Hiding app icons on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most sought-after features among MIUI users. Not everyone likes having a desktop overrun by dozens of icons, especially if they are system utilities that are used once a month. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to mask applications, from standard shell tools to hidden settings for power users.
In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of hiding icons on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices running MIUI 14/15 (including global and Chinese versions of firmware).
- 📱 Remove icons from the desktop without removing applications
- 🔍 Hide programs from the general list in the menu
- 🔒 Block access to applications through the "Second Space"
- 🛠️ Use third-party launchers for fine-tuning
Important: Some methods require superuser rights or developer mode activation, and we'll note these cases separately.
Why Users Want to Hide App Icons
At first glance, removing unnecessary software seems like a logical solution, but in practice, many applications can't be uninstalled without root rights -- these are system utilities like Mi Video, Mi Music, or GetApps -- and even if you don't use these services, they take up space on the desktop and on the menu.
The main reasons to hide the icons:
- 🧹 Cleaning your desktop of rarely used programs (such as Mi Pay or Mi Home)
- 👀 Privacy: Hiding messengers or banking applications from prying eyes
- 🎨 Aesthetics: creating a minimalist interface with only the necessary icons
- 🔄 Testing: Temporary Hiding of Apps Before Selling a Phone
Interesting fact: MIUI 15 (2026) introduced Hidden apps, which is more stable than similar tools in previous versions, but it is not available on all models – for example, on Xiaomi 13 Ultra and POCO F5 Pro it can be found in the launcher settings, and on the budget Redmi Note 12 it may not be.
Method 1: Hiding through launcher settings (without root)
The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI launcher, which works on most devices without any further manipulation.
- Press and hold the empty space on the desktop.
- In the menu that appears, select Settings (or Home screen settings on global firmware).
- Go to Hide apps (Hide apps) section.
- Tick the programs you want to hide and confirm the action.
After that, the icons will disappear from the desktop and from the general menu of applications. To return them back, repeat the steps and uncheck the boxes.
Check out the MIUI version (Settings → About the phone)
Make sure the launcher is not replaced by a third party.
Make a backup copy of important data
Remember the names of hidden applications
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⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 10A s MIUI 13) the application hiding function may not be on the menu, in which case try updating the firmware or using alternative methods from this article.
Advantages of the method:
- ✅ Doesn't require root rights
- ✅ It works on most devices.
- ✅ It's easy to undo changes
Disadvantages:
- ❌ Does not hide applications from search on the system
- ❌ It does not work for some system utilities.
Method 2: Using the "Second Space" for privacy
If your goal is not just to remove icons, but to completely hide the existence of applications (such as instant messengers or banking services), then Second Space is the perfect solution.
How to set up:
- Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
- Create a new profile and set a password (it is recommended to use a fingerprint for quick access).
- In the main space, remove the icons of confidential applications.
- In Space Two, install these applications again (they will only be available after you enter your password).
Thus, there will be no traces of hidden programs on the main screen, and only those who know the password will get access to them.
| Method | Root is required. | Hiding from search | It's working at MIUI 14/15. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launcher settings | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. |
| Second space | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| ADB-team | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Third-party launchers | ❌ No. | ❌ Partially. | ✅ Yes. |
⚠️ Note: When using the Second Space, please note that some apps (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) may require separate authorization on each profile.
Method 3: Hiding through ADB (for power users)
If standard methods don't work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a tool for debugging Android devices, which allows you to hide any application, including system ones, without root rights, but requires a connection to a computer.
Step-by-step:
- Enable Developer Mode on Phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
- Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Connect your phone to your PC and install ADB Tools.
- Enter the command to hide the application (replace com.example.app with the batch name of the program): adb shell pm hide com.example.app
To find the batch name of the application, use the command:
adb shell pm list packages | grep "appendix name"To return the icon, enter:
adb shell pm unhide com.example.appHow to find out the batch name of Xiaomi system applications
Advantages of ADB-method:
- 🔧 It works for all applications, including system
- 🔍 Hiding programs from search by system
- 🔄 It's easy to undo changes
Disadvantages:
- 🖥️ Requires a connection to the PC
- 📚 You need basic knowledge of working with the command line
Method 4: Third-party launchers with icon hiding function
If you don't like the built-in MIUI tools, you can install an alternative launcher, many of which offer advanced customization options, including hiding icons.
- 🌟 Nova Launcher (paid version supports app hiding)
- 🎨 Apex Launcher (there is a function "Hidden applications" in the settings)
- 🔄 Microsoft Launcher (allows you to hide icons through the settings menu)
- 📱 POCO Launcher (optimized for Xiaomi devices, but works on all Android devices)
Example of settings in Nova Launcher:
- Install a launcher from Google Play.
- Press and hold the empty space on the desktop → Settings.
- Go to Application Settings → Hidden Applications.
- Select programs to hide and save the changes.
Third-party launchers also offer additional chips:
- 🎨 Changing icons through icon packs
- 📌 Fixing widgets on the screen
- 🔍 Gestures for fast application launch
⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers, note that some features MIUI (For example, navigation gestures or system notifications may not work properly. Before installing, check for reviews about compatibility with your Xiaomi model.
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Before installing a new launcher, back up your current desktop settings, which can be done using the built-in Backup feature in MIUI settings or third-party utilities like Swift Backup (requires root).
Method 5: Disable system applications (requires root)
If you're willing to take drastic measures and have root rights, you can completely disable unnecessary system applications, which not only hides their icons, but also stops background processes, saving battery life.
Instructions:
- Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
- Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app (there are stored system applications).
- Find a folder with the name of the app you are hiding (for example, MiBrowser for a standard browser).
- Rename the.apk file to.apk.bak (e.g. MiBrowser.apk → MiBrowser.apk.bak).
- Reset the device.
After that, the application will disappear from the system. To return it, you just need to rename the file back.
Popular candidates to disable:
- 🌐 com.android.browser (standard browser)
- 🎵 com.miui.player (Mi Music)
- 📺 com.miui.videoplayer (Mi Video)
- 🛒 com.xiaomi.mipicks (GetApps)
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Disabling system applications can cause MIUI to work unstable. Before manipulation, create a full backup through TWRP or other recovery tools.
What to do if hidden icons reappear
Sometimes, after updating MIUI or resetting the hidden icons are returned to the desktop.
- Check launcher settings: After updating the firmware, the application hiding function may reset. Repeat the procedure from Method 1.
- Update. ADB-If you used adb shell pm hide, repeat the command again – sometimes the rights are reset.
- Reinstall Launcher: For third-party launchers, cache clearing or reinstallation will help.
- Check Second Space: Make sure hidden apps don’t appear in the main profile.
If the problem is repeated regularly, consider using automatic scripts to apply settings after each update. For example, you can create a.sh file with the necessary settings. ADB-Commands and run it after updates.