How to Hide or Remove Application Names on Xiaomi and Redmi

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones are famous for deep customization of the interface, but sometimes the visual range requires fine-tuning. Many users are faced with the desire to remove text signatures under the application icons to make the desktop cleaner and minimalist. In standard conditions, the MIUI operating system or the new HyperOS does not allow you to simply disable these inscriptions, considering them an important element of navigation.

However, there are proven ways to get around this limitation: you can use built-in display modes, customized design themes, or third-party launchers, and it's important to understand that each method has its own characteristics and is suitable for different use cases of the device.

In this article, we will take a look at all the options available, from the simplest system settings to advanced methods, and we will look at how to do this on different versions of firmware, including the latest updates, and what risks can arise when installing third-party software.

Before we start making changes, it's worth noting that not having signatures can make it difficult to find the right software if you have a lot of it, but for those who value aesthetics and order, the result is worth it.

Ready to transform your smartphone? Let's start with the simplest and most secure method available to every Xiaomi owner.

Use of built-in display modes

The first and most secure way to change the desktop is to use the functionality already laid out by the developers of the system. In some versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shells, you can switch between the “Classic” and “Planchet” (or “Big”) modes. It is in the tablet mode that icon signatures often disappear or become optional.

To check for this feature, you need to go to the settings. The path usually looks like: Settings → Desktop. Here you should look for the item responsible for Mode or Style. If your region or firmware version allows, you will see a switch.

• 📱 Open your device settings through the notification curtain or menu.
• 🖥️ Find the "Desktop" section in the list of the main system parameters.
• 🔄 Switch from "Classic" to "Planchet" or "No signatures».

And you have to consider that in Planchet mode, icons can get bigger and desktop grids can get smaller, and that's a trade-off that the system makes to make it readable without textual prompts, and if you care about density, it might seem uncomfortable.

In some regions (such as India or China), these settings may be hidden or absent, in which case the system blocks the change in appearance, requiring the use of themes.

⚠️ Note: When switching desktop mode, all widgets and folders can be reset or moved. It is recommended to take a picture of the icons in advance to quickly restore the usual structure.

If the built-in settings didn't help, don't despair. There's a more flexible customization tool available to every Xiaomi user, the theme store.

Deletion of signatures through the store

The most popular and effective way to get rid of app names is to install a special theme. Themes is pre-installed on all Xiaomi and Redmi devices. Thousands of designers create designs where text tags are either completely absent or replaced with barely noticeable dots.

To find the right design, type in the search for the theme keywords: “No label”, “Clean”, “Minimal” or “Invisible text”. Once you download and apply the theme, the titles under the icons will disappear. It is important to choose the themes that are highly ranked, since they are usually better optimized and do not cause interface errors.

The process of installing the theme takes only a few minutes, but it's worth remembering that the themes change not only the signatures, but also the color of the control panel, the settings menu and the system application icons. If you only need to change the signatures, this method may seem redundant.

Some themes allow you to flexibly customize elements through the built-in editor. After applying the theme, go to Themes → Profile → Customize. Here you can choose the style of the icons and, in rare cases, turn on or off the display of text.

• 🎨 Launch the “Themes” app on the home screen.
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter the query “No label” or “Hide the text».
• ⬇️ Download your favorite theme and click the "Apply" button».

After applying the changes, the system may ask for a reboot. If the signatures are back after rebooting, try clearing the theme app cache through the application management menu.

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Before you install a new theme, back up your current theme in your profile, which will instantly return to the original look if the new theme is uncomfortable or buggy.

Using themes is a balance between aesthetics and functionality: you get a clean screen, but you lose some of the standard MIUI visual style.

Application of third-party launchers

If the built-in tools and themes don’t meet your needs, third-party launchers come to the rescue, full-fledged replacements for the standard shell that give full control over every element of the interface. Popular options include Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, and Microsoft Launcher.

The main advantage of these programs is that you can customize them in detail, so you can not only remove the names of the applications, but also change the size of the grid, the animation of swipes and the behavior of folders. In the launcher settings, there is usually a separate section called Desktop or Icons, where you remove the tick "Show signatures."

However, installing a third-party launcher on Xiaomi has its nuances. MIUI/HyperOS aggressively optimises background processes, which can cause the launcher to reset by default.You will have to manually prevent the system from "killing" the launcher process.

Settings → Applications → All Applications → [Your Launcher] → Auto Run (VL)

You also need to fix the launcher in memory, open the menu of running applications, find the launcher and press the lock, which will prevent it from being unloaded from RAM during cleaning.

When using third-party software, you may encounter incompatibility with some system functions, such as gesture control or floating window work.

For advanced users, third-party launchers open doors to the world of customization, allowing you to create a unique interface that is unlike any standard Android.

Simple Interface Mode for Seniors

Xiaomi has a mode that targets people with low vision or older users, and paradoxically, in some firmware versions, turning on this mode changes the logic of displaying elements, although more often it makes signatures huge.

However, it’s worth checking out this section, as the interface logic changes in the updated versions of HyperOS. Go to Settings → Simple Mode. If there’s a Simplified Desktop option, try activating it.

In this mode, the interface is as concise as possible: large icons, minimal text, only the most necessary. If your goal is to simplify the screen for a child or an elderly relative, this option may be better than complex theme settings.

• 👵 Go to the main settings of the smartphone.
• 📟 Find the "Simple Mode" or "Lite Mode" option».
• ✅ Activate the switch and confirm the action.

Note that leaving the simple mode requires a special combination of buttons or a long retention of the item in the settings menu.

⚠️ Note: In simple mode, many customization functions may become unavailable. Do not use this method if you plan to change wallpaper or widgets often.

This method is more of an exception to the rule, but it is worth mentioning, as it radically changes the perception of the interface.

Use of stub widgets

There is a creative, albeit time-consuming way to hide app names without changing the launcher or theme, and the method is to create empty widgets or widgets with a transparent background that overlap standard icons along with their signatures.

To do this, you’ll need widget builders like Widgetsmith or standard MIUI tools to create empty widgets. You create a 1x1 widget, make it fully transparent, and place it over the app icon.

The most transparent widget can have an app icon (like an image) but no signature, so you have a clean visual icon, but it takes a long time to set up.

And then when you upgrade or reset the system, all of these designs can go, and it's a solution for those who like static interfaces and are willing to spend an hour building them.