Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to hide personal data from prying eyes. the Redmi Note 8 Pro, despite its age, remains popular due to the powerful filling and flexibility of the MIUI shell. Hiding app icons is not just a matter of aesthetics, but an important step to ensure digital hygiene and protect privacy.
Unlike standard launchers, MIUI offers multiple layers of protection beyond simply removing a shortcut from the desktop. You can use built-in tools to create an isolated space or hide specific programs in system folders, especially when children or colleagues are using the phone.
In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to hide applications on the Redmi Note 8 Pro. We will look at the functionality of the Second Space, hidden folders and third-party solutions. Understanding these mechanisms will allow you to effectively manage access to your data.
Use of the function Second space
The most effective method of data isolation is Second Space, which is a full-fledged analogue of creating a second user in the system, but with a deeper level of integration. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, this tool works stably and allows you to have two separate sets of applications.
To activate, go to Settings → Second Space and click “Enable.” The system will suggest that you set the input: you can switch between profiles by fingerprint, password or icon. This is the only way to completely hide applications so that they do not appear anywhere in the main profile.
Once you create space, you'll be put in a clean environment where you need to re-install the programs you need, and all the data, photos and browser history will be independent, the switch takes seconds, and for an outsider, you won't be able to access a hidden profile without a biometric or password.
Consider that applications running in the background in the second space can consume RAM. However, the Redmi Note 8 Pro has enough RAM to comfortably cope with multitasking. If you want maximum secrecy, this method is the leader.
☑️ Testing readiness for profiling
Configure hidden folders in the Security app
A simpler, but less secure way is to use the built-in application hide feature, which doesn't create a separate environment, but simply hides shortcuts from menus and search, and you'll need to know a specific code or path in the system application Security to access these programs.
To activate the function, open the Security app and scroll down to Hide the app, and here you'll see a list of all the programs installed, and just click on the switchboard in front of the desired application to disappear from the desktop.
⚠️ Caution: Hiding through this method does not encrypt the application data. If someone knows about the existence of such a feature, they can easily find what is hidden in the Security menu».
To return applications to a prominent place, just go back to the concealment settings and turn off the switches, which is convenient for temporary use, for example, when you give a child a phone to play one particular game, hiding the rest.
Creating secure folders through a conductor
Another level of privacy is offered by Xiaomi’s standard Explorer. APK-application files in a special secure folder, access to which is only through a long press and swipe up at a certain place on the screen.
This is a good way to hide not only the shortcut, but also the installation file or cache. The algorithm is simple: open the explorer, go to the hidden file settings and set the password.
The main advantage of the method is visual stealth, in normal file viewing mode, this data will not be displayed, but you will not be able to run the application directly from a secure folder, you must first install it, which can be inconvenient for frequently used programs.
Comparison of data protection methods
The best method depends on your goals: whether you need complete isolation or just visual concealment. Each method has its own technical features that affect the performance of the Redmi Note 8 Pro and usability.
Below is a table that helps you to choose the right protection tool depending on the situation.
| Method | Level of protection | Impact on the battery | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second space | High-pitched | Average. | Medium |
| Hidden applications | Low. | Low. | Low. |
| Secure folder | Medium. | Low. | Low. |
| Third-party launchers | Depends on the software. | High. | Tall. |
As you can see from the table, Second Space provides the best balance between security and functionality, and the other methods are more likely to be used to hide from the casual eye than to provide serious protection against hacking.
Use of third-party launchers
If standard MIUI tools aren’t enough, Redmi Note 8 Pro users can turn to third-party solutions. Launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher offer hidden app features, often with additional password protection.
Installing a third-party launcher requires default permission, and once activated, you get access to an extended settings menu where you can hide icons from the drawer menu, which creates the effect of no application on the system.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party launchers may consume more CPU resources, leading to faster battery drain on the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
In addition, some MIUI features, such as gestures or themes, may not work properly with untested launchers, and it is recommended to use only popular and time-tested apps from the official Google Play store.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
In this section, we will answer the most frequent user questions related to privacy on Xiaomi.