Hiding apps on Xiaomi Redmi 9C: the full guide

Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 9C store a huge array of personal information, from banking apps to personal photos and correspondence. Device owners often face the need to restrict access to certain programs to protect their data from prying eyes.

The MIUI shell that runs Xiaomi smartphones offers a variety of customization tools, but the app hiding feature is not as obvious as it might seem. Unlike standard menus, it requires specific actions or the use of additional tools, and understanding these mechanisms will allow you to effectively manage privacy.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the ways you can hide your app icons on your device, look at the standard features of the system, the nuances of the launchers and third-party solutions, and learn how to create a secure space for your data without installing complex encryption systems.

MIUI's Staff Capabilities: Search for Hidden Functions

The first thing a Redmi 9C owner needs to do is check the built-in shell features. Different MIUI versions and firmware regions (Global, EU, Russia) may have different settings, and users often look for a separate switch that may not exist in their software version.

The main method that is often overlooked is the desktop gestures, which hides this option deep in the interface, relying on intuitiveness or knowledge of secret combinations. If standard search in settings does not work, try swiping.

You have to pinch your desktop with two fingers, as if you want to zoom in on the image, and if your firmware version supports this feature, you'll see an additional tab or Hidden Apps button at the bottom, and you can click on it and activate the switches for the programs you want.

• 📱 Make a pinch with two fingers on the main screen.
• 🔍 Look for the Hidden Apps button at the bottom of the screen.
• 🔐 When you first log in, the system will ask you to specify a password or a pattern lock.
• ⚙️ Alternative path: Settings → Annexes → Hidden applications (not available on all versions).

It is important to understand that on some global versions of the firmware for Redmi 9C, this feature can be software cropped, in which case the system will not respond to gestures, and the settings menu will not have the appropriate item.

Use of the Second Space for Maximum Insulation

If you don't have the standard icon hiding feature or don't seem to be enough, Second Space comes to the rescue, a unique feature of MIUI that creates a completely isolated environment inside a single smartphone, and basically your Xiaomi Redmi 9C turns into two different phones.

The second space has its own desktop, its own settings, its own accounts, and most importantly, its own apps, and you can install any program there, and it's completely invisible to the main profile, and you can switch between spaces instantly through a password or a fingerprint.

To activate, go to Settings → Second Space, and the system will suggest you set up the input: for example, the main fingerprint opens a personal profile, and an additional one (like a little finger) opens a hidden space, which is the perfect way to hide not just icons, but entire ecosystems of applications.

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Use different wallpapers for the First and Second Spaces to visually distinguish which profile you are currently in.

It's worth noting that the applications in the second space take up space in memory separately, and if you download a heavy game or a messenger with a large cache there, the space will decrease for that profile, but it's the most reliable standard method for hiding sensitive data.

⚠️ Note: When you delete the Second Space, all data, photos and applications inside it will be permanently destroyed.

Third-party launchers as an effective solution

When the built-in MIUI tools don’t meet the user’s needs, third-party launchers take to the scene. Replacing the standard desktop is a powerful step that gives full control over the visual component and access to applications. For Redmi 9C, it is often the only solution for older versions of Android.

Popular launchers like NOVA Launcher or Microsoft Launcher have built-in icon hiding features. Once you install the launcher and assign it to the main one, you get access to advanced desktop settings. The launcher settings menu usually has a Hidden Apps or Hide Apps option.

The setup process is simple: you select an app from a list and add it to the visibility blacklist, the icon disappears from the desktop and from the menu of all programs, but to run such an application, you will either need to use a search or create a special shortcut with a different name.

It should be remembered that third-party launchers can consume more battery resources than a standard shell. On the budget Helio G35 processor installed in the Redmi 9C, this can be noticeable. Optimize animations and widgets to keep the interface running smoothly.

Container applications and digital safes

Another layer of protection is the use of specialized container applications, which do not hide the container icon itself (although it can be disguised too), but hide the contents inside themselves. For the Xiaomi Redmi 9C, this is a great option, since it does not require deep changes to the system.

The way that software like Calculator Vault or App Hider works is to create a virtual environment, so you install an application that looks like a calculator or a voice recorder, and when you type in the right pin, it becomes a storage for other apps, photos and videos.

The main advantage of these solutions is that you can set a password to run a particular application inside the container, so even if someone gets access to the phone, they can't open WhatsApp or the Gallery inside the safe without additional code, which creates a double security barrier.

Don't rely on just one method of protection: Combining hiding icons through the launcher and storing the most important files in the safe application gives the best result. Always check the permissions that the container application requests when installing.

Setting up access restrictions through Digital Wellbeing

Modern versions of Android, including those on the Redmi 9C, have introduced the Digital Wellbeing tool, which, while its primary goal is to combat addiction, can be used to temporarily hide or block apps.

Sleep Mode or Focus Mode allows you to turn off selected apps for a certain amount of time, and icons stay in place but turn gray and don't open, which is useful if you want to limit access to social media or games for children without removing them completely.

To set up, go to Settings → Digital Well-Being → Focus Mode, where you can create a profile where all entertainment apps will be disabled, and activating the profile will hide the functionality of these programs until the mode is turned off.

• 🛑 Access only to working tools.
• ⏱ Allows timers to use.
• 👶 Ideal for parental control without installing third-party software.
• 🔄 Easily switched on and off through the notification panel.

This method is not a complete concealment in a privacy context, as the icons are visible, but it effectively prevents the random or curious launch of applications by unauthorized persons who do not know how to turn off focus mode.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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A comprehensive approach that combines icon hiding, Second Space and smart notification settings ensures maximum privacy on your Redmi 9C.

To sum up, the Xiaomi Redmi 9C provides enough privacy protection tools to choose from, depending on how deeply you want to hide data and whether you are willing to sacrifice convenience for security. Experiment with settings to find the perfect balance.

⚠️ Attention: Check the list of applications with device administrator rights regularly. Third-party icon hiding programs sometimes require excessive rights, which can be a loophole for attackers.