Confidentiality of data on a smartphone is one of the main tasks of the modern user. Even if you do not store corporate secrets, personal correspondence, photographs or banking applications require protection from prying eyes. Setting a password for individual applications is a simple way to prevent unauthorized access if the phone falls into the wrong hands or is temporarily used by someone close to you. Xiaomi Redmi corporate secrets, personal correspondence, photographs or banking applications require protection from prying eyes. Setting a password for individual applications is an easy way to prevent unauthorized access if your phone falls into the wrong hands or is temporarily used by someone close to you.

Unlike locking the entire screen, protecting individual applications allows you to flexibly control access: for example, leave messengers open, but password-protect the gallery or mobile bank. In this article we will analyze all the current methods - from built-in functions MIUI to third-party solutions - and also talk about the nuances that are important to consider when setting up.

The peculiarity of smartphones Xiaomi i Redmi is that the manufacturer regularly updates the shell MIUI, changing the location of settings or adding new functions. Therefore, if you do not find the item mentioned in the instructions, check the firmware version in Settings → About phone → MIUI version. For older models (up to Redmi Note 8), some methods may not work.

1. Built-in “Application Protection” function in MIUI

The most reliable and recommended way is to use a standard tool MIUIthat does not require installing additional apps. The function is available on all smartphones. → Passwords and security Xiaomi And Redmi, starting from the firmware version MIUI 8 (2016).

To activate protection:

  1. Open Settings → Passwords and security.
  2. Select item Application protection (on some versions - Application blocking).
  3. The system will prompt you to create pattern key, PIN code or use fingerprint. Select a convenient option and confirm.
  4. In the list of applications, mark those that you want to password-protect (for example, Gallery, SberBank Online, Telegram).
  5. Activate the switch in the upper right corner.

After setting, every time you open a protected application, a window will appear asking for a password. Important: if you use fingerprint, the system may request the main password (PIN or pattern) after rebooting the device or after 72 hours. - this is a security measure MIUI.

Make sure that the main screen lock password is set on your phone|Check the MIUI version (relevant for older models)|Remember or write down the selected password to protect applications|Disable the "Smart block" in the lock screen settings if it interferes-->

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If the function "Application protection" is not in the menu, update the firmware via Settings → About phone → System update. On some regional versions of MIUI (for example, for Europe), this item may be called App Lock

2. Using “Second Space” for complete isolation

Function "Second Space" (or Dual Apps) in Xiaomi Redmi allows you to create an isolated copy of the system with separate applications, settings and data. This is useful if you do not just want to password-protect an application, but completely hide its presence on the main desktop.

How to set it up:

  1. Go to Settings → Accessibility → Second space.
  2. Follow the instructions for creating a second profile (you will need to come up with a separate password).
  3. After creation, go to the second space through the notification panel (the icon in the form of two circles).
  4. Install the necessary applications (they will be duplicated from the main space).
  5. Return to the main space - now applications from the second will be hidden and accessible only after entering the password.

The advantage of this method is that even if someone unlocks your phone, they will not see the icons of protected applications. However, keep in mind: the second space takes up additional memory (about 1-2 GB), and some applications (for example, banking) may prohibit working in duplicate mode.

Built-in "Protection" function applications"|Second space|Third-party apps|I don’t use protection-->

3. Third-party applications for blocking: TOP-3 proven options

If the built-in functions MIUI do not suit you (for example, due to limited functionality or an inconvenient interface), you can use third-party apps. We have selected three reliable solutions that are compatible with Xiaomi Redmi and do not conflict with system settings.

Application Features Cons Link (Google Play)
AppLock (from DoMobile Lab)
  • Support for PIN, pattern, fingerprint
  • Hide notifications from blocked applications
  • Hack mode (photo of the person who entered the wrong password)
 Advertising in the free version, sometimes slow com.domobile.applock
Norton App Lock
  • Integration with Norton antivirus
  • Automatic blocking by time
  • No advertising
 Requires registration, limited functionality in the free version version com.symantec.applock
Smart AppLock
  • Minimalistic interface
  • Wi-Fi/geolocation blocking
  • Support for themes
 No Russian language, rare bugs with notifications com.sp.protector.free

Before Before installing, check the reviews in Google Play —some applications may conflict with the latest versions. MIUIAlso pay attention to the permissions that the app requests: if a blocking application requires access to SMS or contacts for no obvious reason, this is a reason to be wary.

⚠️ Attention: Third-party blocking applications may be deleted by the system. MIUI when optimizing memory. To avoid this, add them to the list of exceptions: Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autorun and Optimization batteries.

4. Hiding applications without a password: alternative methods

If you do not need a full lock, but just need to hide the application from prying eyes, there are several built-in methods: MIUI There are several built-in methods:

  • 🔍 Hide icons: Press your finger on the desktop → Desktop settings → Hide applications. Select apps that should not be displayed in the menu. Access to them will remain through system search.
  • 📁 Folders with a password: Create folder on the desktop, move the necessary applications to it, then set a password for the folder by long pressing → Folder protection (not available on all versions of MIUI).
  • 🔑 Guest mode: In Settings → System and device → Advanced → Guest mode you can create a temporary profile without access to your data.

These methods are less reliable, than complete blocking, but are suitable if you need to quickly hide the application from casual glances. For example, hiding the icon Tinder or Banking application will not prevent an experienced user from finding them through the settings or task manager, but will make them less noticeable.

What what to do if a hidden application has disappeared from the search?

If you have hidden the application via Desktop settings, but cannot find it even through the search, try:

1. Restart the phone.

2. Open Settings → Applications → Manage applications and manually find it in the list.

3. Cancel hiding through the same desktop settings.

If the application was deleted, check cart in Google Play (section Installed → Deleted).

Some standard applications MIUI (for example, Gallery, Contact or Messages) have their own privacy settings. This allows you to password-protect them even without using the Application protection.

Examples:

  • 📷 Gallery: Open the application → Albums → Settings (⚙️) → Album protection. Here you can create private album, access to which will be password protected.
  • 📞 Contacts: In some versions of MIUI there is an option Hidden contacts (available through Settings → Contacts → Manage contacts).
  • 💬 Messages: For SMS, you can enable fingerprint confirmation in Message settings → Security.

These settings are updated frequently, so if you do not find the mentioned item, check that the firmware is up to date. For example, in MIUI 14 the path to protecting the gallery has changed to Gallery → Profile → Private storage.

⚠️ Attention: The password for a private album in Xiaomi Gallery is different from the main screen lock password. If you forget it, you can restore access only by resetting the gallery settings. (the data will not be deleted, but the album will become visible).

6. Frequent problems and their solutions

When setting up application protection, users Xiaomi Redmi face typical ones We have collected the most common ones and ways to solve them:

Problem Cause Solution
Fingerprint does not work to unlock applications Conflict with security settings or updating MIUI
  1. Remove and add the fingerprint again in Settings → Passwords and security → Fingerprint.
  2. Disable and enable Application protection.
Password is requested too often (every 5 minutes) The "Frequent lock" setting in MIUI is activated Open Settings → Passwords and security → Application protection → Settings (⚙️) → Blocking frequency and select After closing.
The application is not blocked, although it is included in the list Conflict with battery optimization or autorun
  1. Add application in autorun exceptions (Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autorun).
  2. Disable battery optimization for it (Settings → Applications → Manage applications → Battery optimization).

If none of the methods helped, try resetting your settings Application protection:

  1. Go to Settings → Passwords and security → Application protection.
  2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Reset password.
  3. Confirm the action using the main screen lock password.

Important: resetting application security passwords does not delete the data inside them, but may require re-setting the lock.

Is it possible to set different passwords for different applications?

The standard function Application protection MIUI uses one password for all blocked apps. However, third-party applications (for example, AppLock) allow you to set individual passwords or even different types of locking (PIN for one application, fingerprint for another).

What to do if you forgot your application protection password?

There are two options:

  1. Reset the password via the main screen lock PIN code (in the menu Application protection → Settings → Reset password).
  2. If this does not work, reset your phone to factory settings (Settings → About phone → Reset settings). Attention: this will delete all data from the device!

For third-party applications (for example, AppLock), recovery is usually provided via the email specified during registration.

Will application locking work after resetting the phone?

No, after a complete reset (Hard Reset) all application protection settings are reset. You will have to configure them again. However, if you use second space, it will be saved, but you will need to enter the password again.

Is it possible to lock system applications (for example, Settings or Phone)?

In the standard function Application protection system apps (for example, Settings, Phone, Camera) are usually not in the list of those available for blocking. This is done to prevent complete loss of access to the device. However, some third-party applications (for example, Smart AppLock) allow you to block them too - but this can lead to unstable operation of the phone.

How can I find out if someone tried to hack the security of my applications?

The application AppLock has a function Cracker, which takes a photo through the front camera if the password is entered incorrectly. In the standard Protection MIUI applications there is no such option, but you can check the unlock history in Settings → Passwords and security → Security log (not available on all versions).