How to hide the application on Xiaomi MIUI 12: privacy secrets

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to restrict access to certain programs. Personal correspondence, banking customers or just games that children should not see require a special approach to the organization of the desktop. In the shell of MIUI 12, developers have provided several layers of protection to make the software invisible to prying eyes without removing it.

There is a misconception that you need to install third-party software for this, but the built-in system tools work more stable and do not consume battery power in the background. We will consider all available standard methods, from basic icon hiding to creating a full-fledged isolated environment.

Before you start manipulating, it’s important to understand the difference between simply removing a shortcut from your desktop and actually encrypting your access. Data security depends on the method you choose, so carefully study each option to find the best one for your situation.

Using the built-in application hiding function

The easiest and fastest way to get rid of the excess is to use the native shell function, which doesn't require you to enter a password every time you run, but effectively hides icons from the menu and search, and to activate this mode, you need to go to the Settings menu, then select the App section and find Hidden Apps.

Once you activate the slider in front of the program, the icon disappears from the general list, but access to it will not go anywhere. To run the hidden software, you need to open the standard Security application, scroll down to the tool block and select Hidden applications, and this is where all your secret software will be stored.

There is an even more subtle way of logging in that not everyone knows: on the home screen or in the application menu, you need to spread two fingers in different directions (push out). If the function is activated, a special window will open with a list of hidden programs, which acts as a secret gesture that allows you to instantly access the desired content.

• 📱 Open the settings and find the application management section.
• 🔒 Activate the switch against the programs you want to hide.
• 🤏 Use the finger-sparing gesture to quickly access the hidden.
• ⚙️ To turn off the function, simply return the switch to the original position.

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Don’t forget to add hidden apps to the exceptions to save battery life, otherwise the system may force them to close in the background.

It is important to consider that this method is more a function of the "purity" of the interface than a serious protection. Anyone who knows about the existence of such a feature or sees the opening process will have access to the content.

Setup password and biometrics for hidden programs

To turn a simple concealment into real protection, you need to set an application protection password. This is a separate mechanism in MIUI 12 that requires authentication before running selected programs. Go to the Security app, select Application Protection, and enable this feature.

The system will suggest creating a graphical key or a digital password other than the screen unlock password, which is designed to increase privacy. Once you have the security installed, you can select specific applications from the list that will be closed to you. When you try to open such a program, the system will require you to enter a key or fingerprint.

⚠️ Note: If you forget the application protection password, it will be extremely difficult to restore access to the data inside them without resetting the password.

Combining icon hiding and password protection has a double effect: the program is not visible on the menu, and even if someone finds a way to run it (for example, through notifications or deep links), it will run into the password entry screen. In the security settings, you can also enable the option “Hide the contents of notifications” so that the text of messages from messengers does not appear on the locked screen.

It is worth noting that biometric unlocking (Face ID or in-screen scanner) works only if it is configured to unlock the smartphone itself, in which case the process of logging into the hidden application is instantaneous and invisible to the owner, which is very convenient in everyday use.

Creating deceptive folders for disguise

If you think the standard methods are too obvious, you can use social engineering, which is to create a folder with a neutral name, where the target application is placed along with several harmless programs, for example, you can create a folder called "Calculator" or "Weather".

Inside this folder, the protected application icon will be less visible. To enhance the effect, many users change the name of the application itself through special launchers or cloning functions, although in its pure form MIUI 12 does not allow you to change the names of system shortcuts without third-party software. However, you can put the hidden application at the end of the folder list, creating the appearance of a regular set of utilities.

This method doesn't provide technical protection, but it effectively hides the app from a cursory glance, so if someone picks up your phone, they'll see a folder with system utilities and they're unlikely to look for Instagram or a banking app, a classic example of how visual noise helps to preserve privacy.

• 📂 Create a new folder on your desktop.
• 🌤️ Call it as boring as possible, such as "Services" or "Tools".
• 📲 Put the target app there along with 3-4 other.
• 🙈 Put the folder on the second page of the desktop or in the dock bar.

For maximum efficiency, it is recommended to combine this method with setting a password to start the application itself, so even if a curious user decides to check the contents of the Weather folder, he will not be able to run the application hidden inside without an access code.

Second Space: Complete Data Segregation

The most powerful tool in Xiaomi’s arsenal is the “Second Space” feature, which creates a completely isolated environment inside a single smartphone, effectively splitting the device into two independent phones, and switching between them is possible only with a password or a fingerprint.

In the second space, you'll have your own set of apps, your own gallery, your contacts, your accounts, and the apps you've installed there are completely invisible in the main space, ideal for separating work and personal life, or for storing data that should be hidden from any outside view.

Settings → Second Space → Add Second Space

The setup process takes a few minutes, and the system will suggest you choose the switching method: by password, fingerprint or shortcut in the notification curtain, and it is recommended to use different fingerprints for the main and second spaces, for example, the thumb of the right hand opens the main profile, and the thumb of the left - hidden.

Using a second space has little to no effect on autonomy, as applications in a hidden profile don’t run in the background until you switch, making it not only safe, but also energy efficient.

Hiding notifications and pop-up windows

Even if the app is hidden, it can give its presence through notifications. MIUI 12 has flexible settings for displaying content on a locked screen and in the curtain. To fully protect yourself, you need to set the rules for each important application separately.

Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification management. Select the application you want to make invisible and turn off the option “On Lock Screen.” It is also recommended to turn off the sound signals and vibrations if the application does not require an instant reaction.

For messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp, you can turn on Incognito in the privacy settings inside the app, so even if the phone is unlocked, the curtain will say "New message", but you will not see the sender's name or the text.

⚠️ Attention: Hiding notifications does not protect against calls. If you are called via messenger, the screen will light up. For complete silence, use Do Not Disturb mode with exception settings.

Remember that some system services can cache image previews. If you hide a photo app, make sure the gallery turns off displaying albums from hidden folders or social media cache.

Frequent questions and problem-solving

Users often experience the nuances of privacy features, such as when the firmware updates, the concealment settings may reset or the application may stop hiding, and in such cases, it is recommended to re-enact the function.

Sometimes hidden apps continue to consume traffic or battery. This is normal if the settings are not limited. Control background activity through the Battery menu → Energy saving applications. Set "No restrictions" only for those programs that should work always, put the rest in saving mode.

It is also worth remembering that hiding applications is not a panacea for professional hacking or parental control, established at the operator level or Google Family Link account. For household use and protection from curious colleagues, the described methods are quite enough.

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The combination of Second Space and password protection of individual applications ensures maximum privacy on Xiaomi devices.

Using MIUI 12 to make your smartphone a reliable store of personal information, don’t neglect setting up these features, especially if other people can use your device, even temporarily.