Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 10 store a huge amount of personal information that should be restricted from prying eyes. Often, it is necessary to remove certain programs from the desktop so that they do not horn your eyes or be visible to casual passers-by. Owners of devices based on the MIUI shell are looking for ways to improve the privacy of their data without installing complex software. Fortunately, the company’s engineers have provided built-in mechanisms to solve this problem.
Hiding apps is not just an aesthetic solution, but an important element of digital hygiene: You can remove access to banking services, personal correspondence or games that you rarely use. In this article, we will detail how to hide the application on the Xiaomi Redmi 10 phone using regular system tools and third-party utilities. Understanding these processes will help you better control the content of your gadget.
Importantly, methods can vary depending on the firmware version installed on your device.We'll look at the current ways for MIUI 12 and MIUI 13, which are most common on Redmi 10.Some features may only be available after you log in to your Mi Account, so it's a good idea to prepare an account in advance. Let's move from theory to practice.
Use of the built-in function Hidden mode
The most reliable and secure way to do this is to use the native shell function, which is called Hidden Mode, which allows you not only to remove the icon from the screen, but also to protect access to programs with an additional password. To activate this option, you need to go to the system settings menu. Find the Applications section and select Hidden Apps.
Once you log in, you'll see a list of all the apps installed on your smartphone, you just have to activate the switch in front of the ones you want to hide, and the system will immediately hide them from the desktop and from the menu of all the apps, and you'll need to enter a special code to access them, or use biometrics if it's configured.
However, it is worth remembering that in recent firmware versions Xiaomi sometimes changes the location of these settings. If you do not find a paragraph in the specified place, try searching for the settings by typing the phrase "Hidden".
⚠️ Attention: If you forget the password from the hidden mode or unplug the Mi Account, it may become impossible to restore access to hidden data.
This is considered a standard solution, so it does not affect the stability of the operating system. Hidden applications continue to run in the background, receive notifications and updates. The only change is their visual absence from the standard launcher interface.
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The built-in Hidden Mode in MIUI is the most secure method, as it is integrated at the system level and does not require superuser rights.
Setting up access through password and fingerprint
Simply hiding an icon is not enough if you want to ensure real data security. The hidden mode settings provide the option to set an additional password. It may differ from the unlock password, which creates a second layer of protection. To set up, go to Settings → Privacy Protection → Privacy.
You can set a pattern lock or a digital code here, and in fact, it allows you to use a fingerprint or Face ID to access hidden content instantly, which is much more convenient than entering a complex password every time, and biometric data is stored in a secure processor module and not transmitted to servers.
- 🔒 The password should be unique and not match the screen unlock code for maximum protection.
- 👆 Using a fingerprint speeds up access to hidden apps several times over.
- 🔄 Change passwords regularly if you suspect someone has recognized them.
If you try to open a hidden application through a search or shortcut, the system will require authorization, without successful data entry, you will not get access to the program interface, which makes the method effective even if someone knows exactly what applications you have hidden.
☑️ Security settings for hidden mode
Alternative method: Guest mode and Second profile
If the built-in concealment mode doesn't work for you, you can use the Second Space feature, which is a unique MIUI feature that creates a completely isolated copy of the system on one device, and in fact, you'll have two smartphones in one: the main one and the guest one.
In the Second Space, you can install the same apps as the main profile, but they will be completely independent. You can keep work files or personal photos there, access to which is closed with a separate password or fingerprint. Switching between spaces occurs through settings or a special widget on the desktop.
To activate, go to Settings and find Second Space, and the system will prompt you to create a new profile, which will take a few minutes, and once you create, you can hide entire groups of apps by simply moving them to that profile, and the main screen will look completely clean to an outsider.
| Parameter | Hidden regime | Second space |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty of access | Password/Biometry | Separate entry to the system |
| Visibility | Icons hidden | Complete isolation. |
| Notifications | They're coming (you can hide it) | Don't come mostly |
| Remembrance class | Minimum | Resources required |
Using Second Space is the most radical method of data separation, which turns your Redmi 10 into two devices at once.
Can you hide the fact that there is a second space?
Hiding through third-party launchers
MIUI’s regular tools can sometimes be limited in functionality or different regions, with third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher coming to the rescue, replacing the standard desktop and offering enhanced customization and privacy.
Once you install the launcher from Google Play, you have to set it as the default one. The launcher itself often has a Hidden Apps or App Hider section. The way it works is simple: you pick the apps that you want to take out of your sight, and they disappear from the launcher menu.
However, it is worth considering that third-party launchers can consume more battery resources than a standard shell.In addition, some Xiaomi system features, such as gestures or themes, may not work correctly.
- 📱 Nova Launcher Prime lets you hide apps and password-protect them.
- 🎨 Microsoft Launcher has a built-in “Hidden List” feature in desktop settings.
- ⚙️ Smart Launcher automatically sorts applications and has a privacy mode.
Using third-party software gives flexibility, but requires attention to the permissions you give the app.The launcher will have access to everything that is displayed on the screen.
Removing shortcuts without removing applications
Sometimes users don't have to hide an app so much as simply remove its icon from their desktop so that they don't clutter up the space, and in MIUI, this is done in a very simple way, and just clamp down on the app icon on the desktop and drag it to the top of the screen where it says Delete.
It is important not to confuse deletion of the shortcut with uninstall. When dragging into the deletion zone, the system will warn that only the shortcut will be removed and the application itself will remain on the menu. This is a secure operation that does not affect the program files.
If your goal is to completely remove the application from the All Apps menu, but not to delete it, then without root rights or use. ADB-The average user can only hide the application through the settings described above, or disable the system components that allow it.
⚠️ Note: Disabling system applications through ADB This can cause a phone to run in an unstable way, and only do so if you understand what a particular package is responsible for.
For most users, it's easy to remove shortcuts from the main screens, leaving programs in the general list, which helps to keep order without sacrificing functionality.
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Use desktop folders to group rarely used apps – this is an easy way to visually clear the space without complex settings.