Xiaomi’s modern smartphones store a vast amount of sensitive information, from banking apps to personal correspondence. Sometimes there is an urgent need to remove certain programs out of sight to protect their data from prying eyes. Device owners often wonder how to hide the app in the Android phone Xiaomi without installing dubious software from unverified sources. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS offer built-in tools to solve this problem.
There are several proven ways to make icons invisible to the average user: you can use the standard concealment function, create a completely isolated environment, or simply restrict access to the program with a password. The choice of the specific method depends on the version of your operating system and the desired level of privacy. In this article, we will discuss all the options available in detail.
Standard application hiding function in MIUI
Most current Xiaomi firmware versions have a built-in mechanism to make app icons invisible in the general menu, which does not require additional software installation and works fairly stable, so you need to go to the system settings or use a special gesture in the app menu to activate this option.
The setup process usually takes less than a minute, and you have to open the standard Security app, which is pre-installed on every device in the brand, and inside that system tool is the privacy and data access section.
Once activated, the selected programs will disappear from the desktop and from the list of all applications, requiring you to enter a special code or perform a certain gesture to run them, which provides a basic level of protection from curious colleagues or children.
- 🔒 Open the Security app on the home screen.
- 🔒 Find and select “Hidden Apps” in the Tool List.
- 🔒 Click the "Add" button and tick the necessary programs with ticks.
- 🔒 Create and remember a secret access code (e.g. #1234#).
It's important to understand that standard concealment doesn't encrypt the application data, it just removes the visual display of the application. If an attacker has access to the file system or uses specialized software for analysis, he will be able to detect traces of the program's operation. However, for household needs, this level of protection is usually sufficient.
Use of the Second Space for Total Isolation
The most reliable way to protect data is the Second Space feature, which allows you to create a full copy of the operating system inside your smartphone, in fact, you will have two independent desktops with different sets of applications, files and acc.
Switching between the main and second spaces is instantaneous and can be protected by a separate fingerprint or pattern lock, which means that even unlocking the phone, an outsider will only enter the main space where your hidden data is simply not there.
To activate this feature, go to the main settings of the system. Find the About or Additional section where the second space creation option is located. The system will suggest setting the login parameters, including selecting a unique fingerprint for quick switching.
☑️ Configuring the Second Space
⚠️ Note: When you delete the second space, all the data inside it will be permanently destroyed.
Using Second Space is especially important if you need to separate work and personal apps, you can install messengers to work in the second profile, and use the main one to talk to friends, and it's also a great way to hide games or entertainment content from children.
Configure storage folders and application blocker
If the complete concealment of the icon is not a requirement, you can limit yourself to setting a password to start a particular application. In the MIUI shell, this function is implemented through Application Lock. When you try to open a protected program, the system will require a password, a fingerprint or facial recognition.
In addition, the file manager and gallery have a Hidden Album or Hidden Folder feature, and the files that are placed there are not displayed in the shared list, but are accessible through a special in-app login, which is convenient for storing photos or documents.
To set up the lock, open the Security app and find the Application Lock tool, where you can set a shared password and select a list of restricted programs, and use biometrics to log in faster.
| Function | Level of protection | Difficulty setting up | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden applications | Low (visual) | Low. | No. |
| Second space | High (insulation) | Medium | Medium. |
| Application lockdown | Medium (password) | Low. | Minimum |
| Third-party launchers | Depends on the software. | Tall. | High-pitched |
How to hide the folder “Hidden albums”?
Hiding applications through third-party launchers
Xiaomi smartphone owners who lack the functionality of the standard shell often turn to third-party launchers. Programs like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher offer advanced customization capabilities, including hiding icons.
Installing an alternative launcher requires broad permissions to the system. Once installed and configured as the main one, you get access to the appearance settings. The launcher menu usually has a Hide Apps item where you can select the programs that are unnecessary to display.
It is worth considering that the use of heavy launchers can adversely affect the autonomy of the device and the speed of the interface. In addition, some Xiaomi system applications may not display correctly or work with errors in a third-party environment.
- 📲 Download and install the selected launcher from Google Play.
- 📲 Assign it to the main in the Android settings.
- 📲 Go to the settings of the launcher itself (usually a long tap on the desktop).
- 📲 Find the “Hidden Apps” section and add the necessary ones.
This is a good way to hide even applications that are not hidden by standard system tools, but if the launcher crashes or is dropped, all hidden icons can reappear in plain sight.
Features of work in HyperOS and new versions of MIUI
With the release of the new HyperOS shell and the updated versions of MIUI 14, privacy algorithms have undergone changes, some features have been renamed or moved to other settings sections to improve the user experience.
New versions have shifted their focus to smart security, allowing the system to hide financial sector applications or personal data, and have a more minimal interface, and security settings are integrated into a single control center.
Users of the newer versions should pay attention to the Privacy Protection feature, which allows not only to hide applications, but also to restrict access to the camera, microphone and geolocation for specific programs, which creates an additional layer of security.
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If you have upgraded to HyperOS and can’t find the hideout settings, search by settings by entering the “Hide” or “Privacy” request.
It is important to update security regularly through the Security app. Xiaomi engineers are constantly releasing patches that close vulnerabilities that could theoretically bypass the hidden mechanisms of applications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you hide Xiaomi’s system apps?
What happens if I forget the password from hidden apps?
Are hidden applications visible in the list of running processes?
Do notifications from hidden apps work?
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The most reliable way to hide data is to use the Second Space, as it creates an isolated environment that is not accessible from the main system profile.
To sum up, Xiaomi’s ecosystem provides flexible privacy tools, the choice between simply hiding an icon and creating a full-fledged second profile depends on your personal security requirements, and regularly check your privacy settings to ensure your data remains secure.