How to hide the app icon on Xiaomi: all ways from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15

Icons of unnecessary apps on Xiaomi’s desktop annoy many users — they take up space, spoil the aesthetics and constantly remind you of programs you don’t use. Unlike iOS or pure Android, the MIUI shell offers several unique ways to hide shortcuts, but not all of them are obvious. For example, standard removal through the “Delete” menu often just uninstalls the application rather than removes it from the screen.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 working methods, from built-in MIUI 14/15 features to workarounds for older firmware versions (including Redmi Note 10, POCO X3, and Black Shark 5), and focus on the nuances of why some icons aren’t hidden, how to get them back, and what to do if the methods stop working after the system update, and what applications can be hidden without superuser rights (root), and which additional utilities will be required.

Why you can’t just remove the icon from your desktop

In MIUI, application shortcuts fall into two categories: system (like Camera, Phone, or Settings) and user (installed from the Play Market or APK), the former being protected from removal, while the latter can be uninstalled but not always hidden.

• 🔄 Launcher MIUI Does not support the Hide Icon feature for all applications – only for selected system applications (for example, “Duplicates of Files” or “Security»).
• 📱 On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or POCO F4) post-update MIUI 14 disappears the option of hiding in the menu “Applications».
• 🛡️ System utilities (like com.miui.securitycenter) block changes to their shortcuts without root rights.
• 📦 Applications installed as system (such as pre-installed games or Xiaomi services) do not have the option of hiding in the standard interface.

Another catch: if you use a third-party launcher (like a Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher), the icon hiding settings may conflict with MIUI features. For example, after returning to the standard launcher, hidden shortcuts will reappear.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for POCO (for example, POCO X5 Pro) the path to icon hiding settings may be different. If there is no Hide option in the Apps menu, try updating your firmware or using alternative methods from this article.

Method 1: Hiding through standard MIUI settings (without root)

The easiest way to do this is to use the built-in MIUI feature that works on most devices with firmware version 12.5 and later, and is suitable for hiding system applications like "Mi Community," "Themes" or "Music."

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the All Apps tab and find the right one (such as Mi Video).
3. Slip on it and select “Hide” (on some models, the item is called “Remove from the desktop”).
4. Confirm the action. The icon will disappear from the screen, but the app will remain in the system.

To return the icon back, go to Settings → Desktop → Hidden apps and uncheck next to the desired one.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI For Russia, the Hide option may not be available due to regional restrictions, in which case, try changing the region in the Xiaomi account settings to India or Global».

Method 2: Using folders for “pseudo-disclosure”

If the standard method doesn't work, you can hide the icon in a folder, which you can then move to the second screen or to the corner of the display, which doesn't remove the label completely, but makes it less visible.

How to do this:

1. Press the app icon and drag it to another icon to create a folder.
2. Name the folder neutrally (e.g., “Reserve” or “Archive”).
3. Move the folder to the second desktop or to the bottom row (where the dock bar is usually placed).
4. Install a transparent icon for the folder (you can download applications like Icon Changer from the Play Market).

The advantage of the method: it does not require root rights and works on any version of MIUI. The disadvantage is that the icon still remains in the system and can be opened accidentally.

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To make the folder even less visible, set an icon with a monochromatic background (for example, a gray square) and remove the name. To do this, press the folder → Edit → delete the text.

Method 3: Disabling the application via ADB (for power users)

If you need to hide a system application (such as Mi Browser or Mi Pay) that is not removed by standard methods, you can use the ADB command (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require root, but requires connecting the phone to your computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to activate the developer mode).
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable “Debugging by USB”.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB-tools, and open the command line in the adb.exe folder.
4. Enter the command: adb shell pm hide com.miui.browser (replace com.miui.browser with the desired application package).
5. Reboot the phone. The icon will disappear and the app will be disabled.

To return the icon, use the command:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.browser

⚠️ Note: Disabling system applications through ADB It can lead to disruptions in work. MIUI. For example, hiding com.miui.securitycenter will turn off the security center, and removing com.xiaomi.finddevice will turn off the “Find the device” function!

Method 4: Third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, Hyperion)

If built-in techniques don't work, you can install an alternative launcher that supports icon hiding.

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – allows you to hide applications in the settings “Setting up applications” → Hidden applications».
• 📱 Apex Launcher – similar feature in the Apex Settings menu → Hide applications».
• 🔮 Hyperion Launcher – Supports Hiding Icons and Changing Their Appearance.

How to hide the icon through Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from the Play Market and select it as the main one.
2. Press the free space on the desktop → “Settings”.
3. Go to “Setting up applications → Hidden applications” and mark the necessary ones.
4. Save the changes. The icons will disappear, but the apps will remain in the All Apps menu.

The downside is that when you return to the standard MIUI launcher, hidden icons will reappear, and some system applications (such as Settings) can’t be hidden even through Nova.

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Third-party launchers are the most versatile way, but they consume additional RAM (around 100-200 MB) and can conflict with MIUI gestures (e.g. swipe down for the notification panel).

Method 5: Root access and system changes (for advanced ones)

If you are willing to take drastic measures, you can get root rights and remove or freeze unnecessary applications using Titanium Backup, Lucky Patcher or Magisk.

• 🔧 Completely remove pre-installed apps (such as Mi Music or Mi Game Center).
• 📵 Freeze system services that cannot be disabled ADB.
• 🔄 Recovering Hidden Icons After Resetting Settings.

The following is a step-by-step instruction (on the example of Magisk):

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (can take up to 72 hours).
2. Install Magisk and get root.
3. Download the System App Remover or Debloater module from the Magisk repository.
4. Select the removal/freeze apps and reboot the phone.

Warnings:

• ⚠️ The phone guarantee will be lost.
• ⚠️ Some system applications (e.g. com.miui.home) cannot be removed, which will result in a bootloop (a looped reboot).
• ⚠️ After updating MIUI Remote applications can be restored.

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Before removing system applications through root, back up the /system partition using TWRP. This will help restore the phone in the event of a crash.

What to do if the icon returns after the update

After the MIUI update, some hidden icons may reappear on the desktop.

• The firmware restores the standard launcher settings.
• System applications are automatically defrosted.
• ADB-commands are reset (if the update was through Recovery).

Decisions:

1. Repeat the concealment procedure (via settings, ADB or launcher).
2. Reverse to the previous version of MIUI if the new firmware has removed the concealment function.
3. Use an automatic concealment script (e.g., via Tasker + ADB).

If the problem occurs after each update, consider turning off automatic updates in Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-update.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding icons on Xiaomi