A modern smartphone stores a huge amount of personal information, access to which is better to limit. Owners of Xiaomi devices often face the need to remove icons of certain programs from the home screen to protect their data from the prying eyes of friends or colleagues. The MIUI operating system, which is installed on Redmi 9, provides built-in tools to solve this problem without installing additional software.
The process of hiding applications can vary depending on the firmware version and the region for which the gadget is released. Standard shell methods allow not only to remove the label, but also to protect access with a password or fingerprint. This creates an additional layer of security, making your data almost inaccessible to the casual user.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to hide the application on Xiaomi Redmi 9. We will consider the standard system functions, work with the second space, as well as alternative options if the standard tools in your version of the software are missing or work incorrectly.
The regular function of hiding applications in MIUI
The MIUI shell offers a native mechanism to remove shortcuts from the menu and desktop, which is integrated directly into system settings and does not require third-party downloads. To activate the mode, you need to use a special gesture or settings menu, which ensures usability.
To enable this option, you should open the standard Security app, which is preinstalled on each Xiaomi device. Inside the menu, you need to find the Hide Apps section and activate the slider. Once turned on, the system will prompt you to select the programs you want to make invisible to outsiders.
⚠️ Attention: Once the concealment function is activated, the hidden applications are accessed through a special gesture in the Themes or Gallery app that the user sets. Forget this gesture and you will lose quick access to your data.
It's important to understand that when you use this method, programs don't delete, they just move to a secure area, and icons disappear from the desktop, but they continue to take up space in the device's memory and can receive notifications unless you set them up otherwise, and this is a convenient way to keep in touch with frequently used but confidential services.
To access hidden content, most versions of MIUI require you to spread your fingers to the sides on the home screen or in the menu of all applications, as if zooming in on a photo, a password or fingerprint window will appear, and then a list of hidden programs will open.
Use of the “Second Space” mode
A more radical and reliable way to isolate data is with the Second Space feature, which creates on your Redmi 9, in effect, a second smartphone inside the first one, and you get a separate desktop, your settings, your accounts, and of course a set of apps that are invisible in the main profile.
The second space is activated via the Settings -> Second Space menu, and the system will suggest you set the input: you can switch between the spaces by fingerprint (different fingers for different profiles) or through a special pin code, which is ideal if you want to separate your work correspondence from your personal one.
- 🔒 Complete data isolation: applications in the second space are not visible in the first space.
- 👤 Different accounts: the ability to use two profiles in one messenger without cloning.
- 🚀 Quick switching: changing profiles takes a few seconds through the lock screen.
- 📉 Resource consumption: the function consumes additional RAM and battery power.
When using the second space, you should consider that some system resources, such as memory and processor, are divided between two profiles. If Redmi 9 has a lot of heavy games in both spaces, the performance of the device may decrease, but for ordinary tasks, the difference is almost invisible.
To move applications that are already installed to the second space, you don't have to download them again. In the second profile settings, you have a "Move Data" feature that allows you to copy shortcuts and data from the main profile, which saves time and traffic, while maintaining the structure of use.
Configure access through the application “Security”
The central element of the access rights management in Xiaomi is the system application “Security”, which is where key privacy settings, including app locking and hiding shortcuts, are located. The interface of this tool allows you to flexibly configure the security settings for each installed software.
Inside the Security app, select "App Lock" where you can set a shared password or use a biometric to log in, and once you have access to the list of protected programs, you can hide them by simply switching the appropriate switch next to the app name.
One of the useful features is the ability to customize notification behavior for hidden applications, so you can prevent the content of messages from being displayed on a locked screen by leaving only the name of the application or hiding the notifications completely, which prevents information from leaking even when a new message arrives.
Settings -> Passwords and Security -> Privacy -> Special Access -> Hide AppsThis path in the menu may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and MIUI. If you do not find the desired item, search by settings, entering the request "Hide".
☑️ Checking security settings
Alternative methods of hiding programs
If MIUI is not available for some reason or you need more fine-tuning, you can resort to third-party solutions. Launchers from third-party developers often provide advanced privacy features that are not available in stock firmware.
Popular launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher allow you to hide apps from a list of all programs, but remember that this is only a visual cover-up. Apps stay on the system, and they can be found through settings or search, if you know where to look.
Another method is to use the Guest Mode feature if it is supported by your version of Android. In the guest profile, the user does not see your apps, contacts and browser history. This is convenient when you need to give the phone to someone to call or play, but do not want to show your data.
| Method | Level of protection | Difficulty setting up | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiding labels | Low. | Minimum | No. |
| Application lockdown | Medium. | Low. | Minimum |
| Second space | High-pitched | Medium | Notable. |
| Third-party launcher | Low/Mediocre | Tall. | Depends on the launcher. |
The choice of method depends on who you want to hide information from, to protect against children or random glances, it is enough to hide shortcuts, to protect against technically savvy users, it is better to use a second space or specialized safe applications.
Management of notifications and background work
Hiding an app icon is only half the battle. Often users forget that notifications can appear on the lock screen or in the curtain, giving the presence of a hidden program. Redmi 9 needs to separately configure the content display settings.
Go to the settings of a particular hidden application and find the Notifications section, where you can turn off the display on the lock screen, block pop-ups and sound signals, which ensures that even when you are actively using the messenger, no one will know about the new message until you open the application yourself.
What happens to the background processes?
Also worth paying attention to background activity: Some applications may continue to collect geodata or sync files even if their icon is hidden. Check the Battery section in settings regularly to monitor which hidden programs are consuming power.
For maximum privacy, it is recommended to disable microphone and camera access for hidden apps when they are not actively in use.Modern versions of Android have indicators showing the use of these sensors, which can draw attention to hidden software.
Restoring access and removing hidden data
Sooner or later, you may need to return a hidden application to a prominent place or completely remove it. The recovery process is simple: just go back to the hidden settings through the Security app and uncheck the desired program. The icon will instantly return to the desktop.
If you used the second space, you need to delete the second profile completely, and this action will permanently delete all the apps, photos and files created inside it, while remaining intact, ensuring the purity of the experiment.
⚠️ Warning: When you reset your phone to a factory setting, all hidden apps and second-space data will be permanently deleted.
If you have forgotten a password from hidden apps or a second space, you can restore access through your Mi Account if you have synced, and if you have not set up sync, the only way out is to completely reset your device, which emphasizes the importance of remembering passwords.
Check the list of hidden applications regularly. Over time, the need to hide some programs may become unnecessary, and it will become pointless to keep them in the shadows. Cleaning the list helps maintain order and speeds up the system, freeing up cache.
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Change the password for accessing hidden apps periodically, which reduces the risk that someone who saw you enter the code will gain access to your data in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I hide the system apps on Redmi 9?
Do hidden applications take up RAM?
What happens if I forget the password from the second space?
Do hidden apps see my other files on my phone?
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Hiding apps on Redmi 9 is a balance between convenience and security.Use Second Space for maximum protection and simple hiding shortcuts for home comfort.