Xiaomi smartphones today contain a wealth of personal information, from instant messaging to banking apps that shouldn’t be open to everyone. Device owners often face the need to limit the visibility of certain programs on their desktops to provide an additional level of privacy, especially when children use their phones or when the device falls into the hands of colleagues and acquaintances.
MIUI and the new HyperOS offer built-in mechanisms to hide content that work better than simply removing shortcuts. Unlike many other Android shells, it doesn’t require third-party software or superuser rights. It not only hides icons, but also completely blocks apps from running through special passwords.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the ways to hide shortcuts, including using standard system tools and creating secret spaces. You will learn how to find hidden applications and what nuances exist in different versions of firmware. Data security begins with a competent interface setup, and we will help you make your smartphone impenetrable to prying eyes.
Standard method of hiding through system settings
The easiest and most reliable way to remove the icon from the desktop is to use the built-in Hidden Applications feature, which does not remove the program, but only makes it invisible on the menu and on the lock screen. To activate the function, you need to go to the Settings menu, then select the Application section and find the Hidden Applications item.
Once you turn on the switch, the system will suggest you select the programs you want to make invisible. MIUI automatically sorts the installed software, allowing you to quickly find the right one. It is important to understand that after you apply the settings, the icon will disappear from the desktop, but the application will continue to work in the background, receiving notifications and updates.
It’s worth noting that in some regions or firmware versions, the path to settings may vary slightly, and if you don’t find an item on the app menu, try searching for the settings by entering the “Hidden” query, and you can access this section through the “Security” app, which is preinstalled on all the brand devices.
⚠️ Note: Once an application is hidden in the standard way, its icon disappears from the general list. To run such a program, you will need to know a special code or use search.
☑️ Checking before hiding
The effectiveness of this method lies in its simplicity and native integration into the system. You do not have to sacrifice the performance of the device by installing heavy launchers. However, it is worth remembering that an experienced user can find the hidden one if he knows where to look for this feature in the settings.
Use of the Second Space for Total Isolation
If standard icon hiding isn’t enough and requires complete data isolation, the best solution is the “Second Space” feature, which creates a virtual second smartphone on your Xiaomi with its own set of applications, passwords and files, switching between the main and second spaces using a fingerprint or pin code.
To create an isolated environment, go to Settings → Additional → Second Space. The system will suggest setting up a new space that looks like a clean phone, you can install any apps from Google Play or Mi GetApps, and they will be completely independent of the main profile.
The main advantage of this method is complete privacy. Even if someone unlocks your phone and accesses the main desktop, they will not see any trace of the existence of a second space. Applications in the second space do not appear in the list of installed programs of the main profile, and their data does not occupy a place in the shared gallery.
- 🔒 Complete data isolation and browser history
- 📱 The ability to use two WhatsApp or Telegram accounts at the same time
- 👤 Different wallpaper and settings for the main and guest modes
- ⚡ Quick switching by fingerprint
How to hide the application of the Second Space?
The use of Second Space is the most radical defense method that turns one physical smartphone into two logical devices, the perfect solution for separating work and personal life or storing sensitive data.
Block applications through the Security menu
Another layer of protection that is often confused with concealment is blocking the launch of applications.The App Lock feature does not remove the icon from the screen, but requires entering a password, pattern lock or fingerprint every time you try to run a program, which prevents access to the content of the application, even if the icon is visible.
You can find this feature in the Security app (green zipper icon), which is system on all Xiaomis. At the bottom of the screen, select the App Lock tab. Here you will see a list of all installed programs. Just click on the lock in front of the desired application to activate the protection.
In locking settings, you can set a password type and choose whether to hide the content of notifications on a locked screen, which means that even if you receive a message, its text will not be visible without unlocking, in which case privacy is protected at the level of access to the functionality, not the visibility of the shortcut.
| Function | Visibility of the icon | Password required to launch | Level of protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden applications | No. | Not (unless it's worth the launch) | Medium. |
| Application lockdown | Yes. | Yes. | High-pitched |
| Second space | No (main profile) | Yes (to enter space) | Maximum |
The combination of lock and hide gives the best result: you can hide the icon through the system settings, and the hidden application itself (if you can find a way to run it) put a password through the security menu. Double access control will make it much harder for the curious.
Hiding through launchers and design themes
The standard MIUI launcher has limited customization functionality, so many users install third-party shells. Launchers like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher allow you to hide application icons directly from the launcher’s settings menu, often with support for a password to log into a hidden folder.
To use this method, install the launcher you choose from Google Play and make it the default one. Then go to its settings, look for the Hidden Apps or Hidden Desktop section. The mechanism is similar to the system one, but often offers more flexible settings, such as creating a separate page or a folder protected by pin code.
You can also use themes from Themes Store.Some themes have built-in concealment features or change icons to transparent/inconspicuous, although this is more of a visual hoax than real protection. Third-party launchers give more control over the look but can consume more battery resources.
- 🎨 The ability to create hidden folders with a password
- 🔄 Flexible setting of grid and icon size
- 🚀 Additional gestures and animations
- ⚙️ Independence from system updates MIUI
⚠️ Note: When installing a third-party launcher, some system functions MIUI, Such as swipes for control or gestures of “second space” may not work properly or may not be available.
💡
If you are using a third-party launcher, do not remove the standard MIUI launcher completely, as this can lead to unstable system operation.
Using alternative shells is a great choice for those who want to personalize the interface and get advanced shortcut management features. However, for maximum stability, Xiaomi is better to rely on built-in tools.
Search and Recovery of Hidden Applications
Sooner or later, you have to find an application that has been hidden before, if you've used the standard method of hiding, you won't find it in the normal search menu or list of all programs, and there's a special gesture or search query in MIUI to access hidden content.
In most firmware versions, to see hidden apps, you need to open a standard Themes or Security app and enter a code word in your search. By default, it is often the word hidden or hidden, but the user can set his password key when the feature is first set up. Type this key in the search bar on the desktop, and a menu with hidden content will open.
If you forget which apps are hidden, or you can't remember the access key, you'll have to reset the hiding settings. Go to Settings → Apps → Hidden apps (the path may require you to enter the unlock password of your phone).
If you use the Second Space, you can switch to it if you use a specially designated fingerprint or password when unlocking the screen. If you forget the password from the second space, you can not recover the data inside it without completely resetting this space.
💡
The key to hidden apps is a special search query or password that you set when you activate the feature, without which you cannot access hidden content.