Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where the device is lying on the table in a locked state, but the screen suddenly lights up from the message that came. This is not only annoying, forcing you to reach for the gadget every time, but also poses a potential security threat. The ability to interact with the interface without unlocking opens up access to personal data for outsiders.
The feature that allows you to control the interface elements on the lock screen in the shell of MIUI is implemented quite flexibly, but its settings are scattered across different menus. Users often do not understand where exactly the switch that prevents access to the notification curtain and control panel is hidden. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways to restrict access, from standard system settings to advanced methods through the engineering menu.
We will consider the nuances of the current shell HyperOS, which replaced the classic MIUI We will also focus on privacy issues, explaining why restricting access to the control center on a locked screen is an important measure of protection against so-called "jussing" or data theft through the Internet. USB-port.
Why restrict access to the interface on a locked screen
The main reason users are trying to turn off the ability to lower the curtain on a locked screen is because of data security issues: the default Android and MIUI settings allow users to interact with certain interface elements without entering a password or fingerprint, which is convenient but creates vulnerabilities.
If an attacker gains physical access to your device, they can, for example, turn on flight mode or turn off Wi-Fi and geolocation directly from the control center, which will instantly break the connection of the smartphone to the device's search servers, making it impossible to track coordinates through the Find Device service.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling control center access on a locked screen may make it difficult to use the Emergency Call function or to quickly turn on the flashlight in critical situations when the phone is locked.
In addition, confidential information often leaks through the notification curtain: confirmation codes from banks, the contents of private messages, call notifications. Restricting access to these elements turns the lock screen into a “deaf” wall that cannot be overcome without biometric authorization or a “deaf” screen. PIN-code.
Another aspect is random tapping, where when the phone is in your pocket or bag, vibration or pressure can activate the screen, and if the curtain is open to interact, it can lead to unintentional application launches or changes in settings, which is especially true for models with high-sensitivity screens.
Basic lock screen settings in MIUI and HyperOS
The first step to improving security is to properly configure the basic parameters of the lock screen. In Xiaomi shells, these settings are located in the section responsible for passwords and biometrics, where you can adjust which elements remain available until the owner is fully authorized.
You go to the main settings menu and select the password and security option, and depending on the firmware version, this section may be called differently, but it's still functionally similar, and that's where the key switches that control notification visibility and access to system functions are hidden.
It's important to distinguish between the two things: "notification display" and "curtain access." The first is whether you see text on a black screen, the second is whether you can pull down from the top and open the control panel. We're interested in the second aspect, which often requires additional actions to completely shut down.
☑️ Checking basic protection
With the new versions of HyperOS, the logic of the settings grouping has been changed, so the lock screen settings are now placed in a separate submenu, which makes navigation easier, but even there is no one magic "Disallow All" button, so you have to combine several settings to achieve the desired result.
Step-by-step instructions: how to hide the contents of notifications
To minimize the risk of leakage, we start by setting up the display of notification content. Even if you can't completely block the opening of the curtain at the system level without root rights, hiding the contents of the messages will make this curtain useless for the attacker.
To perform the setting, perform the following actions:
- 📱 Open the Settings app on your smartphone.
- 🔒 Go to Passwords and Security (or Privacy Protection).
- 🔍 Find the Privacy item on the lock screen.
- 🚫 Select Hide Content or Do Not Show Notifications.
Once this mode is activated, even if someone can pull the curtain down, they will only see a "Notice" or "Hidden" plug, without text, sender name or image preview, a critical setting for protection against social engineering and (snooping).
It’s worth noting that some system notifications, such as charging status or accessories connection, can ignore these settings and display them all the time. This is the normal behavior of the Android operating system, which cannot be changed by standard means without deep modification of the system.
Why are the notifications still popping up?
Restriction of access to the Control Center and the Notification Panel
Unlike pure Android, where the separation of notification curtain and control panel was introduced recently, in MIUI these elements have long been combined. Current versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14 use separation: swipe on the left opens notifications, swipe on the right - control center (wi-fi switches, Bluetooth, flashlight).
Unfortunately, you can’t swipe down completely to open these panels on a locked screen in global firmware versions, but there’s an important nuance about NFC and payment security.
If the phone has NFC activated and payment services (Google Pay, Mi Pay, Xiaomi Wallet) are configured, the system automatically limits the functionality of the curtain when it reaches the terminal. But in the normal state, the protection of relies for the presence of a lock screen password.
| Function | Password-free access | Where to turn off | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viewing text of SMS | Yes (default) | Passwords and security | High-pitched |
| Setting on flight mode | Yes. | Not completely shutting down. | critical |
| Camera launch | Yeah (double tap) | Additional lock settings | Medium. |
| Emergency call. | Yeah (always) | It's not going off. | No (important for life) |
For maximum effect, it is recommended to disable the camera’s quick start from the lock screen, which is often activated by double pressing the volume button or by long tapping the camera icon, which can happen by accident.
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Use "Package Dial Mode" in call settings to prevent accidental calls when the phone is in your bag or pocket, even if the screen catches fire.
Setup of smart locks and special features
The MIUI shell offers a number of smart locking features that can indirectly help with the problem, such as Smart Lock, which allows you to keep your device unlocked under certain conditions, but we will go from the opposite to strengthening the protection.
In the Special Options section, you can find settings that affect sensor and button behavior. Although there is no direct ban on swipe curtains here, you can limit your response to touch. Some users use third-party launchers or locking apps that overlap the standard lock screen with a more secure counterpart.
However, installing third-party screen blockers often leads to system conflicts, increased battery consumption and unstable notifications. A more reliable method is to use the built-in "Second Space" or "Guest Mode" mode if you hand over the phone to someone to make a call.
In guest mode, access to notification curtains and system settings is usually limited by default, which is the ideal scenario if you need to give the phone to a child or acquaintance and you want to make sure they don’t get into your personal correspondence or reset your network settings.
⚠️ Note: Installing blocking apps from unknown sources can lead to data leakage, as they require extensive permissions to read all notifications and on-screen actions.
Advanced Methods: ADB and Hidden Settings
For experienced users who are not afraid to work with debugging over USB, there is a way to hide interface elements through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands, which allows you to change hidden system flags that are not displayed in the usual settings menu.
To do this, go to About Phone and quickly click 7-10 times on the field of the MIUI Version (or OS Version). Once the message "You became a developer" appears, you can start settings.
Enable USB debugging in the Advanced Settings -> Developer menu. Connect your phone to your computer, install ADB drivers and utilities. Commands may vary depending on the Android version, but the general principle is to change secure settings.
adb shell settings put secure lock_screen_show_notifications 0Executing this command (or similar to your version of the OS) may force notifications to be displayed on the system-level lock screen. However, it is worth remembering that firmware updates can reset these changes or render the command irrelevant.
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Use of the ADB-commands give maximum control, but requires technical literacy and can be reset after system updates or resetting settings.