How to hide apps on Android Xiaomi: all the ways 2026

Hiding apps on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from wanting to remove system utilities to having to hide personal information from prying eyes. Unlike pure Android, the MIUI shell offers several built-in mechanisms for masking programs, but not all of them are obvious. Moreover, after the upgrades to MIUI 14/15, some functions have moved to other sections of the menu, which causes confusion even for experienced owners of Redmi or POCO.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to hide applications on Xiaomi, from standard tools to third-party solutions, including nuances for different versions of firmware. Particular attention will be paid to hiding system applications without root rights, since this is the most popular scenario. If you are looking for a way to hide messengers, games or banking programs from the curious, here you will find step-by-step instructions with the latest changes in MIUI.

1. Hiding applications through the "Second Space" (Dual Apps)

The Second Space (or Dual Apps) function is originally designed to clone messengers, but it can be adapted to hide applications, not removing programs from the system, but creating an isolated environment where they will only be available after entering a separate password.

The advantage of this method is complete privacy: applications in the second space do not appear in the main menu, do not appear in the list of recently opened and are not visible in the main profile settings. However, there are disadvantages: some notifications can be duplicated, and system applications (for example, Settings or Phone) can not be cloned.

• 🔒 Step 1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities → Second space.
• 📱 Step 2. Click Create a second space and follow the instructions (you will need to set a password or pattern lock).
• 🔄 Step 3. After creating the space, go to it through the notification panel (icon) 👤 curtained).
• 📦 Step 4: Install or transfer the desired applications to the second space via Settings → Annexes → Cloning apps.

⚠️ Note: When you delete the second space, all hidden application data (messages, files, settings) will be permanently lost.

Set a strong password (at least 8 characters)

Transfer only the necessary applications (cloning takes place)

Turn off notifications for cloned apps in the main space

Regularly update applications in the second space-->

2. Hiding through the settings of the MIUI launcher

The MIUI shell allows you to hide applications directly in the launcher settings, but this feature does not work on all models and firmware versions. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 15, the option is available, and on the Redmi Note 11 with MIUI 14, you may not have it.

The applications that are hidden in this way are not removed, but only removed from the general list in the menu, and can still be found through search (Conductor → Application Search) or in system settings (Settings → Applications → Application Management).

• 📂 Step 1. Press and hold the empty space on the home screen, then select Settings (Icon) ⚙️).
• 👁️ Step 2. Go to Hide Apps (if there is none, use alternative methods from this article).
• ✅ Step 3. Tick the programs you want to hide and click Ready.
• 🔍 Step 4: To return the app, repeat the steps and uncheck the tick.

If there is no hiding option, try changing the launcher to a third-party one (like Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher), where this feature is implemented more flexibly.

Standard. MIUI Launcher|Nova Launcher|POCO Launcher|Other-->

3. Use of the "App Lock" function (Applications Lock)

The App Lock feature in MIUI is designed to block access to applications using a password, fingerprint or face, but it can also be used for indirect concealment: blocked programs do not appear in the list of newly opened programs and require authorization at each run, making them less visible.

This is a method that works for people who want to protect the contents of an app, not so much to hide it, like Telegram, WhatsApp, or banking apps, and the downside is that the app is still visible on the menu, but you can't open it without entering a password.

• 🔐 Step 1. Go to Settings → Annexes → Application lockdown.
• 📱 Step 2: Set a password (if not previously set) and select the unlock method (PIN, pattern lock, biometrics).
• 🔒 Step 3: Tick the apps you want to block.
• ⚙️ Step 4: In the App Lock settings, enable Hide Notifications so that the content does not appear in the curtain.

⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from App Lock, you can only reset it through a full reset (Wipe Data in Recovery Mode). Xiaomi does not provide official ways to restore access.

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To strengthen protection, enable the option to Hide the lock icon in the App Lock settings - then when you start the blocked application, there will be no hint about the need to enter a password.

4. Hiding system applications without root rights

Xiaomi system applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps) cannot be removed or hidden by standard means, but they can be disabled.This will remove them from the menu and stop background processes, but the application files will remain in the device’s memory.

To disable system utilities, you will need access to the settings for developers and a tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method doesn't require root rights, but it involves connecting the smartphone to the computer. ADB They may disrupt the system!

Instructions for disconnection via ADB:

1. Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC, install ADB Tools and check the connection with the command: Adb devices
3. Run the command to disable the application (example for Mi Video): adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.videoplayer
4. Restart the device. The app will disappear from the menu.

To return the application, use the command:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.videoplayer

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Disabling system applications through ADB does not remove them completely, but only hides them from the user, which is safer than uninstalling them, since it allows you to return functionality at any time.

5. Third-party launchers and concealment utilities

If the built-in MIUI tools don't fit, you can use third-party solutions.

• 📱 Nova Launcher – allows you to hide applications through menu settings (Nova Settings) → App & widget drawers → Hide apps).
• 🔒 Apex Launcher – Similar feature in Drawer Settings → Hidden Apps.
• 🛡️ App Hider (from Google Play) – creates a “secret zone” with a password, where you can transfer any programs.
• 📂 Secure Folder (for Samsung, but it works on Xiaomi via Samsung) APK) — code-box.

Third-party launchers have the advantage of having flexibility in settings and no restrictions on hiding system applications (as opposed to MIUI), but some features (such as gestures or widgets) may not work properly on Xiaomi firmware.

When choosing a utility for hiding, pay attention to:

• 🔐 Data encryption (important for instant messengers and banking applications).
• 📱 Compatibility with your version MIUI (Check out reviews on Google Play).
• 🔄 Ability to back up hidden data.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When hiding applications on Xiaomi, users often face typical problems:

1. The app has disappeared from the menu, but it takes up space in memory. That's OK: Hiding doesn't equal deleting. To free up space, use Settings → Apps → Clear the cache.
2. Notifications from hidden apps don’t work. Check notification settings in Settings → Applications → Notification management.
3. After the MIUI update, hidden apps reappeared. Updates often reset the launcher settings. Repeat the hideout procedure.
4. I can't find the Hide Apps option in the settings. On some models (POCO, Redmi for the global market), this feature has moved to Settings → Privacy.

If you are using the second space and you encounter the error "Can't create a second space", try:

• Free up at least 2 GB of memory on the device.
• Update MIUI to the latest version.
• Reset the launcher settings (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Clear data).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions