How to remove unnecessary icons from the screen of the Xiaomi phone: hide, delete or disable

Xiaomi’s smartphone desktop quickly fills up with app icons, widgets, and folders — especially if you’re actively installing programs or using standard MIUI services. Over time, this turns into chaos: it’s hard to find the right one, and the interface aesthetics suffer. Fortunately, there are several ways to get the screen in order in MIUI firmware — from temporary hiding to completely removing unnecessary elements.

In this article, we will discuss all available methods, including little-known functions of the hidden launcher menu, working with system applications and even radical measures for those who want to radically change the appearance of a smartphone. Importantly, not all methods are equally safe - some can affect the stability of MIUI, so we will highlight the risky steps separately.

Why do extra icons appear on the Xiaomi screen?

The problem of a littered desktop is typical for Xiaomi for three reasons:

• 📱 Auto-installation of services MIUI. The firmware by default adds icons to the screen Mi Video, Mi Music, Themes and other system applications, even if you do not use them.
• 🔄 Software updates. MIUI New icons may appear (e.g. GetApps or Mi Pay).
• 📦 Many programs (especially from Google Play) create shortcuts on the desktop without asking permission.

Also, MIUI doesn’t have a classic “app menu” (as in pure Android), so all installed programs are displayed on the home screen by default, making it easier for beginners to access, but making life harder for those who are used to minimalism.

Method 1: Remove icons manually (for custom applications)

The easiest method is to remove the unnecessary shortcut directly from the screen, which works for all applications except system (their icons will return after the reboot).

1. Press and hold your finger on the icon you want to remove.
2. At the top of the screen, a panel with options will appear. Drag the icon to read "Delete" (or to the basket if it appears).
3. Confirm the action if necessary.

⚠️ Note: This method does not remove the application itself, only its shortcut from the desktop. To completely uninstall the program, go to Settings. → Annexes → Manage applications, find what you need and click "Delete".

Check if it is linked to important features (e.g. Mi Account for sync)

Save data if it is important (e.g. game progress)

Make sure the application is not system-based (otherwise, removing it may disrupt MIUI)

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If the icon is not deleted (for example, Google Play Store or Camera), then it is a system application.

Method 2: Hiding icons through the settings of the MIUI launcher

MIUI has a hidden launcher menu where you can turn off individual icons without deleting them, which is useful if you want to temporarily remove the icon, but don't want to lose access to the app.

1. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop.
2. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a panel with options. Select "Settings" (cog icon).
3. Scroll down to the Hide Apps section and select it.
4. Tick the apps you want to hide and click "Done".

✅ Pros of the method: applications remain installed, but are not distracted on the desktop. They can be found through search (swipe down the screen) or in the menu of all applications (swipe up from the dock panel).

❌ Cons: Hidden icons still take up space in memory, and some system applications (for example, Security) can not be hidden in this way.

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If you hid an app but then forgot its name, use Google Assistant voice search: say “Open [app name]” and the system will find it even without a shortcut.

Method 3: Disabling system applications (for power users)

MIUI system applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Browser, Cleaner) cannot be removed by standard methods, but they can be disabled.This will remove their icons from the screen and stop background processes.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Show all apps."
3. Find the app you want (such as Mi Music) and open the page.
4. Click "Disable" (if the button is inactive, then the application cannot be disabled).
5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

⚠️ Note: If after disabling the application, the smartphone began to slow down or issue errors, return it to work through the same section Application Management (button "Enable").

Method 4: Use of alternative launcher (radical solution)

If the built-in MIUI tools do not suit you, you can completely replace the standard launcher with a third-party one (for example, Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher).

• 🎨 Customize the appearance of icons (size, shape, animations).
• 🗃️ Hide applications without restrictions (including system applications).
• 🔄 Use gestures and hot keys for quick access.
• 📱 Sort applications by folder, tag or alphabet automatically.

How to install an alternative launcher:

1. Download your favorite launcher from Google Play (we recommend Nova Launcher for flexibility or Lawnchair for minimalism).
2. After installation, click the Home button and select the new launcher as the main one.
3. Customize the interface for yourself: hide unnecessary icons, change themes, add widgets.

💡 Tip: Nova Launcher has a Hidden Apps feature (in the launcher settings), you can add any program to it, and they will disappear from the screen, but will remain in the menu of all applications.

Method 5: Reset the launcher settings (if nothing helps)

If after all the manipulations on the desktop still remain unnecessary icons or settings are lost, you can reset the MIUI launcher to factory parameters, this will return the standard location of the icons and remove all user settings (folders, widgets, wallpaper).

How to reset:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop.
2. Select "Settings" (cogs) → "Additional".
3. Scroll down and click "Reset settings."
4. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: This method does not remove applications, but only resets the location of icons. If you want to return a completely clean desktop, hide or remove unnecessary applications before reset (see methods 1-3).

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Resetting the launcher is a last resort, before you export important settings (for example, a list of hidden apps) or take a picture of the current icon arrangement.

Additional advice on the organization of the desktop

To ensure that Xiaomi’s desktop is always neat, follow these guidelines:

• 📁 Use folders. Combine similar applications (e.g., Social Networks, Games, Utilities) To create a folder, drag and drop one icon to another.
• 🔍 Set up a search. MIUI There is a quick swipe search down – it finds apps even without shortcuts.
• 🎨 Apply themes. Themes has options with minimalist icons and transparent widgets that visually unload the screen.
• 🔄 Clean regularly. Check the list of installed apps once a month and remove unnecessary ones (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Size-based sorting).

💡 Advanced Lifehack: If you use the same apps often, add them to the dock (bottom of the screen) and up to 5 icons are always on hand, even if you switch between desktops.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing badges on Xiaomi