How to hide an app on a Xiaomi phone: everything from hidden folders to Second Space

Hiding apps on Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco smartphones is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from wanting to remove unnecessary system utilities to having to hide personal information from prying eyes. Unlike iOS, where functionality is limited, MIUI firmware offers several built-in tools to mask programs. However, not all of them are obvious, and some require additional tweaks or even installing third-party software.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to hide an application on Xiaomi, from the standard Second Space features and Hidden folders to the use of launchers and system tricks without root rights. We will pay special attention to the nuances for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and smartphone models, since the interface and available options may differ, and you will learn which methods leave traces in the system and which make applications truly invisible even for advanced users.

1. Hiding through the built-in Hidden Folders feature in MIUI

The easiest way to hide an app on Xiaomi is to use the standard Hidden Folders feature available in most versions of MIUI (starting with 11), which requires no additional software installation and works on all models, including Redmi Note 12, Poco X5 and Xiaomi 13. Apps placed in a hidden folder disappear from the main menu, but remain on the list of all programs in the settings.

To activate this function:

• 📱 Open the app menu (swipe up the main screen).
• 🔍 Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Hidden Folders (or Hidden Apps in some versions).
• 🔒 Enter a password (if not previously set, the system will prompt you to create it).
• ➕ Select the apps you want to hide and confirm the action.

After that, the icons will disappear from the main screen and menu, but they can be found:

• 🔍 Through search by system (swipe down on the main screen).
• 📋 In the Settings section → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔓 In the most hidden folder (password access).

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14 on some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro) the Hidden Folders feature can be moved to Settings → Confidentiality → Hidden apps. If you don't find an option, check this path.

2.Use Second Space to completely isolate applications

Second Space is a unique feature of MIUI, which allows you to create a second independent user profile with a separate desktop, applications and data. Unlike hidden folders, applications in Second Space are completely isolated and do not appear in the main profile even through search or settings. This method is ideal for hiding messengers, banking applications or games.

How to set up Second Space:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space.
2. Click Create Second Space and follow the instructions (you will need to set a password or a pattern lock).
3. After creating, switch to the new profile through the notification panel (user icon).
4. Install or copy the desired applications in Second Space.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔐 Complete isolation: apps are not visible in the main profile even through Settings → Annexes.
• 📱 Separate settings: you can customize another wallpaper, theme and even restrictions.
• 🔄 Quick switching: changing profile takes 1-2 seconds.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 12.5 and below Second Space may conflict with some banking applications (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff.

3. Disable applications through settings (without deleting)

If the goal is to remove unnecessary system applications (such as Mi Video, Mi Music or GetApps), you can not hide them, but simply turn them off. This will remove the icon from the desktop, stop background processes and prevent updates, but the application files will remain in memory.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Browser).
3. Click Disable (the button will appear if the application can be deactivated).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It does not work for user applications (system only).
• ❌ The app will remain on the Settings list → Annexes (but marked “Disconnected").
• ❌ Some applications (such as Mi Security) cannot be disabled without root.

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To return a disabled application, go to Settings → Apps → Show all apps, find it in the list and click Enable.

4. Hiding by third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, POCO Launcher)

If the built-in MIUI features don't work, you can use third-party launchers like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or POCO Launcher, which not only hide apps, but also customize gestures, change icons, and group programs into folders with a password.

How to hide the app through Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Press your finger on the free desktop space and select Nova Settings.
3. Go to App & Widget drawers → Hide apps.
4. Check the boxes for the apps you want to hide.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🎨 Flexible interface setting (themes, icons, animations).
• 🔒 Ability to hide system applications (unlike Second Space).
• 📱 It works on all versions of Android (including older Redmi models).

⚠️ Note: Some launchers (for example, POCO Launcher) can conflict with gestures MIUI. If swipes stop working after installation to return or open menus, return to the standard launcher in Settings → Home screen.

5. Hiding through Archiving (APK Extractor + Deletion)

This method is suitable for completely removing traces of an application without root rights (APK-The method works for any program, including user programs, but requires caution.

Step-by-step:

1. Install APK Extractor from Google Play.
2. Launch the application and select the program you want to hide.
3. Create a backup copy (APK-The file will be saved in the folder APK Extractor).
4. Remove the original application through Settings → Apps.
5. If necessary, restore it from the APK-File (for example, through a file manager).

Important: This method removes the entire application, including its data (cache, settings, accounts), for example, if you archive and delete WhatsApp, you will have to re-enter your phone number and download chats when you restore it.

6. Hiding through ADB (for power users)

If you're ready to work with the command line, you can hide applications through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require root, but is only suitable for system applications, and user programs (such as Telegram or Instagram) will not be hidden this way.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm hide com.example.app (replace com.example.app with the batch name of the app, for example, com.miui.videoplayer for Mi Video).
3. To return the app, use: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.app

Where to find the packet name:

• 🔍 App Inspector (app from Google Play).
• 📋 B Settings → Annexes → [name] → Package information.

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Hiding through ADB is reversible, but requires a PC connection, a method that is not suitable for custom applications, only for MIUI system utilities.

7. Hiding through Safe Folder (for files and shortcuts)

If you want to hide not the app itself, but its shortcut or related files (such as screenshots from the messenger), you can use Google’s Safe Folder feature (available on Xiaomi with Android 11 and later), which does not hide the application itself, but allows you to password-protect the folder with its data.

How to set up Safe Folder:

1. Install Files by Google from the Play Market (if not installed).
2. Open the app and go to the Collection → Safe Folder section.
3. Create a folder with a password or fingerprint.
4. Move files or application shortcuts (such as.apk files) to it.

Limitations:

• 🚫 Does not hide the app itself from the menu.
• 🔗 Safe Folder shortcuts won’t work without extraction.
• 📁 It is only suitable for files, not for the programs themselves.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding apps on Xiaomi