How to hide the shortcut on Xiaomi phone: the complete guide for MIUI

Xiaomi’s smartphone desktop quickly fills with app shortcuts, especially if you’re actively installing new programs or games. Over time, screens turn into a mess of icons that are hard to find. Fortunately, MIUI offers several ways to hide unnecessary shortcuts, from standard features to hidden settings.

In this article, we’ll cover all the current methods, from basic desktop removal to full concealment of system applications through ADB. You’ll learn how to temporarily remove icons in the Hidden Apps folder, how to disable their display in the menu, and even how to hide standard programs like Mi Video or Mi Music that can’t be removed in the usual way. All instructions are tested on MIUI 12-14 and are relevant for Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi 11/12/13/14 models.

Before you start, check your shell version: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Some methods (such as hiding through ADB) require an unlocked bootloader or superuser rights – we will warn you about this in advance in the relevant sections.

1. How to remove the shortcut from the desktop (without deleting the application)

The easiest way to hide the icon from the home screen without removing the app itself, which is useful if you rarely use the program but don't want to lose its data or settings.

There are two options in MIUI:

• 📱 Drag to the folder “Hidden applications” – a temporary solution, the icon will remain in the application menu.
• 🗑️ Remove only the shortcut – the icon will disappear from the desktop, but the application will remain in the system.

Instructions:

1. Press and hold your finger on the label you want to hide.
2. At the top of the screen, a bar with options will appear. Drag the icon to:

Confirm the action. The application will stay in the system, but it will disappear from the desktop.

💡

If you accidentally deleted the shortcut of the system application (for example, Camera or Phone), it can be returned: pinch the empty space on the desktop → Widgets → find the desired application in the list and drag it to the screen.

Method limitation: The shortcut will remain visible in the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen). To hide it there, read the next section.

2. Hiding applications in the MIUI menu (Hidden folder)

If you want to completely hide an application from your desktop and from the general list, use the built-in Hidden Apps feature, which won't remove the program, but will make it inaccessible to run accidentally.

How it works:

• 🔍 The app disappears from the menu and search MIUI.
• 🔓 Access to it remains through Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 📱 The function works without root rights and does not require additional programs.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Hide Apps.
3. Tick the programs you want to hide and click Ready.

Important: applications hidden in this way will not receive notifications and will not be able to run in the background, which can disrupt the operation of some services (for example, instant messengers or banking applications).

3. Disable system applications through settings

Many of Xiaomi’s standard programs (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, Browser) cannot be removed or hidden in the usual way, but they can be disabled, which is equivalent to deleting the user: the label disappears and the process will not waste resources.

Warning: Disabling system applications may cause MIUI to work unstable.

• 🚨 Miui System, Security, Settings – Critical components of the shell.
• 📱 Telecom, Telecom, and Phone Services are responsible for calls and SMS.
• 🔄 UpdateService – Blocks System Updates.

How to disable the system application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (such as Mi Video).
3. Click Disable (the button will appear if the application can be deactivated).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Check the name on Google before disabling |

Create a backup of the data |

Don't turn it off anymore. 2-3 op-ed|

Reboot your phone after the changes-->

Once disabled, the shortcut will disappear from the desktop and menu. To return it, go to Settings → Applications → Disabled and click Enable.

4.Use of third-party launchers to hide shortcuts

If built-in MIUI features aren’t enough, you can install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Microsoft Launcher) that offers advanced hide-out settings for applications, including:

• 🔒 Hiding individual labels without removing them.
• 📂 Grouping into invisible folders.
• 🔍 Exclusion from search.

Example of settings in Nova Launcher:

1. Install the launcher from Google Play and make it the main one (the first time you start, you will see an offer).
2. Press your finger on your desktop → Settings Nova → Application Box.
3. Select Hidden Apps and mark the ones you need.
4. Save the changes.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI (including).
• ✅ Does not require root rights or ADB.
• ✅ You can hide any applications, including system (but they will remain in the background).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ The launcher consumes additional RAM.
• ❌ Some functions (such as gestures) MIUI) They may not work properly.

5. Hiding shortcuts through ADB (for power users)

If you’re ready to experiment, you can hide any system applications (including those that can’t be disabled through settings) with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a technique that requires connecting your phone to your computer and basic command-line knowledge.

Warning: improper use of ADB can cause system failure. Create a backup before you start!

What you need:

• 💻 A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the assembly number → Go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-Type C Cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the computer and confirm access to debugging on the smartphone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows) and type:

adb devices

(The name of your device should appear).

1. To hide the application, use the command:

adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.video

(Replace com.xiaomi.video with the batch name of the desired application).

1. To return the annex:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.video

Where to find the package name of the application:

• 🔍 Install App Inspector from Google Play.
• 📋 Or use the team:

adb shell pm list packages | find "keyword"

(For example, find "music" to search for music apps.)

💡

The ADB method hides the application only for the current user. After resetting the settings or updating the MIUI, the shortcut can return.

6.Reset launcher settings (if the shortcuts are missing themselves)

Sometimes, after a MIUI update or a system crash, shortcuts disappear from the desktop without you, because of a launcher error, the solution is to reset the launcher settings.

How to get the labels back:

1. Click the empty space on your desktop and select Screen Settings.
2. Scroll down and click Reset (or Restore by default).
3. Confirm action. The phone will reboot and the labels will return to their original state.

If the dumping didn't help:

• 🔄 Restart your phone in Safe Mode (click the power button) → Hold "Switch off" → select "Safe Mode").
• 🛠️ Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (Settings) → Updating the system).
• 📥 Reinstall the launcher via Google Play (for example, POCO Launcher for Xiaomi).

Warning: Launcher reset will delete all your desktop settings (wallpaper, folders, widgets), but will not affect application data or files.

Comparison of shortcuts on Xiaomi

The choice of method depends on your goals:

• 🔹 If you need to temporarily remove the shortcut – use the deletion from the desktop or the folder “Hidden".
• 🔹 To completely hide system applications, a shutdown or ADB.
• 🔹 If flexibility is important, install a third-party launcher.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding shortcuts on Xiaomi