A cluttered desktop on a Xiaomi smartphone is a problem that many users are familiar with. Even after deleting an app, its icon can remain on the screen, and system icons like Security, Themes or Mi Video are not removed at all in the standard ways. In this article, we will discuss all possible methods from basic concealment to deep cleaning through ADB and root access.
The MIUI firmware and the new HyperOS feature aggressive placement of advertising widgets and duplicate icons. For example, after the system update, Mi Pay or GetApps icons that are not used, but take up space, we tested all methods on Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and POCO F5 models - instructions are relevant for all devices of the brand.
If you want to not just hide the icon, but completely remove the system application, you need to have extended rights, but most users will have to use standard MIUI tools, and let's start with the simplest methods and gradually move on to advanced ones.
1. Hiding icons through the app menu
The fastest way to remove an unnecessary icon is to hide it in the application menu, which works for all user and system programs (for example, the Camera or Gallery can not be hidden).
Open the app menu (swipe up the desktop) and find the icon you want. Click on it and hold it for 1-2 seconds until the context menu appears. Most versions of MIUI will have Hide (on HyperOS - Remove from the screen) and once you click the icon will disappear from the desktop, but will remain in the application menu.
- ✅ Pros: does not require administrator rights, reversible.
- ❌ Cons: Does not work for system applications like Settings or Phone.
- ℹ️ Note: on some firmware, hidden icons can be returned via Settings → Annexes → Application management → Hidden.
⚠️ Note: If the icon reappears after hiding after rebooting, the application is system-based.
2. Use of folders for the organization of the desktop
If you can't hide the icon, but it's intruding, move it to a folder, which is suitable for system applications that can't be deleted (such as Mi Community or Mi Home), create a folder with a name like Reserve or Unnecessary, and drag all the extra icons there.
For this:
- Press and hold the icon you want to hide.
- Drag it to another icon and the folder will automatically be created.
- Name the folder (e.g. Systems) and move it to the second screen of the desktop.
This approach doesn't remove apps, but it makes them less visible, and the downside is that the folder still takes up space on the screen, although it visually reduces the chaos.
3. Disabling the application through settings
Many Xiaomi system applications can be disabled to make their icons disappear from the desktop. This doesn't remove the program completely, but it stops it from working and removes the icon. The method works for Mi Music, Mi Browser, Cleaner and other preinstalled utilities.
Instructions:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the app you want in the list (use search if it’s not in the main list).
- Click Disable (on HyperOS it can be called Stop).
- Confirm the action in the dialog window.
Once you turn off the icon, it disappears from your desktop and the app stops working. To return it back, repeat the steps and click Enable.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling system services like MiuiDaemon or SecurityCenter can cause your phone to run in an unstable way, only if you know exactly what the app is responsible for.
Backup of important data
Check the name of the application on the Internet (is not critical for the system)
Remember the procedure for returning changes
Reboot the phone after disconnection (optional)-->
4. Removal of system applications without root rights (via ADB)
To completely remove pre-installed programs, you don’t have to get root access. Just use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool for debugging Android through a computer, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones, including models with HyperOS.
You'll need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
- 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 🔧 Installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.
Step-by-step:
- Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI Version (or HyperOS Version).
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
- Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the trusted device.
- Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows) and type: Adb devices Make sure your phone appears in the list.
- To remove the application, use the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.namespace Replace com.xiaomi.namespace with a real application package (you can find it through App Inspector or sites like APKMirror).
Examples of packages of popular system applications Xiaomi:
| Annex | Packet name | Can I remove it? |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Browser | com.android.browser | Yes. |
| Mi Video | com.miui.videoplayer | Yes. |
| GetApps (Mi App Store) | com.xiaomi.mipicks | Yes. |
| Cleaner | com.miui.cleanmaster | Yes (but cache cleaning will not be available) |
| Mi Pay | com.mipay.wallet | Yes. |
⚠️ Note: Deleting system packages like com.miui.home or com.android.settings will cause your phone to fail. Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → System system → Backup.
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.xiaomi.namespace
(replace the package with the right one).-->
5. Complete removal with root rights (for power users)
If you are willing to take the risk of root access, you can remove any system applications, including those blocked through ADB.
- Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
- Installed by Magisk or another root rights manager.
- A file manager with support for root (e.g., Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
Algorithm of action:
- Open the root-rights file manager and go to /system/app/ or /system/priv-app/.
- Find a folder with the name of the application being removed (for example, MiBrowser for the browser).
- Delete the folder or rename it by adding.bak at the end (e.g. MiBrowser.bak).
- Reboot the phone.
Removing system applets through the root can disrupt the work MIUI/HyperOS, including interface failures or inability to update, and before such actions, it is recommended to create a full backup through the TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery.
What if the phone does not turn on after removing the application?
6.Alternative launchers: a radical solution
If standard methods do not help, and you do not want to get root access, install a third-party launcher.
- 📱 Nova Launcher – flexible configuration, gesture support, hiding icons.
- 🎨 Lawnchair is an open source lightweight launcher.
- 🚀 Microsoft Launcher – Windows integration, cloud backup.
- 🔍 Apex Launcher – Support for themes and gestures.
After installing an alternative launcher:
- Assign it as the default launcher in the settings (Settings → Applications → By default).
- Hide unnecessary icons through the launcher menu (usually a long press → Hide).
- Customize the appearance for yourself (themes, icon sizes, animations).
The advantage of this method is that you don't have to interfere with the system. All the changes are reversible: just return the standard MIUI launcher. However, some functions (for example, weather widgets or the smart assistant Xiao AI) may not work correctly.
💡
Third-party launchers don't remove system applications, they just hide them from view, and this is the safest way to clean up a desktop without risking the system.
7. Restoration of deleted icons
If you accidentally delete the desired icon or app, there are several ways to return it:
- 🔄 Reboot: Sometimes icons come back after reboot.
- 📥 Update via Mi App Store: Find the app in the store and install it again.
- 🛠️ ADB: Use the install-existing command (see section 4).
- 📦 Resetting the launcher: in Settings → Annexes → Find the Launcher (or App Management) MIUI Home), press Warehouse → Clear the data. Attention: this will reset all desktop settings!
If the icon was removed through the root, and the backup is not, you just need to reflash the phone. In Xiaomi service centers, this service costs from 1500 to 3000 rubles (2026).