Modern Xiaomi smartphones running on MIUI shells or the new HyperOS are often overflowing with pre-installed software. Even if you use a global firmware version, there are still a lot of service applications that take up space and distract attention. Hiding system applications is not just an aesthetic desire, but a way to improve digital hygiene by removing unnecessary icons from the desktop.
The procedure for hiding varies depending on the operating system version and regional settings of the device. In some cases, it is enough to activate the built-in Hidden Applications feature, in others, you will need to use specialized tools like ADB (Android Debug Bridge), It is important to understand that completely removing system components can lead to unstable operation, so hiding them is a safe alternative.
In this article, we’ll look at all the current techniques available to Xiaomi users in 2026, and we’ll look at the standard privacy protections, methods of hiding through system settings, and more advanced ways for power users. Remember that hiding a system application doesn’t remove it from the device’s memory, it only makes it invisible on the menu.
The standard function of hiding applications in MIUI and HyperOS
Let’s start with the simplest and most secure method offered by Xiaomi itself: the MIUI has been built-in for years, a hidden application mechanism that doesn’t require third-party software, originally designed to protect sensitive data, but it’s also great for removing unnecessary icons from public access.
To activate this mode, you need to go to the standard Security app, which is system-based and is present on every device of the brand. Inside you will need to find the Hide Apps (or Hidden Apps) section. If you can’t see this item right away, try clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner of the Security app menu.
⚠️ Note: Once the concealment function is activated, the hidden applications are accessed through a special gesture in the Themes or Gallery app, or through the search bar, depending on the firmware version!
To manage the list of hidden objects, use the following algorithm:
- 🔒 Open the Security app on the home screen.
- 🔍 Find and select Hide apps at the bottom of the screen or in the settings menu.
- ➕ Click the Add button and select the apps you want to hide from prying eyes.
- 🔑 When you first start, the system will ask you to set a password or use biometrics to access hidden content.
This method is ideal for users who want to hide system services like Mi Credit, Mi Video or Google regional services without compromising system integrity. However, it is worth noting that some critical system components may not appear on the list of available for concealment, as Android protects them from modification of the interface.
Using ADB to hide system components
If Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t allow you to hide a specific system application, the ADB debugging tool comes to the rescue. This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer, but gives you much more control over the system. With ADB, we don’t delete the application, but “freeze” it for the current user, making it completely invisible and inoperable without the possibility of accidental launch.
Before you start, you need to activate the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI or HyperOS build number seven times. After the “You became a developer” notification appears, open the Additional Settings → For developers and turn on the “Debugging by USB” option.
☑️ Preparation for work with ADB
The process of hiding is as follows: After connecting the phone to the PC and confirming the debugging request, open the command line on the computer in the folder with the ADB tools. You will need a command to get a list of all the packages to find the exact name of the hidden application:
adb shell pm list packages | grep "name"Once you find the right package (e.g. com.miui.videoplayer), use the command to hide (disable):
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.videoplayerThis command forcibly stops the application and hides its icon from the launcher. The system believes that the application is disabled by the user. It is important to understand that ADB is a powerful tool, and incorrectly disabling critical system services (for example, related to telephony or interface) can lead to a bootloop (cyclic reboot).
| ADB Team Team | Action. | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| pm disable-user | Hide and disable the app | Low (can be turned back on) |
| pm uninstall -k --user 0 | Remove the application for the current user | Medium (requires a reset for refund) |
| pm enable | Includes previously disabled application | Safe. |
How to return hidden through ADB application?
Hiding through third-party launchers
Another elegant way to get system debris out of sight is to replace Xiaomi's standard launcher with a third-party.The standard shell often tightly ties system applications to the desktop, but third-party launchers allow for flexibly managing icon visibility. Popular options include Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher.
Once you install the alternative launcher and assign it to the default, you get access to advanced interface settings. Many launchers have Hide Apps, which works at the interface level, without affecting system files, 1 it is completely secure and does not require superuser rights.
However, this method has its nuances: some Xiaomi system widgets or “Always On Display” features may not work properly with third-party launchers, and newer versions of HyperOS can aggressively unload third-party launchers from memory, returning the standard interface after rebooting.
- 🚀 Download and install the launcher from Google Play.
- ⚙️ When you first start, follow the instructions for setting up and granting permissions.
- 🗑️ Go to the launcher settings, find the Hide Apps section and select unnecessary icons.
- 🔄 If the system resets the launcher, limit the background activity of the standard launcher in the battery settings.
⚠️ Note: On devices with European firmware (Global) EEA) There may be restrictions on the installation of third-party launchers due to antitrust laws, in which case the system will periodically suggest choosing a standard launcher when you turn on.
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Use the Folder feature in the launcher to group system applications. Create a System folder, put all unnecessary icons in there, and remove the folder on the last screen or in the application menu. This will not hide them completely, but will clean the desktop.
Working with the user profile "Guest"
Android, starting with version 5.0, has multiplayer support, which means you can create a new user profile that doesn't have any additional apps installed by default, and the system apps are presented in basic form, a radical but effective method.
Switching to a new profile will give you a clean interface, so you can avoid installing unnecessary apps in this profile, and you can simply not use system apps that are not needed, and in some versions of MIUI, guest mode has limited access to settings, which prevents accidental changes to the system.
To create a new user, go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Second Space (or “Second Profile”). The system will create an isolated environment. While this won’t hide apps from your main profile, it allows you to create an environment where they simply don’t exist visually.
The main disadvantage of the method is data separation: photos, contacts and messages in the Second Space will be separate. Switching between profiles takes time and requires unlocking the device, a method that is more suitable for separating work and personal use than for simple cleaning of the interface.
Limitations and risks of hiding system applications
Before you massively hide or disable system components, you need to clearly understand the architecture of Android. System applications often have dependencies on each other. For example, disabling Google Play Services or Xiaomi system framework can cause notifications, time synchronization or even cellular communication to stop working.
Hiding an application through ADB (disable-user command) is reversible, but if you hide the application that controls the interface (SystemUI), the phone may become unmanageable, in which case only logging into Recovery mode and resetting data (Wipe Data), which will lead to the loss of all information.
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The golden rule of system modification is never to disable or hide packets you are not sure of, and if a packet is called com.android.systemui or com.xiaomi.misys, it is dangerous to touch it.
You also need to consider system updates. After a major MIUI or HyperOS update, all applications hidden through ADB can be automatically restored to the default state by the system. You have to repeat the hiding procedure again. The built-in method of hiding through Security is more reliable in this regard, since it is integrated into the update system.