How to hide the application on the smartphone Xiaomi: all working ways of 2026

Why Standard Removal Is Not Good and What to Do Instead

Have you ever encountered a situation where you have to hide an app on Xiaomi but can’t delete it? Perhaps it’s a working messenger that shouldn’t be visible to outsiders, or system software that can’t be uninstalled without root rights. In the MIUI shell (even in the latest versions of MIUI 14/15), there are several ways to hide the app icon without removing it completely.

It’s important to understand the difference between hiding and deleting: the former simply removes the shortcut from the desktop and from the app menu, but the program stays on the system and can run in the background. This is true for the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T and other Android 13/14 models. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, from built-in MIUI functions to third-party solutions with the limitations of the shell.

Before you get to the instructions, check the MIUI version: go to Settings → About → About Phone → MIUI version. This depends on the availability of certain features. For example, MIUI 12 and older has a built-in “Second Space Mode” that allows you to isolate applications, and MIUI 15 has additional privacy settings.

Method 1: Hiding through "Application Settings" (without root)

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI feature to hide system and user applications. It works on all devices with MIUI 10 and later, including Redmi 10, Xiaomi 12 Lite and others. The main limitation is that the programs hidden in this way will still appear in the list of all applications (Settings → Applications).

To hide the icon:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want from the list (e.g. Google Play Games or Mi Video).
3. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Hide.
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After that, the icon will disappear from the desktop and from the application menu, but:

• 🔍 The application will remain in the list All applications in the settings.
• 🔔 Notifications from the hidden app will come (unless disabled separately).
• 📱 The feature does not work for some system applications (e.g. Security or Theme Store).

Check the MIUI version in the settings

Make a backup copy of important application data

Make sure the application is not system-based (otherwise it may not hide)

Remember the name of the search application in the future-->

Method 2: Use of "Second Space" (to be completely insulated)

If you need to not just hide the icon, but completely isolate the application (for example, a second account in the messenger or work chats), use the function "Second space" This is a separate user profile with its own desktop, settings and applications. This method works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and newer, including POCO F4 redmi K50.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
2. Create a new space (you will need to create a password).
3. After rebooting, select which space you want to work in (switching through the notification bar).
4. Install the desired applications only in the second space – they will not be visible in the main.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Complete isolation: applications and data do not overlap between spaces.
• 📱 It works even for system applications (e.g. Mi Account or Gallery).
• 🔄 Quickly switching through the notification curtain.

⚠️ Note: When you delete the second space, all the data in it (including hidden applications) will be permanently deleted. → Second space → Backup.

Method 3: Third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Apex and others)

If the built-in MIUI methods don’t suit you, you can use alternative launchers like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which hide root-free app icons and work on all Xiaomi models, including the Black Shark 5 and Redmi A2.

Instructions for Nova Launcher (the most popular option):

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Make it the default launcher (at the first start the system will prompt you to do this).
3. Press your finger on the free desktop space → Settings → Hiding applications.
4. Select the apps you want to hide and confirm.

Pros of the method:

• 🎨 Flexible configuration of appearance (themes, icons, gestures).
• 🔍 Hidden apps don’t appear in the menu or in the launcher search.
• 🔄 It is easy to return the icons back through the settings.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers, hidden apps will still be visible in the standard menu MIUI, If you're going back to it temporarily, to eliminate that possibility completely, shut down the system launcher through the ADB (see method 4).

💡

If after installing Nova Launcher, the application icons are displayed twice (both in Nova and in MIUI), clear the system launcher cache in Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache.

Method 4: ADB-commands to hide system applications

For advanced users who want to hide system applications (such as Mi Browser, Mi Music or GetApps), ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a good way to do this, which does not require root rights, but requires USB debugging and a computer with drivers installed.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

ADB

adb shell pm hide com.miui.browser

(Replace com.miui.browser with the desired application package).

adb shell pm unhide com.miui.browser

How to find out the name of the application package:

• 📱 Install App Inspector from Google Play.
• 🔍 Or run the command adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword" (e.g. grep "miui").

Important: Once the MIUI is updated, hidden applications through ADB may reappear, in which case repeat the concealment command.

Method 5: Root Access and Titanium Backup (for power users)

If you have root rights, you can not only hide, but also completely freeze or remove system applications. This will require the Titanium Backup app (or its analogue Lucky Patcher), the method is suitable for the POCO F3 GT, Xiaomi 11T Pro and other models with an unlocked bootloader.

Instructions:

1. Install Titanium Backup and provide root access.
2. In the main menu, select the Backups tab.
3. Find the right app and tap it.
4. Choose Freeze! (the app will disappear from the system, but will remain in memory).
5. For complete removal, select Remove! (caution: this could disrupt the system!).

Advantages:

• ❄️ Frozen apps don’t consume resources and don’t show notifications.
• 🗑️ You can completely remove unnecessary system programs (for example, Mi Pay or Mi Credit).
• 🔄 It is easy to return the application from backup.

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may cause malfunctions MIUI, including the impossibility of air renewal (OTA). Before experimenting, create a full backup through TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery.

💡

Use freezing instead of uninstalling for system applications – it’s safer and makes it easy to return functionality when needed.

What to do if the application is not hidden?

Sometimes, even after you've completed all the steps, the app icon stays in place, and here are the possible reasons and solutions:

Problem 1: The application is system-based and does not hide through standard settings.

• 🔧 Solution: Use ADB (Method 4) or Titanium Backup (Method 5).

Problem 2: After hiding through the launcher, the icon returns after the reboot.

• 🔧 Solution: Clear the launcher cache (Settings) → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache) or install an update for the launcher.

Problem 3: The second space does not display notifications from hidden applications.

• 🔧 Solution: Check notification settings for the second space in Settings → Notifications → Second Space Settings.

Problem 4: ADB-The team returns the error Not allowed to hide.

• 🔧 Solution: Make sure that the debugging is USB It is enabled and you have confirmed the trusted connection on your phone, and check if the packet is blocked from changes (for example, via XPrivacyLua).

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding apps on Xiaomi