How to Enable and Use App Pinning (Screen Pinning) on Xiaomi Phone

Screen Pinning (also called App Pinning) locks your Xiaomi phone to display only one specific app. This is ideal when lending your phone to a child, friend, or colleague — they can only use the pinned app and cannot access your personal data.

How to Enable Screen Pinning

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Screen Pinning (on some models: Settings → Security → Screen Pinning).
2. Toggle Screen Pinning on.
3. Optional: Enable ""Ask for PIN before unpinning"" — this requires your lock-screen PIN to unpin, adding extra protection.

How to Pin an App

Method 1: Via Recent Apps

1. Open the app you want to pin.
2. Tap the Recents button (square or swipe up and hold).
3. Long-press the app's thumbnail in the recent apps list.
4. Tap Pin (pin icon).
5. The app is now locked to the screen.

Method 2: Via Navigation Gesture

On gesture-based navigation:
1. Swipe up and hold to open Recent Apps.
2. Tap the app icon at the top of the thumbnail.
3. Select Pin this app.

How to Unpin (Exit Screen Pinning)

• Three-button navigation: Press and hold Back + Recents simultaneously.
• Gesture navigation: Swipe up from the bottom and hold, then confirm unpin.
• If PIN was set, enter your PIN to complete unpinning.

Practical Use Cases

Note: Screen Pinning does not prevent the pinned app from accessing the internet or sending notifications. It only prevents navigation away from the app.

This built-in HyperOS feature requires no third-party app and uses no extra battery — a simple but powerful privacy tool.