Hide applications on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: methods and instructions

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 has powerful functionality, but the standard MIUI shell doesn’t always offer an obvious Hide button for every icon on the desktop, creating the illusion of a feature being unavailable, even though privacy tools are built deep into the system.

There are several proven methods to remove unnecessary icons from public access without losing functionality of programs. Hiding applications may be necessary to protect bank data, personal photos or simply to clean the desktop of rarely used software. In this article, we will discuss in detail the regular features of the system and third-party solutions.

It’s important to understand that the security of your data depends not only on passwords, but also on how well the entry points in your personal files are hidden. We’ll take a look at how Second Space and the standard Explorer work so you can choose the most convenient option for your situation.

Using Built-in Explorer to Hide Folders and Applications

The easiest and often ignored way to hide content on Xiaomi devices is to use the Explorer system application, which does not hide the app icon from the menu, but allows you to securely encrypt a folder to which you can move shortcuts or files.

Once you start the app, go to the Folders tab and swipe from the bottom up. The system will request a password or fingerprint if they are not already set up. This action will create a hidden folder called Hidden, which can only be accessed through the above movement in Explorer.

⚠️ Note: If you forget your password or lose your Mi Account that is protected, it will be almost impossible to restore access to the contents of the hidden folder.

Inside the folder you create, you can store not only documents, but also application shortcuts. APK-You can create shortcuts inside a secure zone, and now, even if someone picks up your phone, they won't see it without going through biometric or password authorization.

Second Space: Creating a completely isolated space

The MIUI shell on the Redmi Note 8 offers a unique feature called Second Space, which is not just hiding icons, but creating a full-fledged second operating system inside your phone, with its own galleries, its own apps and its own accounts, completely separate from the main profile.

To activate this mode, go to the settings and find the "Second Space" section, and the system will suggest setting it up by creating a separate password or fingerprint to log in. When you log in with a special fingerprint, the phone will automatically open the hidden space, bypassing the main lock screen, which allows you to hold two different sets of applications on the same device.

Using Second Space is ideal for separating work and personal life. You can install messengers or social networks in the second space, and they will not appear in the general list of programs of the first profile. Switching between spaces occurs instantly through the notification curtain or a special shortcut on the desktop.

• 🔒 Complete data isolation: applications in the second space do not see the files of the first.
• 🚀 Quick access: login with a separate fingerprint or password.
• 📱 Dual accounts: the ability to use two different WhatsApp or Telegram numbers at the same time.

It’s worth noting that having two sets of apps can consume more RAM. On the Redmi Note 8 with its configuration, this shouldn’t be a critical issue, but background processes in the second space still consume battery power.

Hiding through theme settings and launchers

Another effective way to hide apps is by using third-party launchers or specific themes. The standard MIUI launcher doesn't have a direct feature of hiding icons from the menu, unlike some other shells. However, by installing an alternative interface, you get access to advanced privacy settings.

Popular launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher allow you to hide applications from the All Apps list and from the desktop. Once you install such a launcher, you need to give it the appropriate permissions in the system settings. Then, in the launcher settings, you can select the Hidden Applications option and mark the desired programs.

It is important to consider that changing the launcher may change the visual style of the menu and gesture behavior.Tunes in the new launcher may take time to get used to the controls.In addition, some Xiaomi system features, such as “pocket mode” or specific swipes, may work differently.

Using third-party software for the interface gives flexibility, but requires care when updating the Android system. After major firmware updates, the launcher settings may reset, and the hiding procedure will have to be repeated.

Container applications and application clones

If embedded methods seem too complex or require a new space, you can use specialized container applications, programs like Parallel Space or App Hider create a virtual environment in which cloned versions of your applications run.

The principle of such utilities is that the original application stays in place, and a copy of it is run inside the "sandbox" of the container. The original application can be removed or hidden in other ways, leaving access only through the container, which is often disguised as a calculator or voice recorder.

Containers have their pros and cons. On the one hand, it's very convenient to run two accounts at the same time, and on the other hand, they can consume a significant amount of CPU and battery resources, because they emulate the operation of the system inside the system.

• 🛡️ Disguising: Many Hyders Look Like Innocuous System Utilities.
• ⚡ Double Start: The ability to sit in two social media accounts at the same time.
• ⚠️ Advertising: Free versions often contain intrusive ads, which can be annoying.

When choosing a container application for Redmi Note 8, pay attention to reviews and installations. It is better to choose proven solutions with a high rating to eliminate the risk of data leakage through malicious code.

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Be sure to set up an exception in battery optimization for the container application, otherwise the MIUI system may force it to close in the background and you will not receive notifications of new messages.

Access restrictions and guest mode

Some versions of MIUI have guest mode, or the ability to create additional user profiles, which is very different from hiding individual apps, because it changes the entire interface of the device, and guest mode is ideal when you want to give the phone to a child or colleague, but you don't want to show your personal data.

Unlike Second Space, which is password protected and always available to the owner, guest mode is a temporary solution. It does not save data after exit and does not allow you to install applications without the permission of the main user. On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, this feature can be hidden in the About Phone section or in advanced user settings.

If your device does not have an explicit guest mode, it can be analogous to creating a new user in the Users and Accounts section, which is less flexible than hiding specific icons, but provides maximum privacy when the device is transferred into the wrong hands.

⚠️ Note: When switching between users, active applications in the previous profile may be suspended or closed to save resources, which may interrupt file downloads or navigation.

Using user profiles is a “heavy artillery” in privacy matters: it doesn’t hide the app forever, but it effectively hides its contents from casual glance at a particular time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The most reliable and secure method for the Redmi Note 8 is to use the built-in Second Space feature, as it does not require third-party software installation and is integrated at the system level.