Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the need to restrict access to certain features of the gadget, which can be due to the desire to protect personal data from the prying eyes of children or colleagues, as well as the need for digital detox to improve productivity. The staffing shell MIUI HyperOS offers built-in tools to solve these problems, but they are not always obvious to the average user.
There are several proven ways to effectively close access to selected programs, and we will look at both native system features and proven third-party solutions that will help you take full control of your Android smartphone.
Use of the built-in "Security" application
The simplest and most reliable method, which does not require additional software installation, is in the system application “Security”, which is pre-installed on all devices of the brand and provides basic but effective protection, to start working, you need to open the application and find the section “App Protection” or “App Lock”.
When you first start up, the system will ask you to specify a graphical key or digital password that will be different from the screen unlock code, which is an important step because it creates an additional layer of authentication. Once you set the password, you will be asked to select from a list the programs you want to restrict access to.
- 🔒 Open the Security app on the home screen.
- 🔑 Select the “App Protection” option and set a unique password.
- 📱 Activate switches opposite the desired programs (WhatsApp, Gallery, Notes).
It is important to note that once the security is activated every time you run your chosen software, the system will request confirmation, which ensures that even an unlocked phone will not allow an unauthorized person to enter your personal correspondence or photo archive without the owner’s knowledge.
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Use different passwords to unlock the screen and to protect applications to improve the security of your data.
Setting Restrictions Through Digital Well-Being
Newer versions of the MIUI shell and global Android firmware have a Digital Well-Being feature, which, while its primary goal is to combat smartphone addiction, does a great job of temporarily blocking apps, ideal for those who want to limit their time spent on social media or gaming.
To set up, go to the basic Settings → Digital Well-Being and Parental Controls. Here you will see the usage statistics of each app per day. By clicking on the timer next to the desired program, you can set a time limit, for example, 30 minutes a day.
When the limit is exhausted, the application icon will turn grey, and when you try to run, a notification will appear about the time exceeding, the system will suggest ignoring the restriction, but this will require you to enter a password if this feature is activated in the profile settings.
☑️ Setting time limits
Blocking through the Guest mode and Second Space
If you want to transfer your phone to another person, but you don't want them to see your personal data, the best thing to do is use Second Space, which is a unique feature of the MIUI shell, which creates a completely isolated environment inside a single smartphone.
In fact, you get two different desktops with different sets of apps and accounts, and you switch between them through a label or a fingerprint, and you just don't have the programs you want to hide installed in the guest space.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Second Space and follow the instructions of the Settings wizard. You can choose which apps will be available in the second profile and which will remain hidden mostly.
⚠️ Note: The Second Space function takes up additional memory on the device’s internal storage device, as it creates duplicate system files to isolate the environment.
An alternative is Guest mode, which temporarily hides all your notifications and access to personal data, leaving only the basic functionality of calls and messages, which is convenient for short-term transfer of the device.
What is the difference between the guest and the second space?
Use of third-party application blockers
Staff funds are not always enough, especially if advanced features such as hiding icons or blocking on a schedule are needed, in which case specialized applications from Google Play come to the rescue.
One of the most popular solutions is the AppLock from developer DoMobile Lab or analogues like Norton App Lock, which allows you not only to set a password for launching, but also to make certain applications invisible by hiding them from the menu.
These utilities require extensive permissions, including access to other applications, to enable the blocker to intercept the target program’s attempt to run.
- 📲 Download a verified blocker from the official store.
- 🛡️ Provide the necessary access rights in the system menu.
- 🎭 Use the Hide Icon feature for maximum privacy.
It is worth remembering that the use of third-party blockers can slightly increase battery consumption, since the locking process must be constantly in the RAM in an active state.
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Third-party blockers offer more flexibility, but require careful selection of a trusted developer to avoid data leakage.
Parental Controls of Google Family Link
For parents who want to control their child’s smartphone usage, the best solution is Google Family Link, which allows them to remotely block apps on their child’s device, set time limits, and even completely ban the launch of certain games or social networks.
The setup process requires installing the app on a parent’s phone and creating a Google child account (or linking an existing one), and once the devices are paired, you have full control over what the child can do on their Android gadget.
You can block the app remotely at any time, and it will stop running on your child's device until you remove the restriction, and there's also a "Sleep Time" feature available that blocks all apps except for nighttime calls.
| Function | MIUI Security | Third-party AppLock | Family Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch password | There is. | There is. | There is. |
| Remote lockdown | No. | No. | Yes. |
| Hiding the icon | No. | Yes. | No. |
| Time limits | Basic | Extended. | Complete. |
It is the most powerful tool for keeping children safe online, allowing you to filter content in Google Chrome and block the installation of new programs without permission.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Despite the ease of setup, users may encounter a situation where the protection stops working or the app crashes, often due to aggressive battery optimization in MIUI, which kills the background processes of blockers.
To avoid this, you need to go to the battery settings, find the blocker installed, and set the "No Limits" mode, and it is also recommended to pin the application to the list of recent tasks by pulling down and pressing the lock.
⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from the built-in protection of Xiaomi applications, access recovery is possible only through resetting all phone settings or logging into the Mi Account if it was tied in advance.
In some cases, after updating the system, the security settings may fly, it is recommended to periodically check the activation status of the application protection function and, if necessary, turn it on again.
Compliance with these simple rules will help you securely protect your confidential information and effectively manage your time spent on your smartphone.