How to Lock Apps on Xiaomi & POCO Phone

Xiaomi offers a security feature known as App Lock that allows users to lock applications without needing to download additional software. You can find and enable App Lock directly in the Settings menu of your Xiaomi phone.

This guide is created using a Xiaomi 14T with the HyperOS 2 interface, but the steps should be similar on other Xiaomi and POCO models, even those using the MIUI interface. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how to use this feature:

1. Enable Security Features

Before locking an application, you need to activate the security features on your Xiaomi phone. To do this, open the Settings menu from the app drawer or notification bar. Then, find and select Fingerprints, Face Data, and Screen Lock.

Next, set up a security key to unlock your Xiaomi phone. Tap Screen Lock and choose your preferred method: Pattern, PIN, or Password.

For better security, PIN or Password is recommended. Choose a combination that is strong yet easy to remember. Keep in mind that if you forget it, you'll need to reset your phone, which will erase all your data, including photos and contacts.

Additionally, you can enhance security by enabling Fingerprint Unlock or Face Unlock.

2. Activate App Lock

After successfully activating the screen security feature on your Xiaomi phone, go back to the Settings page and search for Apps. Then, select App Lock to proceed.

You will be prompted to enter your previously set security method, whether it's a Pattern, PIN, Fingerprint, or Face Unlock. Once verified, simply select the apps you want to lock.

It's recommended to lock applications that contain sensitive data, such as banking apps, social media, notes, and other personal files. To do this, toggle the switch next to the app until it turns blue, indicating that the app is now locked.

3. Customize Settings

After selecting the apps to lock, you can further customize the App Lock settings. Tap the bolt icon on the App Lock page to access the Settings menu.

For example, in the “Lock settings” menu, you can lock apps when your phone is locked by selecting the “When device is locked” menu. You can also select “When device is locked or after exiting app” to lock the app when the phone is locked or close the app.

And the last one, “When device is locked or in 1 minute after exiting app” locks the app when the phone is locked or one minute after closing the app.

Additionally, you can enable extra security features, such as hiding notifications from locked apps, using Fingerprint or Face Unlock to open locked apps, and linking App Lock to your Xiaomi Account.

If you have an active Xiaomi Account, I highly recommend enabling the "Add Xiaomi Account" option at the bottom. This allows you to recover your security key through your registered Xiaomi account if you ever forget it.

After completing all these steps, lock your Xiaomi or POCO phone and try opening one of the locked apps. If the app prompts you to enter the security key, then the setup was successful.

Now, you no longer have to worry when lending your phone to friends or others, as they won’t be able to access your private apps without permission. Plus, with these security measures in place, your Xiaomi or POCO phone is even more protected.