How to remove shortcuts from the screen of the Xiaomi phone: instructions for MIUI and HyperOS

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the need to clean up the interface. Over time, the desktop is overgrown with dozens of icons that not only interfere visually, but can reduce the performance of the device. Removing unnecessary elements is the first step to customize the Android shell for your needs. Modern firmware versions allow you to flexibly manage the space, hiding or removing applications without losing functionality.

The process of cleaning the screen depends on what you want to do: completely remove the program, simply hide its icon or disable the system widgets. In the shells of MIUI and the new HyperOS, the algorithms of actions may differ slightly, but the basic principles remain similar. Understanding the differences between system and user applications will help avoid errors when cleaning the desktop.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the available methods for removing labels, from standard actions to advanced settings through the engineering menu. You will learn to create a clean workspace that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also convenient for daily use. It is important to approach the process consciously so that you do not accidentally remove critical components of the system.

⚠️ Attention: Removing system shortcuts such as "Security," "Themes" or "Conductor" may restrict access to basic smartphone features!

Basic methods of removing user applications

The easiest way to get rid of the unnecessary label is to remove the corresponding application, which is true for programs that you downloaded yourself from Google Play or GetApps. You just need to click on the icon and hold your finger until the context menu appears, and depending on the version of the shell, you will be offered several options for action.

If you want to completely erase the program from your device, select the option “Delete” and the system will request confirmation of the operation, as this process is irreversible without re-installation. Once confirmed, the shortcut will disappear from the desktop and all application data will be destroyed, which frees up space in memory and removes visual noise.

In some cases, especially on older versions of MIUI, a long press can immediately move the object to the basket or suggest hiding it. If the standard menu does not appear, try clicking on the icon and drag it to the top of the screen, where the basket icon or cross will appear.

• 📱 Press and hold the app shortcut on the desktop.
• 🗑️ In the menu that appears, select “Delete” for complete uninstallation.
• ✅ Confirm the action in the system pop-up window.
• 🔄 Alternatively, drag the icon to the “Delete” area at the top of the screen.

It's worth noting that for some pre-installed applications, the delete button may be inactive, which means that the program is part of the system and requires a deeper intervention to uninstall, which we'll talk about in the next sections.

⚠️ Note: When you delete messengers or social networks without prior backup, you may lose your correspondence history.

Hiding icons without removing apps

Often users want to simply clear the desktop without removing the apps themselves. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, there is a built-in Hidden Apps feature that allows you to remove the shortcut from the screen and menu of all programs, leaving the program installed in the background, which is ideal for programs that you rarely use, or for hiding personal content from prying eyes.

To activate this mode, you need to go to the desktop settings. In different versions of the firmware, the path may differ, but most often it is in the settings section of the launcher itself. After activating the function, a special entrance to the hidden partition is created, which is performed by swipe or through a special code.

Once you add an application to a hidden list, its icon disappears completely from the visible parts of the interface, and you can only run it through a special entrance to the hidden application menu, which creates an additional level of privacy and helps keep the main screen clean without losing functionality.

Settings → Desktop → Hidden applications

It's important to understand the difference between deleting and hiding. A hidden application continues to consume RAM and can run in the background, receiving notifications. If your goal is to speed up your smartphone, hiding won't help, you need to remove unused software. However, for visual organization of space, this is the best method.

Removal of system shortcuts and built-in software

System applications like Mi Video, Mi Music, or Cleanup can often not be removed in the standard way. The delete button in the menu may be missing or gray. This is the manufacturer's protection against accidental operating system disruption. However, there are ways for advanced users to circumvent these restrictions.

One of the safest ways is to disable the app. In the Apps menu, find an unnecessary system component, go to its properties and select "Disable." The label will disappear from the screen and the process will stop. The functionality will only come back after being forced to turn on in the settings. This is an effective way to combat bloated interfaces.

To completely remove system shortcuts, the use of ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is often required.This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and having the appropriate drivers. Commands are entered through the console, which allows you to remove even critical components that are hidden from the average user.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.packet.applications

Using the command line gives you complete control, but it requires caution: removing the com.android.phone or com.miui.securitycenter package will make the phone inoperable or deprotect it. Before starting such procedures, be sure to check the Safe-to-remove lists available on profile forums.

• 💻 Connect your phone to your PC in debugging mode USB.
• 🔍 Find the exact name of the system application package.
• 🗑️ Execute the command to remove through ADB.
• 🔄 Restart the device to apply changes.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Removing system components can lead to loss of warranty and system errors (bootloop).

Configure the desktop and MIUI widgets

The MIUI and HyperOS shells allow you to flexibly customize not only shortcuts, but also widgets that also take up space on the screen. Weather, news or pedometer widgets can be useful, but their excess turns the desktop into chaos, and they are managed through editing mode.

To remove the widget, you need to pinch the free space on the screen or pinch the screen with two fingers to go into editing mode, where all active widgets and shortcuts will start to shake. Press the cross or drag the item into the basket. The freed space can be used for more important tools.

You should also look at the Google or Mi Vision tape, which swipes to the left, which many users think is unnecessary, and you can turn it off in your desktop settings by finding "Widget Ribbon" or "Google Feed" and turning the switch to "Off."

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Use minimalist widgets or transparent widgets to keep the aesthetics of the interface without cluttering it with unnecessary information.

Remember folders. If you don't want to take shortcuts out, group them into categories. Creating a social network, a game or a job folder allows you to keep only the basics on the first screen, hiding the rest in neat containers, and this is especially true for devices with a diagonal of less than 6 inches.

Solving problems with undeletable labels

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the shortcut is not removed, moved or hidden, it can hang on the screen or reappear after a reboot, most often indicating the presence of administrator rights in the application or a virus-miner masquerading as a system process.

First, check the list of applications with device administrator rights. Go to Settings → Password and Security → Privacy → Special Access Rights → Device administrator applications. If there are suspicious programs, revoke their rights, after which deletion becomes possible.

If the problem persists, the launcher's cache may be damaged, and cleaning the Desktop application's data will return it to factory settings. All shortcuts will reset, folders will disintegrate, but undeletable objects may disappear. Remember, after this procedure, you will have to re-arrange widgets and icons.

• 🔒 Check Administrator Rights in Security Settings.
• 🧹 Clear the cache and data of the “Desktop” application».
• 🛡️ Scan the device with antivirus for malware.
• 🔄 Reset your phone settings in extreme cases.

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If the label leads to an advertising site or an unknown application, this is a sign of viral activity - a complete antivirus system check is required.

Using third-party launchers for full customization

If Xiaomi's standard tools don't suit you, the best solution is to install a third-party launcher. Apps like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher allow you to completely ignore MIUI's rules on shortcuts, and you get complete control over the grid, icon size and desktop behavior.

Third-party launchers often have the function of freezing applications. The shortcut disappears, but the application stays in the system. It is a hybrid of deleting and hiding, which works more stable than the built-in tools. In addition, they allow you to create complex gestures and profiles that automatically change the set of shortcuts depending on the time of day.

However, the transition to a third-party launcher has its nuances: animations can become less smooth, and some MIUI features, such as swipes to call the control menu, may stop working correctly. Before installing, weigh the pros and cons, especially if you are used to the Xiaomi ecosystem.

To install an alternative launcher, download it from Google Play, launch it and follow the instructions on the screen. The system will suggest selecting it by default. To return everything as it was, just remove the launcher application or change the default settings in the application section.