How to Hide Xiaomi Apps: From Standard MIUI Features to Advanced Techniques

Hiding apps on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that comes with a variety of reasons, from wanting to remove unnecessary system utilities to having to hide personal information from prying eyes. Unlike devices on pure Android, MIUI offers several built-in mechanisms for this purpose, but each has its own nuances, such as hiding through Second Space creates a full second profile, and App Lock simply blocks access - both solves different problems.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to hide applications on Xiaomi (relevant to MIUI 12-15), including methods without superuser rights (root) and with them. Special attention will be paid to hiding system applications that can not be removed by standard means, and also consider the risks of each approach, from data loss to locking the device. If you are looking for a way to hide messengers, banking programs or just want to get rid of visual clutter on the home screen, here you will find detailed instructions with explanations for beginners and experienced users.

1. Hiding applications through Second Space (second profile)

Second Space (or “Second Profile” in Russian localization) is a built-in solution from Xiaomi that creates an isolated environment with separate desktops, settings and applications. The advantage of the method is that hidden programs are physically transferred to another profile and do not appear mainly.

How it works:

• 🔒 Data isolation: Applications and files in Second Space are not visible in the main profile (and vice versa).
• 📱 Separate settings: You can customize different wallpapers, sounds and even Google accounts.
• 🔄 Quick switching: Access via notification panel or gesture (configured in Settings) → Second Space).

Instructions for setting:

1. Open Settings → Second Space (in some versions of MIUI, the path may be different: Settings → Special Options → Second Space).
2. Click Create Second Space and follow the Settings wizard (set a password or pattern lock).
3. After creating a profile, go to it through the notification bar or the main screen.
4. Install the desired applications through the Play Market or transfer them from the main profile (to Settings → Applications → Applications Transfer).

⚠️ Note: If you forget the Second Space password, it will be impossible to restore access to hidden data without resetting the device. Xiaomi does not provide official tools to circumvent this protection.

2.Use of App Lock (App Blocking)

App Lock doesn’t hide apps in the literal sense, but it restricts access to them with a password, fingerprint, or facial recognition, which is convenient if you want to quickly hide messengers or banking programs from outsiders without removing them from the device. In MIUI 14/15, this feature is integrated into Security and supports hiding notifications from blocked applications.

How to turn on App Lock:

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → App Lock.
2. Set the unlock method (PIN, pattern lock, or biometrics).
3. Select the apps from the list you want to block.
4. Activate Hide Notifications so that the contents of messages do not appear on the lock screen.

Limitations of the method:

• 👁️ Apps remain visible on the menu and desktop (just require a password when you open them).
• 🔍 They can be found through a search by device (Search for applications in the MIUI).
• 📵 Does not work for system utilities (e.g. Settings or Security).

💡

To strengthen protection, enable the option in the App Lock "Hide the lock icon" - then when you open the blocked application there will be no pop-up with a request for a password (instead, the screen will simply not respond to clicks).

3. Hiding system applications without root (via ADB)

System applications on Xiaomi (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps) cannot be removed or hidden by standard means, but can be deactivated via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that does not require superuser rights, but requires a smartphone connection to a computer and basic command-line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your smartphone: go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB drivers (for example, via Google’s Mi PC Suite or Platform Tools).
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, follow the command to hide the application (replace com.example.app with the batch name of the program):

adb shell pm hide com.example.app

List of batch names of popular Xiaomi system applications:

⚠️ Note: Hiding system applications through ADB It can lead to unstable work. MIUI, Especially if you deactivate critical services (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter!

Make sure the app isn’t critical to MIUI

Download ADB Platform Tools on PC

Enable debugging by USB on a smartphone

Make a backup copy of the data

Write down the package name of the application-->

4. Hiding through folders and launcher settings

If you just need to remove the app icons from the home screen but leave them on the menu, you can use the standard MIUI launcher features. This method does not provide data protection, but helps to get rid of visual clutter.

Coverage options:

• 📁 Desktop folders: Drag the app icon to another to create a folder. Call it neutral (e.g., Utilities").
• 🔍 Hiding from search: B MIUI 14+ You can turn off the display of the application in the search results: press the icon → Information on the annex → Turn off the search display.
• 📱 Disable icon: Some apps (like Google or Duo) allow you to hide your icon in settings (App Settings) → Notifications → Badge on the screen).

Limitations:

• Applications remain available through All Apps in the menu.
• System utilities (such as Settings or Camera) cannot be hidden in this way.
• After the MIUI update, the settings may reset.

5. Advanced Methods: Hiding with Root Rights

If you have root access (for example, through Magisk), you can completely remove or freeze system applications, and hide user programs from prying eyes with specialized tools.This method is suitable for advanced users, since improper actions can lead to a device “brick” (inability to download).

Popular tools for root:

• 🧊 Titanium Backup: Allows applications to be frozen, making them invisible to the system.
• 🔧 System App Remover: Removes system programs without a trace (caution: can break) MIUI!).
• 🛡️ App Quarantine: Hide apps under a password, blocking access to their data.

Examples of Titanium Backup:

1. Install the app from the Play Market and provide root access.
2. Select the app you want to hide and click Freeze.
3. Confirm the action – the application will disappear from the menu and stop working.
4. To return it, thaw it in the same menu.

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications from root may disrupt the work MIUI, Especially if you are talking about services com.android. or com.miui. Before experimenting, study the reviews about a particular application on forums (for example, before experimenting with the forums, 4PDA or XDA Developers).

💡

Root access provides the maximum opportunity to hide applications, but requires caution. Always back up the /system partition before deleting system files (for example, via TWRP).

6.Alternative methods: third-party launchers and secure folders

If the built-in MIUI features don't suit you, you can use third-party solutions, which don't always provide complete privacy, but offer more flexibility in customizing the visibility of applications.

Popular alternatives:

• 🏠 Nova Launcher: Allows you to hide apps from menus and search, customize gestures and folders.
• 🔒 Secure Folder (Samsung): Although it is a solution from Samsung, it can be emulated on Xiaomi via Island or Shelter (requires root or Work Profile).
• 📱 Apex Launcher: Supports app hiding and folder encryption.

Example of the Nova Launcher setup:

1. Install a launcher from Play Market and make it the default launcher.
2. Click the empty space on the desktop → Settings Nova → Hiding applications.
3. Select the programs you want to hide and confirm.
4. For additional protection, set the password to the launcher settings.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• ✅ Do not require root or complex manipulation.
• ✅ Maintain functionality after updating MIUI.
• ✅ Offer additional features (such as gestures or themes).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Applications remain available through the standard menu MIUI (If you open it through Settings → Annexes).
• ❌ Some of the squatters may be in conflict with MIUI, languishing.

Comparison of methods of hiding applications on Xiaomi

To choose the best method, compare all the methods considered by key criteria:

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding apps on Xiaomi