How to Hide Photos and Videos Privately on Xiaomi / Redmi Phone
Whether it's personal documents, gifts, or private memories, Xiaomi's Gallery and HyperOS offer several ways to keep photos away from prying eyes.
Method 1 – Gallery Private Album (Easiest)
Xiaomi Gallery has a built-in Private or Hidden Album feature:
1. Open Gallery → tap Albums tab.
2. Scroll down → find Private or Hidden album (lock icon).
3. Set a PIN, password, or fingerprint to protect it.
4. Move photos: select photos in Gallery → tap ⋮ → Move to Private album.
Hidden photos:
- Don't appear in the main Gallery grid or timeline.
- Not visible in file managers unless explicitly navigated to the hidden folder.
- Still accessible to anyone who knows the PIN.
Method 2 – Second Space (Most Secure)
Second Space creates a completely isolated phone environment:
1. Settings → Special features → Second Space → enable.
2. Set a separate PIN or fingerprint.
3. Store sensitive photos in Second Space's Gallery — completely invisible from the main space.
4. Switch spaces via: Settings → Second Space → Switch to Second Space or a dedicated shortcut.
Second Space is the most secure option — it's an entirely separate Android user profile.
Method 3 – App Lock on Gallery
If you want to keep all Gallery content from others:
1. Settings → App Lock → add Gallery app.
2. Gallery now requires fingerprint or PIN to open.
3. This protects the whole Gallery, not just selected photos.
Method 4 – Move Files to a Hidden Folder
Using Mi Files:
1. Open Mi Files → navigate to the DCIM or Pictures folder.
2. Create a new folder starting with a dot (e.g., .private) — dot folders are hidden from file browsers.
3. Move sensitive photos into this folder.
4. The folder won't appear in Gallery unless you navigate directly via Files → Show hidden files.
Comparison of Methods
| Method | Ease | Security | Visible in File Manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallery Private Album | Easy | Moderate | Hidden from Gallery |
| App Lock on Gallery | Easy | Moderate | Locked behind PIN |
| Second Space | Moderate | Highest | Completely isolated |
| Hidden dot folder | Technical | Low | Hidden but not encrypted |
Pro Tips
- Second Space + App Lock combination is the strongest protection for sensitive photos without third-party apps.
- Cloud backup (Mi Cloud / Google Photos) still backs up photos in Private albums — disable backup for Private album in Gallery settings if you don't want cloud copies.
- For maximum security, consider encrypted apps like Signal, which stores images within its own encrypted container.
