How to hide the application on Xiaomi Redmi: all working methods for MIUI

Hiding apps on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from wanting to remove unnecessary system utilities to having to hide personal information from prying eyes. Unlike iOS or pure Android, MIUI firmware offers several built-in mechanisms for masking programs, but not all of them are obvious. Moreover, after interface updates (for example, switching from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14), the location of options can change, which confuses even experienced owners.

In this article, we will discuss 5 current ways to hide applications on Redmi Note 10/11/12/13, POCO X3/X4/X5 and other models – from standard MIUI features to advanced methods using ADB or third-party launchers. We will focus on the nuances: why some applications are not hidden, how to return them, and what to do if after updating the system option is lost. For each method, we will give step-by-step screenshots (descriptions) and warn about possible risks – for example, why you should not hide system services like comerui.

If you're looking for a way to hide an app from your kids, your coworkers, or just want to unload your desktop, you'll find a solution for any problem, and at the end of the article, we'll answer a lot of questions: can you hide an app so it doesn't even appear in the All Apps menu, and why some programs (like Google Play Services) can't be masked?

1. Standard method: Hidden applications function in MIUI

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in Hidden Apps option available on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 10 and later, which does not remove the program, but only removes its icon from the desktop and from the application menu, leaving the ability to run through a search or direct link.

To hide the app:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the upper right corner, tap three points (⋮) and select Hidden Applications.
• ➕ Click Add and tick the programs you want to hide.
• 🔒 Confirm the action with a password or fingerprint (if the protection is enabled).

⚠️ Note: Hidden applications will still be visible in the list of installed programs (c Settings) → Applications) and can also appear in search results on the system. to completely remove them from view, additional manipulations will be required (see section 3).

Check out the MIUI version (Settings → About the phone)

Make sure the app is not system-based (e.g. Camera or Phone)

Backup important data (Settings → System → Backup)

Turn off auto-update of the hidden app (Google Play) → Settings → Auto-update)-->

This method works on all current models, including the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO F5 and Xiaomi 13T. However, after resetting or updating MIUI hidden applications can become visible again – they will have to hide again.

2. Hiding through the "Second Space" (Dual Apps)

The “Second Space” (or Dual Apps) feature is originally designed to clone messengers (for example, to use two WhatsApp accounts at once), but it can also be adapted to hide applications: by moving the program to a second space, you will make it unavailable in the main interface.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Second Space.
2. Activate the function by following the system prompts (you will need to set a password).
3. After creating the second space, go back to Settings → Apps.
4. Select the desired application → Clone for the second space.
5. Remove the original version of the app from the main space.

Now, the program will only be available after switching to a second space (you need to swipe down the lock screen and enter a password), which is suitable for those who want to not just hide, but completely isolate the application - for example, work messengers from personal ones.

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If you are using MIUI 14 and you do not see the Second Space option, update your firmware or check the region of your device (the feature may not be available in global versions for some countries).

⚠️ Note: Removing the original application from the main space will result in the loss of its data (cache, settings, accounts). → System system → Backup.

3. Advanced method: Disconnection via ADB (no root)

If the built-in MIUI functions are not satisfied (for example, because the hidden application is still visible in the settings), you can use USB debugging and ADB command. This method does not require superuser rights, but allows you to completely remove the program from the interface, including the list of installed applications.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB Tools, and execute the command: adb shell pm hide com.package.name (replace com.package.name with a real app identifier, such as com.facebook.katana for Facebook).
4. To return the application back, use: adb shell pm unhide com.package.name

List of identifiers of popular applications:

⚠️ Note: Not all applications can be hidden this way. System services (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) will block the pm hide command. Also, after rebooting the device, some programs may become visible again - in which case, repeat the procedure.

4.Use of third-party launchers

If you don't just hide the app, but you completely redesign the interface of your smartphone, you can use an alternative launcher, which is a popular Nova Launcher, an Apex Launcher, or a Microsoft Launcher, which allows you to not only hide the software, but also group it into folders, change icons, and customize gestures.

How to hide the app through 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.
• 🔍 Check the boxes of the programs you want to hide.
• 🔄 Reboot the launcher (it is enough to brush it off from multitasking and open again).

The advantage of this method is flexibility: you can hide applications selectively without affecting system processes.

• 🔐 Password-blocking of applications.
• 🎨 Changes in the appearance of icons (including masking as system symbols).
• 🔄 Automatic concealment of unused programs.

Disadvantage: applications hidden through the launcher will still be visible in the standard MIUI menu if you temporarily disable the alternative shell.To avoid this, combine this method with ADB (Section 3).

Standard MIUI

Nova Launcher

Apex Launcher

Microsoft Launcher

Other

I don't use launchers.-->

5. Hiding through Archiving (for system applications)

Some Xiaomi system applications (such as Mi Video, Mi Music or Cleaner) cannot be removed or hidden in standard ways, and archiving, a feature that disables the program but saves its data in case of recovery, will help.

How to archive the application:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (such as Mi Video).
3. Tap it on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Archive.
4. Confirm the action. The app will disappear from the menu, but its data will remain on the device.

To return the application back, go to Settings → Applications → Archived and click Restore.

⚠️ Warning: Archiving system applications can lead to unstable operation MIUI. For example, disabling Mi Security (com.miui.securitycenter) will disrupt the notification and protection center.

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Archiving is the only official way to disable Xiaomi system applications without root permissions, but after updating MIUI, archived programs can automatically recover.

6. Hiding from specific users (for multiplayer mode)

If your Redmi is used by multiple people (such as family members), you can set up multiplayer mode and hide apps for individual profiles, which is useful if you want to restrict access to certain programs for a child or guest.

How to create an additional profile:

• 👤 Go to Settings. → System system → Multiplayer mode.
• ➕ Click Add User and Follow the Instructions.
• 🔧 After creating a profile, log in and remove unnecessary apps (they will remain in the main profile).

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 It is impossible to hide applications in the main profile – only in additional ones.
• 📱 Some system programs (such as Settings or Phone) cannot be removed even in guest mode.
• 🔄 If you delete the additional profile, all of its data (including hidden applications) will be lost.

This method is suitable for family use, but does not solve the problem of completely hiding applications in the main profile, for this it is better to combine it with other methods (for example, ADB or launchers).

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding apps on Xiaomi