How to hide the application Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro

Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their functionality, but the standard shell MIUI does not always offer obvious solutions for basic privacy problems. Owners of the Redmi 8 Pro often face the need to remove unnecessary icons from the desktop to protect personal data from prying eyes. The standard interface does not contain a single “Hide” button, which is puzzling for beginners.

There are several proven methods to effectively mask or completely remove applications from view. The specific method depends on the version of the firmware installed and the level of access you are willing to provide to the system. Some methods require secret passwords, while others work at the launcher level.

In this article, we will take a look at all the options available, from built-in security features to third-party solutions, how to use Second Space mode and how to create hidden folders, which will allow you to organize the workspace in a way that is convenient for you.

Use of the built-in function of Hidden Applications

The MIUI shell offers a native icon masking tool that is activated through gestures in the Security app. This method does not require the installation of additional software and works consistently on most versions of the system.

To activate the function, you need to open the standard Security app, which is preinstalled on all devices of the brand. At the bottom of the screen, you should find the "Hidden Apps" or "Hidden Apps" section. If there is no such item, try clicking on the gear settings in the upper right corner of the security menu.

Once the function is enabled, the system will suggest creating an unlock through a fingerprint or a pattern lock, which is a critical step, because without authorization, access to hidden content will not be possible. Remember the password, as it can take a long time to restore it.

⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from hidden apps, you will have to reset your security settings, which can result in data loss in the secure folder.

Activation is done through a special gesture in the Security app, and you'll need to swipe up or down the screen to trigger the password window, and after successful authorization, a list of hidden programs will open.

Set up a second space for maximum privacy

Second Space Mode creates a completely isolated environment inside your Redmi 8 Pro. It's like having two different phones in the same case: the main space and the hidden. Switching between them is instantaneous and requires different passwords or fingerprints.

To set up, go to Settings and find Second Space, and the system will suggest creating a new profile that is completely independent of your main account, and you can install separate apps, store photos and contacts that are not visible in the first profile.

The main advantage of this method is that it's completely isolated, so even if someone unlocks your phone in the main mode, they won't see the icons and files in the second space, which is the perfect way to separate work and personal data.

• 🔒 Complete isolation of files and settings from the main profile.
• 📱 The ability to use two accounts in one messenger without cloning.
• ⚡ Quick switching through a special gesture or fingerprint.

It’s worth considering that working two spaces at once can consume more RAM. On the Redmi 8 Pro with its 4 or 6GB of RAM, this can sometimes lead to more frequent unloading of background applications.

Hiding through launcher settings and themes

The standard MIUI launcher allows you to hide applications through the theme menu, but this functionality often depends on the region and the firmware version. In some cases, the concealment option is built directly into the desktop settings. To check, press and hold your finger on the empty screen.

In the menu that appears, select Settings or Additional. Find the section related to hiding apps. If this option is not in the standard menu, you can activate it by changing the theme to a standard or special theme from Xiaomi that supports this feature.

Alternatively, third-party launchers from Google Play, like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, have built-in icon hiding features that work regardless of the system limitations of MIUI, which gives you more flexibility in the interface.

When using a third-party launcher, it is important to give it all the necessary permissions. Without the rights to display on top of other windows or access to the list of applications, the concealment function may not work properly, and some Xiaomi system applications may not be hidden by third-party means.

Application of Guest mode and user profiles

Android, which runs Redmi 8 Pro, has a multiplayer feature, so you can create a Guest profile that doesn't have your personal apps or data, which is convenient when you need to give someone a phone to call or play with.

To activate this mode, lower the notification curtain down and find the user icon (usually a human silhouette).Click on it and select Guest or Add User. In this profile, the desktop will be clean, and you can only install what you need.

The main difference from the Second Space is that the Guest profile is not designed for permanent use by the owner.It is reset or cleared when exited, making it ideal for temporary device transfer.

Not all apps support guest mode, and some banking programs or messengers may require re-authorization or even refuse to run, for security reasons, to prevent data theft during temporary access.

Third-party applications for blocking and masking

If the built-in tools aren't enough, the Play Store offers a lot of privacy utilities. Calculator apps, which are actually repositories of photos and programs, are very popular. They disguise themselves as regular tools.

Software like Calculator Vault or App Hider hides the icon of the security app itself, and once installed, you enter a secret code, and the interface changes to allow you to access hidden files, and it looks like a calculator to an outsider.

Using third-party software requires caution: By giving an application device administrator rights or access to usage stats, you trust it to control your phone, read reviews carefully, and check with the developer before installing.

⚠️ Note: Some antiviruses may react to masking applications as potentially unwanted software, which is a normal reaction because they use virus-like techniques to hide their presence.

In addition, such applications can consume significant battery resources, constantly monitoring user activities. On the Redmi 8 Pro with a Snapdragon 665 processor, this can be noticeable when background services are active.

💡

Use different passwords to log in to your phone and to open hidden apps, and if an attacker knows the unlock code, they shouldn't have access to hidden data.

Frequent questions and problem-solving

Users often face questions that are not described in the official documentation during the setup process, such as when the MIUI updates, the Hidden Menu may change its location or disappear, in which case cleaning the Security cache or resetting the launcher settings helps.

Another common problem is notifications from hidden apps, and even if the icon is not on the screen, the program can continue to send messages, and to fix this, you need to prevent the content from displaying on the locked screen in the notification settings of a particular application.

Keep in mind that hiding an app doesn't mean it stops completely; it keeps running in the background, consuming traffic, and updating, and if your goal is to save resources, you'd better use Freeze or Forced Stop.

💡

The most reliable way to hide data on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro is to use Second Space, as it provides complete isolation of files and settings from the main profile.