How to hide the application on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: all the ways from standard to hidden

Why users want to hide apps on Xiaomi smartphones

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro smartphones running MIUI offer extensive customization options, but not all features are obvious at first glance. Hiding apps is one of those options that you may need for various reasons: from wanting to remove visual clutter on the home screen to the need to protect personal data from prying eyes, such as messengers with confidential correspondence, financial applications or games that you do not want to show to others.

It’s important to understand that hiding an app doesn’t mean removing it. The app will continue to run in the background, receive notifications and update via Google Play. However, its icon will disappear from the menu and access will be restricted, which is exactly what most users need. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to hide applications on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, including built-in MIUI 12/14 tools and third-party solutions.

The Redmi Note 8 Pro features both standard methods of hiding through Security Settings and more advanced ones, such as using second space or third-party launchers, depending on your goals: whether you just need to remove the icon from the screen or completely block access to the application even when you search.

Method 1: Use the Hidden Applications function in MIUI

The easiest and safest way is to use the built-in MIUI function, which allows you to hide applications without installing additional software. This option is available on all firmware versions, starting with MIUI 9, and runs stably on the Redmi Note 8 Pro. The main advantage of the method is that root access or complex manipulation is not required.

To hide the app:

• 📱 Open the settings on your smartphone.
• 🔒 Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
• 🔍 Select the Installed tab and find the desired application in the list.
• 👁️ Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Hide the app.
• 🔐 Confirm the action with a password or fingerprint (if the lock is configured).

After that, the app icon will disappear from the menu, but it will be found through System Search (unless the appropriate setting is disabled).To return the app back, repeat the same steps and select Show App.

⚠️ Note: Apps hidden in this way will still appear in the list of installed programs in Google Play and in the Settings Store. For complete privacy, consider additional methods from the following sections.

Method 2: Dual Apps for complete isolation

If you need to not just hide an app, but create a completely isolated environment with separate accounts and data, use the Dual Apps feature, which is suitable for instant messengers, social networks or financial applications, where you need to distinguish between personal and work profiles.

Algorithm of settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Second Space.
2. Activate the function by following the system prompts (you will need to restart the device).
3. After the reboot, go back to the second space settings and select Hide the second space icon.
4. Set a password or pattern lock to access the second space.
5. Run the second space through the notification bar (the icon will only appear after entering the password).
6. Install or transfer the desired applications to the second space.

Now, apps from the second space will not appear in the main menu, and you will need to access them:

1. Swipe down to open the notification panel.
2. Click on the Second Space icon (will appear after unlocking).
3. Enter a password or a fingerprint.

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If you use a second messaging space, turn off notifications in the main space to avoid duplicate messages.

Method 3: Hiding through third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, POCO Launcher)

If the built-in MIUI features don't suit you, you can use third-party launchers that offer advanced customization options.

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – supports app hiding, gestures, backup settings.
• 🔄 Apex Launcher – a light launcher with the function of hiding icons and folders.
• 🏠 POCO Launcher – optimized for Xiaomi devices, has a built-in function of hiding applications.

Let’s look at the example of Nova Launcher:

1. Install the launcher from Google Play and set it up as the main one.
2. Click the free space on the home screen and select Nova Settings.
3. Go to the Applications menu → Hide the applications.
4. Tick the apps you want to hide and click Ready.

The advantage of this method is that hidden apps won’t even appear in search results on the system (if searched through the launcher), but they will remain visibles in Settings → Apps and Google Play.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers, some system functions MIUI (For example, navigation or animation gestures may not work properly. Before installing, check compatibility with your firmware version.

Method 4: Application Archiving (without deleting data)

If you need to temporarily hide an application but still save all of its data (for example, to save space or test alternatives), you can use the archival feature, which is suitable for games or rarely used programs that you do not want to delete completely.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application from the list.
3. Click Archive (the feature is not available for all applications).
4. Confirm the action. The application will be deactivated and its data stored.

To return the app:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Archived.
2. Find the right application and click Restore.

Important: Archived applications don’t receive notifications or updates, but their data (saves, cache, accounts) remain intact, a method that is not suitable for instant messengers or financial applications as they will cease to function.

Method 5: Using a file manager to rename APK (advanced method)

For experienced users who are ready to work with system files, there is a method of hiding applications by renaming them. APK-This method requires root access and can lead to unstable operation of the system if it is not executed correctly.

Step-by-step:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /data/app/ (there are user applications stored).
3. Find a folder with the name of the app you are hiding (e.g. com.whatsapp-1).
4. Rename the folder by adding an underline character (e.g. com.whatsapp-1) to the beginning of the name.
5. Reset the device.

Once you reboot, the app will disappear from the menu and the installed program list, but its data will remain on the device. To return the application, rename the folder back and restart the smartphone.

⚠️ Note: This method may disrupt system services if you rename critical applications. MIUI The hidden programs can reappear on the menu. Always back up the data before manipulating the system files.

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Rename APK-File hiding is the most radical method, but it requires root access and can disrupt system stability.

Additional Security Measures: How to Block Access

Hiding an app is only half the task when it comes to privacy, and to protect your data completely, we recommend combining the cover-up with additional measures:

• 🔒 Application Blocking: Use the built-in Application Protection feature in Settings → Lock and password → Application protection.The app will require a password or fingerprint every time it runs.
• 📁 Encryption: For sensitive files (photos, documents) use applications like Cryptomator or VeraCrypt that create encrypted containers.
• 🚫 Limit Notifications: Turn off notifications on the locked screen in Settings → Notifications → On a locked screen.
• 🔄 Two-factor authentication: Set up 2FA for critical accounts (banks, social networks) even if the application is hidden.

For maximum protection, combine hiding applications with creating a second space and locking with a password.

1. Hide the messenger icon through Nova Launcher.
2. Set it in the second space with a separate account.
3. Enable password protection of the application.

So even if someone gets access to your smartphone, they’ll have to overcome multiple layers of protection to find and open a hidden app.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Hiding Apps on Xiaomi