How to hide the app on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro

Redmi smartphones have been leading the market for many years due to their excellent value for money, but data privacy issues remain relevant for each owner. Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro, which runs the MIUI shell, offers users a wide range of tools to protect personal information from prying eyes. Often there is a need to hide certain programs from children, colleagues or just curious acquaintances to preserve the privacy of correspondence, banking data or personal photo galleries.

Unlike standard Android, MIUI provides built-in concealment mechanisms that do not require superuser rights or dubious software installation. Using these features effectively creates a reliable barrier to access sensitive data without losing the functionality of the gadget. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, from native system settings to advanced methods of cloning space.

Use of the built-in function "Hidden album"

The easiest and most affordable method that is immediately available to Redmi 8 Pro users after purchase is to use the system hide through the gallery. Although the name "Hidden Album" implies working only with photos, in the latest versions of the MIUI shell, this mechanism has been expanded to allow you to hide application shortcuts. To activate this mode, you need to open a standard gallery, go to the album section and swipe down until the characteristic animation of the lock appears.

Once you have a password or fingerprint to access hidden content, the system will prompt you to choose which objects to hide. It is important to understand that this method does not remove the application, but only makes it invisible in the general menu and on the desktop. To access hidden programs through this interface, you will need to open the gallery again, pull down and enter the previously installed security code.

This is ideal for those who want to quickly remove the icon of the messenger or social network out of sight without going into complex system settings. However, it is worth remembering that an experienced user will be able to find the hidden application through battery consumption settings or in the list of all installed programs, if you do not use additional security measures.

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For maximum effect, hide applications through the Gallery and additionally set a password to start the application itself through the security settings.

Setting up the “Second Space” mode

A more radical and reliable way to protect data on the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro is to create a Second Space.This feature actually creates a second, completely isolated operating system inside your smartphone with its own set of applications, contacts, photos and accounts. Switching between the main and second space is instantaneous and can be done either through a special shortcut or with a fingerprint assigned to enter the second space.

To activate this feature, go to Settings → Second Space and click on Enable. The system will prompt you to set up a profile, select wallpaper, and most importantly, set the unlock method. The key feature is that you can assign different fingerprints to different spaces: you touch one finger, the main desktop opens, the other hidden space with all the secret data.

In Space Two, you can install individual copies of any app, log in to it under another account, and use it regardless of your primary profile, a solution often referred to as a smartphone, and it is the most effective way to hide not just shortcuts, but entire layers of digital life from outsiders.

Application of the function “Cloning of applications”

The MIUI app cloning feature allows you to create duplicates of installed programs that will work independently of the originals. Although the main purpose of this feature is to be able to use two accounts on the same social network (for example, two WhatsApp or two Telegram), it can also serve as a tool to separate the flow of information.

But by combining cloning with other methods, you can have an interesting effect: for example, you can use the main application for personal use, and the clone for workers, and then hide the clone label through the launcher settings or put it in a folder with a non-obvious name. In the Application Settings → Cloning applications, you can activate copy creation for most popular social networks and messengers.

It’s worth noting that cloned apps consume additional RAM and battery resources, as their processes work in parallel. On the Redmi 8 Pro with its configuration, this should not cause serious problems, but the background activity of two copies of the heavy messenger can increase charge consumption.

Hiding through launcher and folder settings

The standard MIUI launcher provides basic workspace management capabilities that can be used to visually hide icons. You can create a folder with a neutral name, like Google Services or Systems, and put hidden applications in it. While this does not provide real protection from the curious, it is effective against casual glance or for quick phone checks.

A more advanced option is to install a third-party launcher from the Google Play Store that supports App Hiding, which allows launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher to hide selected icons from the app menu, making them available only through search or special gestures, and after installing such a launcher, it needs the appropriate permissions in the Xiaomi settings.

When using third-party shells on the Redmi 8 Pro, there may be minor visual inconsistencies or animation optimization issues typical of the MIUI shell. However, the concealment functionality in them is often implemented more flexibly than in stock solutions.

Setting password and restrictions on the launch of applications

If your goal is not so much to hide the presence of an application as to prevent unauthorized access to its content, the best solution is Application Protection, which, unlike full concealment, leaves the icon visible but blocks the program from running by requiring a password, a pattern lock or a fingerprint.

You can find this setting by Settings → Applications → Applications → Application Protection. Here you can select from a list any programs that should be restricted. An important nuance is that when you first turn on the feature, the system will ask you to set a separate password for protection, which may be different from the screen unlock password, which adds an additional layer of security, because an attacker who knows the unlock code of the phone will not be able to open secure applications.

This method is particularly effective for banking applications, galleries with personal photos and instant messengers, making it clear to others that access is closed, but does not cause such suspicion as a completely missing icon from the desktop of a popular application.

⚠️ Attention: Don't forget the application protection password! It's almost impossible to restore access to protected data without knowing the code or the associated Mi Account, even if you have a fingerprint, if the biometrics stop working.

Comparison of data protection methods in MIUI

To choose the most suitable protection method on your Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro, you need to clearly understand the differences in the level of security and usability of each method. Below is a comparison table that will help you organize information and make an informed decision.

Analyzing the table, we can conclude that for maximum privacy, a combination of methods is best suited: for example, using the Second Space for storing the most sensitive data and the Application Protection function for frequently used but sensitive programs. Redmi 8 Pro has enough performance to support several layers of protection without noticeable delays in the interface.

Don’t rely on just one method, as any of them can have vulnerabilities or be bypassed by a tech-savvy person. A comprehensive approach that includes both shortcuts and passwords is the gold standard for mobile security in 2026.

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The combination of Second Space for Data Storage and Application Protection for Quick Access ensures the maximum balance between convenience and security.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

⚠️ Note: When you delete the Second Space, all data inside it will be destroyed. Make sure you have transferred important files to the main space before deactivating the function.