How to hide the app on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: from standard MIUI features to secret tricks

Hiding apps on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that comes with a variety of reasons, from wanting to remove unnecessary system utilities to hiding personal correspondence or financial services. Redmi 9T, which runs on MIUI, offers several built-in mechanisms for this, but not all of them are obvious. Unlike newer models (for example, Redmi Note 12), where the function of hiding applications is put into a separate menu, Redmi 9T with MIUI version 12-13 will have to use workarounds.

In this article, we will analyze 5 working methods – from the standard tools of Second Space and App Lock to little-known tricks with Nova Launcher and the most popular ones. ADB-We'll focus on hiding root-free system applications, which is true for Redmi. 9T You'll also learn which methods leave traces in the system and which do not, and how to avoid accidentally deleting important data.

1. Hiding through Second Space (second desktop)

The MIUI's Second Space feature is designed to create an isolated environment with separate applications and data, but it can also be used to hide programs from prying eyes, not removing applications, but merely moving them into a parallel system.

To activate Second Space on Redmi 9T:

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Second Space.
2. Click Create Second Space and follow the instructions (you need to create a separate password).
3. After creation, go to Second Space Settings → Applications.
4. Select the programs you want to hide and click Add.

Now these apps will only be available after you log in to Second Space (you swipe down from the top of the screen and select the profile icon). Less method: apps continue to run in the background and can send notifications. To avoid this, turn off notifications manually in the settings of each application.

⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from Second Space, you can only restore access to hidden applications through a full reset (Wipe Data in Recovery Mode). Xiaomi does not provide official ways to reset your password without losing data.

2.Use of App Lock (App Blocking)

App Lock is a standard MIUI feature that allows you to block access to applications with a password, fingerprint or pattern lock, and while this doesn't hide apps completely, they become inaccessible without authorization, which solves the privacy problem.

How to set up App Lock:

• 🔒 Open the Settings. → Annexes → App Lock.
• 📱 Select the applications you want to block (for example, Telegram, SberBank Online).
• 🔑 Set a password or add a fingerprint.
• ⚙️ Enable Hide Notifications to prevent application content from showing up on the lock screen.

The advantage of the method is that apps stay on the home screen, but you can't open them without a password. The disadvantage is that the app icons are visible, which can attract attention. To increase stealth, combine App Lock with moving the icons to a folder with a neutral name (for example, "Utilities").

💡

If you are using App Lock, turn off the display of blocked apps in Recent Tasks. To do this, go to Settings → Lock Screen → Recent Tasks and activate the Hide Confidential Content option.

3. Hiding through Nova Launcher (no root rights)

If standard MIUI methods don't suit you, you can use a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher, which allows you to hide apps from menus and search without removing them from the system, which is suitable for Redmi 9T, because it doesn't require superuser rights.

Instructions for setting:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Click on the empty space on the home screen and select Settings Nova.
3. Go to App & widget drawers → Hide apps.
4. Tick the programs you want to hide and click Ready.

After that, the hidden apps will not appear in the menu, but will remain in the system and will be available through search (Google Search or MIUI Search).To completely exclude them from search, turn off indexing for these apps in Google settings:

Settings → Google → Search → Indexing applications

⚠️ Note: When using Nova Launcher, hidden apps can still be displayed in Settings → To fix this, set a password for your phone settings through Settings. → System system → Additionally. → Protection of settings.

Download Nova Launcher from the official store | Backup the home screen (in Nova Settings) | Disable battery optimization for Nova Launcher | Check that hidden apps are not using autoboot-->

Disable system applications via ADB (for experienced)

If you need to hide system applications (such as Mi Browser, Mi Music or GetApps) that cannot be removed in standard ways, you can use the app. ADB-This method doesn't require root rights, but it requires connecting the phone to a computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable Developer Mode on Redmi 9T: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install it. ADB-Drivers and open the command line.
4. Enter the command to disable the application (for example, for Mi Browser): adb shell pm hide com.android.browser

List of popular disablement packages on Redmi 9T:

To return the application, use the command:

adb shell pm unhide [name packet]

5. Hiding through folders and changing names (deceptive method)

If you don't need complex technical solutions, you can use a simple psychological trick: move applications to a folder with a neutral name and change their names. This method doesn't hide applications completely, but makes them less visible.

How to do this:

• 📁 Create a folder on the home screen (such as Tools or Reserves").
• 🔄 Move the apps you want to hide there.
• 📝 Rename your application folder and icons (you can use launchers like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher for this).
• 🔍 Turn off the display of icon names in the launcher settings.

For additional disguise:

• 🎨 Install neutral icons for the folder (like Google Keep or Calendar icon).
• 🔔 Disable notifications for hidden apps in Settings → Notifications.
• 🔒 Add a password to the folder through third-party apps (such as Folder Lock).

This method is suitable for hiding applications from random glances, but does not protect against targeted search, for example, a hidden application will still be visible in Settings → Apps and in search results.

💡

Deceptive methods (rename, folders) work only against surface inspection. For reliable concealment, use the combination of Second Space + App Lock + disable notifications.

6. Hiding through Safe Folder (for files and mini-applications)

If you want to hide not only the app itself, but also its data (for example, photos in the Gallery or documents in Files), use the Safe Folder feature in MIUI. It creates a secure storage that is accessible only by password.

How to set up Safe Folder:

1. Open the Files app (or Gallery for photos).
2. Go to the Safe Folder section and set a password.
3. Move to the folder the files you want to hide (for example, screenshots from messengers).
4. To hide mini-applications (widgets), turn off their display on the home screen through a long press → Remove the widget.

Safe Folder is integrated with Mi Cloud, so hidden files will be synced and available on other Xiaomi devices under the same account, but remember: if you forget the password, you can only restore access to files through a Mi Account reset, which will lead to the deletion of all data in Safe Folder.

FAQ: Frequent questions about app hiding on Redmi 9T