How to pin the screen on an Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha?

There are times when you need someone else to use your Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha either to see a photo, a video, use an application or visit a web page, but you do not want them to be able to access the rest of the applications and data on your device either by privacy, security or to avoid mistakes.

For example, there are times when you need to give the Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha to a friend, family member or even a small child and you do not want them to leave that app that you have opened. This is very useful, for example, so that young children can watch videos on YouTube without leaving the application and you can even prevent them from doing anything other than watching, that is, blocking the touch panel until you want.

Imagine that you want to let someone see a photo or video from Instagram but you don't want them to be able to “like” that publication or see the rest of the publications and “gossip”, since it is possible to do so on your Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha, follow the following steps and we will tell you how to configure it.

This feature is only available from Android version 9, the Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha comes from the factory with version Android 10; MIUI 11.

On Xiaomi devices with the customization layer of the MIUI operating system, this function is disabled by default, so it is necessary to download an additional application to enable it. Once enabled, you can use it as indicated in step 7.

In versions prior to MIUI 12 it is possible to enable screen pinning by downloading an application called SetEdit SettingsDatabaseEditor from Google Play.

Once the application is installed, go to "System Table", click on "Add new setting" and write: “lock_to_app_enabled”. Press save.

It will ask you to enter the value, type: 1 and press save.

Estimated time: 2 minutes.

1- First step:

As most Android functions “Screen pinning” must be activated from the Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha settings, for this, click on “Settings” to start with the configuration.

Settings icon Android

2- Second step:

Scroll down the Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha settings, look for the section called “Security”, click to access.

Android security settings

3- Third step:

The pin screen function is a bit hidden in the Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha settings so you must click on “Advanced” to access these hidden settings.

Android advanced menu

4- Fourth step:

Scroll down through the Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha screen until you find the “Screen pinning” section, press to activate it and define its settings.

Screen pinning Android

5- Fifth step:

Press to activate “Screen pinning” if it is not active.

Activate screen pinning Android

6- Sixth step:

Click on “Ask for unlock pattern before unpinning” if you want to enter a different code from the one you have to unlock the Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha, in this way you can protect your personal unlock code or pattern.

Activate lock to deactivate

7- Seventh step:

You have already activated this very interesting function to loan the Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha to someone else. Now to test how it works or put it to use you must open the application that you want to “pin” or keep open and from which you will not be able to exit without unlocking the Mi Mix Alpha, once opened you must click on the recent applications button, it is of the square button at the bottom right of the screen of your Mi Mix Alpha.

Recent Applications Android

8- Eighth step:

Now click on the icon of the application that you want to “pin on the screen” to display the menu of available options.

Android app settings

9- Ninth step:

Among the options that will now appear displayed, you will see “Pin” next to the icon of a thumbtack or tack. Press to pin this application on your Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha.

Pin app Android

10- Tenth step

You already have the application fixed on the screen, anyone using your Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha will not be able to exit the application without knowing the unlock code or pattern that you have defined. When you have finished and you want to deactivate or stop setting this application, you must press and hold the back and recent applications buttons at the same time as seen in the image below.

Exit Android Pinned Screen

With these simple steps you have learned to activate and use “Screen pinning” in your Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha, once configured you can use it at any time by pressing the recent applications button as shown in point seven.

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