How to hide the application on Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro: all the ways from standard to hidden

Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro with its proprietary MIUI shell offers several ways to hide applications, from standard features to obscure tricks. But not all methods are equally effective: some simply remove icons from the home screen, others completely block access to programs without a password. In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to hide applications on Poco M3 Pro, including those that do not require root rights or install additional software.

The peculiarity of MIUI is that some of the concealment functions depend on the firmware version. For example, MIUI 14 introduced a separate privacy section, and in earlier versions (for example, MIUI 12.5 on the Poco M3 Pro at release), these settings could be located elsewhere.

1. Built-in "Hidden Applications" function in MIUI

The easiest way is to use the standard MIUI tool, which is available without installing additional programs, which doesn't remove the application, it just hides it from the menu and search, but it continues to work in the background.

To activate the cover-up:

1. Open Settings → Privacy (in older versions of Settings → Additional → Privacy).
2. Select Hidden Applications (or Application Protection in MIUI 12).
3. Enter a password from your Mi Account or set a separate account PIN-code.
4. Tick the apps you want to hide and confirm your choice.

After that, the icons will disappear from the home screen and from the app menu. To return them back, repeat the same steps and uncheck the boxes. Importantly, the apps hidden in this way will still appear in the installed program list in the phone settings (path: Settings → Applications → Application Management).

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If the Hidden Applications option is missing, upgrade to the latest version of MIUI. On the Poco M3 Pro, this feature has been introduced since MIUI 12.0.3.0.

2.Use of the function "Second space" (Dual Apps)

The MIUI’s Second Space feature is originally designed to create a separate user profile (e.g. for work and personal activities), but it can be adapted to hide applications:

• 🔄 Create a second space in Settings → Second space.
• 📱 Move the apps you want to hide from your main profile.
• 🔒 Set a password to enter the second space.
• 🚫 In the main space, remove hidden app icons from the screen (they will only remain in the second profile).

The downside of this method is that applications will only be available after switching spaces, which is not always convenient, but they will disappear completely from the main interface, including notifications.

3. Hiding through the "Secure Folder" folder (only for the MIUI 13/14)

The new versions of MIUI 13 and 14 have a Secure Folder feature, similar to Samsung or Huawei, that allows you not only to hide applications, but also to encrypt their data. Here's how to configure it:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Secure Folder
2. Create a folder by setting a password or pattern lock.
3. Click Add Apps and select the ones you need from the list.
4. Confirm the transfer – apps will disappear from the main menu and will only be available through Secure Folder.

The advantage of this method is that apps are not just hidden, they're protected by hardware encryption, and even if someone gets access to a phone, they can't open them without a folder password, but on the Poco M3 Pro with MIUI 12.5, this feature may not be there, it was added later.

4. Rootless Hiding: Third-Party Launchers

If standard methods do not work, alternative launchers with built-in concealment function can be used.The best options for the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro are:

For example, in Nova Launcher, the hidden is configured as follows:

1. Hold your finger in the free place of the main screen → Settings.
2. Select the Applications Menu → Hidden Applications.
3. Check the programs you need and save the changes.

Warning: Some launchers (such as Microsoft Launcher) require an account to be linked, which can be inconvenient from a privacy perspective.

Make sure that security settings allow installation from unknown sources (Settings → Privacy → Special Permits)

Download APK launcher only from the official website or APKMirror

Back up your current home screen settings (via Settings → System → Backup)

Turn off battery optimization for launcher (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization)

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5. Hiding system applications (without root)

If you want to hide system applications (such as Mi Video, Mi Music or GetApps), standard methods will not work.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a system application (e.g. Mi Browser).
3. Click Disable (the button will only be active for pre-installed programs).
4. Confirm the action – the icon will disappear, and the application will stop working.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system applications may cause malfunctions MIUI. For example, disabling Mi Security will deprive you of protection from viruses, and disabling Mi Share will disrupt the fast file transfer function.

List of relatively safe to disable system applications on Poco M3 Pro:

• 🎵 Mi Music (music player)
• 📺 Mi Video (video player)
• 🌐 Mi Browser (browser)
• 📦 GetApps (branded app store)
• 📊 Mi Analytics (Gathering Statistics)

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The system applications that are disabled are not completely deleted, they simply stop running and taking up resources, and they can be returned at any time through the same settings section.

6. Advanced methods: ADB and root

For power users who are willing to work with ADB or get root rights, deeper ways of hiding are available, such as using ADB to disable any application, including those that prevent MIUI from being touched:

adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.package.name

Where com.xiaomi.package.name is the name of the application package (you can find it through the App Inspector program from Google Play).

adb shell pm unhide com.xiaomi.package.name

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can lead to soft-brick of a device, such as hiding the system application on which the work depends. MIUI (For example, com.miui.home, the phone may stop booting. Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → System system → Backup.

For root-right users, apps like Titanium Backup or Root App Deleter are available, which allow you not only to hide, but also completely remove system programs. M3 Pro unlocking the bootloader and getting root will lead to loss of warranty and may disrupt the work OTA-update.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To determine the method of hiding, assess your needs:

• 🔍 I need to temporarily hide the icons? → Use the built-in Hidden Apps or Nova Launcher feature.
• 🔒 It is important to protect data from outsiders? → Set up Secure Folder (MIUI 13/14) Or second space.
• 🗑️ Want to get rid of system garbage? → Disable unnecessary applications through settings or ADB.
• 🛠️ Ready to take risks for full control? → You can also use root and Titanium backup.

On the Poco M3 Pro, the most balanced option is a combination of Secure Folder (for confidential applications) and Nova Launcher (for hiding the others), which does not require root rights and maintains the stability of the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding apps on Poco M3 Pro