A modern smartphone stores more personal information than a home safe. For owners of Xiaomi and Redmi devices, privacy protection becomes a critical issue. The built-in MIUI interface, and now the new HyperOS, provides powerful tools for restricting access to specific apps without the need to install third-party software.
The application blocking function helps prevent unauthorized viewing of instant messengers, banking utilities or galleries by unauthorized persons. This is especially true when you hand the phone over to a child to play with or let a coworker make a call. The security system Xiaomi works at the system kernel level, which guarantees highly reliable protection of your data.
In this article we will examine in detail all the nuances of setting access restrictions. You will learn how to activate fingerprint protection, set up hidden mode, and what to do if you have forgotten the set code. The instructions are suitable for most current models, from budget Redmi to flagship Mi series.
Activation of basic protection through security settings
The first step to organize protection is to enter the specialized section of system utilities. On Xiaomi smartphones, this module is integrated directly into the shell and does not require downloading additional files from the Play Market. You need to find the application icon Security, which is usually green with a shield.
After launching the utility, scroll down the screen to the privacy section. Here you will find the item Protecting applications. The first time you click, the system will ask you to create a unique pattern or digital PIN code. This code will be different from the one used to unlock the device screen, which creates an additional level of security.
It is important to remember the entered pattern, since it is the one that will be requested each time you launch protected apps. The interface will prompt you to confirm the action by entering the key twice to eliminate typos. If you have linked a Mi account, the system may offer to use it to restore access if the code is lost.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use simple combinations like “1234” or geometric shapes in the form of the letter “L”. Attackers often choose these obvious options when trying to hack.
After creating a password, you will see a list of all apps installed on the device. A convenient switch mechanism is implemented here. You can activate protection for one specific application or for an entire group of utilities at the same time. The system automatically sorts them into categories for ease of search.
☑️ Setting up application protection
Using biometrics and fingerprint
Entering a pattern each time may seem tedious, especially if you often access blocked messengers. Fortunately, modern processors and scanners in Redmi and Poco devices allow you to use biometric data for instant authorization. This significantly speeds up the process of accessing confidential information.
To activate this function, you need to go to the settings of the protection module itself. In the upper right corner of the screen there is usually a gear icon that opens a menu of options. In this section you need to find the item Unlocking with a fingerprint and move the corresponding toggle switch to the active position.
The system will ask for identity confirmation, so you will have to enter the previously created pattern key once. After this, any fingerprint registered in the system will be able to open protected applications. This works even if you use different fingers to unlock the screen and to enter apps.
- 👍 Instant access to data without having to draw complex shapes.
- 🔒 Increased security, since the fingerprint is unique and more difficult to fake.
- ⚙️ Ability to disable the function at any time through privacy settings.
It is worth considering that after rebooting the device, the system will always require you to enter a pattern or password for the first time. This is a standard precaution in the architecture Android, ensuring data encryption until the owner is fully identified.
If the fingerprint scanner is located on the side, try to press it with the pad of your finger, not your nail, to avoid reading errors when entering applications.
Setting up hidden space and the second profile
Sometimes a simple password lock is not enough, since the application icon still remains on the desktop and is visible to everyone. For such cases, MIUI firmware provides a function Second Space or hidden application mode. This allows you to create an isolated environment that looks like a separate phone inside your device.
Activating Second Space creates a completely independent desktop with its own wallpaper, widgets and set of apps. Switching between the main and hidden profiles occurs either through a special shortcut or using a unique fingerprint. You can configure the system so that one finger opens the normal mode and the other opens the secret one.
The second space is ideal for storing photos, documents or correspondence that you do not want to show even when the phone is unlocked. Applications installed in this mode are not displayed in the general list and do not send notifications to the main profile, which ensures complete privacy.
| Function | Application protection | Second space | Hidden albums |
|---|---|---|---|
| Icon visibility | Visible to everyone | Completely hidden | Hidden in the gallery |
| Access type | Password/Fingerprint | Separate password/Finger | Password/Fingerprint |
| Data isolation | Partial | Full | Photo/video only |
| Setting complexity | Low | Medium | Low |
To transfer data between spaces, a special utility is used, built into the profile switching settings. This allows you to quickly move contacts or media files without fear of them falling into the wrong hands. However, it is worth remembering that some banking applications may not work correctly in the Second Space due to the security policies of the banks themselves.
Why do some banks not work in the Second Space?
Many financial organizations use emulator and virtual environment detectors. The second space is technically an isolated sandbox, which can be regarded by the bank's security system as suspicious activity, so access is blocked.
Blocking system settings and phone parameters
In addition to third-party apps, users often want to restrict access to the smartphone settings themselves. This is relevant for parents who want to prevent children from changing important parameters, or for corporate devices. In Xiaomi, it is possible to block access to the settings menu through the restrictions function.
In the section Security find the item Restrictions. Here you can set limits on the use of certain functions or block changes to system configurations. For example, you can prevent the installation of applications from unknown sources or disabling the mobile data.
It is also possible to hide the contents of notifications on the lock screen. If this function is activated, then even when the phone is locked, the text of messages from WhatsApp or Telegram will not be visible in the curtain. To read, you will first need to unlock your device and go through verification in the application itself.
Use the code Settings → Notifications and status bar → Lock screento customize the display of confidential information in detail. You can choose "Show content", "Hide content" or "Do not show notifications" for each application individually.
⚠️ Warning: Locking system settings may make it difficult for you to access the functions you need, such as turning on Bluetooth or the flashlight. Always leave yourself a quick access method through the control panel.
Specifics of working in the new HyperOS shell
With the release of the new operating system HyperOS, which replaces MIUI, some menu items have changed their location and name. The logic of operation remains the same, but the visual design and paths to settings have become more confusing for the untrained user.
In HyperOS, security features are often combined into a single privacy hub. You can find application protection through a search in the settings by entering the request “Protection”. It is also worth paying attention to the new “Digital Well-being” menu, which allows you not only to set passwords, but also to limit the time you use applications.
The biometric algorithms in the new shell have become more sensitive. Now unlocking applications with your fingerprint is almost instantaneous, without the delays that were sometimes observed in older versions of MIUI. However, the face-id setting to protect specific apps may still be missing in some firmware regions.
If you updated to HyperOS and cannot find the usual items, use the global settings search. Just swipe down on the main Settings screen and enter the name of the feature you want. This is the fastest way to navigate in the updated interface.
The HyperOS interface groups security functions differently, but the basic mechanism for protecting applications through a pattern and fingerprint remains completely identical to MIUI.
Restoring access if you forgot your password
The most unpleasant situation is when you forgot your pattern the key that you installed yourself. In this case, do not panic and try to reset your phone to factory settings, as this will delete all data. The Xiaomi system provides civilized methods for restoring access.
If you linked your Mi account when creating a password, the “Forgot password” button will appear on the key entry screen. By clicking on it, the system will prompt you to enter the login and password for your Xiaomi account. After successful authorization, you will be allowed to set a new blocking code.
If there is no linked account, the situation becomes more complicated. The only legal way is to completely reset the device through Recovery mode, but this will lead to the loss of all photos and contacts. That is why security experts strongly advise you to always link your Mi account when setting up your phone for the first time.
There is also the possibility of resetting through the service center if you have a purchase receipt and documents confirming ownership of the device. Service employees can reflash the phone by removing the lock, but the data will also be lost.
⚠️ Attention: Resetting settings via Recovery deletes absolutely all data from the internal memory. Before performing this procedure, make sure that you have a backup copy of your important files in the cloud.
Is it possible to put a password on calls and contacts?
Yes, it is possible. In the Application Protection section, find the standard Phone and Contacts application. After activating the switch, to make a call or view the phone book, you will need to enter a pattern or place your finger.
Does protecting applications affect the operation of notifications?
No, notifications continue to appear on the lock screen as usual, unless you configured them to be hidden separately. However, to open the application itself from a notification, you will need to go through authorization.
Does application protection work after reinstalling the app?
Yes, protection settings are saved at the system level. If you uninstall WhatsApp and install it again, the system will automatically ask for a password when you first launch it, since a blocking rule has already been created for this package.
Is it possible to use different fingerprints for different applications?
No, the standard implementation of MIUI and HyperOS uses a single biometric method. Any finger registered in the system opens all protected applications. You can divide access on your fingers only using the “Second Space” function.
Does protecting applications slow down your smartphone?
Modern Xiaomi processors cope with password verification instantly. There is no noticeable impact on system performance or app launch speed, the delay is a fraction of a second.