How to set a password for a gallery on Android Xiaomi

Modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi i Poco have become an integral part of our lives, storing thousands of memories. However, access to personal information is often too open, especially when the phone is used by several people or the device falls into the wrong hands for a short time. Protecting the privacy of photos and videos is not just a fad, but a necessary security measure in the digital age.

Shells MIUI and new HyperOS provide users with powerful built-in data encryption tools without the need to install third-party applications. In this article, we will look in detail at how to activate gallery protection, set up biometric access, and use the hidden albums feature. You will learn how to turn your smartphone into a reliable repository of personal secrets.

Built-in privacy protection tools in MIUI

Before taking specific actions, it is worth understanding the security architecture that the manufacturer offers. The system Android on devices of the Chinese brand has a deep level of integration of privacy functions. This means that the blocking works at the system level, and does not just hide the application icon.

The main mechanism here is the “Privacy Protection” function. It allows you to link access to certain system applications to an additional password or biometric data. Encryption data occurs automatically when this option is activated.

⚠️ Attention: If you forget your privacy protection password and do not link your Mi account to reset, restore access to encrypted files will be almost impossible. The Xiaomi security system does not have backdoors to bypass this protection.

It is important to distinguish between the complete blocking of the Gallery application and the Hidden Album function. The first option requires entering a code each time the app is launched, the second moves the files to a protected area that is invisible in the general stream. The choice of method depends on how strictly you want to restrict access.

Activating privacy protection through settings

The most reliable way to block access to photos is to activate the system lock for the entire application. This method ensures that no one will be able to open the gallery, even if the smartphone screen itself is unlocked.

First, you need to go to the main device settings menu. Find the section responsible for security and passwords. In different firmware versions, the path may differ slightly, but the logic remains the same. You will need to set a special access code, which will differ from the screen unlock code.

Follow the specified algorithm of actions to enable the function:

• 🔒 Open Settings and scroll down to the item Privacy protection (or Passwords and security).
• 🔑 Click on the item Application protection and turn on the switch at the top of the screen.
• 🆔 Create and enter a unique protection password (the system will prompt you to use a pattern or digital code).
• 👤 Link yours Mi-accountto be able to reset your password if you forget.
• 📸 In the list of applications, find Gallery and activate the slider opposite it.

After completing these steps, when you try to open the gallery, the system will ask for the previously entered code or fingerprint. This is. creates an additional layer of defense. Even if an attacker knows your main screen PIN code, he will not be able to view photos without a second level of authorization.

Using the Hidden Album function

If your goal is not just to block entry to the application, but to completely remove certain photos from public access, the “Hidden Album” function is suitable for you. This solution is ideal for storing documents. screenshots of correspondence or personal photographs that should not be an eyesore during normal viewing.

The mechanism of the hidden album is based on creating an isolated space inside the storage. Files placed there disappear from the general feed, search by faces, and even from widgets on the desktop, they can only be accessed through a special gesture or entering a password inside the gallery application.

To. Move your photos to a safe area, follow these steps:

1. Open the app Gallery tab and go to the Albums.
2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen until a lock icon or prompt appears create a hidden album.
3. Set a password or use a fingerprint to enter this section.
4. Select the desired photos, click on the menu (three dots) and select the item Add to hidden album.

It is worth noting that video files also support this function, however they take up more space and may require longer processing times when encrypted. Hidden Album is a great way to organize space and separate public from private content.

What happens to the metadata of photos in a hidden album?

When you move a photo to a hidden album, the system may delete or encrypt metadata (geolocation, date of shooting) to exclude the possibility of recovering information about the place and time of the photo through third-party file analyzers.

Setting up biometric unlocking for the gallery

Entering a password every time may seem tedious, especially if you often access your archives. Fortunately, the ecosystem Xiaomi allows you to use. biometrics for instant access to protected data. This combines high security and ease of use.

For this function to work, your biometric data must already be registered in the system: fingerprint or facial data. If you have not yet configured them to unlock the screen, do this first in the section Passwords and security.

After activating application protection (described in the second section), the system will automatically prompt you to use your fingerprint to log in. You just need to confirm this action in the protection settings. Now, instead of entering a pattern, you just need to put your finger on the scanner.

Authentication method	Access speed	Level Security	Convenience
Graphic key	Medium	High	Low
Digital PIN code	Medium	High	Medium
Fingerprint	Instant	Very high	Very high
Face recognition	Fast	Medium (depending on the model)	High

Using fingerprint sensor significantly speeds up the process of viewing photos, making the protection almost invisible to the owner, but insurmountable to strangers. However, it is worth remembering that in some situations (for example, wet hands) biometrics may not work, so knowing the backup password is mandatory.

Working with the "Security" folder and files

In addition to visually hiding albums, the system has a deeper level of protection - folder Security (Safe). This is an encrypted container inside the internal memory where you can move not only photos, but also any other files: documents, audio recordings, installation packages.

This folder is accessed through the system application Security, which is preinstalled on all brand devices. Inside this application there is a control module. privacy. Moving files here actually removes them from the shared file system for other applications.

The process of moving files to the protected area is as follows:

• 📂 Open the application Explorer or Files.
• 📁 Select the required documents or media files with a long press.
• 🔒 Press the button More (three dots) and select the item Move to Security.
• ✅ Confirm the action by entering the privacy protection password.

Files located in this folder are not displayed in the gallery, music players or file managers without special authorization. This is an ideal option for storing scans of passports, contracts or other sensitive documentation. Files in the "Security" folder are encrypted and tied to the current user of the device, which makes copying them to a PC without unlocking impossible.

⚠️ Attention: The interface of the "Security" application and the location of functions may change depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS. If you do not find the “Move to Security” item, check system updates or look for a similar function in the privacy settings.

Solving access problems and resetting the password

Often users are faced with a situation where they have forgotten the access code to a gallery or hidden album. This causes panic, but the developers have provided a recovery mechanism, subject to prior configuration.

If you linked your Mi-account when creating a protection password, the recovery procedure will take several minutes. On the password entry screen, click on the inscription “Forgot your password?”. The system will redirect you to the Xiaomi authorization page, where after entering your account login and password, you will be asked to set a new security code.

If there is no linked account, the situation becomes more complicated. The only way out may be to completely reset the device to factory settings (Hard Reset). However, this method will delete all data from the smartphone, including unencrypted photos and contacts.

Recovery menu:
1. Turn off your phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power.
3. Select Wipe Data / Factory Reset.
4. Confirm the action and reboot your device.

To avoid such dramatic scenarios, always write down complex passwords in a safe place or use password managers. Regularly check whether linking to a cloud account is active in the security settings.

Is it possible to bypass the gallery password via a computer?

No, it is not possible to bypass the protection directly via a USB connection. When you connect a locked phone to a PC in file transfer mode, protected folders and hidden albums are not displayed. The encryption system blocks access to these memory sectors until successful authentication on the device itself.

Does gallery protection affect the operation of cloud synchronization?

Hidden albums and files in the “Security” folder are not synchronized by default with Xiaomi Cloud or Google Photos to ensure their confidentiality. If you want to save a backup copy of such photos, they must be temporarily removed from the protected area, which requires entering a password.

What to do if the fingerprint is not recognized?

If the biometric sensor does not work several times in a row, the system will automatically switch to entering a picture or digital password. Make sure your finger and sensor are dry and clean. In the settings, you can add several fingerprints of different fingers to increase reliability.

Is protection reset when updating the firmware?

During a regular system update via OTA (over the air), privacy protection settings, passwords and hidden albums are saved. However, after major Android version updates (for example, moving from MIUI 14 to HyperOS), it is recommended to double-check your security settings, as some permissions may be reset.