How to hide the application on Xiaomi Poco F3: from standard settings to hidden MIUI features

Why users want to hide apps on Poco F3 and what it can do

Owners of Xiaomi Poco F3 They often have to hide individual applications, whether they're personal messaging apps, distraction games, or system utilities that they don't want to show to others. From wanting to keep privacy to wanting to organize the desktop, but hiding applications from the desktop is a very simple way to do it. MIUI It has nuances that you should know in advance.

First, not all methods are equally secure. For example, using third-party launchers can conflict with the MIUI 12/13/14 shell, and system functions like Second Space require additional device resources. Second, some methods (for example, disabling applications through Settings → Apps) do not remove them completely, but only mask icons, which means that the application will still be visible in the All Apps menu or through search.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 working ways to hide apps on Poco F3, including little-known MIUI features, launcher setups, and even system tricks for power users, and focus on how these techniques affect smartphone performance and data security.

📊 Why do you want to hide your app on Poco? F3?
No one should see personal data
To organize the desk
To restrict access to the child
To remove system software
Another option

Method 1: Built-in Hidden Applications in MIUI

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in Hidden Apps option available in the standard MIUI launcher.This method does not require superuser rights and works on all Poco F3 firmware versions (including MIUI 14 based on Android 13).

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings and go to the Desktop section (or Lock Screen and Desktop in newer versions).
  2. Select Hidden Applications (may be called Hide Apps depending on localization).
  3. Activate the function by setting the switch to the position "On".
  4. In the list, tick the apps you want to hide and click Ready.

After that, the icons of the selected applications will disappear from the desktop and from the application menu, but they can still be found:

  • 🔍 Through search by system (swipe down on desktop).
  • 📁 In the All Applications section (if you include the display of hidden in the launcher settings).
  • ⚙️ Settings menu → Annexes → Application management.

Method limitations: Hidden applications continue to run in the background and can send notifications. To completely stop their activity, you will have to manually stop processes through Settings → Applications.

☑️ Preparing before hiding applications

Done: 0 / 4

Method 2: Using the Second Space to Insulate You

If you need to not just hide an application, but completely isolate it from the main profile (for example, to separate work and personal data), use the Second Space function. This is analogous to Multi-ROM or Dual Apps, but with deeper integration into the system.

How to set up:

  1. Go to Settings. → Second space.
  2. Click Create a second space and follow the instructions (you will need to come up with a separate password or pattern lock).
  3. Once created, restart the device and select the desired space when you log in.
  4. Install or move the apps you want to hide to a second space.

Advantages of the method:

  • 🔒 Complete isolation: applications from the second space are not visible in the main and vice versa.
  • 📱 Ability to use different accounts Google/Mi in every space.
  • 🛡️ Password or fingerprint protection.

Cons: The second space takes up extra resources (about 1-2 GB of storage) and can slightly slow down the smartphone, and some system applications (such as the Camera or Phone) will be duplicated in both spaces.

What if the second space is not created?
If the Second Space function is not available, check: 1. MIUI version (available with MIUI 10 and above). 2. Free space (requires a minimum of 3 GB). 3. No root rights (they can block the function). If the problem persists, try resetting the launcher settings (Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Clear data).

Method 3: Disable system applications via ADB (for experienced)

If you want to hide or disable system applications (for example, Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps), which can not be removed by standard methods, you can use the ADB command. This method requires connecting a smartphone to a computer and basic knowledge of working with the console.

Step-by-step:

  1. Turn on USB debugging on Poco F3: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode) Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging on USB (enable)
  2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
  3. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).
  4. Get a list of all packages: adb shell pm list packages Find the name of the package of the desired application (for example, com.miui.video for Mi Video).
  5. Disable the application by command: adb shell pm hidecom.miui.video Or delete (if you are sure that it is not system): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0com.miui.video

Warning: Incorrectly disabling system packages can cause MIUI to malfunction, including the inability to boot the system. Before experimenting, back up through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

💡

Before working with ADB, check if the application is critical to MIUI. For example, disabling com.android.systemui will result in a “perpetual” black screen. A list of safe packages to disable can be found on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums (see Poco F3 topics by alioth code).

Method 4: Third-party launchers with application hiding function

If you don't like the built-in MIUI, you can install an alternative launcher with advanced application hiding capabilities.

  • 📱 Nova Launcher (Nova Hide Apps plugin).
  • 🔒 Apex Launcher (Integrated Hiding Function).
  • 🛡️ Microsoft Launcher (Hiding Through Personal Space»).

Example of settings for Nova Launcher:

  1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
  2. Install the Nova Hide Apps plugin.
  3. Press your finger on your desktop → Settings Nova → Hidden applications.
  4. Select the apps you want to hide and save the changes.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

  • 🎨 More opportunities for customization (themes, gestures, icons).
  • 🔍 Flexible Hidden Settings (can be hidden from search, app menus, etc.).
  • 📈 Less system load compared to the second space.

Disadvantages: Some launchers may conflict with MIUI gestures (e.g. swipe up to return to desktop) and hidden applications will remain visible in system settings (Settings → Applications).

💡

Third-party launchers don't remove applications from the device, they only hide their icons. To completely uninstall the software, use ADB or root rights.

Method 5: Archiving APK-files without deletion)

A little-known trick for those who do not want to delete the application, but do not want to see it: you can archive it. APK-This method works without root rights, but requires a file manager with access to system folders (for example, MiXplorer or Solid Explorer).

Instructions:

  1. Install a file manager with root access support (e.g. MiXplorer).
  2. Go to /data/app/ (for custom applications) or /system/priv-app/ (for system applications).
  3. Find a folder with the name of the application package (for example, com.facebook.katana for Facebook).
  4. Rename the file extension.apk to.bak (e.g. base.apk → base.bak).
  5. Reset the device.

After that, the app will disappear from the menu and stop updating through the Play Market. To return it, just rename the file back to.apk and reboot.

⚠️ Note: This method does not work for applications integrated into firmware (e.g. Settings or Phone). MIUI Archived files can be restored automatically.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To facilitate the choice, we will bring all the methods in a table with their pros and cons:

MethodDifficultyPC/route requiredVisibility in settingsImpact on productivity
Built-in Hiding (MIUI)⭐❌ No.✅ Seen in Settings → Annexes❌ No.
Second space⭐⭐❌ No.❌ Not visible.⚠️ Average (depending on the number of applications)
ADB (disabling packets)⭐⭐⭐✅ Yes, computer)❌ Not visible (if disabled)❌ No (unless removed)
Third-party launchers⭐⭐❌ No.✅ Seen in the settings❌ No.
APK Archives⭐⭐⭐❌ No (but you need a file manager)❌ Not visible (if renamed)❌ No.

For most Poco F3 users, the best solution is built-in hiding (if you just need to remove the icons) or a second space (if you need complete isolation), and ADB and archiving techniques are suitable for advanced users who are ready for potential risks.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to hide apps on Poco F3, users often face typical problems:

  1. The app is hidden, but notifications keep coming. Solution: Turn off notifications manually through Settings → Apps → [Title] → Notifications.
  2. The hidden app reappears after the MIUI update.Solution: Repeat the cover-up procedure or use Second Space.
  3. It is not possible to disable the system application through ADB. Solution: Check the correct name of the package and use the pm uninstall command -k --user 0 instead of pm hide.
  4. The launcher stopped working after hiding the applications. Solution: Reset the launcher settings (Settings → Applications → [Luncher] → Storage → Clear data).

⚠️ Note: If you have hidden a system application (such as Mi Security or Mi Share) and then stop working functions like Quick File Transfer or Virus Scanner, restore it through the system. ADB adb shell cmd package install-existingcom.miui.securitycenter

Can you hide the application so that it is not visible even in the settings?
Yes, but it will require root rights or use of Second Space. Without root, it is impossible to completely hide the application from the system - it will remain visible in Settings → Applications, even if its icon disappears from the desktop.
Will a hidden app consume a battery?
Yes, if the application is not disabled, but only hidden (for example, through the built-in MIUI function or launcher). To stop background activity, you need to: Turn off autostart: Settings → Applications → [Title] → Autostart. Limit background activity: Settings → Battery → Application Selection → [Title] → Limit. Or completely disable via ADB (see Method 3).
Can I hide the Google Play Services app or other system services?
No, disabling critical system services (e.g. com.google.android.gms or com.android.systemui) will cause the device to fail. MIUI and Android depend on these components, and the most you can do is limit their activity through Settings → Battery.
How to get the hidden app back?
The method depends on the method of concealment: 🔙 Built-in Hiding: Settings → Desktop → Hidden applications → uncheck the boxes. 🔄 Second Space: Switch to it when you log in or delete the space in the settings. 💻 ADB: Use the command adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 Package (replace the package with the name of the application). 📁 Archiving APK: Rename the file back to.apk and reboot the device.
Do these methods work on other Xiaomi smartphones (like the Poco X3 or Redmi Note 10)?
Yes, all of the described methods (except for Poco F3-specific settings) are applicable to any MIUI device, including: Poco X3/X4, Redmi Note 10/11/12, Mi 11/12, etc. Exceptions are MIUI models for POCO (e.g. Poco F1), where some features such as Second Space may not be available.