How to go to a personal album on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: all ways to unlock

The personal album on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is a secure storage for confidential photos and videos, which is hidden by default from prying eyes. Many users face the problem of how to get there if they forgot their password, changed their Mi Account account or simply do not know where to look for this feature. In this article, we will discuss all official and alternative ways of access, including unlocking through a fingerprint, PIN-code and even circumvention of data protection.

It's important to understand that a personal album is not just a folder in a gallery, it's part of the MIUI security system. Its content is encrypted, so standard file managers (like ES Explorer or Total Commander) won't see these files without the right key. If you try to find the album through a computer by connecting your phone to USB, you won't find anything either - the files are stored in encrypted form along the /data/system/users/0/private path.

Before proceeding to the instructions, check:

• 🔒 You have enabled the function of Personal album in the settings of the gallery?
• 📱 The phone was not reflashed (this resets encryption)?
• 👤 You are logged in to the same Mi Account as when you created the album?

If at least one item is not executed, some methods from the article may not work.

1. Standard entrance through the Xiaomi Gallery

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI gallery, where the personal album is displayed as a separate tab, but only if you have the right access setup.

1. Open the Gallery app (icon with multi-colored squares).
2. In the bottom menu, tap three dots. ⋮ → select the albums.
3. Scroll down to the Personal section - there will be a folder Personal album.
4. When you first log in, the system will ask for a password, fingerprint, or pattern lock (depending on your settings).

If the Personal folder is not listed, the function is disabled to activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Personal Album.
2. Turn on the switch and set the unlock method (PIN, pattern lock or biometrics).
3. Go back to the gallery, the album is now on display.

Xiaomi | Phone is connected to the Internet (for sync Mi Account) | Fingerprint added in security settings | Password from Mi Account is remembered (may be required for recovery)

-->

⚠️ Note: If you reset your phone to factory settings, your personal album will be deleted without recovery. Xiaomi does not store backups of encrypted data on its servers.

2 Entry via fingerprint or Face ID

Redmi Note 9 supports biometric unlocking of your personal album, which is convenient if you forgot your password, but your fingerprint or face is saved in the system.

1. Open Settings → Passwords and Security → Personal Album.
2. Select the Unlock Method → Fingerprint or Face Recognition.
3. Confirm your current password (if it was previously set).
4. Add a new print or scan your face (Face ID will require good lighting).

Now, when you log in to the album, the system will suggest you choose the authentication method, if the biometrics don't work:

• 🧼 Wipe the fingerprint sensor (mud or moisture interferes with the scanning).
• 🔦 Make sure your face is fully in the frame (for Face) ID).
• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes sensors get jammed after a long workout.

If you change the security glass or the case with the notch under the fingerprint sensor, the biometrics may not work properly, in which case temporarily remove the case or use an alternative method of unlocking.

3. Restoration of access in case of loss of password

Forgot the password from your personal album? Don't panic - there are several ways to restore it, but they only work if you meet the conditions:

• 📱 The phone is linked to the Mi Account.
• 🔑 You remember the password from this account.
• 📶 The device is connected to the Internet.

Instructions for remediation:

1. Open your personal album in the gallery.
2. On the password entry screen, do you forget your password?
3. Enter the username and password from the Mi Account tied to the phone.
4. Confirm the recovery via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. Set a new password for the album.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use third-party apps from Google Play that promise to “hack Xiaomi’s personal album”; most of them are fraud or malware.

4. Access to personal album via PC (encrypted)

If you need to transfer files from a personal album to a computer, the standard connection is USB It doesn't help, it's empty, but there's a workaround through MIUI File Explorer and Mi PC Suite:

1. Install the official Mi PC Suite program on your PC.
2. Connect Redmi Note 9 to USB (select File Transfer Mode).
3. In the phone, allow access to the data (notification will appear).
4. In Mi PC Suite, go to Files → Personal Data.
5. Enter the password for your personal album when the program requests it.

Alternative method (requires ROOT):

• 📱 Install Root Explorer or FX File Manager.
• 🔓 Provide root access (if the phone is rooted).
• 📁 Cross the path. /data/system/users/0/private.
• 🔐 Copy files to another folder (they will be encrypted, you need a key to view).

💡

If you just need to save a photo from a personal album, take screenshots while viewing (hold Power + Volume Down).

5. Frequent errors and their solutions

When working with a personal album on Redmi Note 9, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If after the firmware update, the personal album disappeared:

1. Check if your security settings are reset (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version).
2. Make sure you are logged in to the same Mi Account as before the update.
3. Reinstall the update via Settings → System Update (sometimes re-installation helps).

💡

After major MIUI updates (e.g., 12-to-13 versions), a personal album may become temporarily unavailable, in which case wait 24 hours for the system to restore access after synchronization with Xiaomi servers.

6. Alternative ways to store confidential photos

If a personal album on Redmi Note 9 seems unreliable, consider the alternatives:

• 🔐 Google Photos with Locked Folder (requires Google authorization).
• 📁 Safeware applications like KeepSafe or GalleryVault (encrypt files separately from the system).
• 💾 Hardware-encrypted drive (e.g. SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Luxe).
• ☁️ Cloud Storage with Client Encryption (e.g. Cryptomator) + Google Drive).

Comparison of methods:

If you choose a third-party app, pay attention to:

• 🔒 End-to-end encryption (data is encrypted on your device, not on the server).
• 📥 Lack of advertising and suspicious permissions (e.g. access to the SMS or call).
• 🌍 Local backup capability (so as not to lose files when you delete the application).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions