How to hide the application on the Xiaomi desktop: all ways for MIUI

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer users flexible interface settings, but it’s not always obvious how to hide unnecessary apps from the desktop. You may be hampered by the standard Mi Browser, which can’t be removed, or you want to take games out of your sight so you don’t get distracted. Unlike iOS or pure Android, where hiding icons is implemented through folders or launcher settings, in MIUI, this process has its own nuances.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to hide applications on Xiaomi, from standard shell features to using third-party tools, and pay special attention to the differences between versions of MIUI 14/15 and older builds (for example, MIUI 12), where some of the features may not be available, and learn how to return hidden applications back and what to do if the icon is lost after the system update.

Why you can’t just remove unnecessary apps on Xiaomi

Many users are faced with the fact that some pre-installed applications (such as Mi Video, Mi Music or GetApps) can not be removed by standard means, this is due to Xiaomi's policy: the company blocks the uninstallation of system services to ensure the stability of the shell. However, even those programs that can be removed are not always worth erasing - some of them are integrated into the system and can affect:

• 🔄 Software updates – for example, System Update or Security.
• 📱 The work of gestures - launcher MIUI Launcher is responsible for managing the desktop.
• 🔒 Security – apps like Mi Cloud or Find Device are linked to a Xiaomi account.

Instead of removing it, it's better to use cover-up.

• ✅ Free up space on the desktop without losing functionality.
• ✅ Avoid system failures due to removal of critical components.
• ✅ Quickly return the application if you need it suddenly.

Method 1: Hiding through the application menu (for MIUI 14/15)

The easiest method is to use the built-in hide feature in the app menu. It works on most modern Xiaomi devices (e.g. Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T) with a MIUI 14 or 15 shell.

1. Open the application menu (swipe up the desktop).
2. Find the app icon you want to hide and hold it for 1-2 seconds.
3. In the context menu that appears, select Hide app (or Hide app in English firmware).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After that, the icon will disappear from the desktop and from the app menu, to return it back:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Go to Hidden (or Hidden Apps) tab.
3. Find the right app and click on the eye icon (or Show).

Limitation: This method does not work for some system applications (e.g. Settings or Phone) and some firmware (e.g. global versions for Europe) may not have Hide the application.

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If the menu doesn't have the Hide option, try updating MIUI Launcher via GetApps or Google Play. Sometimes the feature appears after the update.

Method 2: Using folders for visual concealment

If your version of MIUI doesn't have a cover feature, you can use the standard technique of moving unwanted icons to a folder and hiding them on the second screen, which is suitable for all versions of the shell, including MIUI 12 and older models (Redmi 9A, POCO M3, etc.).

1. Press the app icon and drag it to another icon (e.g. Camera or Gallery).
2. You automatically create a folder. Call it neutral, like Tools or Reserve.
3. Drag all unnecessary applications into the folder.
4. Press the folder and move it to the second (or third) screen of the desktop.

For additional concealment:

• 📁 Install a transparent icon for the folder (through third-party launchers like Nova Launcher).
• 🔍 Turn off folder name prompts in the launcher settings (Settings) → Desktop → Screen settings).
• 🔒 Use folder locking apps (such as AppLock) to avoid accidentally opening it.

The downside is that the folder will still be on the screen, just less visible, and when you reset the launcher settings, all the icons will return to their places.

Method 3: Disable applications through settings (for system)

Some system applications (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Music, Cleaner) can neither be removed nor hidden by standard methods, but they can be disabled, which removes the icons from the desktop and stops background activity.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the app you want in the list (use the search at the top).
3. Click on it and select Disable (or Disable).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After the shutdown:

• ✅ The icon will disappear from the desktop and application menu.
• ✅ The application will stop using resources (battery, Internet).
• ⚠️ Some system features may not work properly (for example, disabling Mi Browser can break link opening from other applications).

Important: Disabling system applications may cause failures when updating MIUI. Before that, it is recommended to back up through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

Method 4: Hiding through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can hide applications using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for all versions of MIUI, but requires a computer connection and basic command line knowledge.

1. Turn on USB debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times until the message “You’re a developer”) Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging on USB (enable)
2. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable and select File Transfer Mode.
3. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
4. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and go to the folder with adb: cd C:\platform-tools
5. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices (should appear serial number of your device).
6. Hide the application with the command: adb shell pm hide com.mi.browser (replace com.mi.browser with the package of the desired application).

To find the application package, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "mi"

or the App Inspector app installed on the phone.

To return the application back, use:

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

(where com.mi.browser is the application package).

⚠️ Attention: misuse ADB Do not turn off critical services (e.g. com.android.systemui or com.miui.home) or your phone may stop turning on.

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ADB-The commands only work until the first reboot of the phone, so to make the coverup permanent, you need to repeat the command after each turn on or use Tasker to automate the device.

Method 5: Third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher)

If the built-in methods are not satisfied, you can install a third-party launcher that offers advanced settings for hiding icons.

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – supports app hiding, gestures, adaptive icons.
• 🔄 Apex Launcher – Lightweight Launcher with the function “Hidden applications".
• 📱 Microsoft Launcher – Windows integration, hiding through the menu.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Assign it to the default launcher (at the first start, an offer will appear).
3. Select the free space on the desktop → Settings.
4. Go to App Settings → Hide Apps.
5. Check the boxes for the apps you want to hide.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• ✅ The cover-up works regardless of the version. MIUI.
• ✅ You can even hide system applications (for example, Settings or Phone).
• ✅ Additional features: changing icons, gestures, desktop backup.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Some features (such as Always On Display) may not work properly.
• ⚠️ The launcher consumes additional RAM.

What to do if the hidden application is missing after the MIUI update

After updating the shell (for example, from MIUI 14 to MIUI 15), hidden applications can reappear on the desktop.

1. Repeat the cover-up in the same way you used it before.
2. If you have used ADB, repeat the commands.
3. For third-party launchers (Nova Launcher), check the concealment settings – they are sometimes reset.
4. If the app doesn’t return, try: Settings → Apps → App management → Hidden → Show

If none of these methods work, maybe the new version of MIUI has changed the logic of the cover-up.

• 🔍 Check out the official Xiaomi forum for changes.
• 📥 Install beta version MIUI Launcher through GetApps – sometimes new features appear there earlier.
• 🔄 Make a reset of the launcher settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → MIUI Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data (⚠️ This will remove all desktop settings!).

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding apps on Xiaomi