How to hide the app on the Xiaomi phone: all ways without root

Hiding apps on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from wanting to remove unnecessary system utilities to having to hide personal data from prying eyes. Unlike iOS, where functionality is limited, MIUI firmware offers several built-in tools to mask programs. However, not all of them are obvious, and some require knowledge of hidden settings.

In this article, we will discuss 7 working methods, from standard MIUI 14/15 functions to workarounds using third-party launchers and file manager, and focus on methods that do not require root rights (they cancel warranties and increase security risk), and learn which applications can not be hidden by standard MIUI tools and why some methods stop working after updates.

1. Built-in Hidden Applications function in MIUI

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI tool available on most Xiaomi devices (except for models for the European market with lightweight firmware), which does not remove the application, but only removes its icon from the home screen and from the menu of all programs, leaving the ability to run through search or voice assistant.

How to turn on:

• 📱 Long pressing in the free place of the main screen → Select Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
• 🔍 Scroll down to Hidden Apps (on some versions – Hide Apps).
• 🔒 Select programs from the list and confirm the action with a password / fingerprint (if you have set up a lock).

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If the Hidden Applications section is not in the launcher settings, upgrade your MIUI to the latest version or use alternative methods from this article.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Does not work for system applications (e.g. Security, Topics).
• ❌ Hidden programs remain in Recent and can be displayed in search results.
• ❌ After resetting the settings, the concealment is reset.

2.Second Space: A separate profile with hidden apps

Second Space is a built-in MIUI feature for creating a second user profile with separate desktops, apps and data, ideal for hiding messengers, banking programs or games, an advantage over the first method: applications are completely isolated and do not appear in the main profile even through search.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Second Space (on some models, path: Settings → Special Options → Second Space).
2. Click Create Second Space and follow the Settings wizard (you will need to set a password).
3. After you create, go to Second Space Settings → Applications and select programs to hide.
4. Return to the main profile – hidden apps will disappear from view.

Set a password different from the main one|Synchronize only the necessary accounts|Turn off notifications for hidden apps|Check the restrictions on background work-->

Important nuances:

• 🔄 Second Space applications are updated regardless of the main profile.
• 📱 In some models (POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) This function can be called double space.
• ⚠️ Warning: Second Space takes up extra memory space (up to 2-3GB for app cache).

3. Hiding through the file system (without root)

This method is suitable for users who are ready to work with the file system, the idea is to rename the application folder so that the launcher does not recognize it, the method does not work on all versions of MIUI, but can be useful for hiding preinstalled programs (for example, Mi Video or Mi Music).

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with access to system folders (e.g. FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings.
3. Go to /data/app/ This is where all user applications are stored (names in com.android.app-1 format).
4. Find the folder of the desired application and rename it by adding a symbol. (for example,.com.android.app-1) to the beginning.
5. Reboot the phone.

Warnings:

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly renaming system folders can cause phone malfunctions. Before action, back up your data via Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

4.Use of third-party launchers

If the built-in MIUI features don’t work, you can install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher, or Microsoft Launcher) that supports hiding applications, not removing programs from the device, but masking them in the interface.

How to hide the app through Nova Launcher:

• 📥 Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
• 🔧 Long press on the desktop → Settings Nova → Hiding applications.
• 🔍 Select programs from the list and confirm.
• 🔄 Restart the launcher (there is a corresponding button in the settings).

Pros of the method:

• ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI Android.
• ✅ You can hide system applications (for example, Google Play Services).
• ✅ Flexible appearance settings (badges, folders, gestures).

Cons:

• ❌ Hidden applications remain in Settings → Annexes.
• ❌ Some of the squatters may be in conflict with MIUI Optimization (disable it in the developer settings).

Standard. MIUI|Nova Launcher|Apex Launcher|Microsoft Launcher|Other-->

5.APK Archives: Temporary Hiding

A little-known way to archive APK-Application file to prevent launcher from seeing it.The method is suitable for programs that are not updated via Google Play (for example, APK, Once archived, the application will disappear from the screen, but its data will remain in memory.

How to archive:

1. Install ZArchiver or another file archiver.
2. Go to /data/app/app application folder-1/base.apk
3. Select the base.apk file, click Archive and select the.zip format.
4. Remove the original base.apk (pre-restore!).
5. Reboot the phone.

Important:

• 🔄 To return the application, unpack the archive back into the same folder.
• ⚠️ Note: Do not archive the system APK — This can lead to bootloop (a looped boot load).

6. Disable applications through Android settings

If the goal is not just to hide, but to completely disable an unnecessary application (for example, Mi Pay or Mi Community), you can use the standard Android feature.

Instructions:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find the right application in the list and open its page.
• 🚫 Click Disable (button is active only for pre-installed programs).
• 🔄 Confirm the action and restart the phone.

Limitations:

Disabling critical system applications (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) can cause the phone to function unstable.

7. Specialized applications for concealment

Google Play has software tools designed to mask programs: App Hider, Hide App-Hide Application Icon, or Calculator% (pretends to be a calculator but stores hidden applications inside), which create a secure container where any APKs can be placed.

Example of working with App Hider:

• 📥 Install the app from Google Play.
• 🔐 Ask. PIN-code.
• 📦 Click Add App and select programs to hide.
• 🔄 After adding the original icons will disappear, and the applications will only run through App Hider.

Risks of use:

• ⚠️ Some utilities require administrator rights, which reduces the security of the device.
• ⚠️ Free versions can display ads or collect data.
• ⚠️ Note: When you remove App Hider, hidden apps may become unavailable!

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Specialized utilities are the most reliable way to hide applications from outsiders, but they take up additional resources and can conflict with MIUI Optimization.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding apps on Xiaomi