How to hide applications on Xiaomi Redmi 8: all the ways from standard to advanced

Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 8 based on MIUI offers several built-in mechanisms to hide applications, but not all users are aware of their existence.Whether you want to get out of sight of system utilities that you do not use, or hide personal messengers from the curious – in this article we will analyze all the current methods, including hidden shell functions and third-party solutions.

It's important to understand that hiding an app is not the same as deleting it or blocking it. The icon will disappear from the desktop and menu, but the program will stay on the system, will be updated and may still send notifications. If your goal is complete privacy, additional measures will be required, which we will also discuss.

The Redmi 8 (codenamed olive) is that it runs MIUI 10-12 depending on the firmware version. Some of the methods described below may vary slightly in newer versions of the shell, but the general logic holds. If you upgrade to MIUI 14+, check the updates in the settings - Xiaomi developers periodically move menu items.

1. Built-in Hidden Applications function in MIUI

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use a regular shell tool, which doesn't require superuser rights, and it works on all versions of Redmi 8, regardless of the firmware region.

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Hide Apps.
4. Tick the programs you want to hide and confirm the action.

After that, the icons will disappear from the desktop and from the general list of applications. To return them back, repeat the same steps and uncheck. Note: this method does not hide the application from the search — if someone enters a name in the MIUI search bar, the program will still appear.

⚠️ Note: Some regional firmware (e.g. Europe) may not have Hide applications. In this case, use alternative methods from the following sections.

The advantage of the method is that it does not affect the performance of the phone and does not require the installation of additional software. However, it has a limitation: you can only hide user applications, and system utilities (for example, Security or Themes) will remain visible.

2.Use of the "Second Space" for complete isolation

If you need to not just hide your icons, but create a completely isolated environment with separate accounts and data, use the Second Space feature, which is the equivalent of the Guest Mode in MIUI, but with advanced features, suitable for those who want to separate work and personal applications.

The function is activated as follows:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Special facilities → Second space.
• 🔧 Click Create a second space and follow the instructions (you need to create a separate password).
• 🔄 After creating, switch between swipe spaces down the lock screen (you need to enable in the second space settings).
• 📦 Install the desired applications only in the second space – they will not be visible in the main.

This method is more reliable than simple hiding, since the applications in the second space do not appear in the main menu, do not appear in the search, and do not send notifications to the main area, minus you have to maintain two sets of applications and update them separately.

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If you use a second workspace, set up separate wallpapers and notification sounds for each profile, which will help you quickly navigate what mode you are in.

3.Hide through Nova Launcher launcher

The standard MIUI launcher is not flexible, but it can be replaced by Nova Launcher, a popular alternative with advanced settings, which is suitable for those who are willing to sacrifice the standard interface for additional features.

Instructions for setting:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Make it the default launcher (at the first start the system will prompt you to do this).
3. Press your finger on the free desktop space → Settings Nova.
4. Go to App Settings → Hide Apps.
5. Select the programs you want to remove from the screen.

Nova Launcher allows you not only to hide icons, but also to group them into folders with a password, change control gestures and even customize animations. For example, you can create a folder Personal, protect it. PIN-And then you code it and you put all the sensitive applications in there:

• 🔒 Install the Nova Launcher Prime expansion (paid version).
• 📁 Create a folder on your desktop and drag the desired icons into it.
• 🔐 Hold the file. → Edit → Password protection.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers, some functions MIUI (For example, navigation gestures or weather widgets may not work properly.

4. Archiving of applications (without deletion)

A little-known trick: MIUI can archive applications so that they don’t appear on the menu but stay on the system, a method that is suitable for system utilities that can’t be removed or disabled by standard methods (such as Mi Video or Mi Music).

How to archive:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application from the list.
3. Tap Archive (in some versions of MIUI this item is called Disable).
4. Confirm the action. The icon will disappear from the desktop.

Archived applications are not updated through the Play Market or consume resources, but their data (cache, settings) are stored. To return the program, find it in the list of archived applications (in the same menu) and click Restore.

5. Hiding through ADB (for power users)

If you want to completely remove the system app icon from the root-free menu, you can use the ADB command, which is more complex but effective, and is suitable for removing pre-installed programs like Mi Pay, Mi Community or Cleaner.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect Redmi 8 to your computer and confirm debugging permission.
3. Download ADB-tools and open the command line in the folder with utilities.
4. Enter the command for a list of all packages: adb shell pm list packages
5. Find the name of the package of the desired application (for example, com.miui.cleanmaster for Cleaner).
6. Follow the command to hide: adb shell pm hide <name packet> For example: adb shell pm hide com.miui.cleanmaster

Once the phone is restarted, the icon will disappear from the menu. To return it, use the command:

adb shell pm unhide <name packet>

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Don’t hide critical system packages (e.g. com.android.systemui) unless you are sure of their purpose.

USB debugging enabled

Installed drivers Xiaomi on PC

Download the Platform-Tools (ADB) package

Backup of important data is made

The name of the application package is checked-->

6 Third-party applications for hiding (App Hider, Hide App)

If the built-in methods don't work, you can use specialized utilities from Google Play, which offer additional features like password locking, calculator masking or fake startup errors.

• 🔐 App Hider creates a password-enabled "secret zone" where you can move any application. PIN.
• 📱 Hide App-Hide Application hides icons and blocks access to applications through search. There is a panic button feature for quickly hiding open programs.
• 🔄 Parallel Space – analogue of the “Second Space”, but with support for cloning accounts (useful for instant messengers).

When choosing a third-party application, pay attention to:

• 🛡️ Security: Check the reviews and permissions that the program requests. Some of the "hyders" themselves collect user data.
• 🔄 Compatibility: Not all utilities work correctly with MIUI 12 and newer due to Xiaomi restrictions.
• 💰 Paid Features: Free versions often have limits on the number of apps hidden.

Example of App Hider configuration:

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Create. PIN-code.
3. Select apps from the list and click Hide.
4. To access hidden programs, open App Hider and enter a password.

7.What to do if the application is not hidden?

Sometimes users find that the icon stays in place despite all the manipulations, and let's look at the typical reasons and solutions:

Problem 1: The application is system-based and not hidden by standard methods.

• 🔧 Use it. ADB (section 5) or archiving (section 4).
• 📦 If it’s pre-installed Xiaomi software (like Mi Browser), try disabling it in the settings: → Annexes → Select an application → Shut down.

Problem 2: After hiding the icon returns after rebooting.

• 🔄 Check if the launcher settings are reset. For Nova Launcher, turn off the Reset option when rebooting in its settings.
• 📵 If you use a third-party hider, update it to the latest version - in old versions there are bugs with state preservation.

Problem 3: The app is hidden but continues to send notifications.

• 🔔 Turn off notifications for it manually: Settings → Notifications → Find the app → Turn off the switch.
• 🚫 For complete isolation, transfer it to the Second Space (Section 2).

If none of these methods worked, check to see if the antivirus or the protection feature in MIUI is blocking your actions. Sometimes they perceive the cover-up attempts as suspicious activity, in which case temporarily disable the protection and try again.

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On Redmi 8 with MIUI 11 and below, system applications can only be disabled through ADB or archiving. In MIUI 12+, Xiaomi has tightened restrictions, so some packages will require root.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding apps on Redmi 8