How to hide apps on Xiaomi 9T: from standard MIUI features to hidden settings

Hiding apps on Xiaomi Redmi 9T is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from wanting to remove unnecessary system utilities to having to hide personal data from prying eyes. Unlike many Android smartphones, which require root rights or third-party launchers, devices on MIUI offer several built-in solutions, but not all of them are obvious, and some methods work only on certain versions of the firmware.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, from basic (through launcher settings) to advanced (using Second Space or hidden folders). Particular attention will be paid to the nuances associated with Redmi 9T: its version of MIUI (usually 12-14), shell limitations and possible bugs. If you are looking for a way to hide the application so that it does not appear in the menu, does not appear in search and does not interfere with everyday use, read on.

1. Hiding through the settings of the MIUI launcher

The easiest way to do this, which works on most versions of MIUI (including those on Redmi 9T), is to use the built-in icon hiding feature, which does not remove the app, but only removes it from the main menu, leaving it accessed through the search or Hidden Apps folder.

To take advantage of it:

• 📱 Long press the free space on the main screen, then select Settings (cog icon).
• 🔍 Scroll down to Hidden Apps (in some versions) MIUI This item may be called Hide Appendices).
• ✅ Tick the boxes that you want to hide and confirm the action.

After that, the icons will disappear from the home screen and from the app menu.

• 🔎 Applications will remain available through a search system (swipe down on the home screen).
• 📁 You can find them in the Hidden Applications folder that will appear in the menu.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Settings may reset – check hidden apps after updates.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI for Redmi 9T (For example, global 12.5), the "Hidden Applications" item may not be available. In this case, try alternative methods from the following sections.

2.Use Second Space for complete isolation

Second Space is a feature built into MIUI that creates a second independent user profile with separate settings, applications and data, and is ideal for hiding not only applications but also related data (messages, photos, call history).

How to set up Second Space on Xiaomi Redmi 9T:

1. Open Settings → Special Options → Second Space
2. Click Create Second Space and follow the instructions (you will need to set a password or a pattern lock).
3. After you create, go to the new profile through the notification bar (the avatar icon in the upper right corner).
4. Install or migrate to Second Space those applications that you want to hide from your main profile.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Complete isolation: applications and their data are not visible in the main space.
• 🔄 Quickly switch between profiles through the notification curtain.
• 📱 Supports different wallpaper, settings and even SIM-cards (if there are several).

⚠️ Warning: If you forget the Second Space password, it will be impossible to restore access to hidden data without resetting your phone. MIUI does not provide a password recovery function for this profile.

3. Hiding through folders and MIUI's Blacklist

If you don't want to hide it completely, but you just need to get apps out of sight, you can use standard MIUI folders or the blacklist function for system utilities, which doesn't require a second profile, and it works even on older versions of firmware.

Method 1: Folders on the desktop

• 📂 Drag the app icon to another icon to create a folder.
• 🔒 Name the folder neutrally (for example, "Utilities" or "Tools").
• 👁️‍🗨️ For additional disguise, place the folder on the second or third screen.

Method 2: Blacklist of System Applications

Some system applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music) can be disabled by settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the unnecessary app and click Disable (if the button is active).
3. Confirm the action. The app will disappear from the menu and stop working.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not all system applications can be disabled (e.g., Security or Settings).
• ⚠️ Disabled applications may reappear after update MIUI.
• 🔍 They can still be found through a search on the system.

4. Third-party launchers: Nova Launcher and others

If the built-in MIUI features don’t suit you, you can install an alternative launcher, such as Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher, which offers advanced application hideout settings, including:

• 🔍 Complete removal of icons from the menu (without search options).
• 📁 Grouping into hidden folders with a password.
• 🎨 Customization of appearance (including masking as system utilities).

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Launch it and install it as a default launcher.
3. Long click on the free space → Settings Nova → App settings.
4. Choose Hide applications and mark the ones you need.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🔒 More reliable hiding (apps don’t show up even in search) MIUI).
• 🛠️ Additional features: gestures, backup settings, themes.
• 📱 It works on all versions of Android and MIUI.

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

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If MIUI gestures (such as swipe for return) stop working after installing Nova Launcher, open the launcher settings and enable the option to use full-screen gestures in the "Gestural Settings" section.

5. Advanced Methods: ADB and Rooting

For power users willing to take risks, there are methods of hiding applications through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or obtaining root rights. These methods allow you to completely remove system applications or hide them at the OS level, but require technical skills and can lead to unstable phone operation.

Method 1: Disconnecting through ADB

This method does not require root rights, but activated debugging over USB is required:

adb shell pm hide com.example.app

Where com.example.app is the batch name of the application (you can find it through programs like App Inspector).

Method 2: Remove system applications from root

If you have root access, you can use Titanium Backup or Root Explorer to:

• 🗑️ Completely remove unnecessary applications (including system applications).
• 🔒 Freezes (unswitched off without removal).
• 📦 Renames of masking packages.

Risks of advanced methods:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (when rooting).
• 🔄 Possible disruptions MIUI after removal of system components.
• 🔒 Risk of blocking the bootloader (on some Xiaomi models).

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ADB and root methods should only be used if you know exactly what you are doing, and doing the wrong thing can lead to a device blink (completely inoperable).

6. Hiding notifications from applications

Even if you have hidden an app, its notifications may give it a presence, so to avoid this, set the notification settings in MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification management.
2. Find the desired application and turn off the Show notification switch.
3. For full disguise, also turn off the Icons on the lock screen and pop-up notifications.

Additional settings:

• 🔔 In Security Settings (Settings) → Passwords and security) you can turn off notifications for specific applications in Incognito mode.
• 📱 In some versions MIUI There is a function of Hidden notifications – it hides the contents of notifications on the lock screen.

Comparison of Hidden Applications on Redmi 9T

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding apps on Xiaomi 9T