Xiaomi smartphone users often face the need to optimize the workspace. Redmi 4, despite its age, remains popular due to its stable operation, but the standard shell MIUI can overload the interface with unnecessary elements. Removing the app icon is not just an aesthetic desire, but also a way to improve the usability of the device in everyday life.
The screen cleaning process depends on what you want to hide: the shortcut to a particular application, the system widget, or the pre-installed program. The MIUI shell provides flexible settings to manage the display of items without losing the files themselves. Below we will discuss in detail all available methods, from simple actions to deep configuration of the system.
Before making any changes, it is important to understand the difference between deleting a shortcut and uninstalling a program. You can simply hide the icon by leaving the application running in the background, or completely remove it from the device's memory. The method depends on your end goals and the version of the firmware installed.
Removing application shortcuts from the desktop
The easiest way to free up space on the home screen is to remove shortcuts. In MIUI, this is done by drag and drop or through the context menu. If you want to just remove the visual element without removing the program itself, follow the standard algorithm.
Click on the app icon and hold your finger until the vibration appears. Then, at the top of the screen, an delete zone will appear, often marked with a cross or the word "Delete." Drag the icon to this area. Note that some versions of the firmware may appear when dragging a menu with a choice of "Delete" (shortcut only) or "Delete the application" (complete uninstallation).
It is important to distinguish between these options so that you do not accidentally erase the desired program. If your goal is only to clean the desktop, choose the option to remove only the shortcut. The application will remain available in the general menu of all installed programs, which opens by swiping up or clicking the appropriate navigation button.
⚠️ Note: When you remove system apps through the standard menu, you may disrupt some phone features, such as calls or messages. Be careful with icons that have a gear icon or Android logo.
You can use editing mode to control it more accurately, pinch the screen twice or press the menu button (three dots or lines) to go into page configuration mode, and you can not only delete, but also move items between desktops.
Configure the display of elements through the MIUI menu
The MIUI shell provides advanced customization capabilities that are hidden from the surface, and to access them, you need to go to the launcher settings, which allows you to manage not only individual icons, but entire groups of applications.
Open the Settings menu and find the Desktop section, which is where you can find the settings that affect the look of the interface, you can change the grid, you can change the font size, and most importantly for our task, you can control the visibility of system components. Some firmware versions allow you to hide standard folders like Tools or Google.
Using Hidden Apps is one of the most effective ways to get badges out of sight. It doesn't remove programs, but makes them invisible on the shared list and on the desktop, and it's accessed through a special gesture or code in the Security app.
- 📱 Open the Safety app (green icon with lightning).
- 🔒 Scroll down to the Hidden Apps section.
- ➕ Click the add button and select the programs you want to hide.
- 👁️ To access, use a special gesture, for example, finger spreading in the Gallery or Explorer app».
This is ideal for those who want to keep functionality but remove visual noise, and hidden applications won't be a horn, but they'll stay on hand if needed, and this is especially true for rarely used system utilities.
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Use the Hidden Apps feature for sensitive programs, which will add an additional layer of privacy, as icons will disappear from public access without entering a special code or gesture.
Working with widgets and folders on Redmi 4
Often, screen clutter is not caused by apps, but by widgets — dynamic blocks that display weather, currency rates or news. Redmi 4 manages them in a similar way to shortcuts, but has its own nuances.
To remove the widget, click on it and hold it. You'll see a red "Delete" zone or a basket. Drag the widget there. If the widget is part of the system theme, removing it can lead to automatic replacement with a standard element or empty space. In some cases, you need to reset the theme to a standard Classic.
Folders are another element that can be optimized, so you can delete the entire folder if it's empty, or rename it for better navigation, but if the folder contains apps, you can't just delete it, you have to remove or delete all the attached icons first.
| Type of element | Deleting method | Impact on the system | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annex label | Drag in the basket | Absent. | Through the menu of all apps |
| widget | Long pressing and deleting | Minimum | Addition via widget menu |
| System folder | Cleaning up the contents | Depends on the content. | Creating a new folder |
| Hidden appendix | Through the Security Menu | Absent. | Disabling Hiddenness in Settings |
Cleaning the desktop of unnecessary widgets can have a positive impact on the performance of the device. Redmi 4 is equipped with a Snapdragon 430 processor, which, while reliable, does not like the excessive load from constantly updated news widgets or social networks.
☑️ Check before removing system elements
Use of third-party launchers for customization
If standard MIUI tools don't work, third-party launchers come to the rescue, and these are desktop replacements that completely change the interface of the device. Redmi 4 is great for light launchers like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair.
Once you install a third-party launcher, you have full control over every pixel of the screen, you can hide any apps, change icon shapes, create complex gestures, and completely ignore the limitations imposed by the manufacturer.
However, it is worth considering that third-party launchers consume additional RAM resources. On devices with 2 GB or 3 GB of RAM, which is typical for Redmi 4, this can lead to more frequent unloading of background applications. (weighing the pros and cons), many users choose the middle ground.
⚠️ Note: When installing a new launcher, the system may repeatedly ask for confirmation of actions.Be prepared to choose Always when requesting a new application by default to avoid constant switching.
For advanced users, you can configure the hidden applications right in the new launcher settings, usually through a long tap on the desktop and select Hide the applications, and the interface is clean and the system is stable.
How to return the standard MIUI launcher?
Cache cleaning and solving "ghost" badge problems
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the app icon has already been deleted, but its “ghost” remains on the screen. This can be a gray square or an icon with an exclamation mark.
To solve this problem, you need to clear the cache of the system application responsible for the desktop. Don't confuse this with cleaning the memory of the phone; we act on the system process. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications.
In the list, find the Work Desktop (or Launcher) app. Click on it and select Clean → Clear Cache. If that doesn't work, you can try Clean Everything, but be prepared for all your icons to reset to factory status.
- 🔄 Restart the device after cleaning the cache.
- 🗑️ Remove the remaining “broken” labels by the standard method.
- 📉 Check for free space in memory, as lack of space also causes glitches.
Regular maintenance helps avoid such situations: Periodic reboot of the smartphone and removal of unused cache through the built-in Security app keep the system in good shape.
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Clearing the launcher cache is a secure procedure that does not delete your personal data, photos or contacts, but returns the desktop settings to their original state.
Frequent questions and additional recommendations
While optimizing the interface, owners of Xiaomi Redmi 4 have many questions, and here are the answers to the most popular of them, which will help to avoid typical errors and better understand the operation of the Android system in conjunction with MIUI.
Remember that each version of firmware (Global, China, Stable, Developer) can have small differences in the menu. If you don't find an item, try updating the system or looking for a similar feature in adjacent settings sections.
Don't be afraid to experiment with settings, because you can get back to the standard look at any time, and the key is to act consciously and understand what the setting is for, and that will make your smartphone a truly personalized tool.