How to hide apps on Xiaomi Mi 9: from standard MIUI features to hidden settings

Hiding apps on the Xiaomi Mi 9 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 newer models (such as the Mi 11 or Redmi Note 12), where MIUI functionality is expanded, Mi 9 owners have to use both built-in tools and workarounds. In this article, we will examine all the current ways from basic to advanced, including hidden settings and third-party solutions.

It is important to understand that concealment ≠ is deletion. Even after applying any methods, applications will remain on the system, just their icons will disappear from the main screen and from the menu. This is especially critical for system applications MIUI (for example, com.xiaomi.market or com.miui.cleanmaster), deletion of which can lead to failures. Also note: some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights - this voids the warranty and increases security risks.

If your goal is to just free up space, first check if you can disable the application (it is safer than hiding). To do this, go to Settings → Apps → Application Management, select the right one and click “Disable.” If the option is inactive, the application is critical to the system, and hiding it may require additional manipulation.

1. Hiding applications through built-in MIUI features

The easiest and safest way is to use standard MIUI shell tools. There are two options available on the Xiaomi Mi 9: Hiding via Second Space (second desktop) and Hidden Apps in the launcher settings. Both methods do not require root rights and work on any firmware version (including MIUI 10/11/12 for the Mi 9).

Second Space creates a separate user profile with its own set of applications, which is convenient if you want to separate work and personal data.

1. Go to Settings. → Second Space.
2. Click “Create Second Space” and follow the instructions (you need to create a password).
3. After you create, switch to the new profile through the notification panel.
4. Remove or hide unnecessary apps in the main space – they will only be available in Second Space.

The disadvantage of the method: applications are not hidden completely, but only transferred to another profile.

• 📱 Long tap on the free seat of the home screen → Settings (cog at the bottom).
• 🔍 Select Hidden Apps (or Hide Apps depending on MIUI version).
• 📌 Tick the boxes you want to remove from your eyes.
• 🔒 Confirm action. Apps will disappear from the screen, but will remain in the All Apps menu (available via search).

⚠️ Warning: In MIUI 12.5+, the Hidden Applications function can be moved to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Hide Apps. If you don’t have the option, update your firmware or use alternative methods.

2. Use of third-party launchers

If the built-in MIUI tools don't suit you, install an alternative launcher. Popular options for Xiaomi Mi 9:

• 🚀 Nova Launcher supports hiding applications through the box settings (Nova Settings → App & widget drawers → Hide apps).
• 🎨 Apex Launcher is a similar feature in the box settings section.
• 🔄 Microsoft Launcher – lets you hide programs through Settings → Personal Settings → Hide apps.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Doesn't require root rights.
• ✅ Works on any version of Android.
• ✅ Flexible appearance settings (themes, gestures, animations).

How to hide the app through Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Long tap on the screen → “Nova Settings” → “App Box”.
3. Select “Hidden Apps” and select the ones you want.
4. Save the changes. The applications will disappear from the drawer, but they will stay in the system.

⚠️ Warning: Once the launcher is changed to standard MIUI, the hidden applications will be visible again, and to get them back, you will have to reconfigure the third-party launcher.

3 Hiding through ADB- Commands (without root)

For power users willing to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), there is a way to hide applications at the system level.This method does not require root rights, but requires connecting a smartphone to a PC and enabling debugging over USB.

Warning: misuse of ADB may cause MIUI to malfunction. Before starting, back up your data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

Instructions:

1. Enable Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. 7 times click on MIUI Version. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate Debugging over USB.

Xiaomi Mi 9

adb shell pm hide com.example.app

Replace com.example.app with the batch name of the application (e.g. com.miui.calculator for calculator).

adb shell pm unhide com.example.app

List of batch names of popular MIUI system applications for Mi 9:

⚠️ Warning: The pm hide/unhide commands only work on Android 8.0+. On the Mi 9 with MIUI 10 (Android 9) method is supported, but may require a device reboot.

4. Advanced methods: root and system editors

If you're willing to take risks, getting root rights will give you access to deep system settings. On the Xiaomi Mi 9, you'll need to:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (binding to the Mi Account is mandatory!).
2. Install custom recovery (e.g., TWRP).
3. Switch to Magisk for root rights management.

Examples of Titanium Backup:

1. Open the application and provide root access.
2. Go to the tab "Reserve copies".
3. Find the application you want, click on it and select “Freeze”.
4. Confirm the action. The application will disappear from the system, but its data will be saved.

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications (e.g., com.xiaomi.finddevice) may disrupt Xiaomi services, including cloud backup and phone search.

💡

Before removing the system application through root, back it up in Titanium Backup, which will allow you to restore it in case of failure.

5. Hiding icons through folders and gestures

If you just need to remove icons from the home screen but leave apps available through search, use the standard MIUI tools:

Method 1: Folders

• Drag the unnecessary application to another (a folder will be created).
• Name the folder neutrally (e.g., “Tools”).
• Move the folder to the second screen or to the corner.

Method 2: Hiding through screen settings

• Long tap on the screen → “Settings” → “Screen settings”.
• Turn off the display of the search bar or Dock bar (if there are unnecessary apps there).

Method 3: Gestures

In MIUI, you can assign gestures for quick access to hidden applications:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Gestures and buttons → App Launch Gestures.
2. Assign a gesture (such as swiping up with two fingers) to launch the desired application.
3. Remove the app icon from the screen – it will only be accessible through a gesture.

💡

Hiding through folders and gestures is the safest method, as it does not affect system files and is easily undo.

6. Features of hiding on different versions of MIUI for Mi 9

The functionality of the application hide depends on the version of MIUI installed on the Xiaomi Mi 9. Below is a comparison of the features:

Xiaomi has tightened its security policy on MIUI 12.5+, so:

• 🔐 ADB- Teams may require additional authorizations.
• 🛡️ Root access is harder to obtain because of SafetyNet checks.
• 🔄 Second Space is stable, but may conflict with some banking applications.

If your Mi 9 is running MIUI 10, we recommend upgrading to MIUI 12.5 via Settings → System Update. New versions offer more flexible privacy settings, including built-in hiding apps from other users (Private Mode feature).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When hiding applications on Xiaomi Mi 9 users often face problems. Consider the typical errors and solutions:

1.The app has gone missing but continues to send notifications

This is because hiding through the launcher or Second Space does not block the background processes.

• Open Settings → Notifications and manually disable notifications for the app.
• Use the ADB- command to completely disable: adb shell pm disable-user com.example.app

2.After hiding through ADB, the application does not open

You probably used pm hide instead of pm disable-user to get back access:

• Execute: adb shell pm enable com.example.app
• If it doesn’t work, use pm unhide.

3 Hidden apps reappear after MIUI update

Firmware updates can reset the launcher settings.

• Before updating, write down a list of hidden apps.
• After the update, repeat the concealment procedure.
• For the ADB- method: commands will be retained, but reconnection may be required over the USB.

4. Cannot hide the system application

Some applications (e.g. com.android.phone) are critical to the system, and cannot be hidden or disabled without root.

• Hide the icon in a folder on the second screen.
• Use Nova Launcher with the Hidden feature.

💡

Before hiding a system application, check if it is critical to MIUI. A list of safe applications to disable can be found on the 4PDA or XDA forums.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions