How to Remove Icons from the Desktop on Xiaomi: Hiding, Deleting and Alternative Solutions

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based desktop often turns into a mess of app shortcuts, widgets, and folders. Even after removing unnecessary programs, their icons can stay on the home screen, taking up space and distracting attention. Unlike “pure” Android, where shortcut management is intuitive, MIUI has its own nuances — especially if it’s system applications that can’t be removed in standard ways.

Many users mistakenly believe that dragging an icon to the cart is enough, but this doesn’t always work. For example, theme, security, or Mi Video shortcuts can come back after a device is rebooted. In this article, we’ll look at all possible methods, from basic hiding to radical removal through ADB, and consider alternative launchers for those who want to completely change the interface.

It is important to understand the difference between removing the shortcut (it disappears only from the desktop) and removing the application (it is uninstalled from the system). In MIUI, these operations are performed differently, and not all applications can be removed without superuser rights. If you are using Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Xiaomi 13, the instructions below will suit all models on MIUI 14/15.

Before you start, check the version of your shell in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Some methods may not work on older versions (e.g. MIUI 12 and below) where the settings interface is different.

1. Basic removal of shortcuts from the desktop

The easiest method is to remove the icon from the screen without removing the app itself, which is true for frequently used programs (like WhatsApp or Google Chrome) that you want to leave on the system, but do not want to see on the home screen.

For this:

1. Press and hold your finger on the app icon.
2. After 1-2 seconds, a menu with options will appear.
3. Drag the icon up to the "Delete" label (or "Remove from the screen" in newer versions of MIUI).

⚠️ Note: This method does not remove the application – it will remain in the menu of all applications (called by swipe up from the bottom of the screen).If the shortcut of the system application (for example, Mi Community), it may appear again after the update. MIUI.

On some models (e.g. POCO F5), a context menu appears instead of dragging and drop, in which case select "Remove from the screen" or "Hide".

2. Hiding icons through MIUI settings

If standard uninstallation doesn’t work (for example, for system applications), you can hide icons through the settings menu.This method doesn’t remove the application, but makes its shortcut invisible on the desktop.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → Desktop.
2. Select Hide Apps (some versions of MIUI refer to this as Application Management).
3. Check the boxes for the apps you want to hide.
4. Press "Done."

The applications thus concealed:

• 🔍 Not displayed on the desktop, but remain in the menu of all applications.
• 🔄 May reappear after resetting settings or updating MIUI.
• 📱 Not removed from the system – they can be run through search (swipe down on the desktop). → search-line).

On MIUI 15 (e.g. Xiaomi 14), the path may be different: Settings → Screen → Desktop → Hidden apps.

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If a hidden app needs to be returned, repeat the steps and uncheck its name.

3. Removal of system applications without root rights (via ADB)

Some Xiaomi apps (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Music, GetApps) can’t be removed by standard methods, but they can be uninstalled via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications can lead to unstable work MIUI. Don't delete:

• 🚫 com.miui.home (launcher)
• 🚫 com.android.settings (settings)
• 🚫 com.miui.securitycenter (security)

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to become a developer) → Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a folder.
4. Open the command line in this folder and type in: adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
5. To see a list of all applications, type: adb shell pm list packages | grep 'miui'
6. To remove a specific application (e.g. Mi Browser): adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser

Popular removal packages:

Once removed, the app will disappear from the desktop and menu, and you will need to reset or flash it back.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|

Enable debugging on USB|

Download ADB Tools|

Make a backup copy of the data |

Check the name of the application package-->

4.Use of third-party launchers

If you don’t like the standard MIUI desktop, you can install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher) that will not only remove unnecessary icons, but also completely change the interface.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🎨 Complete customization: changing icons, fonts, animations.
• 🗑️ Ability to hide any applications (including system applications).
• 📂 Grouping icons into folders and tabs.
• 🔍 Smart search by apps and contacts.

How to install and configure Nova Launcher:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play.
2. After installation, click Home and select Nova Launcher as the default launcher.
3. To hide icons: Tap and hold the empty space on your desktop → "Nova Settings." Go to "Tags and Folders" → "Hide Apps." Tick boxes for unnecessary apps.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 10A) After installing a third-party launcher, you may have problems with navigation gestures. → Screen. → Navigation gestures and use classic buttons.

5. Resetting desktop settings

If after experimenting with icons, the desktop started to work incorrectly (for example, widgets are lost or folders are not opened), you can reset it to the factory settings. This will not remove the applications, but return the standard location of shortcuts.

How to reset your desktop:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop.
2. Select Desktop Settings (or Screen Settings in older versions of MIUI).
3. Scroll down and click "Reset settings."
4. Confirm the action.

Instructions:

1. Get root rights (for example, through Magisk).
2. Install Titanium Backup.
3. Open the application and provide root access.
4. Find an unnecessary app (such as Mi Pay) and click on it.
5. Select "Frozen!" or "Delete!"

⚠️ Warning: Removing mission-critical system applications (e.g. com.miui.home) will make it impossible to boot the system. TWRP Or Mi Flash Tool.

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Getting root rights voids Xiaomi’s warranty and may disrupt services (such as banking applications or Google Pay).

7. Alternative solutions: folders and widgets for organizing the desktop

If you don't want to delete icons, you can organize them with folders and widgets, which is especially convenient for users who often use a lot of apps but don't want to download the desktop.

How to create a folder:

1. Press and hold the app icon.
2. Drag her to another icon.
3. Let go, a folder with two applications will appear.
4. Click on the name of the folder to rename it.

Useful widgets for the organization:

• 📁 Application folder – allows you to hide several icons in one shortcut.
• 🔍 Google Search – Quick Access to Apps Without Labels.
• 📊 Widget "Frequently used" - automatically shows the most necessary applications.

MIUI 15 has a Smart Desktop feature that automatically sorts icons into categories (social media, tools, games) to enable: Settings → Desktop → Smart Desktop.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the icons on Xiaomi