Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the challenge of restricting access to personal data or simply tidying up the visual space. The question of how to hide the desktop on Xiaomi usually involves hiding specific apps, folders or activating special privacy modes, since it is impossible to completely remove the standard MIUI or HyperOS launcher without third-party tools.
Modern versions of the shell MIUI offer several layers of protection, from simply moving icons to a hidden folder to creating a completely isolated space with a separate file. PIN-Data security is provided at the operating system level, making it impossible to view hidden content without authorization of the owner.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to mask the interface and applications, you will learn how to use the Hidden folder, activate the Second Space, and what are the nuances of working with these functions on different versions of the firmware.
Hidden folder: the basic method of masking
The easiest and most popular way to get rid of the excess is to use the built-in Hidden Folder function, which allows you to move selected applications to a special section, which is accessed only after you enter a password or fingerprint, and you need to go to the desktop settings to activate this function.
Open the Settings menu of your smartphone and find the Desktop section. In the list of options, select Hidden folder. Once you turn on this option, the desktop will have the corresponding icon that looks like a regular folder by default, but requires authorization to log in.
☑️ Set up a hidden folder
It's important to understand that hidden apps are no longer visible in the general list of programs and in the menu of recent tasks, so to add a program to this secure container, you need to pinch the folder icon on your desktop, type in the password and drag the right shortcuts in there, which creates the first level of privacy for your data.
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If you forgot the password from the hidden folder, you can restore access only through your Mi Account account, if synchronization was enabled, or by completely resetting your phone data.
Second Space: Creating an Isolated Environment
A more radical and effective method is to use the Second Space function, which is not just hiding a folder, but creating a full-fledged second profile inside your smartphone. Xiaomi has implemented this technology so that you actually have two phones in the same case: the main and guest (or work).
To enable, go to Settings → About Phone (or Additional) → Second Space. The system will suggest setting up a separate password or fingerprint to enter the second space. The separation of data here is absolute: apps, photos and contacts in the two spaces do not overlap.
When you unlock your phone with your main finger, you're on a desktop, and if you put your finger on the second profile, or if you type in a special pin, the phone instantly switches to an isolated desktop, and to a third-party observer, it looks like a login to a regular phone, but with a different set of applications.
⚠️ Note: The second space takes up additional storage on the drive, as some system files and application caches are duplicated.
Blocking applications as an alternative to hiding
If your goal is not to visually remove icons, but to prevent unauthorized access to the content of programs, use the application lock function. It allows you to set a password to run specific programs, leaving their icons visible on the desktop.
You can find this setting by Settings → Applications → Application Locking. Here you select a list of programs that require additional authorization. When you try to open such an application, the system will ask for a password, a pattern lock or a biometric.
This is convenient because it doesn't require complex folder structures or profile switching, and data protection is instantly activated, but it's worth remembering that the app icon will still be visible, which may raise questions for those curious.
| Function | Visibility of icons | Level of protection | Impact on memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden folder | Hidden in a folder | Medium (password to folder) | Minimum |
| Second space | Completely hidden in profile 1 | High (separate OS) | High (duplication) |
| Application lockdown | Seen on the desktop | Medium (launch password) | Absent. |
| Guest mode | Hidden (standard ones used) | Temporary access | Minimum |
What happens to hidden app notifications?
Use of Guest Mode for Temporary Access
When you have to give someone a phone to call or watch a photo, but you don't want to show your desktops, Guest Mode is ideal. Unlike Second Space, which stores data all the time, Guest Mode creates a temporary session with limited access.
You can activate it through the notification panel or in user settings. In this mode, the guest sees only a standard set of applications and does not have access to your personal files, browser history or installed programs. After logging out, all session data is deleted.
This is a great way to secure the device when it is transferred into the wrong hands, and the desktop in this case looks sterile and does not contain the owner's personal information.
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Guest mode is the best solution for short-term phone transfer, as it does not require setting up individual profiles and is cleared after use.
Hiding system elements and changing the launcher
For advanced users who want to hide not only applications but also interface elements (search bar, widgets, bottom bar), standard MIUI tools may not be enough.
By installing an alternative launcher, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, you have full control over the appearance, and in the settings of such shells, you can hide the application bar, change the desktop grid to a minimum or make the background completely black, hiding icons.
However, the use of third-party launchers on Xiaomi has its own peculiarities: the system can aggressively unload them from memory, so you need to lock the application in memory and give all permissions in the Special Features menu.
⚠️ Note: When installing a third-party launcher, some navigation gestures or smart window functions may stop working.
Frequent questions about data hiding on Xiaomi
Users often ask questions about security and data recovery, and the following are answers to the most popular ones to help avoid common privacy setting mistakes.