Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones with MIUI shell or the new HyperOS offer users a variety of features to personalize the interface. One of the most popular features is to hide app icons from prying eyes, which can be necessary to protect personal information, hide games from children or simply to clean up the desktop without removing programs.
Unlike many other manufacturers, Chinese engineers have built this feature deep into the system without requiring additional software to be installed. However, the location of the settings can vary depending on the firmware version and region. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current methods to make your data invisible to random glances.
It’s worth noting that standard tools work consistently but have limitations, such as hidden apps that are no longer visible on the menu but can remain visible on the list of recently launched programs, and understanding these nuances will help you choose the most appropriate method of protecting privacy on your device.
Use of the built-in function of the Hidden Partition
The most reliable and safe way to get icons out of sight is to use the native Hidden Partition function, which creates a separate space in the memory of the smartphone, access to which is protected by a unique password or graphical key, and the applications that are moved here disappear completely from the main menu and the list of installed programs.
To activate this option, you need to go to the settings menu and find the appropriate item. It is usually in the Applications section → Hide applications or Settings → Hide applications. Once you turn on the system, you will need to specify a special access code.
The hidden partition is built on the principle of pseudonyms: you specify a code that begins with a special character (usually a space or a # sign), followed by your personal password, and when you enter this code in the unlock field, the smartphone instantly switches to the hidden desktop.
⚠️ Warning: If you forget the hidden partition access code, it will be impossible to restore the applications inside it with standard means. The only way out is to completely reset the data, so write the password to a secure location.
The advantage of this method is complete isolation, and even if someone gets access to your main desktop, they won't know that the second layer exists, which is ideal for storing banking applications or personal photo albums.
☑️ Set up a hidden section
Hiding through the settings of the MIUI launcher
If you don’t need to create a separate protected space, but just remove the extra icons from the home screen, you can use a simpler method. Xiaomi’s standard launcher allows you to hide shortcuts, making them invisible on the menu, but leaving them accessible through search or settings.
To use this feature, open your phone's settings and search for settings by type in the word "Hide." The system will suggest going to the app visibility control menu, and here you will see a list of all the programs installed with switches opposite each of them.
Activating the switch instantly removes the icon from the desktop, but unlike the hidden partition, these apps continue to run in the background and can display notifications, which is important to consider if your goal is maximum privacy.
This is great for those who want to remove rarely used system utilities or games that interfere with navigation but do not contain critical data, and it also helps to visually unload the interface.
Application of third-party launchers
Owners of Redmi and Poco smartphones who are not satisfied with the standard shell features often turn to third-party launchers. Popular solutions like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher offer advanced tools to control the visibility of interface elements.
Installing an alternative launcher gives you flexibility in setting up, and many of them allow you to hide applications from the menu by creating your own categories or using Hidden Pages. Some launchers even support creating separate profiles with different sets of visible programs.
However, third-party software has its own risks: Third-party launchers can consume more battery and RAM resources than Xiaomi’s optimized system launcher, and require special permissions that are required manually to work properly.
| Launcher | The possibility of concealment | Paid version | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | Got it (Prime) | Yes. | Medium |
| Microsoft Launcher | Got it (free) | No. | Low. |
| Smart Launcher 6 | Got it (automatically) | Partially. | Low. |
| System MIUI | Got it (basic) | No. | Low. |
When choosing a third-party launcher, pay attention to reviews and rankings on Google Play. make sure the developer updates their app regularly to avoid compatibility issues after an Android update.
Calculator folder method (Second Space)
One of the most clever ways to hide applications on Xiaomi is to use the Second Space feature in combination with disguising. While it’s not quite a “tag hider” in the classic sense, the result is even more effective.
You can create a second space that looks like a completely separate phone, and on the home screen of the first space, you leave only innocuous apps, and you use a special fingerprint or password to move into the second space.
There are also special calculator apps that are actually storage applications, and you install an app like this, you set a password, and inside it you have hidden photos, videos, or even shortcuts of other programs, and to an outsider, it's just a calculator.