How to hide shortcuts on Xiaomi smartphones: from standard methods to secret MIUI chips

Why Xiaomi has too many shortcuts on its screen and can it be removed forever?

Have you just unpacked the new Xiaomi 14 or updated the firmware on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, and the desktop already flaunts Mi Video, Mi Browser, GetApps and other preinstalled apps? Or maybe after synchronization with the Mi Account returned previously deleted icons? This is a typical situation for the MIUI shell, where the manufacturer actively promotes its services - sometimes too intrusive.

Unlike pure Android, where the user is free to remove any shortcuts without consequences, Xiaomi limits this freedom: some system applications can not be uninstalled, and their icons stubbornly return after rebooting. However, there are ways to hide them forever, from basic launcher settings to deep manipulation of system files. In this guide, we will analyze all the current methods for MIUI 14/15 (Android 13/14), including little-known tricks for advanced users.

Warning: some methods require unlocking the bootloader or the rights of the superuser (root). If you are a beginner, start with the safe options from the first sections. For power users, at the end of the article there is a section with "heavy artillery".

Method 1: Hiding shortcuts through standard MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in features of the MIUI Launcher, which does not remove apps, but removes their icons from the desktop and from the app menu. Suitable for most models, from the Poco X5 to the flagship Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

Instructions:

• 📱 Long pressing on an empty desktop space → Select Screen Settings.
• 🔍 Scroll down to Hidden Apps (in some versions) MIUI It's called Hide the Badges).
• ✅ Check the apps you want to hide (e.g. Mi Pay, Mi Community, Games).
• 🔄 You go back to your desktop, the labels disappear. To get them back, repeat the steps and uncheck the boxes.

⚠️ Note: This method does not remove applications from the system. They will still take up space in memory and may appear in search results by device. MIUI.

Long press runs on your launcher | The application is not system (e.g. Google Play is not hidden) | You do not plan to use the hidden application in the future | You have enough free space in memory (hiding does not free up space)

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Method 2: Disable applications through Android settings

If standard hiding doesn’t help (for example, icons come back after a reboot), try disabling unnecessary apps, which will remove their updates and prevent them from running in the background, but won’t affect system files.

How to turn it off:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Show All Apps.
3. Find the app you want (such as Mi Browser) and open the page.
4. Click Disable (if the button is inactive – the application is critical to the system).
5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

🔹 What's the blackout doing:

• 🚫 The shortcut disappears from the desktop and from the app menu.
• 📉 The app stops using battery and traffic.
• 🔄 Updates are no longer being installed for it.
• ⚠️ System applications (such as Settings or Phone) cannot be turned off.

💡

If the “Disable” button is inactive, try to remove all app updates first (the “Remove Updates” button on the same page).

Method 3: Use of third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, Lawnchair)

Xiaomi's standard launcher is limited in settings, but third-party shells allow for flexible shortcut management.

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – the most functional, with support for gestures and hiding applications.
• 🎨 Apex Launcher – lightweight and fast, with the ability to block icons.
• 🆕 Lawnchair – a launcher in the style of Pixel, open source.

How to hide shortcuts through Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Make it the default launcher (at the first start the system will prompt you to do this).
3. Long tap on the desktop → Settings Nova → Apps and widgets.
4. Choose Hide applications and mark the ones you need.
5. For reliability, also open Settings → Home screen and turn off Show Predicted Apps.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi system applications (such as Security or Mi Share) may continue to show up even in third-party launchers, in which case only disabling (method 2) or root access will help.

Standard. MIUI Launcher|Nova Launcher|Apex Launcher|Lawnchair|Other|I don't know what it is.-->

Method 4: Removing shortcuts through ADB (without root)

If disabling doesn’t work and rooting isn’t, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which removes apps for the current user without affecting system files, and is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi, and Poco models on MIUI 12 and later.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB Debugging in the Developer Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version – Press 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Download ADB Tools (for example, official tools from Google).
4. Open the command line in the ADB folder and type:

adb shell


pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.mi.browser.global # example for Mi Browser




pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks # example for GetApps

📌 List of popular removal packages:

⚠️ Note: Do not remove system applications that are responsible for security (Security), updates (Updater) or basic functions (Settings, Phone!

Method 5: Root access and deep cleaning (for the experienced)

If you're willing to take drastic measures, unlocking the bootloader and getting root permissions will open up access to the complete removal of system applications.

• 🔧 They're good at working with TWRP Magisk.
• 📱 You may lose your warranty (on some models).
• 🔄 Understand the risks of “bricking” the device.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires binding of the Mi Account account to the device).
2. Install custom TWRP recaps for your model (see instructions on XDA Developers).
3. Please use Magisk to obtain root rights.
4. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
5. Go to /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/ and delete folders of unwanted applications (e.g. Browser, VideoPlayer).
6. Clean the cache in the recaveri (Wipe) → Cache/Dalvik).

🔹 Pros of the method:

• 🧹 Completely remove unnecessary apps, not just hide.
• 📲 Freeing up space in the system section.
• 🔋 Reduced background activity.

⚠️ Note: Incorrect deletion of system files can lead to a cyclical reboot or loss of functionality (for example, access to network settings will disappear). TWRP before manipulation!

💡

Root access gives you maximum freedom, but requires technical skills, and for most users, methods 1-4 are enough.

Method 6: Resetting settings to factory (extreme case)

If shortcuts appeared after updating MIUI or syncing with Mi Account, and other methods do not help, you can perform a soft reset settings. It will delete user data, but save system applications.

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset All Settings (not to be confused with Remove All Data!).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

🔹 What will be removed:

• 📱 All shortcuts on the desktop (only standard ones will return).
• 🔧 User settings MIUI (themes, gestures, sounds).
• 📋 Application data but not the applications themselves).

⚠️ Warning: After reset, be sure to turn off sync with Mi Account in your account settings, otherwise shortcuts may return the next time you log in!

Method 7: Blocking shortcuts through Mi Account (a little-known trick)

Xiaomi has a hidden feature that allows you to block the installation of certain applications through your account, which will not remove existing shortcuts, but will prevent them from returning after a reset or update.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account.
2. Go to Sync and disable the Applications.
3. Go back to the main account menu and select Device Management.
4. Find your device in the list and click Delete Data (this will remove the shortcut binding to your account).

🔹 Limitations of method:

• 🚫 Does not work for pre-installed system applications.
• 🔄 Requires reconfiguring synchronization for other data (contacts, notes).

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding shortcuts on Xiaomi