The Redmi series has long established itself as one of the most functional devices on the market, but data privacy issues remain relevant for every owner. Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro features a MIUI shell that offers a wide range of personalization tools, but these features are not always on the surface. Hiding app icons is not just a matter of aesthetics, but often the need to protect personal information from prying eyes.
Device owners often face a dilemma: How to remove unnecessary programs from the desktop or, conversely, to mask important files? Standard Android interface provides basic features, but deep customization of MIUI allows you to solve these problems more flexibly. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to hide applications, from built-in security features to the use of third-party launchers.
Consider that the methods may vary depending on the version of the operating system installed and the regional firmware. The global version of the Global ROM may differ from the Chinese ROM or the Russian build. We will look at universal solutions that will suit most users of the Redmi 9 Pro, providing the maximum level of privacy.
Use of the built-in "Security" application
The most reliable and regular way to hide applications on the Redmi 9 Pro is to use the system utility Security, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi devices and does not require the installation of additional software, which guarantees stability.
To activate the mode, you need to open the Security app and scroll down to Hide the apps. Once activated, the system will ask you to set a password or use a biometric to log in. It is important to understand that once this function is activated, access to hidden icons will only be possible through a special gesture or password entry in the Security app.
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Use a sophisticated pattern lock to log into hidden apps to increase the level of protection of your data from outsiders.
Once you've set up, you can choose which programs are hidden, disappearing from the desktop and from the menu of all apps, leaving them accessible only to an authorized user, ideal for those who want to hide banking apps, instant messengers or a gallery with personal photos.
- 🔒 Open the Security app on the home screen.
- 🔒 Scroll down and select the option “Hide Apps».
- 🔒 Turn on the switch and set the access password.
- 🔒 Select from the list of applications that need to be hidden.
It’s worth noting that in some firmware versions, the interface may be called Application Protection or integrated into your privacy settings. If you didn’t find this item right away, try updating the Security app through the built-in GetApps store.
Setting up the “Second Space” mode
The unique feature of the MIUI shell is the Second Space feature, which allows you to create a completely isolated environment on your Redmi 9 Pro that works as a separate smartphone inside your smartphone, and in this space you can install applications that will not be visible in the main profile, and vice versa.
This solution is suitable for separating work and personal data, for example, you can keep social networks in the main profile, and work documents and corporate chats in the second. PIN-code.
How does memory separation work?
To set up, go to Settings → Second Space → Enable. The system will suggest setting up the login settings. Once created, you will get a clean desktop where you can migrate or re-install the required hidden applications.
- 🚀 Go to the main settings of the device.
- 🚀 Find the “Second Space” section and activate it.
- 🚀 Set up the switching method (password or fingerprint).
- 🚀 Install the required applications in the second profile.
Using the second space isn't just about hiding icons, it's about fully separating the contexts of your device usage, and you can even use different Google accounts for each space, making them completely independent.
Hiding through launcher settings
The standard MIUI launcher also has hidden features that allow you to remove icons from the desktop without removing the applications themselves. While this does not provide complete privacy (the app will remain in the All Apps menu), it helps to maintain the aesthetic of the desktop.
To remove an icon from your desktop, it takes long enough to click on it and select “Delete.” In a MIUI context, this action will remove the shortcut, but not the app itself. However, deeper concealment often requires access to advanced theme settings or the use of third-party launchers.
If standard methods don’t seem flexible enough, consider installing alternative shells like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which allow you to hide apps from the app menu with a password, providing an extra layer of convenience.
| Method | Level of protection | Difficulty setting up | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security annex | High-pitched | Low. | Minimum |
| Second space | Very tall. | Medium | Average. |
| Third-party launcher | Medium. | Tall. | Depends on the launcher. |
The choice of method depends on your goals: if you want maximum secrecy, choose the built-in tools Xiaomi. If only visual purity is important, the desktop settings will suit.
Use of container folders and encryption
Another effective way to organize concealment is to create container folders. While MIUI does not have a native “password folder” feature for arbitrary applications (as it was in some older versions of Samsung or Huawei), there are workarounds.
You can use Application Protection in conjunction with folders, create a folder on your desktop, put the apps you want to restrict, and set a password to run the apps themselves, which creates a double barrier for outsiders.
☑️ Checking privacy settings
It's also worth mentioning the ability to encrypt individual files inside apps, like in Gallery or Explorer, and by hiding albums in the gallery through the Hidden Albums menu, you automatically hide and access them through the standard interface.
To access hidden albums in a gallery, you need to pull the album list down until the password field appears, a simple but effective way to store personal photos and videos outside of public access.
- 📁 Open the Gallery appendix».
- 📁 Go to the tab "Albums».
- 📁 Pull the screen down before the lock appears.
- 📁 Enter a password to access hidden files.
Problems and Solutions in Hiding Applications
When using the hidden features on Redmi 9 Pro, users may encounter a number of technical nuances, such as notifications from hidden applications may still appear on the lock screen, giving them the presence.
Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Lock screen and select the option “Do not show notifications” or configure exceptions for specific applications. This ensures that the content of messages remains confidential.
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Hiding an icon doesn’t disable notifications – set them separately for complete anonymity.
Another common problem is that widgets disappear or widgets fail after hiding the parent app. If the app is hidden through Security, its widgets will also stop functioning on the desktop until unlocked.
⚠️ Warning: When you reset to factory settings, all hidden applications and data in Second Space will be permanently deleted.
It's also worth remembering that some system applications can't be hidden by standard methods. ADB-commands can lead to unstable operation of the system, so it is better not to touch the system partition without extreme necessity.
Third-party solutions and alternative launchers
If MIUI isn’t built-in enough, the market offers a lot of third-party solutions, and launchers like Nova Launcher Prime or Smart Launcher have built-in hide apps from the menu.
Installing such a launcher requires broad permissions, but in return, you get the flexibility that is not available in stock firmware. You can hide applications on schedule, create complex activation scenarios, and change the appearance of icons beyond recognition.
However, the use of third-party software can affect the power consumption and performance of the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Pro. Battery optimization in MIUI can aggressively “kill” the background processes of third-party launchers, so they need to be added to the list of exceptions.
- ⚙️ Download the selected launcher from the Play Market.
- ⚙️ Install it as a default application.
- ⚙️ Set up access rights and permissions.
- ⚙️ Enable the function of hiding applications in the launcher settings.
Choose only proven high-ranking apps to avoid the risk of data leakage through third-party code.