Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer users flexible tools to manage app visibility, from built-in features to hidden system features. However, not everyone knows that in addition to standard hiding through the settings menu, there are alternative methods, including using a second workspace, protected space, and even changing system files without superuser rights. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to make the application invisible on Redmi, POCO and other devices of the brand, given the features of the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14.
It is important to understand the difference between “hiding” and “deleting”: a hidden application continues to work in the background, occupy space in memory and can send notifications, while a remote application is completely uninstalled. Also, some methods (for example, Second Space) require additional configuration, but provide maximum privacy. If your goal is to hide the application from prying eyes but keep it quickly accessible, look at methods using a secure folder or alternative launchers.
1. Standard Hiding through MIUI Settings
The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the built-in MIUI feature, which allows you to hide apps from the main menu.This method does not require root rights and works on all modern Xiaomi devices, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 13. Restriction: hidden applications will remain visible in Settings → Apps and will be displayed in search results on the system.
To hide the app:
- Long press on the free seat of the main screen → select Screen settings.
- Go to Hide Apps (in some versions of MIUI, the item is called Hide Apps).
- Tick the required applications and click Ready.
After that, the app icons will disappear from the home screen and from the app menu, and to bring them back, repeat the steps and uncheck the boxes. Importantly, this method does not hide the applications from system processes, they will still be visible in the task manager and can send notifications.
2.Using Second Space (Second Workspace)
Second Space is a unique feature of MIUI, which allows you to create a separate user profile with its own set of applications, wallpaper and settings. Applications installed in the second workspace are not visible by default in the main one, and vice versa. This method is ideal for those who want to completely isolate some of the software (for example, work messengers from personal ones).
How to set up Second Space:
- Open Settings → Special Options → Second Space
- Follow the customization wizard: specify a password (required!) and select cloning apps.
- After creating, switch between swipe spaces via the lock button or through the notification panel.
- ✅ Complete application isolation (not visible in the main space).
- ✅ The ability to use different accounts in the same app (e.g. two WhatsApp accounts).
- ⚠️ Requires additional memory (each space works as a separate device).
- ⚠️ Some system applications (e.g. Settings) are automatically duplicated.
☑️ Second Space Preparation
3. Secure folder (App Lock + Hiding)
Secure folder (or Private Folder in global versions) MIUI) Not only does it allow you to block apps from accessing them with a password, it also allows you to hide them from a general list. Unlike standard concealment, applications in a protected folder don't even show up in search results and require you to enter them. PIN-code.
Instructions for setting:
- Go to Settings → Privacy → Secure folder.
- Set a password (it is recommended to use a fingerprint for convenience).
- Click Add Apps and select the ones you want to hide.
- Activate the option to Hide app icons.
⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from the protected folder, you can only restore access to hidden applications through resetting your phone settings. Xiaomi does not provide official tools for unlocking without losing data.
| Coverage method | Visibility on the menu | Visibility in search | Password required | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard cover-up | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | Quick hiding from casual glances |
| Second Space | ❌ No (mostly space) | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (on switching) | Complete application isolation |
| Secure folder. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes, for access) | Confidential applications (banks, messengers) |
| Third-party launchers | ❌ No (configuration) | ✅ Yes/❌ No (depending on launcher) | ❌ No/✅ Yes. | Users with root or custom firmware |
4. Hiding through third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, Microsoft Launcher)
If you don't like the built-in MIUI features, you can use alternative launchers like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher, which allow you to flexibly adjust the visibility of applications, including the ability to completely hide without removing, and the advantage of the method is that it works on any version of Android and not binding to the MIUI firmware.
How to hide the app through Nova Launcher:
- Install Nova Launcher from Google Play and make it the default launcher.
- Long press on the free screen space → Settings Nova.
- Go to the Application Box → Hide the Applications.
- Select the apps you want to hide and confirm.
For additional protection, you can combine this method with Xiaomi’s App Lock: the hidden app will not be available either through search or through the standard menu. However, note that some launchers (such as Microsoft Launcher) may conflict with MIUI features such as Second Space.
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If after installing a third-party launcher, MIUI gestures stopped working, return the standard launcher to Settings → Home Screen → Launcher by default.
5 Advanced Methods: ADB and System File Change
For experienced users who are willing to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge, a way to hide applications by changing their status in the system, does not require root rights, but involves connecting the phone to a computer and executing commands in the terminal. MIUI.
Step-by-step:
- Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm hide com.example.app (replace com.example.app with a real application package, for example com.whatsapp).
- To return the application, use: adb shell pm unhide com.example.app
List of packages of popular applications:
- 📱 WhatsApp: com.whatsapp
- 📷 Instagram: com.instagram.android
- 🎮 PUBG Mobile: com.tencent.ig
- 💰 Sberbank Online: en.sberbankmobile
⚠️ Attention: Pm commands hide/unhide They do not work on all versions. MIUI. On certain devices (e.g, POCO F5 s MIUI 14) You may need to pre-receive temporary root via Magisk or use the App Systemizer module.
How to find out the package name of the application?
6. Hiding through archiving (disabling without deletion)
If your goal is not to simply hide, but to completely disable the application without removing it (for example, for system utilities that cannot be uninstalled), you can use the archival function. Archived applications do not occupy space on the menu, do not update or work in the background, but their data is stored.
How to archive the application:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the desired application and click Archive (or Disable if archiving is not available).
- Confirm the action. The app will disappear from the menu and stop working.
To return an archived application, find it in the same menu (Settings → Apps) and click Restore.This method is suitable for embedded system applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music) that cannot be removed by standard means.
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
When hiding apps on Xiaomi, users often face typical preventable problems:
- 🔄 The app reappears after the update MIUI: This is because some system settings are reset. Solution -- repeat the process of hiding after the update.
- 📱 Gestures don't work after launcher change: Return the standard launcher MIUI default.
Another common mistake is trying to hide system applications (such as Mi Security or Theme Store) through ADB. This can lead to a cyclical reboot of the phone. Before experimenting with system packages, be sure to back up through Settings → System → Backup.
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On devices with MIUI Global, some features (such as Second Space) can be disabled by default. To activate them, change the region of the phone to India in the settings (without resetting).