Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the challenge of putting things in order in the interface, where icons, widgets and ad tags accumulate over time. The desire to remove icons from the Xiaomi desktop is dictated not only by aesthetic considerations, but also by the desire to improve the usability of the device. The standard shell of MIUI, and now the new HyperOS, offer a lot of tools for customization, but some functions are hidden from the eyes of the average user.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways to clean the screen, from the banal removal of shortcuts to deep customization of system parameters that allows you to hide even built-in Google applications or Xiaomi services. You will learn how to work with folders, widgets and system restrictions that can interfere with the creation of the perfect interface.
Before you start taking drastic measures like disabling system components through ADB, you should learn basic workspace management techniques that will allow you to safely optimize the interface without risking disrupting the stability of your smartphone’s operating system.
Basic removal and movement of application shortcuts
The most obvious way to clean your desktop is to remove the shortcuts to apps you've stopped using. In MIUI and HyperOS shells, this process is intuitive, but has its own nuances depending on the display mode. If you use the classic menu style, removing the shortcut from your desktop doesn't remove the app itself from your phone's memory.
To do this, you need to touch and hold your finger on the icon you want to remove, and in a moment, you'll have a context menu or a vibration response, and then you can drag the object to the top of the screen, and it's usually a zone that says "Delete" or a basket icon, and it's important not to confuse this with a uninstall function that completely deletes the program.
This changes when you activate Classic mode in your screen settings, in which case the desktop is combined with a list of all applications, and removing the icon will result in a complete uninstallation of the software, and be careful when you are working in this mode, especially if you decide to remove system components.
- 📱 Hold the icon with your finger on it. 1-2 seconds before the action menu appears.
- 🗑️ Drag the object to the "Delete" area to erase the label or "Delete the application" for complete uninstallation.
- 📂 Move groups of icons by creating themed folders to free up space.
- 🔄 Use the "Shake" function (if enabled) to quickly align all icons across the grid.
If standard deletion doesn’t help get rid of a particular icon, it may not be an application, but a widget or a launcher interface element, in which case the algorithm of actions will differ, and a more detailed approach to configuring widgets will be required.
Working with widgets and advertising labels
Often, users want to remove not just apps, but intrusive widgets or ad shortcuts that appear after installing games or certain services. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, these elements may be called “Recommended Apps” or “Hot Apps.” They take up space and distract attention, but they are easy to neutralize.
To remove the widget, whether it be weather, news or calendar, you need to make a long press on the widget area. In the menu that appears, you should select "Delete", but if you are talking about a folder with recommended applications, simple deletion may not be enough, as the system will try to return it when you update the launcher.
⚠️ Note: Advertising shortcuts in the Tools folder or desktop are often returned after the system update or the launcher itself. To completely disable them, you need to change the settings in the Getting Recommendations section".
To prevent the ad units from reappearing, you need to go to the launcher settings. To do this, pinch your two fingers on your desktop or go to Settings → Desktop. Find the Get Recommendations switch and turn it off. This action will block the emergence of new shortcuts with games and news.
Hidden Mi Store widgets
It’s also worth checking the Tools folder that the system creates automatically, often with shortcuts hidden inside it to quickly access Xiaomi services, and you can delete the entire folder if you don’t use built-in utilities, or clean up its contents by transferring the icons you want to use elsewhere.
Hiding System and Standard Applications
Many users are wondering how to remove icons of system applications that can not be removed by standard methods. In Android, and in particular in MIUI, there is the concept of system applications that are critical to the operation of the device. You can not delete them without root rights, but you can hide their icons out of sight.
Xiaomi’s shell offers a built-in “Hide Apps” feature that removes icons of selected programs from the general list and from the desktop, accessed only through a special password or fingerprint entry in the hidden app menu, which is the perfect way to remove icons from the Xiaomi desktop without violating the integrity of the system.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Applications → Hide Apps. In the list that opens, you will see all installed programs. Activate the switch against the applications you want to hide, and then their icons will disappear from desktops and from the application menu.
There is also an alternative method through notification settings that indirectly helps in cleaning up: If the app you don't need but can't hide it, try turning off all of its notifications and permissions, which will make its presence less visible, although the icon will remain in place.
- 🔒 Access to hidden applications is via swipe up in the app menu (if configured) or through a special code.
- 📵 Hidden apps don’t get notifications in the curtain until you explicitly open them through the Hidden Menu.
- ⚙️ Hiding does not work with some critical system components, such as Settings or Phone".
- 👁️ To return the hidden app, go back to the Hidden Menu and turn off the switch.
Folder settings and icon grouping
If you can't completely remove or hide it, then a smart grouping of icons is a great solution, and folders can visually reduce the number of objects on the screen, turning chaos from dozens of icons into a few neat groups, especially for smartphone owners with screen sizes up to 6 inches.
To create a folder, just drag and drop one icon on top of another. The system automatically creates a container that can be renamed. With HyperOS and newer versions of MIUI, folders have become more functional: they can display content as a grid or list, and also allow applications to run quickly without opening a folder.
Use thematic grouping to maximize impact, like merging all financial applications into a Banks folder and social media into a Communication folder, which not only removes visual noise, but also speeds up navigation, and you can put folders on the dock panel at the bottom of the screen or remove them to the second pages of the desktop.
| Type of grouping | Description | What's the point? |
|---|---|---|
| Standard folder. | Classic container with a grid of icons | Rarely used applications |
| folder | Displays the contents of the folder with a list on the desktop | Frequently used bands (camera, music) |
| Dock panel. | The bottom line with 4-5 icons, always available | The most important applications (phone, messages) |
| Hidden folder | Folder created inside the application hide function | Confidential data and applications |
Remember, folders can also be deleted, so to undo a folder, you have to pull all the applications out of it, and once there are fewer than two items left in the folder, it will automatically disappear, freeing up space on the desktop.
Disabling system components through settings
Some desktop icons are shortcuts for system features or services that can be disabled, such as the often annoying "Security" or "Cleanup" icon that hangs in plain sight, and although it's a full-fledged application, its impact on the system can be minimized and visibility removed through third-party launchers or hiding.
In Settings → Applications → All applications, you can find most system components. By selecting an unnecessary service (such as Mi Video or Mi Music if you do not use them), you can click the "Disable" button. This action will remove the application icon and stop its background processes, but will not delete files from the system, which is safe to guarantee.
☑️ Pre-switch check
Be careful when disabling Google Play services or Xiaomi Service Framework components, which can cause app store malfunctions, contacts synchronization, or even device loading problems. Always check the app description before you turn it off.
If you want to remove the icon of a particular system application, but the "Disable" button is inactive (gray), then it is protected from modification, in which case only the option with concealment through the launcher settings or using a third-party launcher that ignores system shortcuts remains.
Using third-party launchers for full customization
If standard MIUI tools seem limited, the best way to radically remove icons and change the interface is to install a third-party launcher. Popular options like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher give you complete control over every pixel of the desktop.
Third-party launchers allow you to hide any apps from the menu, resize the grid, make icons transparent or completely remove signatures. You can create a desktop that doesn't have any icons at all using only gestures and widgets, which gives you maximum freedom in interface design.
To install the launcher, download it from Google Play, launch and press the Home button when the system asks which application to use by default. Choose a new launcher and click Always. After that, you can customize it to yourself, hiding all the extra icons through the launcher's settings menu (usually the Hidden Applications section).
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When using a third-party launcher on Xiaomi, be sure to give it all the permissions you request, including access to contacts and storage, otherwise widgets and search may not work properly.
However, it’s worth remembering that third-party launchers can consume more battery resources and sometimes conflict with MIUI/HyperOS system gestures. If you notice lags or problems calling the swipe menu, it might be worth going back to the standard launcher and using its concealment features.
⚠️ Warning: When you reset your phone to factory settings, all third-party launcher settings will be lost and the system will return to the standard Xiaomi interface with all icons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I remove the security app from Xiaomi?
Why does the app icon appear again after removal?
How to remove icons from the desktop if the phone is locked?
Does a large number of icons affect the speed of the phone?
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The safest and most effective way to remove icons is to use the built-in function of hiding applications or competent grouping into folders, which does not require the installation of additional software.
To sum up, it’s a process that requires a comprehensive approach to clean up your desktop on Xiaomi. By combining deleting, hiding, grouping and disabling recommendations, you can create a clean and functional interface that is pleasing to the eye and easy to use on a daily basis.