Xiaomi’s modern smartphones have become indispensable repositories of personal information, financial statements and other correspondence, so the issue of privacy is especially acute. owners of the Redmi Note 9 model often look for ways to restrict access to certain programs to protect their data from the prying eyes of friends, colleagues or children. Fortunately, the MIUI shell provides a wide range of tools to accomplish this task without installing third-party software.
There are several effective ways to remove icons from your desktop or place them in a protected area. The choice of the particular method depends on how serious the protection should be and whether you are willing to put up with some features of the system. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the options available, from simply hiding icons to creating a full-fledged virtual twin system.
Before you start setting up, it's important to understand that completely removing the program is not a goal, as data may be needed at any time.We'll look at how to make apps invisible to the average user, while maintaining the ability to quickly access the owner through special combinations or passwords, which will allow you to feel confident handing over the phone to other people to call or view photos.
Use of the Hiding Applications function in MIUI
The easiest and fastest way to make programs invisible on the desktop is to use the built-in MIUI shell function. This option does not require creating additional profiles or entering passwords at each run, but has its own nuances in management. Activation mode hides icons of selected programs from the general list, making them available only through a special gesture or search bar.
To enable this feature, you need to go to the system settings and find the appropriate section, which is usually located in the category responsible for applications or desktop management. Once activated, you will need to select the programs that you want to hide from prying eyes, the system immediately removes their icons from the home screen and from the menu of all applications.
But remember, once you hide it, you can't run a standard icon-clicking operation, you'll need to know a special access code or use a search bar to run a hidden application, and that provides a basic level of privacy, although a tech-savvy user can still find traces of the program in settings or through system monitors.
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Don’t hide the system applications needed to run your phone, otherwise you may experience an interface instability or missing important communication features.
It is important to note that different versions of MIUI may have different menu layouts, and if you don’t find Hide Apps in the main settings, try searching for the settings by typing in the appropriate query, which will save you time and allow you to quickly navigate to the desired section without wandering through the menu.
Set up the Second Space for Maximum Insulation
If you want a more serious level of protection than just hiding icons, then the Second Space feature is the perfect solution for the Redmi Note 9.This tool creates a completely isolated environment inside your smartphone that works as a separate phone with its apps, photos, contacts and accounts.
Using the second space allows you to set up copies of applications that are completely independent of the main system. You can have two instant messenger accounts, separate galleries for personal photos, and even different privacy settings. For an outsider who has access to your main screen, the second space will only exist as a hidden system process, invisible without knowing the access code.
Set up this mode requires several sequential actions, first activate the function in the settings menu, then create a password or link biometrics to log in, and once you create a profile, you will be taken to a clean environment where you can re-download or migrate the applications you need to hide.
☑️ Configuring the second space
One of the great advantages is that you can switch between profiles quickly, so you can set the phone to unlock with a certain finger, which is the second space that you can bypass the main screen, and this creates an invisibility effect, because when you unlock it with the other finger, you don't know that there's a hidden partition.
Application protection through the “Application Protection” function
Another powerful tool in Xiaomi’s arsenal is Application Protection, which allows you to set a password or biometric key to run specific programs. Unlike hiding icons, here the program remains visible, but access to its content is blocked dead-end, and no one can open a banking application or gallery without knowing the unlock code or putting a finger to the scanner.
To configure this function, you need to go to the security section and select Application Protection, and here you will see a list of all the installed programs, just put a switch in front of the desired application, and the system will require you to set a password if it is not already set, and then every time you run the program, you will see a password entry window or a fingerprint request.
This method is especially handy for those cases where you need to temporarily give someone a phone to call or navigate, but you don't want a person to dig into your personal data. You can be sure that even if a user finds an icon, they won't be able to log in to the app. This creates a strong barrier to curious glances without having to hide the program itself.
⚠️ Note: Do not use too simple passwords (such as 1234 or 0000) to protect applications, as they are easy to pick up by pumping, especially if the phone has been in the hands of children.
An important feature is the ability to adjust lock time, you can choose whether you need to enter a password each time you start, or just enter it once after you turn on the screen, flexible settings allow you to adapt the level of protection to your current needs and situation.
Creating a hidden folder with the help of a conductor
For those who want to hide not only app icons but also files associated with them (documents, images, videos), Redmi Note 9 has a built-in folder hiding mechanism. The standard MIUI Explorer allows you to create special hidden folders that are accessed through a long tap or swipe at a specific location in the interface.
The process of creating such a folder is intuitive, but it requires care. In the conductor, you need to go to the category of files that you want to hide, and use the add feature to the hidden folder. The system will suggest setting a password or using biometrics to access, then the files will disappear from public access and will only be displayed after a special action is performed in the explorer.
While this method doesn't directly hide the application itself, it effectively hides the traces of its use, for example, if you hide a note-taking app or a voice recorder, audio files and text documents can be moved to a secure zone, which creates a double layer of security: the application can be hidden through system settings, and its data can be hidden through the conductor.
What happens to files when you delete a hidden folder?
Keep in mind that hidden folders take up space in the device’s memory, but don’t appear when you connect your phone to your computer in file transfer mode until you enter a password, which provides an additional level of privacy when you physically connect your device to your PC.
Comparison of methods of data protection and concealment
The right method depends on your specific goals and level of paranoia. Each of the methods examined has its own strengths and weaknesses that must be considered before setting up. Below is a comparison table that will help you determine the best option for your Redmi Note 9.
| Method | Level of secrecy | Level of protection | Accessibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiding icons | Medium (visible in settings) | Low (start code needed) | High (fast launch) |
| Second space | High (complete isolation) | High (separate password) | Medium (must be switched) |
| Application protection | Low (icon visible) | High (password to the entrance) | High (instant access) |
| Hidden folder | High (for files) | Medium (file protection) | Low (complicated access) |
As you can see from the table, Second Space provides the most comprehensive approach to security, creating a second phone inside the first, but it can be simple enough to protect apps or hide icons for quick day-to-day protection from children or casual glances.
Combining these methods yields the best result: for example, you can use a second space to store the most sensitive data, and for commonly used but personal applications, turn on password protection, a hybrid approach that balances security and usability.