a print).
• 🔢 Avoid simple graphic keys (such as L-shaped or cross-shaped keys – they are easy to pick up).
• ⏱️ Set automatic lock after 30 seconds of inactivity.

2. Data encryption

On phones with MIUI 12+, you can encrypt internal memory:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Encrypt the phone.
2. Install. PIN-encryption code (should be different from the screen lock password!).
3. It will take 30 to 60 minutes to complete the process – don’t interrupt it or turn off the phone!

3. Hiding notifications on the lock screen

To prevent the contents of messages from being displayed on a locked screen:

1. Open Settings → Notifications → On the lock screen.
2. Choose Not to Show Notice Content.
3. For individual apps (such as WhatsApp), set exceptions to each messenger’s notification settings.

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The combination of app password, memory encryption, and notification locking makes your Xiaomi virtually invulnerable to outsiders.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions