Xiaomi Poco X3 smartphones based on MIUI offer several ways to hide applications from prying eyes, both through built-in features and with the help of third-party tools. But not all methods are equally reliable: some simply remove the icon from the home screen, others completely block access to the program without a password. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, including little-known tricks with ADB and APK archiving, which work even on the latest versions of the firmware.
It is important to understand the difference between “hidden” and “deleted”: a hidden application stays in the system, takes up space in memory and can receive notifications. If the goal is to free up memory or turn off background activity, it is better to consider alternative options. Also note that some methods require root rights or activate debugging over USB - this can affect the warranty and security of the device.
This article provides instructions for MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions). If your Poco X3 runs on older firmware, some features may not be available – check the relevance through Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
1. Hiding through the "Second Space" (Dual Appendices)
The most reliable way to hide applications on Xiaomi Poco X3 is to use the built-in “Second Space” feature, which creates an isolated user profile with a separate desktop, settings and a list of programs, and the applications installed in the second space will not be visible in the main profile (and vice versa).
✅ Pros: does not require root, applications are completely isolated, you can configure a separate password.
❌ Cons: takes up additional space in memory, nodes from the second space are not displayed mainly.
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Special facilities → Second space.
- 🔧 Click "Create a Second Space" and follow the instructions (you will need to create a password).
- 🔄 After creation, switch to the second space via the notification panel (the icon with two circles).
- 📥 Install or copy the desired applications in the second space – they will automatically disappear from the main one.
⚠️ Note: When you delete the second space, all data and applications in it will be permanently deleted. → Second space → Backup.
2. Archiving of applications (hiding without deletion)
The Archivation feature in MIUI allows you to freeze an application by removing it from the home screen and menu, but saving data and cache. Archived programs are not updated, do not show notifications or consume resources. This method is suitable if you need to temporarily hide the application without removing it completely.
🔹 Restriction: Does not work for system applications (e.g. Google Play Services or Mi Account).
- 📂 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔍 Find the right application in the list and tap it.
- 📦 Select "Archive" (if the option is inactive, then the application is system-based).
- 🔄 To return the application, go to Settings → Annexes → Archived and press "Install".
| Method | Need root? | Hiding notifications? | Saving data? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second space | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Archiving | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Hiding at the launcher | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. |
| ADB-team | ❌ No, but I need a PC) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
Important: Archived applications remain in the installed program list in the settings, but not visible in the launcher menu. To completely hide them from the system, root rights or ADB will be required.
3. Hiding icons in POCO Launcher launcher
If the goal is simply to remove the app icon from the home screen but leave it on the system, you can use the features of the standard POCO Launcher.This method does not hide the application completely: it can be found through a search or in a list of all programs, but the icon will not appear on the desktop.
🔹 Suitable for: Hiding rarely used applications (e.g. system utilities or duplicates).
- 🖱️ Press the app icon with your finger on the home screen.
- 🚫 In the menu that appears, select "Remove from the screen" (not "Remove from the screen!").
- 🔍 To return the icon, open the menu of all applications (swipe up from the bottom of the screen), find the program and hold it, then drag it to the desktop.
Make sure your PC has Xiaomi | Drivers installed | Enable USB Debugging in Developer Settings | Download Platform Tools from Android| Connect Poco X3 to your PC via cable (select File Transfer Mode)
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4. Hiding through ADB (no root)
For experienced users, there is a way to hide applications using ADB-Android Debug Bridge, which doesn't require root rights, but it requires basic command-line skills and a computer, and it's completely hidden from the system, including settings and search, but its data will remain intact.
⚠️ Warning: Misuse of the right ADB It can lead to disruptions in work. MIUI. Before executing pm hide or pm disable commands, make sure that the application is not critical to the system (e.g., com.miui.securitycenter).
⚠️ Warning: Once you run the pm hide command, the app will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the packet list. ADB and enter the command pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.package (replace the name.packet with the real one, for example, com.facebook.katana).
adb shell pm hide com.example.app # hides the app for the current user
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.app # returns the app back- 💻 Get Poco on. X3 to PC and open the command line in the folder with platform-tools.
- 🔍 Enter adb devices to make sure the device is detected.
- 📌 Find out the name of the application package through adb shell pm list packages | find “keyword” (for example, find “face” for Facebook).
- 🚫 Execute the command adb shell pm hide name.packet.
How to find the name of the application package without ADB?
5. Third-party launchers with application hiding
If standard methods don't work, you can install an alternative launcher with a hidden application feature, popular options like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which allows you to create "hidden folders" or completely remove icons from your eyes without removing the apps themselves.
🔹 Advantage: does not require root or ADB, It works on any version MIUI.
🔹 Disadvantage: Applications remain visible in system settings and through search.
- 📥 Install a launcher from Google Play (for example, Nova Launcher).
- 🛠️ Go to the launcher settings (hold your finger in the free desktop space). → "Settings").
- 🔍 Find the "Hidden Apps" or "App Drawer" section" → "Hide Apps".
- ✅ Tick the apps you want to hide and save the changes.
💡
If Xiaomi widgets (such as weather or steps) are missing after installing a third-party launcher, return the standard launcher via Settings → Home Screen → POCO Launcher.
6. Hiding system applications (root only)
Completely removing or hiding system applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, Browser) will require root rights, a method that is risky: removing critical components can lead to bootloop or loss of functionality.
🛠️ Root Explorer, Titanium Backup or System App Remover (available on Google Play).
- 🔧 Get root access (for example, through Magisk).
- 📂 Open Root Explorer and go to the /system/app or /system/priv-app.
- 🗑️ Find a folder with the name of the application (for example, MiBrowser) and rename it by adding at the end.bak (for example, MiBrowser.bak).
- 🔄 Reset the device.
⚠️ Note: Before removing system applications, be sure to back up through TWRP Some applications (e.g. com.miui.home) are critical to the job. MIUI — Deleting them will cause the phone to fail.
💡
Hiding rootless system applications is only possible through ADB, but this is a temporary solution – after the MIUI update, they can reappear.