App Vault on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO: What It Is and What You Can Change
App vault on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones is not a place to hide files. Xiaomi describes it as a quick-access panel with shortcuts to apps, news and other features, reached by swiping from the home screen. You choose which panel opens under Settings > Home screen, and you can turn off its recommendations.
Menu names differ by model and by MIUI or HyperOS version. The Xiaomi pages named below were read on 30 Oct 2026, and some paths may not match your phone.
What App vault is
Xiaomi's support FAQ says App vault is designed as a quick-access panel that provides shortcuts to apps, news and other features. Its App Vault privacy policy calls it a platform for smart feature recommendations. Xiaomi says it is not available on Xiaomi tablets, although you can add widgets from the Widget center.
Which way you swipe depends on the phone. Xiaomi's FAQ says that on one POCO model, swiping left on the home screen opens App vault by default. Its privacy white paper says you reach it by swiping the home screen to the right. The pages we read do not describe a way to lock photos or files in App vault. For that job, see apps to hide pictures and videos.
Settings Xiaomi names for App vault
| Setting | Where Xiaomi says to find it | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Choose the panel on the -1 screen | Settings > Home screen > -1 screen > App vault | Chooses App vault as the panel. Xiaomi's FAQ for another phone shows a Google Discover switch in Home screen settings. |
| Recommendations | Settings > Home screen > App vault > Recommendations | Turns recommendations on or off. Xiaomi says it then stops collecting the data that feature needs. |
| Permissions | Settings > Home screen > App vault > Privacy > Permissions | Manages permissions for the widgets. |
| Move updated items up | Settings > Home screen > App vault > Move updated items up | Chooses whether updated items show first. |
| Cancel services | Settings > Home screen > App vault > Privacy > Cancel services | Cancels App vault services. |
| Withdraw consent | Settings > App vault > Privacy > Withdrawal of consent | Withdraws consent to collection and use of your data. |
Check and change App vault on your phone
-
Open Home screen settings
Open Settings and tap Home screen.
-
Find the panel setting
Look for -1 screen or App vault. Xiaomi's FAQ says to choose the panel under -1 screen. On some phones, such as the Xiaomi 14T, Xiaomi's FAQ shows a Google Discover switch in Home screen settings instead.
-
Open the App vault settings
If you see App vault, tap it. Xiaomi's privacy policy names Recommendations and Privacy inside it.
-
Turn recommendations off
Switch off Recommendations if you do not want them.
-
Cancel the service if you want to stop it
Tap Privacy and then Cancel services, as Xiaomi's privacy policy describes.
-
Update the phone if an item is missing
Xiaomi's FAQ on an App vault display problem suggests updating to the latest OTA version.
Xiaomi's pages we read do not give one switch that works on every model. If a menu item is missing, search Settings for App vault, or check Xiaomi's support pages for your model.
Before you change a setting
- Take a screenshot of the current screen, so you can put the setting back.
- Change one setting, then swipe from the home screen to see the result.
- If you like the shortcuts and only dislike the news and recommendations, turn off Recommendations and leave the panel on.
What App vault collects
Xiaomi's MIUI privacy white paper says App vault collects only the user data necessary to provide its services. It lists identifiers, product interaction data, advertising data and diagnostics. It says shortcuts, widget suggestions and the Note, Steps and Calendar cards run on the device. The privacy policy says that if you choose not to use a widget, the related information is not collected. Read both pages if privacy is your reason for looking.
If you wanted a vault for photos
The name is confusing. The word vault covers three different things: a home screen panel like this one, an app that hides other apps, and an app that encrypts files. What is a vault app explains the difference. On Android, Google Photos describes a Locked Folder, covered in secret photo albums. On a Mac, the photo vault guide lists options.
Frequently asked questions
What is App vault on Xiaomi?
Xiaomi describes it as a quick-access panel with shortcuts to apps, news and other features, reached from the home screen.
Is App vault a vault for hiding photos?
The Xiaomi pages we read describe shortcuts and cards. They do not describe a place to lock photos or files.
How do I turn off App vault on Redmi or POCO?
Xiaomi names these controls: choose another panel under Settings > Home screen > -1 screen, turn off Recommendations, or use Privacy > Cancel services. The exact menu varies by model.
How do I turn off App vault recommendations?
Go to Settings > Home screen > App vault > Recommendations, as Xiaomi's privacy policy describes.
Is App vault on Xiaomi tablets?
Xiaomi's privacy policy says App vault is not available on Xiaomi tablets. You can add widgets from the Widget center.
Why does swiping open Google Discover or Google Search?
Xiaomi's FAQs say some phones open Google Discover on a swipe, and one POCO model can show App vault as a Google Search shortcut. Check the -1 screen setting and update the phone.
References
Your files. Your Mac. Locked.
Coming soon. Join the waitlist and we email the link.
Get early access