Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have become an integral part of our digital lives, storing a huge amount of confidential information. From banking apps to personal correspondence and photos, all this can require protection from prying eyes. Device owners often wonder how to hide the Xiaomi Android app to protect their data from the curious glances of friends, colleagues or children. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS offer built-in, powerful tools to solve this problem without having to install third-party software.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods of hiding software, from standard security features to advanced techniques using second space. You will learn how to make icons invisible, how to protect access with a password or fingerprint, and also look at the nuances of how these functions work on different versions of firmware.
Some users mistakenly believe that data hiding requires complex technical manipulations. In fact, Xiaomi engineers have designed intuitive solutions. However, to use them effectively, you need to know where to find the right switches in the confusing settings menu, and we will take you through all the steps, eliminating any errors.
Using the built-in “Hide of Applications” tool
The easiest and fastest way to make programs invisible on the desktop is to use the standard shell function, which is available on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices running MIUI versions 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and the new HyperOS. This method does not remove the application, but only hides its icon from the menu and desktop, making it possible to access it only through a special code entry or fingerprint.
To activate the function, you need to go to the Security System App, which usually has a green icon with a shield and is located in the Tools folder or on the home screen. Inside the security menu, you need to scroll down to the Hiding Applications section, where you will be prompted to create an access password if it is not already installed, or use an existing privacy protection code.
- 🔒 Open the Security app and find the Hiding Apps item».
- 👆 Activate the switch in front of the program you want to hide.
- 🔢 Create a short access code (usually) 2-6 symbols which will be used to unlock.
- 👁️ To access hidden applications, you will now need to enter this code in the Phone app or swipe in the menu.
It's important to understand that once this function is activated, the app icon disappears completely from the list of all programs. To run a hidden application, you will need to open the standard Phone application and enter the specified code, completing it with a grid (for example, #123#). Then a special window with a list of hidden programs will open, which is an effective way to quickly disguise, but it has its own security limitations, since an experienced user can guess the existence of such a mechanism.
⚠️ Attention: The code-hiding feature in the call may not work if you have a third-party launcher installed or if you use a simplified interface mode. MIUI Launcher or Poco Launcher.
Configure the Second Space (Second Space)
If you want a higher level of privacy than just hiding an icon, the ideal solution is Second Space, which creates a second independent profile on your device, similar to if you had two different smartphones, and you can set a separate password, fingerprint, and even different Google accounts.
Switching between the main and second spaces is instantaneous through settings or a special widget on the lock screen. All data, applications and files in the second space are completely isolated from the main system. Even if someone unlocks your phone in the main profile, they will not see or know that the second space exists without a special password.
To set up, go to Settings → Second Space, and the system will suggest you create a new profile, so you can choose which apps from the main space will be copied to the second, or install them again, which is a great option for separating work and personal life or storing sensitive data.
- 🚀 Go to your smartphone settings and select “Second Space».
- 👤 Create a new profile by setting a unique password or pattern lock.
- 🖐️ Attach a separate fingerprint to instantly enter the second space from the lock screen.
- 📥 Install the required applications again or move them from the main profile.
The use of the second space is the maximum protection available at the operating system level. Applications installed in the second space do not appear in the main profile notifications, do not consume its traffic in the background (unless otherwise specified), and are not visible when connecting the phone to the computer in file transfer mode, unless logged in to the second space, making the method ideal for storing banking applications and personal archives.
☑️ Testing the readiness for the creation of the Second Space
Application protection through “Application Protection”
Another layer of security that Xiaomi offers is called App Protection, which, unlike total concealment, leaves the icon visible but blocks the program from running with a password, pattern lock, or biometric request, which is useful when you need the app to be visible but only you have access to it.
You can configure this function through the Security menu or in the general system settings. You select a list of applications that must be protected. When you try to open such an application (for example, a Gallery or WhatsApp), the system will require proof of identity.--
Access is possible even if the phone is unlocked in the hands of another person.
Modern versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14 have expanded the security functionality, allowing you to hide the content of notifications from secure applications on the lock screen, replacing the text of the message with asterisks or completely hiding the preview, which adds an additional layer of privacy.
⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from application protection, you can reset it only through the Mi Account account associated with the device, or by completely resetting the phone settings, which will lead to data loss.
Hiding files and creating hidden albums
Often, the purpose of hiding applications is not to protect the program itself, but to protect data inside it, such as photos or documents, for which the MIUI system provides a Hidden Album function and hide files in the Explorer, which is encrypted and becomes available only after entering a privacy password.
To hide a photo or video, open the Gallery app, select the files you want, click the menu (three dots) and select Hide. Files will move to a secure area. Similarly, the file manager works: select a file, click More, and select Hide. Hidden files are not displayed in standard lists and are not visible when you connect to a PC.
To access hidden files in the Gallery, you need to go to the Albums tab and pull the album list down until the lock icon appears. Once you enter the password, you will access hidden content, which is a reliable method for storing a personal library.
Where do hidden files go when you reset your phone?
Comparison of Hidden Methods on Xiaomi
The right method depends on your specific goals: whether you need a complete invisible presence of the program or just close it with a password. Below is a comparison table that will help determine the best solution for your situation.
| Method | Visibility of the icon | Level of protection | Difficulty of access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiding applications (code) | Hidden. | Medium. | Low (code in the bell) |
| Second space | Hidden in another profile | High-pitched | Medium (requires profile entry) |
| Application protection | Vidima. | Medium. | Low (Password at Launch) |
| Third-party launchers | Hidden/Vidima | Depends on the software. | Different. |
As you can see from the table, the Second Space provides the best data isolation, whereas the "Hide of Apps" function through code is suitable for quick but less reliable cloaking. Application protection is ideal for frequently used programs that just need to be blocked from children.
Alternative methods and third-party solutions
If there are not enough built-in tools or they are not available in your firmware version (for example, in global versions, some functions can be reduced), you can resort to third-party launchers. Applications like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or specialized “safety calculators” allow you to hide icons and protect access with a password.
Third-party launchers give you flexibility to customize the look and feel of your desktop. They often have a Hide Apps option in their settings that simply removes the icons from the launcher menu. However, it’s worth remembering that these methods are less reliable, since an experienced user can simply install another launcher or open system settings where the application will be visible.
There are also "cheat apps" that look like a calculator or a voice recorder, but have a hidden photo and video partition inside, a popular method, but it requires additional software to be installed, which can raise questions for a person checking a phone who has seen several calculators.
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When using third-party launchers to hide applications, be sure to install the launcher itself as the default application, otherwise the hideout functions may not work correctly.
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Combining methods (e.g. Second Space + Application Protection) gives you the highest level of security for your data.