How to hide the application on MIUI 12: from standard settings to ADB-team

Xiaomi’s MIUI 12 shell offers users flexible customization options, but it’s not always obvious how to hide unnecessary apps. You may find that system utilities (like Mi Video or Mi Music) take up space on your desktop but can’t be removed. Or you want to hide personal messengers from prying eyes without completely removing them. In this article, we’ll look at all the current methods, from built-in features to technical solutions using ADB.

It's important to understand that hiding an application is not the same as uninstalling it. The application will remain on the system, but will no longer appear on the menu and on the desktop. Some methods (for example, through a second space) even hide the traces of use of the program in the list of recent tasks.

If you are using the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro, POCO X3 or another model on MIUI 12, the instructions below will be suitable for most devices, except for devices with customized firmware (for example, Global ROM vs China ROM), where the location of menu items may vary slightly.

1.Hiding through the standard MIUI launcher

The easiest way is to use the built-in shell features, which do not require additional programs or root rights, but only works for user applications (installed via APK or Google Play), and system utilities (Mi Community, Mi Pay, etc.) will not be able to hide this way.

Instructions:

• 📱 Long click on the app icon → Select "Remove" (not "Delete!").
• 🔍 The icon will disappear from the desktop, but will remain in All applications (swipe up from the dock panel).
• 🗑️ To hide completely from the list: Open Settings → Annexes → Manage applications, find what you want and select "Hide".

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If Hide is inactive, it means the application is system-based. Try the methods in the following sections.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It does not work for pre-installed applications (Mi Browser, Themes, etc.).
• ❌ The hidden app will still be visible in Settings → Annexes.
• ✅ Suitable for temporary hiding of rarely used programs (for example, banking applications).

2. Use of the second space (Dual Apps)

The second space in MIUI 12 is designed to clone applications (like two WhatsApp accounts), but it can be adapted to hide programs, and the bottom line is that you move the app to the second space and leave the main one empty.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space
2. Create a second space (you will need to create a password).
3. In the main space, remove the application icon from the desktop (long press → “Remove”).
4. In the second space, install the same app again (via Google Play or APK).
5. Return to the main space – the application will be “hidden”, but accessible through a change of space (swipe on the lock screen).

Create a second space with a password |Delete the icon from the main space |Install the application in the second space |Configure a quick transition between spaces-->

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Complete isolation: The app won’t show up in the main space even in a list of recent tasks.
• 🔄 You can switch between spaces quickly (set up gesture in Settings). → Lock screen → Gestures).
• 📱 It works for all applications, including system.

⚠️ Note: When you reset to factory settings, the second space will be removed along with all data. → Second space → Backup.

3. Disable applications through settings (without root)

If the application is not removed or hidden by standard methods, it can be disabled, which will remove all updates and return the program to the factory version, and also hide it from the menu, the method works for most system utilities, except for critical ones (such as Settings or Phone).

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the app you want (such as Mi Video) and tap it.
3. Click "Disable" (the button will appear if the application can be disabled).
4. Confirm the action. The icon will disappear from the desktop and from the list of All applications.

What happens when you turn off:

• 📉 App stops receiving updates via Google Play.
• 🔄 Its data is saved, but it is not started until it is re-enabled.
• 🔧 Some system functions (e.g., Mi Account synchronization) may not work properly.

Mi Video|Mi Browser|Mi Music|Mi Pay|Other-->

4. Hiding through ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

If previous methods didn't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting your smartphone to your PC and basic command line knowledge, but allows you to hide any application, including system ones, without root rights.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your smartphone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI to activate Developer Mode. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer and enable USB Debugging.

Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux).

adb devices

The name of your device should appear.

com.example.app

com.miui.video

Mi Video

adb shell pm hide com.example.app

adb shell pm unhide com.example.app

Where to get the package name of the application:

• 🔍 App Inspector (app from Google Play).
• 📱 Through ADB: adb shell pm list packages | grep "miui" (will list all packages with "miui" in the name).

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system components (e.g., com.miui.home) can cause a cyclical reboot of the device. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

5.Use of third-party launchers

If you don't just want to hide the app, but completely redesign the interface, install an alternative launcher from Google Play. Popular options: Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Lawnchair. They offer advanced features for hiding icons, gestures and customization.

How to hide the app through Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher and make it the default launcher.
2. Long press on the desktop → "Settings Nova".
3. Go to Application Settings → Hidden Applications.
4. Check the boxes for the apps you want to hide.
5. Click Save – the icons will disappear from the menu.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🎨 Flexible configuration of appearance (icons, fonts, animations).
• 🔍 Ability to hide system applications without ADB.
• 🔄 Quick switching between multiple desktops.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Certain functions MIUI (For example, Super Wallpaper may not work properly.
• 📱 Increased battery consumption (launcher runs on top of system).

💡

The launcher side is the only way to hide system applications without technical manipulation, but they don’t remove applications from the system, they only hide them from view.

6.Reset to factory settings as a last resort

If you've tried all the methods, but system applications still get in the way, the radical way is to reset to factory settings and then install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), which will completely remove MIUI and all the preinstalled applications, but require:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (Bootloader).
• 📥 Installations TWRP (custom recovery).
• 🛠️ Ability to work with fastboot and ADB.

Risks of the method:

• ❌ Loss of warranty if the device is new).
• ❌ Possible breeck (turning into a “brick”) with firmware errors.
• ❌ Lack of official updates from Xiaomi.

If you do, follow the official guides on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums, and for beginners, we recommend starting with the less risky methods from the previous sections.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding apps on MIUI 12