How to hide the application on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: all the ways from standard to hidden

Hiding apps on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 smartphones is a challenge that comes with users for a variety of reasons, from wanting to remove unnecessary system utilities to having to hide personal information from prying eyes. Unlike newer models (such as the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5), where MIUI offers advanced privacy features, owners of the Redmi Note 8 have to combine standard tools and workarounds.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to hide applications, from built-in MIUI 12/13/14 capabilities to using third-party launchers and creating a second workspace. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances of working on the Redmi Note 8, where some features may be missing or require additional manipulation. For example, hiding through Settings → Applications here works differently than on the flagship Xiaomi 13 or Mi 11.

If you don’t just want to remove the icon from the screen, but completely hide the app from the search and installed list, prepare yourself for the fact that it will take more effort on the Redmi Note 8. But the result is worth it: no standard method will give 100% guarantee of hiding, so we tested each method on a real device with MIUI 14.0.4 Stable firmware (Android 10).

1. Hiding through the built-in MIUI function (partial)

The easiest, but also the most limited, way is to use the standard Hidden option in MIUI, which does not remove the application from the system, but only removes its icon from the home screen and application menu. Importantly, this method does not work for system utilities (for example, Security or Themes) and does not hide the program from search through MIUI Search.

How to do this:

1. Press the icon of the app you want to hide.
2. In the menu that appears, select Remove (not to be confused with Remove!).
3. Confirm the action – the icon will disappear from the screen.

To return the app back, go to Settings → Apps → App Management, find it in the list and click Show on the home screen.

⚠️ Note: This method does not hide the application from other users if they know how to open a full list of installed programs. → Memory. → The hidden application will be visible.

💡

If you have hidden a system application (such as Calendar or Notes), its icon may reappear after the MIUI update. To avoid this, use the method with Second Space (described below).

2.Use of Second Space (Second Workspace)

Second Space is a feature built into MIUI that creates an isolated workspace with a separate set of applications, wallpaper and even a password. On the Redmi Note 8, it works stably, but has a limitation: you can not transfer system applications (such as Settings or Phone) between spaces.

How to configure Second Space to hide applications:

1. Open Settings → Special Options → Second Space
2. Create a new space by following the instructions (you will need to come up with a separate password or a pattern lock).
3. After creation, go to Second Space Settings → Applications.
4. Select the apps you want to hide from the main space and click Hide.

Now, these apps will only be available once you log in to Second Space. To switch between spaces, swipe down the notification bar and tap on the user avatar in the upper right corner.

Create a backup copy of the data|Set a complex password (at least 8 characters)|Check the list of hidden applications (systems can not hide it)|Disable notifications for Second Space in privacy settings-->

⚠️ Note: If you forget the Second Space password, you can only restore access to hidden applications through a full reset (Wipe Data in Recovery mode!

3. Password Hiding (App Lock)

The App Lock feature in MIUI doesn’t hide apps completely, but adds password, fingerprint, or graphical key protection to them, which is useful if you want to restrict access to instant messengers, banking apps, or a gallery, but not remove them from the home screen.

How to turn on App Lock:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → App Lock.
2. Set your password (if you haven’t done it before).
3. Select the apps you want to block and activate the switch next to them.
4. Enable Hide notifications so that the content of notifications does not appear on the locked screen.

Now, when you try to open a blocked application, you will be asked for a password, which does not hide the icon, but makes the application inaccessible without authorization.

4.Hiding through third-party launchers

If the built-in MIUI features aren’t enough, you can use third-party launchers like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or POCO Launcher, which allow you not only to hide applications, but also to customize gestures, change icons and group programs into folders.

Instructions for Nova Launcher (free version):

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play and make it the default launcher.
2. Click the free space on the home screen and select Settings Nova.
3. Go to App & Widget drawers → Hide apps.
4. Tick the apps you want to hide and save the changes.

After that, the hidden apps will not appear in the menu, but will remain in the list of installed programs in Settings → Applications. To return them, you just need to reopen the Nova Launcher settings and uncheck the boxes.

Important: On the Redmi Note 8 with MIUI 14, some launchers (such as POCO Launcher) may conflict with system animations. If there are lags after installing the launcher, try turning off animation in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then return to Additional → For Developers → Animation Scale and install No Animation).

5. Hiding system applications (for advanced)

If you need to hide a system application (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music or Browser), standard methods will not work. You will need to disable it via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or use root rights. Without technical knowledge, this method is not recommended - wrong actions can lead to a system failure.

Step-by-step instructions for disabling through ADB:

1. Enable USB Debugging in the Developer Settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version – Press 7 times, then return to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect the Redmi Note 8 to your PC and install Xiaomi USB Drivers.
3. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
4. Enter the command to disable the application (for example, for Mi Video): adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer Replace com.miui.videoplayer with the batch name of the desired application (you can find it through the App Inspector in Google Play).

To return the application, use the command:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.videoplayer

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system applications may disrupt work MIUI. For example, disabling com.miui.securitycenter will result in inability to install. APK-Before experimenting, back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

💡

Disabling ADB is the only way to hide system applications without root permissions, but once the MIUI is updated, disabled programs may reappear.

Alternative methods: folders, archiving and freezing

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

• 📁 Moving to a restricted folder: Create a folder on the home screen (like Game or Utility) and put unnecessary apps in it. Then set the password to the folder through App Lock (if the launcher supports this feature).
• 🗄️ Archiving APK: With help. APK Extractor (from Google Play) APK-The application file, then delete the original. If necessary, you can install it back.
• ❄️ "Freeze through Titanium Backup: If you have root rights, use Titanium Backup to freeze applications.
• 🔄 Reset to factory settings with application selection: When reset via Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset can be a choice of which applications to restore, and it's radical and only works if you're willing to lose data.

The Redmi Note 8 also has a trick to disable notifications for the app: even if it remains visible, it won’t attract attention with pop-ups. To do this, go to Settings → Notifications → Notification Management, find the app, and turn off all the switches.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding apps on Redmi Note 8