How to hide the app on Xiaomi Redmi 9C: from standard features to hidden tricks

Why do users want to hide apps on Redmi 9C?

Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 9C base MIUI — One of the most popular budget devices, but even it is not without typical problems: a heaped interface, unnecessary system utilities or the desire to hide personal data from prying eyes. According to a survey of Redmi owners, 68% of them have tried to hide the app at least once, whether it is instant messengers, games or banking services.

Unlike iOS, where hiding apps is reduced to removing apps from the home screen, MIUI offers more flexible tools. However, not everyone knows that Redmi 9C (with MIUI 12/13) has at least 5 ways to hide software, from built-in features to workarounds without root. In this article, we will analyze each method with the nuances of a particular model, including limitations and risks.

Important: Some methods require updating the firmware to the latest version. Check the current version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. If you have MIUI 11 or lower, some features may not be available.

Method 1: Built-in Hidden Applications in MIUI

The most obvious and safe method is to use the regular tool “Second Space” or “Hidden Applications”. On Redmi 9C, this feature works stable, but has a limitation: hidden programs remain available through search through the system.

How to turn on:

Open Settings → Applications → Hidden Applications.
Enter the password (if not installed, the system will prompt you to create).
Select apps from the list and click Hide.

⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from hidden applications, you can only restore it through resetting (Settings) → Additionally. → Reset settings. This will delete all data in the hidden space!

Make sure that MIUI version is not lower than 12.0.3| Backup important data | Remember password for hidden space | Check if the function conflicts with the installed launcher-->

Advantages of the method:

🔒 It does not require the rights of a superuser (root).
📱 It works on all versions of Redmi. 9C (including NFC-version).
🔄 Applications continue to receive notifications.

Disadvantages:

🔍 Apps are visible in Settings → Annexes → Application management.
📊 They are not in the memory, but only in the memory).

Method 2: Use of Second Space (Second Profile)

Second Space is a separate user profile in MIUI that allows you to create an isolated workspace with your own apps, settings and even wallpaper. On the Redmi 9C, the feature is supported starting with MIUI 12.

How to set up:

Go to Settings. → Second Space.
Click on “Create Second Space” and follow the instructions.
After creating, switch between swipe profiles down the notification panel (the “Avatar” icon).
In Second Space, install the apps you want – they won’t show up in your main profile.

💡 To enhance privacy, set different passwords for the main and second spaces. You can also turn off notifications from Second Space in the main profile: Settings → Notifications → Second Space.

Parameter	Main profile	Second Space
Visibility of applications	All installed	Only selected
Notifications	Showing up.	We can turn it off.
Application data	Isolated.	Isolated.
Password.	General or separate	You can set up your own.

⚠️ Note: If you delete Second Space, all data and applications in it will be permanently lost!

Method 3: Hiding through third-party launchers

If the built-in MIUI features don’t suit you, you can use alternative launchers from Google Play, such as Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or POCO Launcher (optimized for Xiaomi) to hide apps without root.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

Install a launcher from Google Play.
Hold your finger on the main screen. → «Settings».
Go to Application Settings → Hidden Applications.
Choose the programs you want to hide.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

🎨 Flexible interface configuration.
🔍 Apps disappear completely from search.
📲 It works on all versions. MIUI.

Disadvantages:

🔋 Increased battery consumption (launcher runs in the background).
📦 Some launchers require Android 10+ (on the Redmi 9C Android 10 out of the box, but after the updates could be Android 11).

MIUI Launcher (standard)|Nova Launcher|POCO Launcher|Apex Launcher|Other-->

Method 4: Disabling system applications (without root)

Redmi 9C has a lot of system utilities (Mi Browser, Mi Music, GetApps, etc.) that can't be removed but can be disabled. It won't completely hide them, but it will make them unavailable for launch.

How to turn it off:

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Select an unneeded app (such as Mi Video).
Click "Disable" → Confirm the action.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system applications may cause malfunctions MIUI. For example, if you turn off Mi Share, the fast file transfer function will stop working. 9C: Mi Browser, Mi Music, Mi Video, GetApps, Mi Pay (if not used).

What happens if you turn off System Updates?

Disabling the System Updates app will stop automatic verification of MIUI updates. Manual updates will only be available through Settings → About Phone → System Update, but no notifications of new versions will come. This does not block manual installation of updates, but increases the risk of missing an important security patch.

Method 5: Hiding through ADB (for advanced users)

If you want to hide the application completely (including it from the system), you can use the command ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require root, but involves working with a computer.

Step-by-step:

Turn on USB Debugging on Redmi 9C: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode) → Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB.
Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm hide com.example.app

Where com.example.app is the batch name of the application (you can find it through the App Inspector in Google Play or the adb shell pm list packages command).

To return the application back, use:

adb shell pm unhide com.example.app

⚠️ Note: Not all applications can be hidden through ADB. System utilities (such as Security or Settings) can cause crashes, and after a reboot, some applications can become visible again.

💡

The ADB method is the most radical, but also the riskiest, and only use it if other methods have failed and you are confident in your actions.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to hide applications on Redmi 9C, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

1.The app is hidden, but notifications keep coming

This is typical of the method with built-in MIUI functions, to disable notifications:

Go to Settings → Notifications → Application notification settings.
Find the hidden app and turn off notifications manually.

2 Second Space is not working after the MIUI update

Sometimes, after a firmware update, Second Space can reset.

Go to Settings → Second Space → Restore (if you had a backup).
If there is no copy, you will have to reset the profile.

3.The launcher doesn't hide apps

The problem may be in conflict with MIUI Optimizations.

Open Settings → Additional → Special Opportunities.
Find your launcher and give him all the rights.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

Can I hide the app without a password on Redmi 9C?

Yes, but only through third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher) or disabling system applications, and built-in MIUI features (like Second Space or Hidden Applications) always require a password.

Will a hidden app consume a battery?

Yes, if the application is active in the background (e.g., messengers or social networks). Hiding through MIUI or launchers does not stop the background processes. To completely stop the application, use Settings → Applications → Application Management → Forced Stop.

Can I hide the app from parental control?

Not if the phone has Parental Controls enabled (e.g., through Google Family Link or Mi Child Space), these tools take precedence over concealment, the only option is to disable control or use Second Space with a separate password.

Why did the hidden apps disappear after resetting?

Hard Reset removes all data, including hidden applications in Second Space or through embedded features. If you backed up through Settings → Additional → Backup, try to restore data from there. Otherwise, the applications will have to be installed and hidden again.

Does this work on the Redmi 9C NFC?

Yes, Redmi 9C NFC uses the same MIUI firmware as the regular version, so all of the methods described are applicable. Except if the device has custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), where Second Space functions may not be available.