How to hide applications on Xiaomi MIUI 12: all the ways from standard to hidden

Hiding apps on Xiaomi’s MIUI 12 smartphones is a challenge that users have for a variety of reasons, from wanting to remove unnecessary system utilities to having to hide personal data from prying eyes. Unlike newer versions of the shell (such as MIUI 14 or HyperOS), the twelfth version has its own features that are worth considering, such as there is no built-in “App Safe” (as in MIUI 13+), but alternative methods are available, including hidden settings and third-party tools.

It’s important to understand that hiding apps doesn’t mean removing them. System utilities (like Mi Video, Mi Music or GetApps) remain in the device’s memory, but they don’t show up in menus and search. This is especially true for owners of Redmi Note 9/10, Poco X3 or Mi 10/11 models, where preinstalled software often takes up space and interferes with work. In this article, we’ll look at all the working methods, from standard MIUI 12 features to little-known tricks that don’t require superuser rights (root).

Before you start, check your shell version: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If you have MIUI 12.0.x or MIUI 12.5.x, all of the methods described will work. For older versions (e.g. MIUI 11), some of the features may not be available.

1. Hiding applications through "Application Settings"

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the built-in MIUI 12 tools, which are suitable for hiding both custom and some system applications (except for critical ones like Settings or Phone).

Instructions:

• 📱 Open Settings and go to the Application section → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search box, type the name of the app you want to hide (for example, Du Battery Saver or Mi Pay).
• 🔒 Click on the name of the application, then select Disable (for system) or Hide (for user-generated).
• ✅ Confirm action. The app will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the device's memory.

Note that disabled system applications can automatically turn on after the MIUI update. To avoid this, use the methods in the following sections.

2.Use of the "Second Space" function

The second space (or “Dual Appliance”) is a unique MIUI feature that allows you to create a separate user profile with your own set of applications and data, which is ideal for hiding personal applications (messengers, banking services) from outsiders.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space.
2. Follow the instructions for creating a second profile (you will need to create a password).
3. After setting up, switch to the second space via the notification panel (image icon) 👥).
4. Remove or do not install in the main space those applications that you want to hide.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔐 Complete data isolation: applications in the second space are not visible.
• 📱 The ability to use different accounts (for example, two WhatsApp or Telegram).
• 🔄 Quickly switch between spaces through the notification curtain.

💡

If you forget the password from the second space, you can reset it only through a full reset settings (Settings → Additional → Resetting).

3. Hiding through "Children's Mode" (limited profile)

If you need to temporarily hide apps (such as from a child or colleague), use the Children Mode, a tool that blocks access to selected apps without deleting or disabling them.

Algorithm of action:

• 👶 Open the Settings. → Special facilities → Regime for children.
• 🔧 Set up a password to exit mode (required!).
• 📋 In the app list, tick the ones you want to keep available. The rest will be hidden.
• 🔄 Activate the mode through the notification panel (icon) 🧒).

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It only works when you are active (after disabling all applications become visible again).
• ❌ Does not hide system utilities (for example, Camera or Gallery).

4. Hiding through ADB (no root rights)

For advanced command-line users, there is a way to hide applications through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that does not require superuser rights, but allows you to disable even system applications that cannot be hidden by standard means.

Step-by-step:

1. 🖥️ Install. ADB-Drivers on PC and enable Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times click on the version bar, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).
2. 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: Adb devices Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).
3. 📝 To hide the application, use the command: adb shell pm hide com.example.app Replace com.example.app with the batch name of the desired application (you can find it through adb shell pm list packages). | grep").
4. 🔄 Restart the device. The app disappears from the menu.

Examples of batch names of popular Xiaomi system applications:

Install ADB-PC drivers|Enable debugging on USB smartphone|Connect your phone to the original cable|Check the visibility of the device by the team `adb devices`|Download the list of package names of applications-->

Important: After the update MIUI esoteric ADB Apps may reappear on the menu. To avoid this, repeat the command. `adb shell pm hide` after-update.

5. Hiding by Third-Party Launchers

If you don't like standard methods, you can use third-party launchers with application hiding, which doesn't remove programs from the system, but takes them out of sight.

• 🏠 Nova Launcher (paid version): supports hiding applications through the box settings (Nova Settings) → App & widget drawers → Hide apps).
• 🔍 Apex Launcher: Similar feature in Apex Settings → Drawer settings → Hidden apps.
• 📱 POCO Launcher (from Xiaomi): Despite belonging to the ecosystem, allows you to hide applications in category settings.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require root rights or ADB.
• ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI.
• ✅ Allows you to create your own categories of applications.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Hidden applications remain available through system search (Device Search).
• ❌ Some launchers may conflict with branded features MIUI (for example, navigational gestures).

💡

The launcher side is the only way to hide applications without tampering with system settings, but it doesn't provide complete privacy because the applications stay in the device's memory.

6. Hiding through Archiving (for power users)

This method is suitable for those who want to not just hide, but completely remove unnecessary system applications without losing data. It requires a TWRP (castom recovery) and a backup of the system.

Instructions:

1. 📦 Install. TWRP For your Xiaomi model (instructions are available on the forums) XDA Developers or 4PDA).
2. 🔄 Load into Recaveri mode (turn off the phone, then pinch the power supply). + Loudness up).
3. 🗃️ Create a backup of the current firmware (Backup) → Select partitions → System).
4. 🔍 Go to File Manager in the TWRP and find the folder. /system/priv-app or /system/app.
5. 🗑️ Find a folder with the name of an unwanted app (such as MiBrowser) and rename it by adding.bak at the end.
6. 🔄 Restart the device. The application will be removed.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect actions in TWRP This method is recommended only for experienced users who are ready to restore the system through a backup.

List of safe to remove system applications (for MIUI 12):

• 🌐 Mi Browser (com.android.browser)
• 🎵 Mi Music (com.miui.player)
• 🎬 Mi Video (com.miui.videoplayer)
• 🛒 GetApps (com.xiaomi.mipicks)
• 📊 Analytics (com.miui.analytics)

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding apps on MIUI 12