How to hide the app icon on Xiaomi: all ways from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15

Hiding unwanted icons on the Xiaomi desktop is a challenge faced by every second owner of a smartphone of this brand. Despite the abundance of features in the shell of MIUI, it is not always obvious how to remove an application from the menu without removing it completely, especially for pre-installed services (Mi Browser, Mi Music, GetApps), which can not be uninstalled without the rights of the superuser.

In this article, we will analyze 5 proven methods that work on all current versions of firmware - from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15 You will learn how to hide icons through system settings, third-party launchers, and also what to do if the application continues to display after all the manipulations. POCO Launcher and HyperOS (for new devices in 2026).

Why can’t you just remove unnecessary apps?

MIUI tightly integrates some services into the system, such as Mi Security, Mi Account or Themes, which are responsible for critical functions, from security to the work of the design themes, and removing them without root rights will lead to:

• 🔄 System failures (outputs, errors during booting).
• 🔒 Loss of functionality (for example, access to the settings of the topics will disappear).
• 📱 Blocking OTA-Updates (the system may refuse to install new firmware versions).

Even if you use ADB to uninstall, some applications (MiuiDaemon, Analytics) recover after a reboot, so hiding icons is the safest way to get rid of visual debris.

Method 1: Hiding through the system launcher (without root)

The easiest method to work on all Xiaomi devices is to use the built-in icon hiding feature, which is available in the standard MIUI Launcher and POCO Launcher launcher, but the path to settings is different.

Instructions for MIUI Launcher:

1. Press and hold your finger on your desktop until the menu appears.
2. Select Desktop Settings (or Home Screen Settings in English firmware).
3. Go to Hide apps (Hide apps) section.
4. Tick the apps you want to hide and click Ready.

For POCO Launcher, the path is different:

1. Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Choose Hide applications and mark the ones you need.

Make sure the launcher is not updated via APK (use the version from MIUI)

Check that the application is not system-based (e.g. Settings or Phone)

Backup important data (in case of launcher failure)

Restart the device after the changes are applied

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Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It doesn’t work for widgets (they’ll stay on the desktop).
• ❌ Hidden applications will still appear in recent tasks.
• ❌ After resetting the launcher settings, the hidden icons will return.

Method 2: Using third-party launchers

If the built-in settings are not suitable, you can install an alternative launcher with advanced hideout features.

Instructions for Nova Launcher (the most reliable option):

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Press and hold your finger on your desktop → Nova Settings.
3. Go to App & widget drawers → Hide apps.
4. Check the boxes for unnecessary applications.

💡

If after installing the launcher, the weather widgets or clocks disappeared, return them through Settings → Widgets in the launcher itself.

Important: Some launchers (like Lawnchair) require permissions to access notifications to properly operate the concealment function, and by refusing these permissions, you risk errors when applying changes.

Method 3: Disable applications through settings (for system)

If the app is not only disturbing on the desktop, but also consuming resources in the background (for example, Mi Video or Mi Game Center), it can be turned off completely, this will remove the icon and stop the background processes.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the app you want in the list (use search if it’s not in the main list).
3. Slip on three points in the upper right corner → Disconnect.
4. Confirm the action (the system will warn you of possible failures).

What happens after the shutdown:

• ✅ The icon will disappear from the menu and desktop.
• ✅ The app will stop updating through the Play Market.
• ✅ Background processes will be stopped (battery savings).

⚠️ Note: Disabling applications like Mi Share or Mi Remote can disrupt wireless functions (such as transferring files over Wi-Fi Direct or controlling equipment via an infrared port).

Method 4: Using ADB to Hide System Applications

For advanced users who are ready to work with the command line, there is a way to hide even those applications that do not appear in the "Disable" list. ADB-debugging.

Preparation:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
4. Download ADB-tools and unpack in a separate folder.

Commands to hide the application (e.g. com.miui.browser):

adb shell


pm hide com.miui.browser

To bring the icon back:

adb shell


pm unhide com.miui.browser

List of packages of popular Xiaomi applications:

• com.miui.browser — Mi Browser
• com.xiaomi.midrop — Mi Drop
• com.miui.videoplayer — Mi Video
• com.xiaomi.scanner — Scanner
• com.miui.weather2 - Weather

💡

ADB-The commands only work until the device is first rebooted, and to make the concealment permanent, you need to write commands to the autoload script (requires root or Magisk).

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. com.android.cts.ctsshim) are critical to the SafetyNet.Shiding them may make it impossible to use banking applications or Google Pay.

Method 5: Creating “empty” folders for masking

If you want to hide the icon from prying eyes, but you still have quick access to the app, you can use the trick with transparent folders, which is not to remove the icon, but to make it less visible.

How it works:

1. Create a new folder on your desktop.
2. Move an unnecessary icon into it.
3. Install a transparent icon for the folder (you can download from MIUI themes or create it yourself through Icon Pack Studio).
4. Remove the folder name (long press → Edit → delete the text).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Quick access to the application (just open the “invisible” folder).
• ✅ Does not require rooting or ADB.
• ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ The icon still exists on the system (see in the app menu).
• ❌ When resetting the launcher settings, the folder will return to the standard view.

What to do if the icon returns after the update?

Once new versions of MIUI or HyperOS are installed, hidden icons may reappear on the desktop, because the system resets the launcher settings to standard.

1. Repeat the hiding through the launcher settings (Method 1).
2. Update your third-party launcher (if you use Nova or Apex).
3. Remove the launcher update through Settings → Applications → MIUI Launcher → Remove updates.
4. Use ADB to hide again (Method 4).

If the problem occurs after each update, try:

• 📌 Disable Auto-Renewal Launcher in Play Market.
• 📌 Install an alternative launcher by default (in application settings).
• 📌 Create a task in Automate or Tasker to automatically hide icons after a reboot.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding icons on Xiaomi