How to hide applications on Xiaomi: hidden content and mode

Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are powered by MIUI and HyperOS shells, offer users a wide range of personalization capabilities. One of the most frequently requested features is the ability to remove unnecessary icons from the desktop or make certain programs invisible to prying eyes, which may be necessary to protect personal correspondence, banking data, or simply to preserve the aesthetics of the workspace.

Unlike some other manufacturers, Xiaomi does not always provide a single Hide button for all applications at once, but there are several effective methods for solving this problem. Hidden content in MIUI is a separate feature of the file manager, which is often confused with the ability to hide the shortcuts themselves.

In this article, we’ll look at all the available ways to hide apps, including using special mode, configuring folders, and installing launchers. It’s important to understand that the methods may vary slightly depending on the version of the Android operating system and the specific version of the MIUI or HyperOS shell installed on your device.

Use of built-in application hiding mode

The most reliable and safe way is to use a regular feature that is built into the system shell, which does not require the installation of additional software and ensures the stable operation of the system. However, it is worth noting that in recent firmware versions, access to this feature is sometimes blocked, so it may not be available on all models.

To activate this option, you need to go to the desktop settings. Usually the path is: Settings → Desktop → Hide applications. If this option is not available, try to enter Hide applications in the search by phone settings. Once the function is turned on, a special folder or view mode will appear on the desktop.

To add a program to the hidden list, you need to perform the following actions:

• 📱 Open Hidden mode via settings or swipe with two fingers on your desktop (if configured).
• 🔒 Click the "Add" button or plus in the corner of the screen.
• 👁️ Select from the list the applications you want to make invisible.
• ✅ Confirm the choice and the icons will disappear from the main screen.

Important: Hidden applications are often accessed through a gesture (such as spreading two fingers to the sides on the desktop) or entering a password. If you forget your password or login method, it will be extremely difficult to return access to data without resetting the settings.

⚠️ Note: Application Hiding Function May Be Blocked on Global Firmware Versions (Global) ROM) If you don't find an option, maybe your region in the phone settings is "Russia" or "Europe," where this feature is sometimes hidden by developers.

Set up hidden content in the File Manager

Users often confuse hiding app shortcuts with hiding files and data inside them. Xiaomi has a powerful Hidden Album tool that is integrated into the standard File Manager, which allows you to hide photos, videos, documents and even entire entire files. APK-application-installer.

To activate this feature, open the Explorer or Files app. Go to Images or just swipe down the file list until the lock icon appears. The system will suggest setting a password or using a fingerprint to protect. Once set up, all selected files will be moved to a secure storage.

While this doesn’t hide the icon of the app itself (like Galleries), it effectively hides the content. If you need to hide a particular app that stores data, it’s best to use the “Second Space” or “Dual Apps” feature and then hide it if it’s supported in your interface.

Let’s look at the differences between data protection methods:

Using the Second Space for Maximum Privacy

If standard icon hiding methods don't seem reliable enough, Xiaomi offers a unique feature called Second Space, which is a full-fledged copy of the operating system inside your phone, you can install individual copies of apps, set up different accounts and passwords.

To create a second space, go to Settings → Second Space → Enable Second Space. The system will create a new profile that looks like a clean phone. You can install any apps there, and they won't show up in the main profile. Switching between spaces is done through a special shortcut in the notification curtain or by fingerprint.

This is ideal for separating work and personal life, or for storing sensitive information. Apps in the second space are completely isolated: their history, cache and data do not overlap with the main profile.

The main advantages of using the Second Space:

• 🛡️ Complete isolation of data and applications from the main profile.
• 🔐 The ability to use different passwords and fingerprints to log in.
• 📲 Invisibility: For an outsider, a second space does not exist unless they know the unlock password.
• 🚀 Quick switch without restarting the device.

⚠️ Note: Deleting the Second Space will permanently delete all data, applications and files inside it.Be sure to back up important information before deleting it.

Use of third-party launchers to hide icons

When the built-in MIUI or HyperOS tools don’t meet the requirements or the hide feature is removed in a particular firmware version, third-party launchers come to the rescue.

One of the most popular solutions is Nova Launcher. Once installed and configured as the default app, you get access to advanced display settings. In the paid version (Prime) or through special plugins, you can hide individual apps from the menu, making them available only through search or widgets.

There are also specialty launchers like Calculator Hide Photos or calculators, which are actually storages, which masquerade as regular utilities, but when you type in special code, they open hidden applications or files, a social engineering technique that often works better than technical protection, because no one will check the calculator for secrets.

Popular launchers for customization:

• 🎨 Nova Launcher – Maximum flexibility of settings and support for plugins.
• 🌊 Microsoft Launcher – great integration with services and the ability to hide pages.
• 🔒 Calculator Vault – masking as system applications to hide content.
• ⚡ Smart Launcher – Automatic categorization and hiding of rarely used programs.

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When installing a third-party launcher, some Xiaomi system features, such as control gestures or themes, may not work properly.Always leave the option to quickly return a standard launcher through Safe Mode or settings.

Hiding Google System Applications and Services

The issue of concealing system components deserves special attention: many users want to remove the icons of Google services, analytics or advertising services (MSA) that are preinstalled in the system. It is important to understand that completely removing or hiding critical system processes can lead to unstable phone or bootloop (cyclical reboot).

To hide the system applications that are visible to the user (which are not critical), you can use the All Apps menu. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Find the unnecessary application, click on it and select Delete (if it is a system application, the button may be called Disable).

To get deeper into the system processes, experienced users use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to hide or remove system packets without superuser rights (Root), the command to hide the package looks like this:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.example.package

Where com.example.package is the name of the package of the app being hidden. Be very careful: disabling the wrong package can disrupt the phone.

List of apps that can normally be safely disabled:

• 📊 Mi Analytics (analytics).
• 📰 Mi Browser (if not in use).
• 🎮 Game Center (Game Center).
• 📺 Mi Video/Mi Music (Standard Players).

⚠️ Warning: Never disable or hide system components called "Security", "Settings", "System Framework", "Google Play Services" or "MIUI Home. This will cause the device to fail.

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Disabling system applications via ADB is reversible. To return functionality, the command is used: adb shell pm enable --user 0 com.example.package

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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For quick access to frequently used but hidden applications, create an App Shortcut widget on your desktop and select the program you want from the list, which will allow you to run it without displaying the main icon in the menu.