Modern smartphones, such as Xiaomi Redmi 9, store a huge amount of personal information, and instant messengers often become the main target of attackers or simply curious acquaintances. An unlocked phone accidentally left on the table can become a source of leakage of confidential data, photos and correspondence. That is why the question of how to securely block access to an application becomes critically important for every device owner.
The ecosystem MIUIthat is installed on your smartphone provides powerful built-in security tools that do not require the installation of dubious software. However, many users don't know where exactly these features are hidden or how to properly activate them for a specific application. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the ways to protect your account, from standard system tools to advanced blocking methods.
The setup procedure may seem confusing due to constant updates to the shell interface Android. We will look at the current menu paths for the version of the system installed on Redmi 9, and warn about possible pitfalls. You will learn not only to set a password, but also to set up additional levels of protection so that your data remains securely locked in any situation.
Built-in “Application Protection” function in MIUI
The most reliable and energy-efficient way to restrict access to the messenger is to use a standard utility from Xiaomi developers. This feature is integrated deeply into the system, which guarantees stable operation without the risk of accidental termination of the blocking process. To get started, you need to go to the main settings menu of your device, finding the item Application protection.
When you first start, the system will prompt you to create a unique pattern or digital PIN code. Pattern key It is often more convenient for quick unlocking, since it is easier to reproduce by muscle memory. Do not use simple combinations like “corner” or the letter “Z”, as fingerprints on the screen may give away your secret to an outside observer.
After setting the access code, you will be asked to link your account MI. This is a critical step that beginners often ignore. Linking your account allows you to restore access to blocked apps if you forget the password you created. Without this step, resetting the protection will only be possible through a complete reset of the phone, which will lead to the loss of all data.
⚠️ Attention: If you forget the application protection password and do not link your Mi account, it will be almost impossible to restore access to WhatsApp without losing data. Be sure to write down the code in a safe place or use a password manager.
In the list of apps available for blocking, find the icon WhatsApp and activate the switch opposite it. Now, every time you launch the messenger, the system will require identification confirmation. You can also set to hide the content of notifications on the lock screen so that no one sees the text of messages before entering the password.
Use different passwords to unlock your smartphone screen and to protect applications. This will create an additional layer of defense in case one of the codes is compromised.
Setting up biometric unlocking for WhatsApp
Entering your password every time may seem tedious, especially if you actively use the messenger during the day. Fortunately, Redmi 9 equipped with a fingerprint scanner that can be integrated into the authorization process. This allows you to open the application instantly by simply touching the sensor located on the back of the case with your finger.
To activate this option, return to the menu Application protection and find the gear icon in the upper corner of the screen. In the security settings window that opens, find the item Fingerprint unlocking and move the toggle switch to the active position. The system will ask you to confirm the action by entering your current pattern.
It is important to understand that biometrics only work as a supplement to the main password, and not as a replacement for it. In some situations, for example, after rebooting the device or if the scanner does not recognize the fingerprint several times in a row, the system will still require you to enter a digital code or graphic pattern. This is a standard security measure for all devices based on Android.
- 👆 Unlocking is faster than entering a pattern key, which saves time in a hurry.
- 🔒 Biometric data is stored in a secure isolated module of the phone and is not transmitted to the network.
- ⚡ The function works even when the screen is off, it’s quite simple tap the scanner to log in.
If you have difficulty recognizing your fingerprint, try re-registering your finger in the main security settings of your phone. Sometimes an old recording may not work correctly due to changes in skin condition or contamination of the sensor. Regularly wipe the scanner with a soft cloth to ensure stable operation.
Using third-party locker applications
Sometimes the built-in tools are not enough, or the user wants to gain more flexible control over the appearance of the lock screen. The store Google Play presents many specialized utilities that allow you to set a password for any app. However, it is worth remembering that using third-party software increases the load on the battery and can slow down the system.
Popular solutions, such as AppLock or Norton App Lockoffer functions that are not available in the standard shell. For example, they can take a photo with the front camera when an attempt to enter a password fails or mask the icon of a protected application. Installing such software requires broad access rights, which must be taken into account from a confidentiality point of view.
When choosing a app, pay attention to the permissions it requests. Locker does need access to use over other windows and information about installed applications, but asking for access to contacts or microphone should raise red flags. Always download such utilities only from the official store, avoiding modified versions from dubious sites.
⚠️ Attention: Third-party blockers can be closed by the system to save energy. To prevent this from happening, pin the application in memory and disable battery optimization for it in the settings.
After installing and configuring a third-party locker, it is recommended to disable the built-in MIUI protection for WhatsApp to avoid conflicts between the two security systems. The simultaneous operation of two blockers can lead to the phone freezing or the inability to launch the messenger at all.
Why do third-party lockers drain the battery?
They work in the background and constantly monitor running processes in order to intercept the opening of the desired application. This consumes processor resources and prevents the phone from going into deep sleep.
Second Space function for complete isolation
For those who want to create the most reliable barrier between personal correspondence and the rest of the phone, MIUI has a unique function called Second space. This is not just a password for an application, but actually creating a second independent profile inside one smartphone with its own settings, gallery and installed apps.
Activation of this function turns your Redmi 9 into two different devices. You can install WhatsApp in a second space, set it up with a separate phone number, and protect the login to that profile with your unique password or fingerprint. Switching between spaces occurs instantly based on a given gesture or fingerprint.
The data in the two spaces is completely isolated from each other. A person who has access to the main profile of your phone will not see the WhatsApp icon installed in the second space if they do not know the access code to it. This is an ideal option for separating work and personal life or for storing top-secret information.
| Features | Application protection | Second space |
|---|---|---|
| Isolation level | Low (only lock on input) | High (full copy of the system) |
| Memory consumption | Minimal | Significant (data duplication) |
| Switching speed | Instantly | A few seconds |
| Number of accounts | One (with cloning) | Completely independent second account |
To enable this option, go in Settings and find the section Second space. Follow the setup wizard to create a new profile. Once completed, you can install WhatsApp separately in this profile and set up your own security rules for it, independent of the main screen.
Second space is the best choice if you need to hide the very fact of having a messenger on your phone from prying eyes.
Setting up application cloning and protecting them
Many users Redmi 9 use two phone numbers and, accordingly, two WhatsApp accounts. MIUI has a convenient function Cloning applicationsthat allows you to install a second copy of the messenger. It is important to understand that the clone can and should also be protected with a password separately from the main application.
After creating a clone in the settings Cloning applications, it will appear in the general list of apps. To put a password on it, you need to go to the menu again Protecting applications. In the list you will see two WhatsApp icons: the main one and the cloned one (usually marked with a special icon). You can set different passwords for each of them.
This allows you to restrict access, for example, if your main phone is used by a spouse or child, and only you need a working clone. Set up different fingerprints for logging into the main and cloned messenger if the scanner supports recognition of different fingers for different actions, although MIUI more often uses one biometric profile for all protected apps.
- 📱 Cloning allows you to use two different numbers on one device without constantly logging out of your account.
- 🔐 You can set a stronger password for a clone than to the main version of the application.
- ⚙️ Notifications from the clone can be configured separately so that they are not displayed on the lock screen.
Remember that deleting the main application will also delete its clone. Therefore, always make backup copies of correspondence before any manipulations such as deleting or reinstalling the messenger. Copies are saved in cloud storage Google Drive and can be restored when installed again.
☑️ Checking the security of the clone
Solving common problems and restoring access
Despite the ease of setup, users may encounter situations where the phone does not accept the password or the protection does not work correctly. Often the problem lies in a system update that resets some permission settings. If application protection has stopped asking for a code, check whether this function has been disabled in the settings after the next MIUI update.
If you completely forget your password and don’t have a linked Mi account, the situation becomes complicated. The only legal way to regain access to the phone is a full reset to factory settings through the Recovery menu. This procedure will delete all data from the device, including photos, contacts and correspondence that were not saved in the cloud.
To enter recovery mode, turn off the smartphone and hold down the power and volume up buttons at the same time. In the menu that appears, select Wipe Data. Be extremely careful with these actions, as the process is irreversible. It's always better to take a minute to write down your password in a safe place than to lose gigabytes of information.
⚠️ Attention: The recovery menu interface may vary depending on the version of MIUI. If you are not sure of your actions, it is better to contact an authorized service center so as not to turn your phone into a “brick.”
If the application crashes when you try to enter a password, try clearing the cache of the security utility. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find the system component Security or Protection and click Clear cache. Do not click “Clear data” if you do not want to reset all lock settings.
What to do if the fingerprint stops working?
Try adding the same finger again as a new fingerprint with a different name (for example, “Finger L 2”). Sometimes this solves the problem of incorrect reading of old biometric data.
Is it possible to set a password only for certain chats inside WhatsApp?
Yes, the messenger itself has a “Password Protection” function for specific chats. It is located in the application's privacy settings and works regardless of the system lock. However, on Redmi 9 it is more reliable to use system protection for the entire application.
Does setting a password affect the speed of WhatsApp?
No, MIUI’s built-in protection works at the system level and has virtually no effect on the performance of the messenger. The startup delay is a fraction of a second required to verify the fingerprint or enter the key.
Will the other person see that I have set a password on WhatsApp?
No, setting a password is a local setting of your device. The interlocutors do not receive any notifications about this and cannot find out about the blocking in any technical way.
What happens to messages if the phone is dead?
All messages are saved in the phone’s memory and in a cloud copy. After charging and turning on the device, you just need to enter the password or place your finger again to access the chat history.