Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the challenge of restricting access to certain features or hiding personal data from prying eyes. MIUI’s operating system and its global version of HyperOS offer powerful built-in tools to manage access to software. Understanding how to block an app helps not only protect privacy but also limit children’s time spent in games or social media.
There are several levels of locking, from simple icon hiding to complete system process freezing, and in this article we will look at all available methods, including the use of hidden space and parental control, and learn which security settings you need to activate first to secure your device.
Before you start complex manipulations, it is important to determine the purpose of the restriction, which can be temporary blocking of distractions or permanent hiding of bank customers, and we will look at each scenario in detail so that you can choose the best option for your Redmi or POCO model.
Use of the function of Hidden Space
One of the most effective ways to hide apps is through the "Second Space" feature, which creates an isolated environment on your device that looks like a clean phone with a separate set of programs, and to get there, you'll need to type in a special password or use a different fingerprint than the main one.
This feature is useful when you want to block access to applications not only visually, but also functionally for other users, and in the hidden space you can install copies of messengers or social networks that will not appear in the general list of programs, which ensures a high level of data privacy.
To activate this option, go to Settings → Special Options → Hidden Space. The system will prompt you to create a new user profile.
- 🔒 Complete isolation of data and applications from the main profile.
- 👤 The ability to use two different accounts in the same application.
- 📂 Hiding icons, photos and files from prying eyes.
- ⚙️ Separate system settings for each space.
How quickly do you switch between spaces?
Blocking applications through Application Protection
The most popular method of restricting access is to use the built-in Application Protection feature, which allows you to put a password, a pattern lock or a biometric to run specific programs, which is ideal if you want an application to be visible, but only the owner can open it.
To set up, go to Security → Application Protection. Here you will see a list of all installed programs. Activate the switchboard in front of those that need protection. Each time you run, the system will request proof of identity.
In the security settings, you can choose whether to request a password immediately or after unlocking the screen, and the Hide Content feature is available, which turns notifications from secure applications into standard messages about new information without details.
☑️ Setting up application protection
It is important to consider that when you reset your phone settings or delete your application data, your password may be lost if it is not tied to your Mi Account, so backing up your passwords or remembering them reliably is critical.
⚠️ Note: If you forget the application protection password and have not tied Mi Account for recovery, unlocking programs without completely resetting your phone may not be possible.
Limiting Time with Digital Well-Being
Digital Wellbeing, which allows you to limit the time it takes to use the app, is not so much a permanent lock, but a great tool to combat procrastination or control the time children spend playing games.
In Settings → Digital Well-Being → Focus Mode, you can create a profile that will turn off all distracting applications. Activation of the mode blocks the launch of selected programs for a timer period.
App Use Timer is also available, and you set a time limit per day (like 30 minutes for YouTube) and when the limit expires, the app icon will turn grey and you can’t run it until the next day or until the restriction is manually removed.
| Function | Purpose of use | Difficulty bypassing |
|---|---|---|
| Application protection | Data confidentiality | High (password needed) |
| Digital well-being | Time control | Medium (can be reset) |
| Parental control | Safety of children | Very high. |
| Disconnection in settings | Systemic debris disposal | Low (easily turned back on) |
Parental Controls for Google Family Link
For parents who want to have full control of their child’s device, the best solution is to connect Xiaomi to Google Family Link, a tool that allows them to remotely block any app, set screen time limits, and filter content.
Once the app is installed on the parent's and the child's phone, the devices are connected to a single network, the parent can lock the app on the child's device at any time, even if it is already running, the screen of the child's device will go out, and a notification will appear about the lock.
You can also set up a mandatory approval to install new software from Google Play, so that the child sends a request and the parent receives a notification with the option to allow or disallow the installation, which prevents unwanted software from appearing.
It also allows you to block in-app purchases and restrict browser searches, a comprehensive solution that works at the level of Google account7un, so you can’t get around it by simply removing the application.
⚠️ Note: You can’t use a Google account with an age limit above 13 to work with Family Link on your child’s device without parental confirmation, otherwise the child will be able to disable the control on their own.
Disabling Xiaomi system applications
Many users want to get rid of pre-installed software that can't be removed by standard methods, and in MIUI and HyperOS, there's the option to "disable" such applications, which hides the icon and stops all the processes associated with the program, effectively blocking its operation.
To turn off the app, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find an unnecessary program (such as “Mi Video” or “Mi Music”) and click on it. From the menu that opens, select “Disable” button.
Once it's turned off, it disappears from the list and it stops consuming battery and RAM, but it stays in the phone's memory and takes up space, and you can bring it back to work at any time through the same settings menu.
💡
Before disabling system components, make sure they are not used by other services. Disabling critical system applications can cause the interface to function unstable.
Some system applications, such as Security or Explorer, will not be disabled in the standard way. ADB-commands through a computer.
Advanced lock through ADB
For power users who want to block undeleteable system applications, there is a method of using debugging over USB. By connecting the phone to a computer and installing drivers, you can send commands to block any packages.
First, you need to activate the developer mode. → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the item "Version" MIUI» Or "OS version." Then, in the advanced settings, turn on "Debugging by" USB».
Using the command line on your PC, type the command to search for the packet name: adb shell pm list packages. Once you find the desired name (for example, com.xiaomi.videoplayer), use the command to lock:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.videoplayerThis command forcibly stops the application and hides it for the current user, it stops appearing in the application list and cannot be launched. To restore functionality, the adb shell pm enable com.xiaomi.videoplayer command is used.
⚠️ Note: Blocking system processes through ADB This can lead to a “boot loop” if you disable critical system components such as SystemUI or Settings.
💡
Using ADB allows you to block even those applications that do not have a “Disable” button in the standard Android settings menu.