Modern smartphones store a huge amount of personal information, from bank transactions to correspondence in instant messengers. Owners of budget but popular models, such as Xiaomi Redmi 8, often wonder how to restrict access to certain apps without installing third-party software. The MIUI shell offers built-in tools for solving this task, which work stably and do not require root access.
There are several ways to isolate data: from simply hiding icons to creating a completely separate system inside the phone. The method you choose depends on how much privacy you require. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available options for setting privacy on your device.
Using the “Hidden Applications” function in the settings
The easiest and fastest way to remove unnecessary icons from the desktop is to use the standard MIUI function. This method does not encrypt data, but only visually hides shortcuts from the application menu. To activate the option, you need to go to Settings, then scroll down to the section Applications and select Hidden applications.
After turning on the switch opposite the desired app, its icon will disappear from the general list. To find a hidden application, you need to make a specific gesture on the main screen: spread two fingers apart (as when zooming in on a photo). A special window will open where you need to enter a password or fingerprint, if it was configured earlier.
This method is ideal for those who just want to keep prying eyes away from the icons of social networks or games. However, it is worth remembering that when searching through the system's global search, the name of the app may still be displayed in the results if you do not disable this option separately.
⚠️ Attention: The hide applications function may not be available in some global versions of the MIUI firmware. If you do not find this item in the settings, try updating the system or changing the region in the phone settings to “India” or “China” (and then returning) to activate hidden menus.
Setting up “Second Space” for complete isolation
If you require the maximum level of privacy, the function Second space will be the best solution. Essentially, this is the creation of a second user profile within one device Redmi 8. The data in this space is completely isolated: photos, contacts and installed applications of the first profile are not visible here.
Activation occurs through the menu Settings → About phone (or immediately in the main settings depending on the MIUI version) → Second space. The system will offer to set up a separate lock screen. You can set a unique fingerprint or PIN code that will immediately open the second space, bypassing the main screen.
Switching between spaces is done either through the notification shade or using a customized fingerprint on the screen blocking. This creates the illusion of having two different phones in one case. Transferring files between profiles is possible through a special “Data Transfer” utility built into the system.
Using the second space requires more RAM resources, which can be critical for Redmi 8 with its 3 or 4 GB of RAM. Background processes in both spaces may consume more battery power than usual. However, this is the only way to truly hide an application so that it cannot be found even through file search.
To quickly switch between spaces, add the Second Space widget to your main profile homescreen. This will save time and eliminate the need to go into the settings every time.
Creating a protected folder through the Explorer application
The built-in file manager MIUI has a powerful tool for hiding not only files, but also entire applications, if we consider them as installation packages, but more often this function is used for media files. However, there is a hack using the Secure Folder feature. It allows you to hide files from prying eyes with a password.
To access this function, open the application Explorer, go to the tab Folders and pull the screen down. You will be prompted to create a privacy password. After installing the code, you can move any files to this hidden area.
Although you cannot directly hide an installed application through Explorer, you can hide installation files .apk or personal documents associated with certain apps. This creates an additional layer of security for your digital hygiene.
☑️ Setting up privacy protection
Restricting access through “Application Protection”
Another level of security available to owners Xiaomi Redmi 8is the function Application protection. It does not hide the app icon, but requires you to enter a password, pattern or fingerprint every time you try to launch it. This effectively protects against curious friends or children who might pick up the phone.
Settings are carried out in the section Settings → Applications → Application protection. Here you will see a list of all installed apps. It is enough to activate the toggle switch opposite the desired application, for example, WhatsApp or Gallery.
The system allows you to configure exceptions. For example, you can make it so that the password is requested only on the first start after a reboot, or always require it. The “Hide notification contents” function is also available so that the text of messages is not displayed on the locked screen.
| Protection method | Hide the icon | Requires a password | Data isolation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden applications | Yes | Yes (when entering a folder) | No |
| Second space | Yes (complete isolation) | Yes (separate entrance) | Full |
| Application protection | No | Yes (at startup) | No |
| Guest mode | Yes (temporary) | Yes (on exit) | Temporary |
It is important to note that application protection works at the system level, so it is difficult to bypass it using standard methods. However, if an attacker has access to the phone settings, he can try to disable this function if a password has not been set to enter the settings themselves.
Combining “Application Protection” and the “Hidden Applications” function gives a double effect: the icon is not visible in the menu, and when trying to find the app through the settings, an additional password will be required.
Using Guest mode for temporary access
When you need to give the phone to another person to make a call or view a map, but you don't want to show your personal data, Guest Modeis ideal. Unlike the Second Space, this profile is temporary and is reset after leaving it.
You can activate the guest mode through the quick settings panel (curtain). Click on the user profile icon at the top of the screen and select Guest. The phone will clear the desktop of your widgets and applications, leaving only a basic set of apps.
In this mode, the guest does not see your photos, browser history and messages. After finishing use, just switch back to the main profile through the notification shade. All guest data will be deleted automatically, ensuring a clean system.
⚠️ Attention: In guest mode, some applications linked to your Google account may not work correctly or require re-authorization. It is not recommended to use this mode for long-term work with important services.
Possible problems and their solutions
When using privacy functions on Redmi 8 users may encounter a number of technical nuances. For example, after updating the firmware, the settings of hidden applications may be reset. In this case, you need to go through the activation procedure again in the settings menu.
Sometimes it happens that the phone “forgets” the fingerprint to enter the Second Space. In this situation, use a pre-set digital password. If it doesn’t work either, you will need to log into your main Xiaomi account to reset security settings.
Another common problem is increased power consumption. Running two spaces at the same time loads the processor. It is recommended to close unused applications in the background and disable synchronization in the second profile if it is not needed.
What to do if you have forgotten the password for the Second Space?
If you have forgotten the password and cannot log in, the only way to regain access to the main space is to perform a hard reset of your phone. This will delete all data from the device, so always link your Mi Account to be able to recover.
⚠️ Attention: The MIUI interface is updated regularly. The location of menu items may vary depending on the version of Android and the specific firmware build. If you do not find the described functions, use the settings search by entering the keywords “hide” or “space.”
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to restore deleted hidden applications?
If you deleted an application from a hidden folder, it is completely removed from the system. You can restore it only through the recycle bin (if the function is enabled in the download settings) or by downloading it again from Google Play. Data inside the application will be lost if a backup has not been made.
Do hidden applications see my location in the background?
Yes, hiding the icon does not disable the application. It continues to run in the background, consuming traffic and accessing geolocation, if it has such permissions. To stop completely, you need to force close the application through the battery settings or task manager.
Does Second Space take up a lot of space on Redmi 8?
The creation of the space itself takes up minimal space, but every application installed there is duplicated on the disk. Considering the modest amount of internal memory Redmi 8 (32 or 64 GB), it is not recommended to install heavy games or store a lot of videos in the second profile.
Is it possible to hide system applications?
You cannot hide system applications (for example, “Phone”, “Messages”, “Settings”) using standard MIUI tools. This is done for system stability. Attempts to do this through third-party launchers may lead to unstable operation of the phone.
How to disable application protection permanently?
To disable it, go to Settings → Applications → Protection of applications. Enter your privacy password and turn off the main switch at the top of the screen. The system will warn you that all settings will be reset.