How to hide the application on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro: all the ways from standard to hidden

Why users want to hide apps on Xiaomi and when they really need to

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro often face situations where you want to hide the application from prying eyes. The reasons can be very different: from the desire to protect personal data in messengers to the need to hide working tools from children. However, not everyone knows that MIUI offers several built-in mechanisms for this task - and they work without installing additional software.

It is important to understand the difference between hiding (the application stays in the system, but does not appear in the menu) and undoing (completely erasing the program from the device). Both options are available on the Redmi Note 9 Pro with MIUI 12/13/14 firmware, but hiding is often preferable: it saves application data, settings and the ability to quickly restore access. In addition, some system utilities (for example, Security or Themes) can not be removed at all - they can only be hidden.

Another caveat: if you plan to hide apps from children or colleagues, keep in mind that standard MIUI methods are not password protected. For reliable privacy, third-party solutions will be required, which we will also discuss below.

Method 1: Built-in Hidden Applications in MIUI

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI option available on all firmware versions for the Redmi Note 9 Pro. It does not require superuser rights (root) and works even on a locked bootloader.

To activate it:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Hidden Apps.
3. Enter a password or pattern lock (if requested).
4. Tick the apps you want to hide and click Ready.

After that, the icons of the selected programs will disappear from the main menu, but will remain in the list of all applications (Settings → Apps → All applications). To return them back, repeat the steps and uncheck the boxes.

☑️ What to check before hiding the application

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⚠️ Attention: Hidden through MIUI Applications are still visible in the multitasking menu (Recent Apps). To completely eliminate detection, use the second-space method (described below).

Method 2: Second Space – Complete Application Isolation

The MIUI’s “Second Space” (or Dual Apps) feature allows you to create a separate work profile with your own set of apps, contacts, and even wallpapers, ideal if you want to not just hide the program, but completely isolate it from the main profile with a separate password.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
2. Follow the setup wizard: specify a password (other than the main one), select cloning applications.
3. After creating the space, swipe down the screen and tap the profile avatar in the upper right corner so you can switch between spaces.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Complete privacy: apps in the second space are not visible in the main profile and vice versa.
• 📱 Separate settings: you can use different Google accounts, wallpaper, notification sounds.
• 🔄 Quick switching: no need to log out or reboot your phone.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. banking) may block work in cloned space due to security policies.

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

If standard MIUI methods don’t suit you, you can use alternative launchers, such as Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher, which allow you to hide applications without root rights and with additional options (for example, password protection).

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play and make it the default launcher.
2. Click the free space on the home screen → Settings Nova → Hiding applications.
3. Select the programs you want to hide and confirm the changes.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🎨 Flexible configuration: you can hide not only icons, but also folders, widgets.
• 🔐 Additional protection: Some launchers support password blocking of hidden applications.
• 📲 Compatibility: Works on all versions MIUI, including MIUI 14.

💡

If, after installing the launcher, hidden applications are still visible in the MIUI search, disable the system search engine in the launcher settings (Search for Applications section).

Method 4: APK Archiving – Radical Hiding Without Removal

This method is suitable for completely removing the application icon from the system, but saving its files. APK-A file that can be restored later.

This will require:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /data/app/ (root rights required!)
3. Find a folder with the name of the app being hidden (e.g. com.whatsapp-1) and rename it com.whatsapp-1.bak.
4. Reboot the phone.

After that, the application will disappear from the system, but its data will remain in the folder. /data/data/. To return the program, just rename the folder back and restart.

⚠️ Note: This method requires root rights and can lead to malfunctions MIUI, If you delete the system application, use it only for user programs (such as games or social networks).

If the application does not appear after returning the folder name:

1. Check if files have been deleted in /data/data/[packet name].

2. Try clearing the MIUI cache in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three-points → Clear the cache.

3. Install the application again from APK-file if the backup copy is saved.

Method 5: Disabling system applications (without deleting)

Some pre-installed programs (such as Mi Video, Mi Music or Browser) can't be removed, but you can disable them, which hides them from the menu and stops background activity.

How to turn it off:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a system application (such as Notes).
3. Click Disable and confirm the action.

Applications disabled:

• ✅ Not displayed on the menu.
• ✅ Not updated through Google Play.
• ✅ No use of battery resources.
• ❌ You can only return via the same settings (Enable button).

💡

Disabling system applications doesn't free up disk space -- it only stops them from working. Root or ADB is required to be completely removed.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When hiding apps on the Redmi Note 9 Pro, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

1. The application is hidden but visible in MIUI search. → Use a third-party launcher or turn off system search in the settings.
2. Second Space does not work after the MIUI update. → Reset the space settings to Settings → Special Options → Second Space → Reset.
3. The hidden app keeps sending notifications. → Turn off notifications for it in Settings → Notifications → Managing notifications.
4. After hiding through APK archiving, the phone began to slow down. → Return the folder with the application back or check the integrity of system files through Settings → About the phone → System Check.

Another common mistake is to try to hide system applications (such as Google Play Services or MIUI Security), which can cause a phone to crash, and always check if the program is system-based before hiding or disabling.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions