How to hide apps on Xiaomi 7A: from standard MIUI features to hidden tricks

Hiding apps on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from wanting to remove unnecessary system utilities to having to hide personal information from prying eyes. Xiaomi Redmi 7A (codename pine), despite its budget stuffing, runs MIUI, a proprietary shell with advanced customization features. However, not all methods of hiding applications here work equally effectively.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods adapted specifically for the Xiaomi 7A, taking into account its hardware limitations (1-2 GB of RAM, Qualcomm Snapdragon 439) and the firmware versions of MIUI 12-14. You will learn how to hide root-free applications with built-in tools and third-party solutions, as well as what pitfalls await when using each method.

1. Hiding applications through built-in MIUI settings

The easiest and safest way is to use the Hidden Apps feature available in the standard MIUI launcher, which requires no additional software installation and works on all firmware versions for Xiaomi 7A.

To hide the app:

📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
🔍 Find the right application in the list and tap it.
👁️ Select Hide the App (in some versions) MIUI The option is called Remove from the main screen).
✅ Confirm the action by pressing OK.

After that, the app icon will disappear from the home screen and from the app menu, but it will remain in the system and be available through search (Device Search). To return the application back, repeat the same steps and select Show App.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14 on some regional firmware, the Hide App option may not be available, in which case use alternative methods from the following sections.

📊 How often do you hide apps on your smartphone?

Never.

1-2 times a month

Regularly (once a week)

I keep hiding a few apps all the time.

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

The MIUI’s Second Space (or Dual Apps) feature is originally designed to clone applications (e.g., to use two WhatsApp accounts at once), but it can be adapted to hide apps by moving them into a separate profile.

Instructions:

Go to Settings → Second Space (or Special Options → Second Space in MIUI 13+).
Activate the function by following the system prompts (you will need to set a password for the second space).
After creating the second space, go to it and install the desired applications.
Return to the main space – hidden apps will only be available after you enter a password in the second profile.

The advantage of this method is that the applications are not just hidden, but completely isolated in a separate profile with its own settings and data.

🔄 Applications will be duplicated, taking up additional space in memory.
🔒 You need to remember the password for the second space.
⚙️ Some system applications cannot be moved to a second space.

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If you forget the password from the second space, you can reset it only through a full reset settings (Settings → About the phone → Reset settings).

3. Hiding through third-party launchers

If the built-in MIUI features don’t work, you can use alternative launchers from Google Play, such as Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which offer advanced customization options, including hiding apps.

For example, in Nova Launcher, hiding applications is done as follows:

📲 Install Nova Launcher from Google Play and make it the default launcher.
🔧 Press the free space on the main screen and select Settings.
📂 Go to the Applications menu section → Hide applications.
✔️ Tick the apps you want to hide and click Ready.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

🎨 More opportunities to customize the appearance.
🔍 Hidden apps don’t show up even in search by device.
📱 It works on all versions of Android and MIUI.

⚠️ Note: Some launchers (for example, POCO Launcher: Can conflict with optimizations MIUI Xiaomi 7A, Check user reviews with similar devices before installation.

Download APK from the official website (not from third-party sources)

Make a backup of the current launcher settings

Disable battery optimization for launcher in Settings → Battery → Battery optimization

Reboot the device after installation-->

4. Hiding system applications without root rights

System applications on the Xiaomi 7A (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Music, Mi Video) cannot be removed or hidden by standard methods, but there is a workaround using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require root rights, but requires connecting the smartphone to a computer.

Step-by-step:

💻 Install. ADB Tools on PC (you can download from the official website of Android Developers).
📱 On your smartphone, activate Developer Mode (go to Settings) → About the phone and 7 times tap on the item Version MIUI).
🔌 Turn on the debugging. USB In Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
🖥️ Connect Xiaomi 7A to the PC and enter in the command line:

adb shell pm hide com.mi.browser

Replace com.mi.browser with the batch name of the desired application (you can find out through the App Inspector app from Google Play).

Once you execute the command, the application will disappear from the menu, but it will remain in the system. To return it, use the command:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.mi.browser

Annex	Package name	Can I hide it through ADB?
Mi Browser	com.mi.browser	Yes.
Mi Music	com.miui.player	Yes.
Mi Video	com.miui.videoplayer	Yes.
Cleaner	com.miui.cleanmaster	Yes.
Mi Pay	com.mipay.wallet	No (MIUI protected)

⚠️ Note: Hiding system applications through ADB It can lead to unstable work. MIUI, Especially if you have a hidden application associated with system services (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter.

What if the ADB does not recognize the device?

If Adb Devices Command Does Not Show Your Xiaomi 7A, Follow the following steps: 1. Make sure that Xiaomi drivers are installed USB Drivers (download from the official website). 2. Enable the debugging option in the developer settings USB (security parameters) and Unlocking OEM. 3. Try using another one. USB-cable (preferably original). 4. Reboot your smartphone and PC. If the problem persists, try running ADB on behalf of the administrator (on Windows).

5. Apps for Hiding (App Hider)

Google Play has specialized tools for hiding applications, such as App Hider, Hide App-Hide Application Icon or Nova Hide App. These programs create a secure container in which you can fit any application, including system applications.

How to use App Hider:

📥 Install the app from Google Play.
🔐 Ask. PIN-code or graphical key for access.
➕ Click Add App and select the ones you want to hide.
🔄 After adding the original icons will disappear, and access to the applications will be only through App Hider.

The advantages of this approach:

🔒 Additional password protection.
📱 It works without root and ADB.
🔄 You can hide several applications at the same time.

Cons:

🛡️ Some antiviruses (e.g. Avast) may block such applications as potentially dangerous.
📴 Hidden apps can continue to send notifications.
💰 Free versions often have a limit on the number of hidden apps.

💡

Hiding apps do not remove the original APK-This means that hidden programs still occupy space in memory and can be updated through Google Play.

6.Reset to factory settings as a last resort

If you need to not just hide, but completely remove pre-installed MIUI applications that cannot be uninstalled in standard ways, the only radical method is to unlock the bootloader and install custom firmware. However, for the Xiaomi 7A, this process has a number of limitations:

1. Official unlocking of the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool may not be available for older models (for example, the 2019 Redmi 7A).

2.Installation of custom recavator (TWRP) requires an unlocked bootloader and may result in loss of warranty.

3. Not all custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS) supports Xiaomi 7A due to the limited device resources (1-2 GB of RAM).

If you do decide to do this, follow the official instructions from Xiaomi to unlock the bootloader and use the verified firmware from the XDA Developers community. Remember that this will void the warranty and may lead to unstable device operation.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi 7A With a Snapdragon 439 and 16GB of memory, installing heavy custom firmware (such as the Pixel Experience) can cause critical lags. MIUI without Bloatware (pre-installed applications).

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding apps on Xiaomi 7A

Can you hide the app so that it doesn’t even appear in a search on the device?

Yes, but only with third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher) or hideout apps (like App Hider). MIUI hide icons only from the home screen and app menu, but leave them accessible through search.

What happens if you hide your system application through ADB?

Most system applications (such as Mi Browser or Cleaner) can be hidden without consequences. However, hiding critical services (such as com.miui.securitycenter) can lead to errors in the operation of MIUI, up to the impossibility of booting the system.

How to return a hidden app if I forgot the way I was hiding it?

Try the following steps: Check the built-in MIUI settings (Settings → Applications → Application Management). If you used ADB, connect to your PC and execute the command adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 [packet name]. Set the default launcher (like POCO Launcher) - sometimes this returns hidden icons. At the last resort, reset (Settings → Phone → Resets), but this will delete all data.

Can I hide apps on Xiaomi 7A without a computer?

Yes, all methods, except the ADB method, do not require a PC connection. You can: Use the built-in MIUI settings. Install a third-party launcher or a hideout application from Google Play. Activate Second Space.

Why do hidden apps reappear after MIUI update?

MIUI updates can reset some launcher settings, especially if it was unofficial (beta).To avoid this: Use third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher) that save settings after updates. Before upgrading, back up your settings through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. Avoid installing MIUI betas if stability is important to you.