How to remove app icons on Xiaomi: hide unnecessary icons on MIUI

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphone desktop often turns into a mess of dozens of icons — especially if you’re actively installing programs or using the brand’s pre-installed services. Unnecessary icons not only spoil aesthetics, but also distract from really important apps. Fortunately, MIUI has at least 5 ways to hide icons — from standard features to advanced tricks with ADB and root access.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from simple hiding in the application menu to completely removing system programs (if you are willing to take risks). Separately, we will discuss the nuances for different versions of MIUI — from 12 to 14 — and explain why some methods may not work on new firmware. If you are tired of seeing GetApps advertising widgets or duplicate Mi Video icons, read on.

1. Standard Hiding Through the Application Menu

The safest and most obvious way is to use the built-in concealment feature in the MIUI launcher, which is available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones without additional settings, suitable for custom applications and parts of system applications (for example, Mi Pay or Mi Community).

To hide the icon:

  • 📱 Open the menu of all applications (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
  • 🔍 Find the right app, hold its icon with your finger.
  • 🚫 In the menu that appears, select Hide (or Remove from the desktop in older versions). MIUI).
  • ✅ Confirm the action – the icon will disappear from the main screen, but will remain on the menu.

⚠️ Note: This method does not remove the application completely – it will still take up space in memory and show up in settings (Settings) → Also hidden programs may reappear after updating. MIUI.

📊 What version? MIUI You're using it?
MIUI 14
MIUI 13
MIUI 12.5
MIUI 12
Old version (up to 12)
I don't know.

2. Disable system applications through settings

If standard hiding doesn’t work (for example, for Mi Security or Cleaner), you can try disabling the application through the system settings, which will remove its icon from the desktop and stop background processes, but will not free up space in memory.

Instructions:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
  2. Find the right app in the list (use a title search).
  3. Slip on it and select Disable (or Remove Updates if the Disable button is inactive).
  4. Confirm the action – the icon will disappear, and the application will stop working.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system applications (such as Mi Account or Finder) may cause your phone to crash.Some features (such as contact synchronization or file search) will stop working. MIUI 14 Disabling Security blocks access to privacy settings.

Make a backup copy of important data|Check if the application is critical (e.g., calls)|Remember the name of the application in case of recovery|Make sure you have an alternative (e.g. another launcher)-->

3. Use of alternative launchers

If you’re tired of the limitations of a standard MIUI launcher, the best solution is to install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Lawnchair).

  • 🔄 Hide icons without disabling applications.
  • 📁 Group icons into folders with custom names.
  • 🎨 Change the style of icons and animation.
  • 🔒 Block Accidental Deletion of Important Applications.

How to hide icons in Nova Launcher:

  1. Keep your finger on the free space of the desktop → Settings.
  2. Go to Apps and Widgets → Hidden Apps.
  3. Check the boxes for the programs you want to remove.
  4. Save the changes – the icons will disappear from the menu.

💡 Useful tip: Nova Launcher can create a gesture to hide apps (like swipe down the icon.

Which launchers are best avoided on Xiaomi?
Some launchers (such as GO Launcher or APUS Launcher) conflict with MIUI, causing freezes and overheating. Also avoid launchers with aggressive advertising - they can consume up to 15% of battery power per day.

4. Hiding through ADB (no root)

For advanced command-line users, there is a way to hide system applications without obtaining root permissions, through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works on all versions of MIUI, but requires a PC connection.

Step-by-step:

  1. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap on version → return to Additional → For developers).
  2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
  3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:
adb shell pm hide com.miui.weather2 # example for the Weather app


adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.midrop # example for Mi Drop

To return the icon, replace hide with unhide.

AnnexCoverup teamRisk of failure
GetAppsadb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.mipicksLow.
Mi Videoadb shell pm hide com.miui.videoplayerMedium.
Securityadb shell pm hide com.miui.securitycenterHigh-pitched
Cleaneradb shell pm hide com.miui.cleanmasterLow.

⚠️ Note: Some commands (e.g. for Security) may result in loss of access to privacy settings or blocking updates. → Additionally. → Backup.

5. Removal of root-right system applications

If you're ready for radical measures and have root access, you can completely remove unnecessary system applications, which will free up memory space and permanently remove icons, but can lead to unstable phone operation.

Methods of disposal:

  • 📲 Through the Root Explorer or FX File Explorer: Open the file manager with root access. Go to /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/. Find a folder with the name of the application (for example, MiuiDaemon for Security). Delete the folder or rename it (add.bak at the end).
  • 💻 Through ADB from root: adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system rm -rf /system/priv-app/MiuiDaemon