Today’s Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO smartphones store a huge amount of sensitive information, from personal correspondence to banking applications. Sometimes it is necessary to remove the icon of a particular program from the desktop or menu to hide it from prying eyes, this can be necessary to protect from children, curious colleagues, or just to preserve privacy.
Unlike many other manufacturers, Xiaomi does not provide the built-in Hide App feature as standard in all MIUI or HyperOS firmware. However, there are proven workarounds that allow you to achieve the desired result without obtaining superuser rights. We will consider both the standard system features and effective third-party solutions.
Keep in mind that the complete disappearance of an icon is only the first layer of protection. For reliable security, it is important not only to hide the label, but also to limit access to the content of the program. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithms of actions that will help you make applications invisible to random users.
Using the “Hidden Text” function in search
One of the most original and little-known ways to hide applications on Xiaomi devices is to use the Hidden Text system function, which does not require additional software installation and works at the system launcher level. The essence is that you specify a special code phrase, which enters hidden space in the search bar.
To activate this feature, you need to open the standard desktop search menu, usually swipe down the center of the screen. In the window that opens, click on the gear icon or three dots in the corner to get into the settings. Find Hidden Text and turn it on.
Once activated, you will be prompted to enter a password phrase, which can be any word or combination of characters, such as "secret" or "1234." Now, when you swipe down to search and type in that phrase, a separate window will open where you can drag and drop the icons of the apps you want to hide.
- 🔒 Access to hidden applications is opened only after entering a unique code phrase in the search.
- 📱 Hidden programs disappear from the general menu and desktops, remaining available only through a secret entrance.
- ⚙️ The feature works natively and does not affect the operation of notifications or background processes of hidden applications.
It is important to note that this method does not work on all firmware versions. In some regions or on new versions of HyperOS, the functionality may be changed. If you do not find this option, chances are that your launcher does not support this feature and you will have to resort to other methods.
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If the Hidden Text feature is not in the search settings, try updating the Search app through the GetApps store or Google Play to the latest version.
Set up the Second Space for Total Insulation
A more radical and reliable way to hide apps is to create a Second Space, a fully isolated environment inside your smartphone that works as a separate phone with its own set of apps, photos and accounts, ideal for separating work and personal life or for creating a secret storage facility.
To create Second Space, go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space. The system will suggest setting up a new profile, setting a separate password or fingerprint to log in. Once created, you can switch between the main and second space through settings or a special widget on your desktop.
All the apps installed in the Second Space are completely invisible to the main profile. You can download instant messengers, bank clients or games there, and they will not appear in the general list of programs. Moreover, notifications from the Second Space do not come to the main profile, which ensures maximum privacy.
☑️ Creating a Second Space
Applications take up disk space twice if they are installed in both profiles, and some banking applications may require additional security checks when running in an isolated environment.
⚠️ Warning: Remember to have a password or fingerprint attached to log into Second Space. Resetting a password without losing data inside an isolated profile is almost impossible.
Hiding through notification and menu settings
In some versions of the MIUI shell, it is possible to hide applications through notification settings, although this method hides the notification content rather than the icon itself. However, combined with other methods, this creates an additional layer of privacy. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notifications display format.
You can choose to display notifications without text or hide their contents on a locked screen, which will not hide the app icon in the menu, but will prevent information from leaking if the phone falls into the wrong hands in an unlocked state or when messages arrive.
Also worth noting is the "App Lock" feature, which is the way of Settings → Apps → App Locking. While it doesn't hide the icon, it requires you to enter a password or fingerprint every time you run a selected program, which is an effective trade-off if your goal is data protection, not visual concealment.
- 🔐 Blocking applications requires authentication at each run, protecting access to data.
- 🔇 Hiding the content of notifications prevents messages from being read from the lock screen.
- 👁️ Visually, the icon remains in place, but access to functionality is limited.
The combination of hiding the content of notifications and setting a password to launch applications creates a powerful barrier for the curious. Even if the user sees the icon, they will not be able to read messages or log in to the application without your permission.
Use of third-party launchers to hide icons
If Xiaomi's built-in tools don't meet your needs, third-party launchers come to the rescue. These are programs that completely replace the standard Android interface. The most popular and functional are Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and Apex Launcher, which allow you to hide apps from the menu with one click.
After installing a launcher (like Nova Launcher) and assigning it to the default, you need to go to its settings. Usually the path is: long tap on the desktop → Settings → App menu → Hidden applications. Here you can select any programs you want to remove from view.
Hidden applications through the launcher stop appearing in menus and desktops, but remain available through search or if you know the exact route to launch. Some launchers also allow you to create secure folders or require a password to access certain sections of the interface.
The effect of third-party launchers on the battery
Note that newer versions of Android and HyperOS may have limitations on third-party launchers, such as widgets or swipe animations, and make sure that the launcher you choose is compatible with your version of the system before installing.
Comparison of methods of hiding applications
The best method depends on your specific goals: whether you just need to get the icon out of sight or if you need serious data protection, the following table compares the main methods considered by key parameters.
| Method | Level of secrecy | Data protection | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden text | Tall (no icon) | Medium (code needed) | Low. |
| Second space | Maximum (isolated) | High (separate profile) | Medium |
| Third-party launcher | Tall (no icon) | Low (no password) | Medium |
| Application lockdown | Low (icon visible) | High (password to the entrance) | Low. |
As you can see from the table, Second Space is the only method to ensure complete data isolation, while hiding icons through launchers or Hidden Text primarily solves the problem of visual privacy.
Possible problems and solutions
Users may encounter a number of difficulties in configuring hidden applications, and it often happens that after updating the launcher system, the settings are reset, or the Hidden Text function ceases to respond to the code phrase, in such cases, do not panic.
If you lost access to hidden applications through search, check if the launcher or the system application "Search" has updated. Sometimes it helps to clean the search service cache. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All applications → Search → Clear the cache. After the reboot, the function should work.
When using Second Space, memory shortages can be a problem, as the system actually stores two copies of applications. Check the space regularly and delete unnecessary files. Also remember that deleting Second Space will result in a complete loss of all data inside it.
⚠️ Warning: When you reset your smartphone to factory settings, all hidden applications, Second Space data and launcher settings will be permanently deleted.
If the third-party launcher is unstable, try disabling battery optimization for it. Go to Settings → Battery → Search for applications, find your launcher and select No Limits mode. This will prevent the system from forced shutdown.
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Stability of the hiding methods depends on the firmware version. MIUI/HyperOS. After major Android updates, privacy settings can be changed by developers.