How to hide the app on Xiaomi Redmi: from Second Space to hidden folders

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 correspondence or financial applications. Unlike the iPhone, where functionality is limited, MIUI firmware offers several built-in tools for masking programs. However, not all of them are obvious, and some require knowledge of the nuances of the shell.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to hide applications on Redmi, from standard features like Second Space to little-known archiving tricks and hidden folders. 12 Pro+, Redmi 10C and other relevant devices 2023-2026 years where the interface MIUI You'll also learn which methods leave no trace in the All Apps menu and do not affect smartphone performance.

1.Second Space: The Official Method of Creating a Second Profile

Second Space is Xiaomi’s most reliable solution for hiding applications, creating an isolated environment with a separate desktop, settings, and even a password, and apps installed in Second Space don’t show up in the main profile, and vice versa.

How this works in practice:

• 🔒 Applications are completely isolated: even notifications from the second profile do not fall into the main one.
• 📱 Supports cloning of messengers (for example, two WhatsApp or Telegram accounts).
• 🔄 You can quickly switch between swipe profiles on the lock screen (configured in the settings).

Instructions for setting:

1. Open Settings → Special Options → Second Space
2. Click Create Second Space and follow the wizard (you need to set a password or a pattern lock).
3. Once you have created a profile, install the apps you want through the Play Market or MIUI App Store inside Second Space.
4. Return to the main profile – hidden apps won’t show up in the menu.

Make sure there is enough memory on the device (Second Space takes up) ~1-2 GB)|Remember the password – without it, access to hidden applications will be impossible|Turn off notification synchronization if you don’t want them to be duplicated.|Check compatibility with your version MIUI (work MIUI 12 newer)-->

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A s MIUI 12.5) Second Space can be disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings. → About the phone and 5 times click on the version MIUI, Then go back to the special options menu.

Archiving of applications: hiding without removal

If Second Space seems redundant, you can use archiving, which removes the application from the desktop and menu, but saves its data and the ability to quickly restore it, a technique that is suitable for temporarily hiding rarely used programs.

How to archive the application:

1. Press the app icon on your desktop.
2. In the menu that appears, select Archivate (box icon).
3. Confirm the action – the application will disappear from the screen, but will remain in the system.

To return the archived application:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Archived.
2. Find the right application and click Restore.

Second Space|Archive |Hidden folder |Disable in settings |I don't hide the applications-->

Archiving is not suitable for system applications (e.g. Google Play Services or MIUI Security) as they cannot be archived through a standard menu, and remember that archived programs are not automatically updated, but must be restored.

3. Hiding through folders: a simple but noticeable way

The most obvious, but not always reliable, method is to move applications to a folder without a name, which doesn't remove the program from the system, but only masks it among other icons, and is suitable for those who want to quickly remove the application from view without going into the settings.

How to hide the application in the folder:

• 📁 Create a new folder on your desktop (clutch the empty space) → folder).
• 🏷️ Delete the folder name (click on the text and erase it).
• 📱 Drag to the folder icons of applications that you want to hide.
• 🔍 To make the folder less visible, move it to the second screen or corner.

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If you want to hide the folder even more securely, install an icon of a standard application (for example, Calendar or Watch) on it. Use launchers like Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher (available for all Redmi).

Cons of this method:

• 🔍 Apps remain in the All Apps menu (available via swipe up on the desktop).
• 🔔 Notifications from hidden programs will still be displayed.
• 👀 A folder without a name is easy to spot with a random swipe across the screen.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi with shell MIUI 14 When you move an application to a folder, its icon can be duplicated in the All Apps menu. To avoid this, after you create the folder, restart the device.

4. Disabling applications: a radical method

If the application doesn’t just need to hide it, but completely disable it (such as unnecessary system utilities like Mi Video or Mi Music), you can use the built-in shutdown feature, which will remove the program from the interface and stop its background processes, but will not delete files completely.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the desired application in the list and select it.
3. Click Disable (the button will only be active for pre-installed programs).
4. Confirm the action – the application will disappear from the menu and stop working.

What's important to know:

• ⚙️ Disabled system applications can affect stability MIUI (For example, disabling Mi Share will disrupt the fast file transfer function).
• 🔄 To return the application, find it in the list of disabled and click Enable.
• 📵 Some apps (such as Google Play Services) cannot be disabled without root rights.

This method is suitable for system applications that cannot be removed or archived, such as Redmi Note 11 Pro, which often removes duplicate Xiaomi services that are not used by the user.

5. Hiding through third-party launchers (no root)

If the built-in MIUI methods don't work, you can install a third-party launcher with the application hiding function.

• Nova Launcher (paid version supports hiding icons)
• POCO Launcher (free, optimized for Xiaomi)
• Apex Launcher (there is a function "Hide applications").

How to hide the app through Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Play Market and make it the default launcher.
2. Click the empty space on the desktop → Settings Nova.
3. Go to App & Widget drawers → Hide apps.
4. Tick the apps you want to hide and save the changes.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🎨 More opportunities for customization (themes, icons, gestures).
• 🔍 Hidden apps don’t even appear in the All Apps menu".
• 🔄 You can quickly return the visibility of applications through the launcher settings.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi with MIUI 13/14 When using third-party launchers, there may be conflicts with system gestures (for example, swipe up to return to the main screen). MIUI In Settings → Screen. → Navigation panel.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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

1.The application is not archived

• 📌 Reason: Some system applications (e.g. Google Play Market) cannot be archived.
• 🔧 Solution: Use Second Space or disable the app through settings.

2.Second Space is not activated

• 📌 Reason: The function may be blocked on some versions MIUI for regional firmware (e.g. Redmi for India).
• 🔧 Solution: Update your firmware to the latest version or install a global one MIUI via Fastboot.

3.Hidden apps reappear after update

• 📌 Reason: Update MIUI Can reset the launcher or archive settings.
• 🔧 Solution: After updating, re-archive applications or reconfigure Second Space.

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The most reliable way to hide an app for a long time is to use Second Space with a password, and archives and folders are suitable for temporary hiding, but do not guarantee privacy.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions