The modern smartphone has become a store of personal information that people don’t always want to share. Owners of budget but reliable devices like the Xiaomi Redmi 9C often face the need to limit the visibility of certain programs to prying eyes. Whether it’s bank customers, personal correspondence or games, the desire to preserve data privacy is quite natural and justified.
The MIUI operating system that is installed on Xiaomi devices has several layers of protection. However, not all concealment functions work the same on different versions of firmware or models. In this article, we will discuss the current ways to make application icons invisible on the desktop and on the menu, thereby ensuring basic digital hygiene and privacy.
It's worth noting that standard tools may vary depending on the regional version of the software. If you're looking for a way to completely uninstall the program, it's a different process, but our goal is visual concealment and password access. We'll look at the built-in shell features and alternative methods for cases where standard settings are not available.
Use of the built-in function “Hidden applications”
The most reliable and secure way to hide content is to use native MIUI shell tools. In older firmware versions, which often stand on Redmi 9C out of the box, this feature is implemented through gestures in the folder. You do not need to install additional software, which reduces the risk of data leakage through third-party programs.
To activate stealth mode, you need to open a standard Tools folder or any folder on your desktop, and then you need to do a specific action: pinch the area inside the folder with your finger and pull up. If the function is active, a special window will open where you can drag and drop shortcuts, and then they will disappear from the main screen and only be accessible through the same gesture.
However, be prepared for the fact that new Android and MIUI updates sometimes cancel this mechanism or move to other settings. If the gesture does not work, check for a switch in the security menu. It is important to understand that the applications hidden in this way are not removed, but only hide from curious glances.
- 🔒 Open the folder on your desktop and swipe up to check for the availability of the feature.
- 📂 Drag the desired icons in the field of hidden applications.
- ⚙️ Check the security settings for the “Hide Apps” item».
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If the swipe up doesn’t open the hidden menu, try entering the screen unlock password directly into the desktop application search box — in some versions of MIUI, this works as a quick access.
The effectiveness of this method depends on the version of the shell. In some cases, the system may require a password to access hidden objects, which creates an additional barrier, because even if you know about the existence of hidden files, an outsider will not be able to open them without authentication.
Set up a second space for maximum insulation
Second Space is one of the most powerful features of Xiaomi’s ecosystem, which creates a virtual smartphone inside your device, not just a folder with a password, but a fully-fledged, isolated environment with its apps, gallery and contacts.
To take advantage of this, go to the main settings of the device, you will need to find the partition responsible for additional system functions, here you can activate the creation of a new profile, after setting up, you will be able to switch between the main and second space, either through a special widget, or using different fingerprints or unlock passwords.
The main advantage of the method is that the applications in the second space are completely independent. You can install a messenger there and register a second account, and it will not overlap with the main one. For the Redmi 9C with its modest characteristics, it can be a little expensive, but the level of privacy is worth it.
☑️ Configuring the Second Space
Using the second space allows you to not just hide the icon, but completely isolate the data, and even if someone accesses your main screen, they won't even see the existence of a second profile, which is ideal for separating work and personal life or storing sensitive data.
Restriction of access through the “Security” application
Each Xiaomi smartphone has a Security system app preinstalled, which serves as the device's security control center and includes Application Protection, which doesn't hide the icon completely, but blocks the program from running by requiring a password, fingerprint or face.
The activation of protection occurs through the menu of the application itself. You need to select a list of programs that require additional authorization. Once this feature is enabled, each time you run the selected application, the system will request proof of identity, which is an effective way to prevent children or friends from accessing your data, even if they see an icon on the screen.
It is important to note that application protection settings can be synchronized with the Mi Account, which means that when you reset or switch to a new Xiaomi phone, you will be able to restore the list of protected programs. However, the password itself or the pattern lock is better remembered, since restoring access to secure applications without credentials can be difficult.
⚠️ Note: Application Protection does not hide notifications. If you want complete anonymity, you also need to configure the content of notifications on the locked screen in the notification settings section.
What to do if the password from application protection is forgotten?
Combining folder hiding and application protection is a great thing: You can take your rarely used bank clients into a hidden folder, and leave your frequently used social networks out in the open, but protect them by launching them through Security.
Hiding through home screen settings and launchers
The standard MIUI launcher allows you to hide icons through your home screen settings, although this feature is not available in all regions. To check, you need to go to the theme settings or directly to the desktop settings. There may be a “Hide Apps” item that allows you to select programs from the list to remove their icons from the desktop.
If standard tools fail to hide the label, third-party launchers come to the rescue. Installing an alternative shell, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, provides advanced customization capabilities. In the settings of such launchers, there is often a feature to hide applications from the App Drawer menu.
When using a third-party launcher, it is important to consider the Android version installed on the Redmi 9C. Some older launchers may run unstable or cause increased battery consumption. However, it is a flexible way to organize the space as convenient as you are, without being bound by the manufacturer's restrictions.
| Method | Level of concealment | Difficulty setting up | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swipe folder | Tall (the icon disappears) | Low. | Medium |
| Second space | Maximum (complete isolation) | Medium | Tall. |
| Application protection | Low (only password to enter) | Low. | Tall. |
| Third-party launcher | Medium (depending on the launcher) | Tall. | Medium |
The choice of method depends on your goals, and if you just want to get the extra out of sight, you can stop setting the launcher, and if you're talking about financial security, you'd better rely on the built-in MIUI.
Compatibility issues and MIUI version
Redmi 9C owners often face a situation where the instructions described on the Internet do not work, which is due to the fact that Xiaomi constantly updates its shell, and in versions of MIUI 12, 13, 14 and later, the logic of some functions changes. For example, the function of hiding through a swipe in the folder was removed in global versions of firmware for some regions.
In addition, there is a difference between the Chinese (CN) and global (Global) versions of firmware: in the Chinese versions, the functionality is richer and includes more tools for concealment and protection, while the global versions are adapted to Western standards and Google requirements, which sometimes leads to a reduction in features.
If you find that your device is missing a menu item, don't panic. Check the MIUI version number under About Phone.Perhaps your version only uses a second space or application protection method.Updating to the latest available version can also bring back missing features or add new protections.
⚠️ Note: Installation of unofficial firmware or modified launchers with superuser rights (Root) can lead to loss of warranty and disruption of banking applications.
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The lack of a hidden feature in the menu is most often due to regional firmware limitations, not a device defect.
Understanding your software version helps you avoid unnecessary actions, and if the function is removed from your version by the developers, no amount of drum dancing in the standard interface will help you bring it back without deep interference with the system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I hide the system applications on Redmi 9C?
Will the data from the hidden application disappear when the label is removed?
Are hidden applications visible in the list of working processes?
How to bring the hidden app back to the screen?
Does your fingerprint work to enter the Second Space?
Protecting your personal information on your smartphone is a complex task. Using a combination of Xiaomi’s built-in tools like Second Space and Application Protection, you can be confident in the security of your data on the Redmi 9C. Don’t neglect to update your system regularly, as security improvements come along with new versions of MIUI.