How to hide the application on Xiaomi Mi 9: a step-by-step guide

Smartphone Xiaomi Mi 9 with a shell MIUI It offers users flexible customization options, including app hiding, which is useful if you want to remove rarely used programs, protect personal data from prying eyes, or simply organize your desktop. However, not everyone knows that in Mi 9 to hide the application can be in several ways – both standard means of the system and with the help of third-party tools.

In this article, we will go through all the current methods in detail, from built-in MIUI functions to the use of launchers and specialized utilities, and pay special attention to the nuances of working on different versions of the firmware, because the interface and available options may differ depending on the updates, and if you are looking for a way to hide the application so that it can not be found through the search or menu, you have come to the right place.

Why you should hide the app on Xiaomi Mi 9

The reasons for hiding apps on the Xiaomi Mi 9 vary from the banal to the critical.

• 🔒 Privacy: Hiding messengers, banking apps or galleries with personal photos from outsiders who can take your phone.
• 🧹 Space organization: Removing visual noise on the desktop if the application is rarely used, but you do not want to delete it (for example, system utilities).
• 👶 Parental Controls: Restricting children’s access to games or social media without removing them.
• 🛡️ Protection against accidental pressing: Hiding applications that can be activated in your pocket (such as a flashlight or camera).

It is important to understand that the concealment ≠ Delete. The application continues to run in the background, takes up space in memory and can send notifications (if not manually disabled). If the goal is to free up memory, you better use the Cleanup function in Settings. → Annexes.

Method 1: Hiding through the built-in MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the standard Hidden Apps feature in MIUI, which is available on all firmware versions for Xiaomi Mi 9, but the path to it may vary slightly.

1. Open the settings (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Hidden Apps.
4. Activate the slider next to the desired application. Confirm the action if necessary.

After that, the app icon will disappear from the desktop and from the app menu, but it can still be found:

• Through search (swipe down the desktop and type in the name).
• In the list All applications in settings (Settings → Applications).
• In recent times (if it has been discovered recently).

Important: on MIUI versions below 12, hidden apps can appear in the All Apps list in settings, but without the ability to run directly.

Method 2: Use of an alternative launcher

If the built-in MIUI tools don’t suit you (for example, due to incomplete concealment), you can install a third-party launcher with advanced features.

• 📱 Nova Launcher: Allows you to hide apps with a long press → Icon settings → Hide.
• 🌌 Apex Launcher: Similar feature in Launcher Settings menu → Hidden applications.
• 🔍 Microsoft Launcher: Hiding through Settings → Personal settings → Hidden applications.

Advantages of this method:

• Apps are hidden completely – they are not visible in the search or menu.
• You can create multiple profiles with a different set of hidden applications (useful for work and personal use).
• Additional features of customization interface (gestures, themes, icon size).

Disadvantages:

• Launchers consume additional resources (up to 50-100 MB of RAM).
• Some functions (such as MIUI gestures) may conflict with the launcher.
• When you reset the launcher to factory settings, hidden applications will become visible again.

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Before installing the launcher, check its compatibility with your version of Android. On Xiaomi Mi 9 with MIUI 14+, you may have problems displaying system icons in Nova Launcher. In this case, try disabling the battery optimization for the launcher in the settings.

Method 3: Hiding through Second Space (Second Desktop)

The MIUI Second Space feature allows you to create a separate desktop with a unique set of applications, contacts and files, ideal if you want to not just hide the application, but completely isolate it from the main profile.

1. Open Settings → Special Options → Second Space
2. Create a second profile by following the system prompts (you will need to set a password or a pattern lock).
3. After creation, go to Second Space Settings → Applications.
4. Select applications that need to be in the second space only (they are automatically hidden from the main space).

Features of Second Space:

Second Space is especially useful if you want to hide not one but a whole group of applications (e.g., work messengers from personal ones).

Hiding system applications (for advanced users)

If you want to hide a system application (such as Mi Video, Mi Music or Browser), standard methods may not work.

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times)
2. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to disable the application: adb shell pm hide com.miui.video (replace com.miui.video with the desired application package).

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system applications can cause the phone to run unstable. For example, hiding com.miui.securitycenter will disable virus protection and battery optimization. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

List of safe to disable system applications on Xiaomi Mi 9:

• 🎵 com.miui.player - Music (Mi Music)
• 📺 com.miui.videoplayer - Video player (Mi Video)
• 🌐 com.android.browser – Standard browser
• 📰 com.miui.news - News Feed MIUI

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Disabling system applications through ADB does not remove them completely, but only hides them from the user. When you reset your settings or update your MIUI, they can reappear.

How to Get Hidden Application Back

If you have hidden the app and now want to return it, the method depends on the method used:

If the app doesn’t show up even after undoing the cover-up, try:

• Reboot the phone.
• Clear the launcher cache (Settings → Applications → Launcher → Clear the cache).
• Remove and re-install the launcher (if used third-party).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When hiding apps on Xiaomi Mi 9, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

• 🔍 "App hidden but visible in search: This feature MIUI. To remove it from search, use the launcher (Nova/Apex) Or Second Space.
• 🔄 "After updating MIUI Hidden apps reappeared": Updates sometimes reset launcher settings. After the update, check the list of hidden apps and hide them again if necessary.
• 🛑 "I can't hide the system application": Some system utilities (like Settings or Phone) can't be hidden without root rights. Use Second Space to isolate.
• 🔋 "After hiding, the app drains the battery": "Hiding doesn't stop background processes. → Battery → Battery usage and limit background activity for a problem app.

⚠️ Note: If you use root access to hide apps (e.g., through Titanium Backup or Lucky Patcher), it may disrupt your work. MIUI lead:

- failures in the operation of the camera;

- errors when updating the firmware;

Blocking certain functions (such as Face Unlock).

Before such manipulations, create a full backup through TWRP.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions