How to hide the application on Xiaomi Redmi 5: all the ways from standard to hidden

Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in 2017, is still a popular budget smartphone among users who appreciate the reliability and functionality of MIUI. However, not everyone likes that some applications — whether system utilities, games or instant messengers — are constantly distracting with notifications or simply occupy space on the home screen. Fortunately, you can hide the application on Redmi 5 in several ways, and not all of them require root rights or complex manipulation.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 working methods, from built-in MIUI features to third-party solutions, including hidden shell features that few people know about. It’s important to consider that some methods may differ depending on the firmware version (e.g. MIUI 9 vs MIUI 12), but the basic principles remain the same. If you want to not just remove the icon from the screen, but completely hide the application from prying eyes – read on.

1. Hiding through the built-in Hidden Applications feature in MIUI

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the standard Hidden Apps option that has been in MIUI since version 8, which does not remove the program, but only removes it from the menu and search, leaving the ability to run through a special menu.

To activate this mode:

1. Open Settings → Desktop (or Home Screen in newer versions).
2. Select Hidden Applications (in some firmware it may be called Hide Apps).
3. Check the boxes next to the programs you want to hide.
4. Confirm the action at the request of the system.

After that, the icons will disappear from the desktop and from the list of all applications. To return them back, repeat the same steps and uncheck the ticks. Note: this method does not block notifications from hidden applications - they will still come in the curtain.

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If Hidden Apps is not in the settings, upgrade to MIUI 10 or later. On Redmi 5, you can do this through Settings → About Phone → System Update

2. Use of the second desktop (Second Space)

The MIUI Second Space feature is designed to separate personal and work data, but it can be adapted to hide applications, essentially creating a second clean desktop that only displays the programs you bring there.

How to set up:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Second Space (or Additional) → Second profile).
• 🔧 Follow the customization wizard: come up with a password (required!) and select the apps that will be available in the second space.
• 🔄 After creating, switch between swipe profiles down the notification panel (user icon).

The downside of this is that you have to manually transfer the apps you want to use to the main space, but you can not only hide the programs, but also block them from access without a password, so if you give a child a phone, for example, you can only leave children's games in the second space.

3. Archiving of applications (disabling without deletion)

If you need to not just hide but completely disable an application (for example, a system application that cannot be removed), use the archival function. This will remove all updates and return the program to the factory version, but it will remain on the system and will not consume resources.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the app you want (such as Mi Video or Mi Music).
3. Click Archive (or Disable in new versions).
4. Confirm the action. The icon will disappear and the program will stop working.

To return an app, find it in the same menu and click Restore, which is suitable for system utilities that cannot be removed by standard methods, such as Mi Pay or Mi Community, when they are not in use.

4. Hiding through third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, POCO Launcher)

If standard MIUI methods don’t suit you, you can install an alternative launcher, such as Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher (developed by Xiaomi, but with advanced settings), which allows you to hide application icons without removing or disabling.

The following is a step-by-step configuration on the example of Nova Launcher:

• 📲 Install the launcher from Google Play and make it the main one (when you first start the system will prompt you to do this).
• 🔧 Hold your finger in the free space of the desktop → Settings Nova → Hiding applications.
• 🔍 Select the programs you want to hide and confirm.
• 🔄 Icons will disappear, but apps will remain in the All Apps menu (access via swipe up).

The advantage of this is flexibility, for example, in Nova Launcher, you can hide applications selectively on the home screen, but leave them on the menu, or vice versa, and launchers also allow you to group icons into folders with a password, which adds another layer of privacy.

🔹 Make a backup copy of the current desktop settings

🔹 Check the compatibility of the launcher with MIUI (Some functions may not work)

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

🔹 Install the latest launcher version (beta versions may contain bugs)-->

5. Hiding through folders with a password (AppLock and analogues)

If your goal is not just to remove the icon, but to protect the application from outsiders, use utilities like AppLock or Smart AppLock, which allow you to block access to selected applications with a password, fingerprint or pattern lock, and hide them from the general list.

How to set up AppLock:

1. Download and install AppLock from Google Play.
2. When you first start, set a password or pattern lock.
3. In the main menu of the program, select Hidden Applications (or Stealth Mode).
4. Add the desired applications to the list and activate the hide mode.

After that, the icons will disappear, and when you try to run a hidden application, you will be asked for a password, which is especially useful if you give the phone to children or colleagues and want to restrict access to certain programs (for example, banking or instant messengers).

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Hiding through AppLock does not undo notifications from blocked applications. To disable them, go to Settings → Notifications and manually disable the display for each application.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make it easier for you to determine, we have collected the key features of each method in the table:

Important: On Redmi 5 with MIUI 9, some methods (e.g. archiving) may not work well. If the application continues to send notifications after hiding, check its settings manually through Settings → Notifications.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When hiding applications on Redmi 5, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

⚠️ Warning: If the app stopped updating after hiding through Second Space, check if the background mode for it is turned off in the battery settings. → Battery → Consumption management → Select the application → Background activity.

Problem 1: The hidden app reappears after the reboot. Solution: This may be due to a launcher cache failure.

• 🔄 Restart your phone in Safe Mode (click the power button) → "Restarting in Safe Mode").
• 🧹 Clear the launcher cache in Settings → Annexes → Find the launcher. → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

Problem 2: You can't hide a system application (e.g. Mi Security) Solution: System utilities are often protected from shutdown.

• 🔧 Use it. ADB For forced shutdown (computer required).
• 📦 Archive the application (see Section 3), but note that it may disrupt some features MIUI.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Nova Launcher and after the update MIUI Hidden apps are visible again, reset the launcher settings to factory ones. → Backup → Reset.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions