How to hide applications on Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro: from system tools to hidden MIUI features

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but even years after its release, its owners are faced with the current problem: how to hide unnecessary or confidential applications from prying eyes. Unlike modern flagships, where the concealment function is built into the firmware by default, MIUI 8/9 (the main versions for this model) will have to use workarounds.

In this article, we will discuss all working methods, from standard MIUI tools to third-party solutions that do not require root rights. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances of Redmi 4 Pro: why some methods do not work, how to circumvent the limitations of old firmware and what to do if the application still appears in the All Apps menu.

We warn you right away: some of the methods may conflict with Xiaomi’s security updates: If you use your smartphone to work with banking applications or corporate data, hide applications through third-party launchers or ADB-commands may trigger warnings about a potential threat, in which case we recommend limiting the built-in functions to the security of the system. MIUI.

1. Hiding applications through the “Second Space” (dual applications)

The most reliable and official way Xiaomi uses is to use the Second Space feature, which allows you to create a separate user profile with your own set of apps, wallpapers and settings, and apps installed only in the second space will not be visible in the main.

How it works on the Redmi 4 Pro:

• 🔒 Data isolation: Applications and files from the second space are not displayed in the main (and vice versa).
• 📱 Quick switching: Access to second space via gesture or password (configured in settings).
• 🔄 Restrictions: Some system applications (such as Settings or Phone) are automatically duplicated.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Advanced Settings → Second Space
2. Click on “Create a Second Space” and follow the setup wizard (set a password or pattern lock).
3. Once created, navigate to the second space via the notification bar or lock the screen and select the appropriate profile.
4. Install the desired applications only in the second space – they will not be visible in the main.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 4 Pro with MIUI 8 Second Space may not be available in some regional firmware. If it is not available, upgrade to MIUI 9 or use alternative methods from the following sections.

2. Hiding application icons through launcher settings

If you just need to remove the icon from your desktop but leave the app in the All Apps menu, use the built-in MIUI launcher tools.This method doesn't hide the app completely, but makes it less visible.

Instructions:

1. Press and hold your finger on the app icon you want to hide.
2. In the menu that appears, select “Remove” (or drag the icon to the top of the screen to the “Delete” label).
3. Confirm the action. The icon will disappear from the desktop, but will remain in the app menu.

To hide the app from the All Apps menu:

• 📂 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find the app you want and select Hide (if the option is available).
• 🔄 Nana MIUI 8 This feature may not be available – in this case, use the method with Nova Launcher (section 4).

3.Use of the “Children’s Mode” to Restrict Access

If your goal is not so much to hide the app as to block access to it (for example, for a child or a colleague), use the built-in “Children Mode”, which allows you to create a “white list” of applications that will be allowed to access after activation of the mode.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings. → Childhood regime.
2. Activate the function and set the password.
3. In the "Allowed Applications" section, uncheck the boxes from those programs that you want to hide.
4. Activate the mode through the notification panel or block the screen.

Limitations of the method:

• 🔐 Applications are not physically hidden, but become inaccessible without a password.
• 📵 The “Children’s Mode” also blocks calls and SMS (customize separately).
• 🔄 Mode resets after smartphone reboot.

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If you want to hide the application from the child, combine the “Children’s Mode” with the “Second Space”: in the main profile, leave only secure programs, and transfer confidential ones to the second space under the password.

4. Hiding apps via Nova Launcher (no root)

If you don't like the built-in MIUI methods, install a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher, which allows you to hide apps from the menu without having to get root permissions, which works even on Redmi 4 Pro with any version of MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Make it the default launcher (at the first start the system will prompt you to do this).
3. Press and hold your finger on the free desktop space → select “Nova Settings”.
4. Go to the “App Boxes” section → “Hide Apps”.
5. Tick the programs you want to hide and click “Done”.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔍 Apps disappear from the menu, but stay in the system and work in the background.
• 🔄 You can even hide system utilities (for example, Mi Video or Mi Music).
• 📱 No need to root or connect to a PC.

⚠️ Note: Once the launcher is reset or removed, the hidden applications will be visible again, and can be found through a system search (Search for applications in the Internet). MIUI).

Download Nova Launcher from the official store | Make a backup of data | Disable battery optimization for Nova| Check the list of hidden applications for system-->

5. Advanced method: concealment through ADB-teams (without root)

For power users who are ready to connect Redmi 4 Pro to a computer, there is a method of hiding applications through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to disable the display of any programs, including system ones, without obtaining root rights.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔍 The name of the hidden application package (you can find out through the App Inspector or Package Name Viewer from Google Play).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the smartphone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.


2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.




3. Enter a command to check the connection:




adb devices




(Serial number of the device must be displayed).




4. execute the command to hide the application (replace com.example.app with the packet name):




adb shell pm hide com.example.app




5. Reboot the smartphone.

To return the application back, use the command:

adb shell pm unhide com.example.app

Limitations of the method:

• 🔌 Requires PC connection at every cover-up/recovery.
• 🔄 Some system applications may recover after the update MIUI.
• 🛡️ This method may conflict with Google Play Protect (a warning about “malware” will appear»).

6. Hiding system applications without removal (for power users)

On Redmi 4 Pro, many system applications (such as Mi Drop, Mi Community or Cleaner) cannot be removed by standard methods, but they can be disabled or hidden. ADB and manual editing of settings.

Method 1: Disconnect via settings (without PC):

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a system application (e.g. Cleaner).
3. Click “Disable” (if the button is active) and confirm the action.

Method 2: Hiding through ADB (for stubborn system applications):

• 📌 Use the command in Section 5, but before doing so, check if the application is critical to the system (e.g., com.android.systemui cannot be hidden!).
• 🔍 List of safe to hide system packages on Redmi 4 Pro: com.miui.analytics (Analytics Collection) com.xiaomi.midrop (Mi Drop) com.miui.videoplayer (Mi Video) com.miui.player (Mi Music) com.android.browser (Standard Browser)

⚠️ Warning: Disabling or hiding system applications can cause a smartphone to run in an unstable way. For example, disabling com.miui.analytics can disrupt updates, and hiding com.android.contacts can remove access to contacts. Always check functionality after changes!

💡

On Redmi 4 Pro, you can’t hide or disable the applications that are responsible for basic MIUI functionality: com.android.settings, com.miui.home, com.android.phone, and you can try to do this by bootlooping.

7.Alternative methods: archiving and freezing of applications

If none of the above methods are suitable, consider the following options:

APK Archive:

• 📦 Use apps like App Cloner or APK Extractor to create a backup copy APK-file and then delete the original.
• 🔄 Disadvantage: the application will stop updating through Google Play.

2. "Freeze" via Titanium Backup (requires root):

• ❄️ Allows you to “freeze” the application, making it invisible and inactive, but storing data.
• 🔧 Requires root rights that Redmi 4 Pro could disrupt the work MIUI (For example, the fingerprint or Face Unlock will not work).

3. Use of Secure Folder (for Samsung) or analogues:

• 🔒 Xiaomi doesn’t have a built-in Secure Folder, but you can install third-party solutions like Parallel Space or Island (requires Work Profile settings).
• 📱 These applications create an isolated environment where you can hide programs from the main interface.

Comparison of alternative methods:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)