Modern smartphones store a colossal amount of confidential information: from correspondence in instant messengers to financial transactions in banking applications. The device Redmi 9Trunning a shell MIUIprovides users with powerful built-in tools to protect this data without the need to download third-party software. The App Lock feature allows you to restrict access to selected apps by requiring you to enter a special code or biometric authentication every time you try to launch.
Smartphone owners often underestimate the importance of local protection, relying only on the device's general lock screen. However, if the phone is in the hands of a stranger in an unlocked state, all internal information will become vulnerable. Setting up an individual password for specific apps creates an additional one security levelthat cannot be bypassed without special knowledge or access to your account. Xiaomi. This is especially true for those who often give the phone to children or colleagues to view photos or make calls.
In this article we will analyze in detail the process of activating protection, setting up authentication types and solving possible problems. You will learn how to correctly combine the use of fingerprint and a graphic key for maximum convenience and reliability. The instructions are suitable for both new devices and those who have not previously used such functions in the ecosystem Android.
Activating the application protection function in the MIUI settings
The process of enabling the lock begins by going to the system settings menu. The interface MIUI may differ slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the section responsible for privacy and data security. This is where all the tools for controlling access to personal content are concentrated.
Open the menu Settings and scroll down the list to the item Applications. In the submenu that appears, select the option App lock. The system will immediately ask for permission to use this feature, as it requires the creation of a separate security profile. If you have not previously set a privacy password, your smartphone will prompt you to create one right now.
The screen will ask you to link the function to yours Mi account. This is a critical step to restore access to locked apps if you lose your password. Ignoring this step may lead to the fact that if the code is forgotten, you will have to perform a complete reset of the device. After confirming the account, the system will ask you to specify a pattern key or digital key PIN codethat will be used for unlocking.
⚠️ Attention: The pattern key for blocking applications may coincide with the screen unlock key, but this is not necessary. It is recommended to use a unique code to increase security.
Write down the created password in a safe place or save it in a password manager to avoid a situation where access to important data is completely blocked.
Selecting an authentication type: fingerprint, face or password
After creating the main security key, the system will offer to configure additional verification methods. The smartphone Redmi 9T is equipped with a fingerprint scanner built into the power button, which makes this method the most convenient for everyday use. Biometrics allows you to open protected applications in a split second without entering long combinations of numbers.
To activate the scanner, go to the lock settings and select Fingerprint unlocking. You will need to touch the sensor several times to teach the system. The face unlock function is also available, but it is considered less reliable than fingerprinting, as it can be triggered in the owner’s photo under certain lighting.
It is important to understand the difference between the levels of protection. The password is the main and mandatory method that is required after rebooting the device or after several unsuccessful biometric attempts. Biometric data serve only as a convenient addition. If the system does not recognize the fingerprint three times in a row, it will automatically prompt you to enter a pattern key or PIN code.
☑️ Setting up protection methods
Step-by-step guide for selecting specific applications
When the security mechanism is activated, you must indicate which apps require access control. By default, the list may be empty or contain system recommendations. The user has full control over this list and can add or remove applications at any time without limiting the number.
In the menu Blocking applications you will see a complete list of installed software, divided into two categories: “Blocked” and “Unblocked”. To set protection, simply click on the lock icon opposite the desired app. The icon will change color or position to indicate that the restriction has been activated. Most often, users protect instant messengers, galleries, banking clients and notes.
Particular attention should be paid to system applications, such as Settings or Contact. Locking settings will prevent unauthorized persons from changing important phone settings, for example, turning off the Internet or resetting passwords. Blocking contacts will hide your phone book from prying eyes, even if the Phone application itself remains available for calls.
| Application type | Protection recommendation | Risk level |
|---|---|---|
| Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) | Required | High |
| Banking applications | Required (double protection) | Critical |
| Gallery and Photo | Recommended | Average |
| Social networks | Optional | Medium |
| Games and utilities | Not required | Low |
Setting to hide notification content
Even if the application protected by a password, standard notifications can be displayed on the lock screen or in the notification shade, revealing the essence of the correspondence or the fact that a message has been received. To fully ensure privacy, you need to configure the display of notification content for protected apps.
At the top of the menu App locking there is a gear icon that opens additional options. Find the item Hide notification content and activate it. After enabling this option, even if the phone is unlocked, the message text from a protected application will be replaced with “Content hidden” until you enter the password or touch the fingerprint scanner.
This function works in conjunction with the main locking mechanism. It prevents a situation where the user forgets to lock the phone, and a colleague or friend sees a pop-up notification with a confirmation code or personal message. For maximum privacy, it is also recommended to disable notification previews on the lock screen itself Android in the general system settings.
⚠️ Attention: When you enable content hiding, you will not see the message text until you unlock the application. This can be inconvenient when you urgently need to read information quickly.
Advanced features: hidden applications and second space
Shell MIUI offers more advanced methods of hiding data that go beyond simple password locking. The “Hidden Applications” function allows you to completely remove the app icon from the desktop and from the menu of all applications. You can launch such an application only through a special system input field, access to which is also protected.
To activate this function in the application blocking settings, select Hidden applications. You will be prompted to enter a secret access code, which is different from the main lock password. After setup, to open a hidden application, you will need to enter this code in the standard search interface or in dialing, depending on the selected activation method.
An even more radical method is creation Second space. This is a feature that creates a completely isolated environment inside the phone with a separate set of applications, files and accounts. Switching between the main and second space occurs using another fingerprint or a special password. For a person who does not know about the existence of the second space, the phone will look absolutely clean of personal data.
How to enter hidden applications?
To open a hidden application, open the “Themes” or “Gallery” application (depending on the version of MIUI) and enter your secret code. The interface will change and hidden icons will appear.
Possible problems and solutions
During operation, users may encounter a situation where the locking function does not work correctly or access to applications is lost. Most often, problems are associated with system updates, malfunctions of the fingerprint sensor, or simple forgetfulness of the password by the owner. Understanding the reasons helps to quickly restore the functionality of the protection.
If the fingerprint is no longer recognized, make sure that the finger and sensor are clean and dry. In the settings, you can delete the old fingerprint and record it again, paying attention to the edges of the finger. If the problem persists, check to see if the lock feature is disabled in your power saving settings, as aggressive battery optimization may prevent background security processes from running.
The most difficult situation is a forgotten password. If you have linked your account Mi, you can reset your password through the recovery form by entering your account login and password. If the account has not been linked, the only way to regain access to applications is to perform a full factory reset of the phone (Hard Reset), which will delete all data from the device.
The absence of linking the Mi account when creating an application lock password makes it impossible to restore access without completely resetting the phone.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and names of menu items may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (Global, China, EU). If you do not find the item, use the search in the settings.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to bypass application locking on Redmi 9T through safe mode?
No, built-in MIUI protection works at the system level and is not disabled in safe mode. Safe mode disables only third-party applications downloaded from the Play Market, but system protection functions remain active.
Does blocking applications affect the operation of the alarm clock?
No, system alarms continue to work even if the Clock application is blocked. The sound will sound at the set time. However, widgets from blocked applications may stop updating on the desktop.
What will happen to notifications if the application is blocked?
Notifications will arrive, but their content will be hidden (if the corresponding option is enabled). To view the full text of the notification, you need to click on it and authenticate.
Is it possible to set different passwords for different applications?
The standard MIUI firmware uses a single password for all blocked applications. Separating access rights with different passwords for different apps is impossible without using third-party software or the Second Space function.
Are application usage statistics reset after setting a password?
No, setting protection does not affect internal statistics, cache or correspondence history within the application. All data is saved in full, only the procedure for accessing the app interface changes.