Today, our smartphones are practically an extension of ourselves. We store everything on them, from bank passwords to photos we'd rather keep hidden, making them veritable treasure troves of sensitive information . That's why we can't leave security to chance and must make the most of the tools the system offers.
If you own a device with Xiaomi's custom interface, you'll know that HyperOS has brought order to the system. It's not just about making your phone look better or faster; it also includes powerful privacy settings that, if you don't know where to find them, can easily get lost in the settings menu.
Repair Mode: your lifeline when dealing with technical support
There's nothing more unnerving than having to leave your phone at the repair shop because it's stopped working, knowing the technician needs it unlocked for testing. The dilemma is endless: either you erase everything and lose your data, or you blindly trust the professional not to snoop through your photo gallery or private messages.
To solve this problem, HyperOS has implemented Repair Mode. This feature is brilliant because it creates a virtual partition that simulates a brand-new computer. This allows a technician to tinker with the system and run diagnostics, while your actual data remains encrypted and completely invisible to anyone.
To activate it, simply go to Settings and enter the "About phone" section. However, keep in mind that, for security reasons, the system deletes your biometric profile, so you'll have to reconfigure your fingerprint when you get your phone back. It's also essential to make a backup beforehand in case the technician needs to replace the storage chip.
Protecting your privacy with App Lock and Hidden Albums
Sometimes we don't need protection from a technician, but simply to prevent someone who asks for our phone to make a call from snooping through WhatsApp. That's where App Lock comes in, a tool that puts a virtual lock on the apps you choose, requiring a fingerprint or pattern to access them.
To set it up, go to Settings, then Apps, and select App Lock. Once activated, you can choose exactly which apps you want to protect, ensuring that no one can access your sensitive information without your explicit permission.
When it comes to photos and videos, the HyperOS Gallery has a trick up its sleeve: Hidden Albums. To access them, simply go to the Albums tab and firmly swipe down until the system prompts you for your password. It's the easiest way to keep private files out of sight of anyone who might glance at your photos.
Separating worlds with Second Space
Carrying two phones, one for work and one for personal life, is a hassle. Luckily, Xiaomi offers the Second Space feature, which basically lets you have a virtual phone within your real phone . These are two completely independent profiles that don't share data with each other.
This is ideal for those who want a clear separation between their work and personal apps. To activate it, open the Security app (the one with the green lightning bolt icon), find the Second Space option, and follow the steps to set up a completely new and private environment.
Full control over GPS and app permissions
Many apps ask for your exact location when they don't actually need it to function. To prevent GPS from tracking your every move, HyperOS lets you enable Approximate Location. By disabling Google's accuracy in your location settings, apps will only know your general area , protecting your precise location.
Additionally, it's highly recommended to occasionally clean up your permissions manager. It doesn't make sense for a photo editing app to have access to your microphone or your physical activity . You can review and revoke these permissions by going to Settings, then Apps, and finally to the Permissions section.
Performance and aesthetic extras
Aside from security, HyperOS lets us customize our phones to perfection. Through the Themes app, we can change everything from the control center color to the animations, giving the device a unique style and preventing it from being just another Xiaomi phone that everyone else seems to have.
If you notice your system is running a bit slow, you can use virtual RAM. In Additional Settings, under Memory Extension, you can allocate part of your internal storage as RAM to make applications open faster, but keep in mind that this will use up space on your internal memory.
For those who love multitasking, the sidebar is a gem. It's activated in Additional Settings > Floating Windows and allows you to launch apps in windowed mode, making it easy to do several things at once without constantly switching between applications.
We have an arsenal of tools ranging from creating virtual workspaces to hiding sensitive files and limiting GPS tracking. Implementing Repair Mode, managing app permissions, and leveraging app locking allows for a seamless user experience without sacrificing the privacy of your digital life.