Hiding apps on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that comes with users for a variety of reasons, from wanting to remove unnecessary system utilities to having to hide personal information from prying eyes. Unlike the iPhone, where functionality is limited, the MIUI shell offers several built-in and third-party solutions. However, not all methods are equally effective: some simply remove icons from the desktop, others completely block access to the program without a password.
In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to hide applications on Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark devices (including models from 2023-2026 based on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS).
Standard Hiding Through Security (MIUI 14/15)
The easiest way that works on all modern Xiaomi smartphones is to use the built-in Security section, which does not remove the app, but only removes it from the menu and blocks it from starting without a password, suitable for hiding messengers, banking applications or games.
To hide the app:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Security → Hidden applications.
- 🔒 Enter the password from your Mi Account (if not configured, you will need to create a password).
- ➕ Click Add Apps and select the ones you need from the list.
- 🔄 After adding the application will disappear from the menu and will not appear in the search.
⚠️ Important: the applications hidden in this way are not deleted — they continue to work in the background and can send notifications. To completely disable them, you need to additionally prohibit auto-run in Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Auto-start.
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If you have forgotten your Mi Account password, restore it through account.xiaomi.com, otherwise you will not be able to access hidden apps.
| Advantages of the method | Deficiencies of the method |
|---|---|
| Doesn't require root rights | Applications stay in the system and take place |
| It works on all versions of MIUI. | Notifications may leak into the curtain |
| You can hide several applications at once. | When the settings are reset, the concealment is canceled. |
2.Use of the "Second Space" (complete isolation)
If you need to not just hide the app, but create a completely isolated environment with separate accounts, messages and files, use the "Second Space" feature, which is the analogue of "Guest Mode" on Android, but with advanced features. Apps installed in the second space will not be visible in the main profile and vice versa.
How to set up:
- Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
- Create a new space (you will need to create a separate password).
- After the reboot, select the Second Space in the lock menu.
- Install the right applications – they will be available only here.
🔹 Features of the method:
- 🔐 Complete data isolation (photos, messages, files do not overlap).
- 📱 You can use different wallpaper and settings for each space.
- ⚠️ It takes up additional disk space (about 1-2 GB under the system).
What happens if you remove the second space?
3. Hiding through launchers (Nova, Apex, POCO Launcher)
If you don't like the built-in methods, you can use third-party launchers that support the hide-out function, such as Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher (designed by Xiaomi itself for the POCO line), which are not the launchers that remove applications, but only remove them from the desktop and from search.
Instructions for Nova Launcher:
- Install a launcher from Google Play.
- Press your finger on your desktop → Settings Nova → Hiding apps.
- Select the apps you want to hide and confirm.
⚠️ Note: applications hidden through the launcher will still be visible in system settings (Settings) → Apps) and can appear in Google’s global search results. For complete privacy, combine this method with built-in hiding through Security.
4. disabling system applications (without root)
Many users want to hide not only user programs, but also built-in system utilities (for example, Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps). Completely remove them without root rights, but you can disable them so that they do not appear in the menu and do not waste resources.
How to disable the system application:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the right app (like Mi Browser) and tap it.
- Click Disable (if the button is inactive – the application is critical to the system).
- Confirm the action – the icon will disappear from the menu.
📌 List of safe to disable system applications:
- 🎵 Mi Music (if you use a different player)
- 📺 Mi Video (alternative — VLC or MX Player)
- 🛒 GetApps (branded store Xiaomi)
- 📰 Mi Browser (if you use Chrome or Firefox)
Backup of important data |
Check if the application is used by other services|
Remember the name of the application in case of recovery |
Make sure there is an alternative (e.g., another browser)-->
5. Hiding through ADB (for power users)
If you need to completely uninstall the system application (rather than just disable it), you can use the ADB command. This method requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge. Careful: improper use of ADB can lead to system failures!
Step-by-step:
- Turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
- Connect your phone to your PC and install ADB Tools.
- Open the command line and type: Adb devices (should display your device).
- To uninstall an application (e.g. Mi Browser), do: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.browser
⚠️ Note: after removing the system application through ADB It can only be restored by resetting or flashing it, and don't remove critical components like com.miui.home or com.android.settings, which will cause your phone to fail!
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Deleting through ADB is an irreversible process for a user profile, and if you're selling a phone, it's better to reset to factory settings than to manually remove apps.
6. Hiding through archiving (for backups)
A little-known way to hide an application is to back it up and then delete the original, a method that is suitable if you want to temporarily remove the program but save its data (such as game settings or in-app progress).
How to do this:
- Install the Mi Mover app (if it is not in the system).
- Go to Settings → Memory → Backup.
- Select Local Backup and mark the desired application.
- After creating the archive, delete the original application.
- If necessary, restore it from the backup.
✅ The pros of the method: the application data is stored, and the application itself does not take up space in the system.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When hiding applications on Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:
- 🔍 The app is not hiding: check if it is system (some utilities) MIUI You can’t hide the standard methods).
- 🔑 Forgot the password from hidden apps: restore it through Mi Account or reset your phone settings (data will be lost!).
- 📱 The icon is gone, but notifications are coming: turn off notifications in Settings → Notifications → Management of notifications.
- 🔄 After updating MIUI Hidden apps have reappeared: Repeat the hide procedure – updates sometimes reset settings.
If you use Second Space, remember that when you delete the second profile, all the data inside it is erased without recovery. Before you delete, back up via Mi Mover or manually copy important files to your PC.