How to hide applications on Xiaomi Redmi 7: from system to user

Hiding apps on Xiaomi Redmi 7 is a challenge that owners of this smartphone face for various reasons: someone wants to remove unnecessary system utilities from view, someone wants to hide personal messengers from prying eyes, and someone just gets tired of seeing a blockage of icons on the desktop. Unlike the newer Xiaomi models with MIUI 12+, where the concealment function is built-in by default, Redmi 7 (with MIUI 10/11) will have to use workarounds.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, including hiding through standard settings, third-party launchers, creating “secret” folders, and even removing system applications (for advanced users). It is important to understand that some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights are risky operations that can lead to loss of warranty or “bricking” the device.

1. Hiding applications through built-in MIUI settings

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the Hidden Apps feature, which is in MIUI, but often goes unnoticed, which doesn't remove programs, it just removes them from menus and search, and is suitable for most user applications (like WhatsApp, Telegram, bank clients), but doesn't work with system utilities like com.android.settings.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select "Hidden Applications".
• ➕ Put the badge on. + in the upper right corner and tick the necessary programs.
• 🔒 Confirm the choice – applications will disappear from the desktop and from search MIUI.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Does not work with pre-installed system applications (Mi Video, Mi Music, etc.).
• ❌ Hidden programs still take up space in memory and can send notifications.
• ✅ Easy to cancel: you can return visibility in the same way in the settings.

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If the hidden app continues to send notifications, open its settings (Settings → Notifications) and manually turn off the alerts.

2. Using folders to “mask” applications

If the built-in concealment function is not suitable (for example, due to restrictions on system applications), you can go to the trick of hiding icons in a folder without a name. This method does not remove programs, but makes them less noticeable. MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Press the icon you want to hide and drag it to another icon (e.g. Camera or Gallery).
2. You create a folder. Click on the folder name (the default is "Folder without a name") and delete the text, and leave the field blank.
3. Drag all the apps you don't need into this folder, and to hide it, move it to the last desktop screen.

Pros and cons of the method:

3. Third-party launchers with concealment function

If standard methods don't work, you can install an alternative launcher (desktop shell) with advanced concealment features.

• 🛡️ Nova Launcher (Paid version supports hiding icons).
• 🔒 Apex Launcher (there is an option for “Hidden Apps” in the free version).
• 📱 Microsoft Launcher (allows you to remove icons from the menu).

How to hide apps through Nova Launcher:

1. Install the launcher from Google Play and make it the main one (the system will prompt you to do this when you first start).
2. Press your finger on the free desktop space → Settings → Application settings.
3. Select “Hidden Apps” and select the ones you want.
4. Restart the launcher (usually swipe down on the desktop is enough).

Warning:

⚠️ Note: Some scalings may be in conflict with MIUI, Check the Redmi 7 compatibility reviews before installing.

Disable system applications via ADB (without root)

For advanced users willing to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), there is a way to disable system applications without getting root permissions.This won't remove the programs completely, but will make them invisible and inactive.The method works on Redmi 7 with any version of MIUI, but requires a connection to a PC.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode). Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers and enable USB Debugging.
2. Connect Redmi 7 to your PC and install ADB drivers (you can download from the XDA Developers website).
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) and type: Adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
4. To disable the application (e.g. Mi Music), run: adb shell pm hide com.miui.player The full list of packages can be obtained by command: adb shell pm list packages

Important nuances:

• 🔧 Disabled applications are not updated and do not occupy RAM.
• 🔄 To return the application, use the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player
• ⚠️ Do not disable critical system packages (e.g. com.android.systemui) – this will result in a cyclical reboot of the phone!

5. Removal of system applications (root only)

The most radical method is to completely remove unnecessary applications with root access, which will free up memory space and permanently remove icons, but requires unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk or SuperSU. The warranty on the phone will be lost!

How to remove the system application:

1. Get root rights (instructions for Redmi 7 are available on the 4PDA forum).
2. Install a root-enabled file manager, such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer.
3. Go to /system/app or /system/priv-app and find the folder with the name of the application (e.g. MiBrowser).
4. Delete the folder or rename it (add at the end of.bak).
5. Reboot the phone.

Risks of the method:

⚠️ Note: Deleting critical packets (e.g. com.qualcomm.qti.telephonyservice) will result in network loss or system inability to boot.Be sure to back up your system before deleting it. TWRP!

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If after removing the system application, the phone stopped turning on, restore the backup via Fastboot mode or flash clean MIUI firmware.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make the choice easier, we have put all the methods in one table:

Selection recommendations:

• 🔹 If you need to hide user applications (messengers, games) → Use the built-in settings MIUI or folder.
• 🔹 If you interfere with system utilities (Mi Video, Mi Music) → try ADB-shutdown.
• 🔹 If you want to clean up the system and are ready for the risks → root + removal.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding apps on Redmi 7