How to block applications on Android Xiaomi: effective methods

Modern Xiaomi smartphones offer users extensive functionality, which, on the one hand, pleases with the possibilities, and on the other, requires competent management of time and access to content. Blocking applications is becoming an urgent need for many device owners, be it protecting personal data from prying eyes or limiting children’s access to inappropriate content. The operating system MIUI and its new shell HyperOS provide powerful built-in tools that allow you to solve this problem without installing additional software.

However, standard methods are not always suitable for all use cases. For example, if you need to temporarily disable access to social networks to improve productivity, the built-in Parental Controls may be overkill, and hiding icons may not be effective enough. In this article, we will analyze all the available ways to restrict the operation of apps, from simple privacy settings to advanced methods through USB debugging.

It is important to understand that blocking can mean different things: hiding an icon, requiring a password at startup, or completely stopping the process in the background. On Xiaomi devices without root access, a complete software stop of system processes is possible only through ADB commandswhile for user applications standard system tools are sufficient. Let's look at each method in detail so you can choose the best one for your situation.

Using built-in Parental Control

The most reliable and functional way to restrict access to apps on a Xiaomi smartphone is to use the built-in Parental Control module. This tool is designed specifically for digital wellbeing management and allows you to flexibly set time limits and schedules. You can activate it through the settings menu or by searching the system, which makes the method accessible even to inexperienced users.

After activating the function, you will need to create or log into a family group through an account Google or Mi Account. This is necessary to synchronize rules between the parent and child devices. In the management interface, you will see a list of all installed apps, where for each you can set individual limit parameters.

• 📱 Time limits: Set the exact number of minutes or hours that can be spent in the application daily.
• 🔒 Scheduled blocking: Prohibit the launch of games or entertainment at certain times of the day, for example, at night or while studying.
• 🚫 Complete ban: the ability to completely block the launch of a specific application, making its icon inactive.

A feature of the implementation on Xiaomi is deep integration with system services, which prevents Easily bypass restrictions by simply reinstalling the application or changing the time on the device. The system can also send notifications to the parent's device if a child tries to access blocked content or runs out of time.

⚠️ Attention: For Parental Control to work correctly, the child's device must have an active Internet connection. If your child turns on airplane mode, the restrictions may not apply immediately until the connection is restored.

For fine-tuning, go to the section Settings → Digital well-being and parental controls. Here you will find usage statistics that will help you understand which apps are taking up the most time, and whether you should block them completely or simply limit them.

Blocking application launches with a password

If your goal is not to prohibit the use of the application completely, but to protect its contents from prying eyes, the ideal solution would be "Application Protection" function. It is built into the shell MIUI and allows you to set a separate password, pattern or fingerprint to launch selected apps.

This method is often confused with complete blocking, but it works differently: the application starts, but the system requires authorization before opening the interface. This is a great way to hide correspondence in WhatsApp, access to banking applications or personal photos in the gallery. The setup is carried out through the "Security" application, which is pre-installed on each brand smartphone.

To activate protection, open the application Security, scroll down to the "Application protection" section and turn on the switch. The system will prompt you to set a password if it is not already set for the device as a whole. After this, you can select from the list all apps that should open only after confirming your identity.

• 🔐 Biometrics: Use face or fingerprint unlock for instant access.
• ⏱ Timeout: Configure the interval after which the password will be required again (immediately, after 1 minute or at each start).
• 👁 Hide content: in the settings you can hide notifications from protected applications on the lock screen.

It is important to note that this function does not hide the application icon from the desktop. The user sees the app, can click on it, but will not go further than logging into the system. This creates a psychological barrier and clearly indicates that access is limited.

For maximum security, it is recommended to periodically change your password or pattern, especially if you suspect that someone could spy on the combination. It is also worth enabling the “Settings Protection” option so that an outsider cannot simply disable this function in the security menu.

Hide applications in the "Second Space" mode

A unique feature of the ecosystem Xiaomi is the ability to create a "Second Space". This is actually a second user profile inside one smartphone, which looks like a pure device with its own set of applications, contacts and gallery. Switching between spaces is fast and can be protected with a separate password or fingerprint.

Using a Second Space is a drastic but effective locking method. You simply do not install unwanted applications in the main profile or, conversely, hide them in a second profile, to which access is denied. To the casual observer, these applications simply do not exist on the main system.

To create additional space, go to Settings → Second space and click "Enable". The setup process takes a couple of minutes. After creation, you can switch between profiles by swiping on the lock screen or through a special shortcut in the notification shade.

Option	Main space	Second space
Data access	Full access	Isolated
Notifications	Displayed	Hidden (in the main profile)
Memory consumption	Basic	Advanced (copy of data)
Switching speed	Instant	Instant

This method is often used to separate work and personal life or to store confidential files. Applications installed in the second space are not visible in the list of installed apps of the first profile, which ensures a high level of privacy.

⚠️ Attention: When you delete the Second space, all data, applications and files located inside it will be permanently deleted. Be sure to back up important information before resetting the profile.

It is worth considering that having two profiles increases the load on the device’s RAM. On models with less than 4 GB of RAM, the system may become less stable, and background processes in the second space may drain the battery, even if you are not using them at the moment.

Limiting background activity and battery

Sometimes by blocking, users mean preventing an application from running in the background. This is true for apps that constantly consume traffic, geolocation, or battery power, even when you are not using them. The system Android in conjunction with MIUI allows you to strictly limit such processes.

This does not require third-party software. Just go to the settings of a specific application and change the battery and autorun settings. This will not block the app from launching completely, but will prevent it from running unnoticed when the screen is off or you are in another application.

Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, select the desired app and find the "Activity Control" or "Battery" section. Here you can select the mode "No restrictions" (the application is always active), "Limited background mode" or "Hard restriction" (the application does not run in the background).

Also in the "Security" menu there is a section "Permissions" → "Autorun". Disabling this option ensures that the application will not launch itself when you turn on the phone. This is especially useful for games and stores that do not need to be running all the time.

The effectiveness of this method depends on the Android version. In newer versions of the system (Android 12, 13, 14), memory management algorithms have become more aggressive, and applications that have not been used for a long time can “fall asleep” automatically, ignoring even some permission settings.

Blocking via USB debugging (ADB)

For advanced users for whom standard methods are not enough, it is possible to block system and user applications via the ADB command line (Android Debug Bridge). This method allows you to completely “freeze” the application, making it invisible and inoperable for the system, until it can be reactivated through a command.

To implement this method, you must enable developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on version MIUI or version OSseven times. After the message “You have become a developer” appears in the settings menu, a new section “Advanced” → “For developers” will appear.

Enable the "USB Debugging" item. Then connect your smartphone to your computer, install the drivers and package Platform Tools. In the command line on your PC, enter the command to test the connection: adb devices. If the device is detected, you can start blocking.

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 application package name

To unlock the application, use the command: adb shell pm enable package.application name. You can find the exact name of the package (for example, com.facebook.katana) through special analyzer applications or in the application management menu on the phone itself.

Risks of using ADB

Using ADB commands requires caution. Blocking critical system components (for example, telephony service or system interface) can lead to a cyclic reboot of the device (bootloop). Always check the purpose of a package before disabling it.

The advantage of this method is that the application is actually removed for the current user, freeing up space and resources, but technically remains on the system. This allows you to return everything back at any time without a complete reinstallation. However, for ordinary users, this method may seem complicated due to the need to work with the command line.

Third-party blocking applications

If the built-in functions of Xiaomi are not enough for you, a huge selection of third-party solutions is available in the Google Play Store. Applications such as AppLock, Norton App Lock or StayFreeoffer advanced features such as hiding icons, false error screens, and detailed usage statistics.

However, using third-party software on MIUI has its own nuances. Xiaomi's aggressive energy saving system often “kills” the background processes of such blockers, which is why the protection may stop working at the most inopportune moment. To avoid this, you need to manually configure permissions for the blocker application.

• 🔋 Autorun: be sure to enable autorun for the blocker application in the security settings.
• 📌 Dock: use the "Lock" function so that the system does not close the process.
• 🔐 Permissions: Give all rights requested, including "On top of other windows" and "Use access."

Third-party blockers often offer a "Guest Mode" or hidden storage feature, which can be more convenient than the standard Second Space for some scenarios. They allow you to create profiles with a different set of available applications, switching between them with one tap.

⚠️ Attention: By giving a third-party application device administrator rights or screen access, you trust it with critical functions. Use only proven solutions from well-known developers with a good reputation to avoid data theft.

When choosing an application, pay attention to the amount of advertising and the presence of paid subscriptions. Many free versions of blockers intrusively offer to buy premium access, which can be annoying when used on a daily basis. Xiaomi's built-in tools in this regard are much more honest and do not require additional costs.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to block applications on Xiaomi without setting a password?

Yes, you can use the "Guest" mode or simply delete the application. You can also use the “Second Space” function and not install blocked apps there, leaving them only in the main profile, access to which is protected.

What should I do if I forgot the application protection password?

If you linked a Mi or Google account, you can try to restore access through the "Forgot password" button on the input screen. If the account is not linked, the only option is to completely reset the phone, which will delete all data.

Does blocking applications affect the operation of the phone?

Using built-in functions (Parental Controls, Application Protection) has virtually no effect on performance. However, running many third-party blockers or creating a Second Space can increase battery consumption and RAM.

Is it possible to bypass application blocking on Xiaomi?

Bypassing Parental Controls or password protection without knowing the access code is extremely difficult, since this data is stored in a protected section of the system. Resetting the time or reinstalling the application usually does not help, especially if the device is connected to the Internet.

Does locking work if the phone is turned off?

App locking is a software restriction that only works when the device is turned on and the operating system is loaded. When the phone is turned off, no applications can be launched by definition.