How to hide the shortcuts of applications on Xiaomi

Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which run on MIUI and HyperOS shells, offer advanced privacy tools. Unlike standard Android launchers, the system allows you not only to block access to programs, but also completely hide their icons from the desktop, a solution ideal for protecting personal information from prying eyes.

Users often face the need to remove unnecessary interface elements or hide sensitive data, such as banking applications or personal correspondence. The standard Hidden Space mechanism works more effectively than a simple login password, as it makes the application invisible to the usual viewing of a gallery or a list of programs.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the ways to hide shortcuts, including system functions and third-party solutions, and you will learn how to create isolated environments and customize access to them, which will ensure the maximum level of security of your data on the device.

Use of the function of Hidden Space

The main tool for this is the built-in Hidden Space feature, which allows you to create a separate area on the device where the selected applications move, and once activated, the icons disappear from the home screen and from the menu of all applications, becoming accessible only through a special input.

To get started, you need to go to your system settings. Find the application section and select Hidden Applications, and here the system will suggest creating a password or using biometrics to protect access, which is the first layer of protection that prevents unauthorized login.

Once you set a password, you'll be asked to select the apps you want to hide, and the system will automatically move their shortcuts to a secure area, and it's important to understand that notifications from those programs will also be hidden until you enter the space with the right credentials.

⚠️ Note: When you reset your phone to factory settings, the Hidden Space state may be lost if you don't complete the system backup.

Hidden elements are managed through the same settings interface, so you can return the app to the home screen at any time, or add a new one, and the mechanism is based on a re-drawing of the launcher, so changing icons or theme may require re-checking visibility.

💡

Hidden space is a native MIUI tool that does not require additional software installation and works at the system level.

Second Space setup for complete isolation

A more radical method is to use Second Space, which is not just hiding shortcuts, but creating a full-fledged second operating system inside your smartphone, and you can install individual copies of applications that won't be visible in your main profile.

Activation occurs through the settings menu, where you need to find the item Second Space. The system will create a separate desktop with its own settings, Google and Mi accounts. Switching between spaces is done through the notification curtain or a special shortcut on the desktop.

The advantage of this method is that it's completely data-isolated, and the photos, contacts and history of the browser in the second space don't overlap with the main space, and it's ideal for separating work and personal life, or for transferring the phone to children without the risk of accessing your files.

• 🔒 Complete isolation of data and application settings.
• 📱 The ability to use two different accounts in the same program.
• ⚙️ Separate system and launcher settings for each profile.

Consider that having two active spaces consumes more RAM and battery power, and the background processes in the second profile may continue to work if they are not manually limited through energy saving settings.

Hiding through notification and access settings

Sometimes the user doesn’t have to hide the app completely, just remove the notifications from the lock screen. In Xiaomi, the central notification management mechanism is responsible for this. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar to configure the content display.

Select a specific application from the list and turn off the Display Content option, in which case the lock screen will only display the program name, but the text of the message or the sender name will remain hidden, a useful feature for instant messengers and email clients.

You can also use Application Lock, which doesn't hide the shortcut, but requires you to enter a password or fingerprint every time you run the program, and the combination of blocking and hiding notifications creates a strong barrier to curious looks.

Settings → Applications → Blocking Applications → Select the Application → Enable

For maximum privacy, it is recommended to activate the concealment of the contents of notifications even for an unlocked screen, which will prevent pop-ups with text messages when you use your phone in the presence of other people.

Application of third-party launchers and themes

If standard features are not enough, you can install a third-party launcher from Google Play. Programs like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher offer their own icon hiding features that work independently of the system settings of MIUI.

Once you have installed the launcher, you need to assign it to the default default. In the new interface settings, look for Hidden Apps or Drawer. Here you can select shortcuts that should disappear from the general list. Often, you need to enter a special code or gesture to access them.

Using themes from MIUI Themes can also help disguise labels, with some themes allowing icons to be changed beyond recognition or hidden signatures, making navigation easy to understand.

For example, battery usage history or traffic data will still show the activity of the hidden application in the corresponding parts of the system.

Instructions for creating mask folders

A simple but effective way to visually hide is to create folders with neutral names, so you can put a confidential application in a folder called Tools or Weather and put it on the last desktop screen.

To enhance the effect, you can use empty widgets or widgets with a transparent background, blocking shortcuts. Although this does not provide cryptographic protection, this method is effective against rapid visual scanning of the screen by outsiders.

Create a folder, put the application in there, and rename the folder into something boring and uninteresting, and change the folder icon to the standard system icon so that it merges with the rest of the interface.

• 📁 Create a new folder on your desktop.
• 🏷️ Give it a neutral name, such as a calculator".
• 📲 Move the hidden app inside.
• 🎨 If you wish, change the folder icon through the theme editor.

This technique is often called "security by obscurity," and it doesn't protect against a technician, but it works well in everyday situations where the phone might fall into the hands of children or casual acquaintances.

Table of comparison of methods of concealment

To choose the best way to protect yourself, compare the main characteristics of the available methods, each of which has its own advantages depending on the level of confidentiality and usability required.

As you can see from the table, Xiaomi’s native tools provide the best balance between functionality and resource intensity. Using Second Space requires the most resources, but provides the best protection.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers to hide apps, make sure you remember how to return a standard launcher, otherwise accessing your phone’s settings may be difficult.

Frequent questions and problem-solving

Users often face questions about restoring access or functionality compatibility during the setup process, and the following are answers to the most popular requests related to hiding apps on Redmi and POCO devices.

💡

For maximum security, periodically check the list of devices that have access to your Mi Account and remove unknown gadgets.

With the right tools to hide labels, you can turn your smartphone into a personal data store that's not accessible to outsiders, and by combining these methods, you can flexibly adjust your privacy to any situation.