Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to hide certain programs from prying eyes, whether it is a banking app, personal photos or just games that you do not want to show to guests. In the shell of MIUI and the new HyperOS, this is responsible for the function “Hide the application”, which creates a separate space that is not available when you view the menu.
The essence of the mechanism is that the icons disappear from the general list and folders, but continue to work in the background. To access them, you need to perform an action that only you know about. Hidden applications are not removed from the device, they simply stop showing visually, which provides a basic level of privacy.
In this article, we will discuss how to activate this mode, how to enter a hidden folder in different ways, and what to do if access to it was lost, you will learn about the intricacies of working with MIUI and HyperOS, as well as how to use alternative methods of hiding data through system security settings.
What is the stealth mode in MIUI and HyperOS
Stealth mode is a built-in security tool for the Android shell from Xiaomi, which allows you to isolate selected programs from the main interface. When you hide an application, its icon disappears from desktops and from the All Apps menu. However, unlike completely freeze or shut down, the program continues to receive notifications and can be updated.
The main feature is the login mechanism. A standard password or graphical key is not always required for the login to the settings menu, but a special gesture or code is used to open the invisible folder, which makes the system convenient: an outsider who picks up your phone will simply not see any extra icons in the list.
It's important to understand the difference between Hidden Apps and Second Space. The second space creates a completely separate profile with its own photos, contacts and accounts, as if you had two different phones. The hidden apps are in the same profile, just their visibility is limited. Hidden applications consume RAM and battery power just like normal ones.
⚠️ Attention: Hiding an application does not mean that it is fully password protected when it is launched. If the attacker knows the path to the hidden folder, he will be able to open the program. For full protection, use the application lock function in conjunction with the concealment.
How to enable hide applications through settings
The first and most obvious way to activate a function is through the standard system settings menu, which is suitable for initial configuration when you are just choosing which programs to hide. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS, but the logic remains the same.
To start, you need to go to the main settings menu on your smartphone, find the security and privacy section, which is often combined with application settings in modern firmware versions, and you'll see a section here that allows you to manage the visibility of installed programs.
Once the function is enabled, the system will prompt you to set a password or login method if it is not already set, which is a critical step, since without this, the data can be lost when you reset the settings, and then you will be asked to select specific applications from the list of installed ones.
☑️ Preparing for hiding applications
The adjustment process is as follows:
- 📱 Open Settings and go to the Application section.
- 🔒 Find Hide Apps (can be called Hidden Apps»).
- 🔑 Set a password if the system requires you to do so on your first run.
- 👁️ Activate switches in front of those programs that you want to hide.
Once you do this, the icons of the selected programs will disappear from desktops, and now they are only accessible through a special stealth mode login, and remember that for some functions, such as widgets or live wallpaper, the application must be launched at least once after the concealment is enabled.
Ways to enter hidden mode
Once you've hidden the applications, the question is, how do you get into them? There are several proven ways to activate the hidden mode, and their availability depends on the version of your operating system. Old versions of MIUI used one method, and new versions used one method, it could change or be augmented.
The most common method is a special gesture in the Security app, where you have to open the standard Security app that every Xiaomi smartphone has, and inside this app, on the home screen, where you display the percentage of charge and memory, you have to swipe it from the bottom up, and that gesture opens the hidden folder.
In some firmware versions, especially HyperOS and the latest MIUI 14 updates, the mechanics may have changed. If the swipe in Security doesn't work, try pinching the empty space on your desktop with two fingers and spreading them to the sides. This gesture is also often used to enter editing mode or hidden functions.
Let’s look at the main options for entering the table:
| Entry method | Where to apply | Action. |
|---|---|---|
| Swipe in Security | Security annex | Swipe your finger from the bottom up in the center of the screen. |
| Two-finger gesture | Desktop | Put two fingers and spread them out. |
| Search | Global search | Enter the name of the hidden application (it does not always work) |
If none of these methods work, it is possible that the function has been renamed or removed in your version of the software, in which case it is worth checking for system updates or using third-party launchers that are able to hide icons.
Use of codes and dialer
The dialing method deserves special attention. In some regions and versions of Xiaomi firmware, it was possible to enter special code in a “bell ringer” that opened up hidden space. However, with the release of new versions of Android and the strengthening of Google’s security policy, this method is becoming less relevant.
However, it’s worth checking if it works on your device. There is no standard universal code, and users have often set up these scenarios themselves through third-party caller apps or macros. If you’re using a standard MIUI caller, try entering the ##64663## combination — although it’s an engineering menu, in some versions it may contain links to hidden features.
A more reliable analog of code is using a password to log into a folder. When you swipe to enter hidden mode, the system may require you to enter the password you previously set, which is your "access code." Without it, you will not be able to see the contents of the folder even if you know it exists.
What if the code doesn't work?
Remember, you don't have to rely on "secret codes" from the Internet, most of them are myths or commands for completely different phone models, and the real protection is built on passwords and biometrics, not on hiding the fact that the program is there.
Alternative methods: Second space and lockdown
If standard app hiding doesn't seem reliable enough, Xiaomi offers more powerful tools. The second space is essentially creating a second user on the system. You'll have two sets of apps, two galleries and two different passwords to log in to the lock screen.
Switching between spaces is instantaneous, and it looks like unlocking your phone, and to an outsider, your phone will look completely empty or filled with completely different data, ideal for those who want to completely separate their work and personal lives, or hide very sensitive information.
Another method is Application Locking, which doesn't hide the icon, but requires you to enter a password or fingerprint every time you run the program, and by combining locking and hiding, you get a double layer of protection: the icon is not on the menu, and if someone accidentally finds the login, they can't launch the application without a password.
- 🛡️ Second Space: Complete data isolation, separate Mi Account, your settings.
- 🔒 Application Blocking: Requires authentication at each run of the selected program.
- 👻 Hidden Mode: Just removes the icon from view, but doesn’t protect the data inside.
💡
For maximum privacy, enable the Hide Login function in the Second Space, then you can only switch between profiles through a special dial or fingerprint on the lock screen.
Using these features can slightly increase battery consumption, as additional system processes work in the background, but the level of security they provide fully justifies the minimum energy loss.
What to do if your password is forgotten or your access is lost
The most common problem users face is a forgotten password from hidden applications or a system failure, after which the login stops working, since hidden applications are not visible in normal mode, you can not simply delete them or reset the settings in the standard way.
If you forgot your password to enter hidden mode, the system usually offers to restore it through your Mi Account account if it was tied in advance.The password entry screen should have a button "Forgot your password?" By clicking on it, you can reset access via SMS or email registered in Mi Cloud.
If the account is unlinked or unaccessible, the situation becomes complicated, data inside hidden applications (such as notes or hidden photos) can be lost, and the only way out is often to completely reset the phone to a factory state (Hard Reset).
⚠️ Warning: Resetting your phone will delete ALL data, including photos, contacts and files.Be sure to remember your password or find a way to log in via Mi Account before doing this.
To prevent such situations, always write your passwords to a secure location and make sure your Mi Account is active and synced.This is the only guaranteed way to restore access to digital property in the Xiaomi ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does hiding apps affect notifications?
Can you hide Xiaomi’s system apps?
Where are the photos hidden through this mode?
Will hidden applications disappear when you update your system?
💡
Hidden apps on Xiaomi are a handy tool for aesthetically clean menus and basic protection from prying glances, but it’s better to use specialized secure folders or Second Space to store critical data.