How to Hide Xiaomi Redmi 9 Apps with NFC: A Complete Guide with 5 Proven Methods

Xiaomi Redmi 9 with NFC is one of the most popular budget smartphones with support for contactless payments, but its MIUI firmware does not always offer obvious solutions for hiding applications. Według statistics, more than 60% of Redmi 9 users have at least once tried to hide applications — whether messengers, banking programs or games — from prying eyes. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods, including hidden shell functions, third-party utilities and even methods without installing additional software.

It’s important to understand that hiding apps on Xiaomi is different from completely removing them: programs continue to run in the background, but their icons disappear from the menu. This is important for protecting personal data, saving space on the home screen or just keeping order. We tested all methods on Redmi 9 with the latest versions of MIUI 12-14 (including global and European firmware) – the results are summarized in the comparison table below.

1. Standard method: Hidden applications function in MIUI

The easiest way is to use the built-in option “Second Space” or “App Lock.” However, Redmi 9 has a more direct feature that many people overlook, which works without additional settings, but has limitations: hidden applications will remain available through search through the system.

To activate it:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select Hidden Apps".
• ✅ Check the boxes of the programs you want to hide and confirm your choice.

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If the Hidden Applications item is not on the menu, upgrade to the latest version of MIUI or use an alternative method from Section 3.

Once activated, the icons will disappear from the home screen and from the list of all apps. To bring them back, repeat the steps and uncheck the ticks. Importantly, this method does not block notifications from hidden programs, they will still appear in the curtain.

2.The use of the "Second Space"

Second Space is a separate user profile in MIUI that allows you to create an isolated environment with your own applications, settings and data, the advantage of which is that hidden programs are physically transferred to another profile and not displayed mainly.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings. → Second Space.
2. Follow the instructions for creating a second profile (you will need to come up with a separate password or a pattern lock).
3. After creation, switch to Second Space via the notification panel.
4. Install or transfer the desired applications to this profile.

Second Space has the disadvantage of switching between profiles, but it's a method that reliably isolates data: applications in the second space won't see files or settings from the main profile, suitable for hiding messengers, banking applications or work accounts.

3.Blocking and Hiding through App Lock

The App Lock feature in MIUI not only blocks apps from being accessed with a password, but also hides them from the menu, a technique that combines data protection and visual concealment, but does not work on all firmware versions.

Instructions:

• 🔒 Go to Settings. → Passwords and security → App Lock.
• 🔑 Turn on the function by setting PIN-code.
• 📵 Select the lock apps, then click on the three dots in the top right corner and activate the Hide Notifications and Hide the Icon option (if available).

If the option to hide icons is not available, you can go to the trick: block the application in the App Lock, and then remove its shortcut from the main screen.

4. Third-party launchers: Nova Launcher, Apex and others

If the built-in MIUI features don’t work, you can install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher) that supports application hiding, which offers flexible interface settings and allows you to hide icons without root rights.

The following is a step-by-step configuration in Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play and make it the default launcher.
2. Press the free space on the home screen and select “Nova Settings”.
3. Go to "Hidden Apps" (App & widget drawers → Hide Apps).
4. Check the boxes for the programs you want to hide.

Advantages of the method:

• 🎨 Complete customization of the interface.
• 🔍 Hidden applications do not appear in the launcher search.
• 🔄 It’s easy to bring the icons back.

Disadvantage: Apps will remain visible in the Settings → Apps menu. Complete concealment will require a combination with other methods (e.g. App Lock).

5. Advanced method: ADB-cover-up

For advanced 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 a smartphone connection to a PC and basic command line knowledge.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Redmi 9: Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on MIUI Version.
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install it. ADB-Drivers and open the command line.
4. Enter the command to hide the application (replace com.example.app with the batch name of the program): adb shell pm hide com.example.app
5. To return the application, use: adb shell pm unhide com.example.app

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ADB-The teams hide the applications at the system level, but they don't delete them.

How to find out the batch name of the application? Install the App Inspector utility from Google Play or use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword"

For example, for WhatsApp:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "whatsapp"

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Before executing commands, make sure that the batch name is correctly stated - hiding system applications (com.android.*) can disrupt stability. MIUI.

Additional Safety Advice

Hiding apps is only part of protecting privacy, and to keep data secure on Redmi 9, follow these guidelines:

• 🔐 Use device encryption in Settings → Additionally. → Encryption and accounts.
• 📱 Set up the lock. SIM-map PIN-code (even if the phone is unlocked, SIM stay protected).
• 🌐 Turn off autocomplete passwords in your browser for sensitive sites.
• 🔄 Regularly check the list of application permissions in Settings → Confidentiality → Permits.

If you often share your phone with others (such as your children or colleagues), consider creating a guest profile:

1. Open Settings → System → Multiplayer mode.
2. Activate the "Guest" option and set the restrictions.

⚠️ Note: Redmi 9 with older firmware MIUI 12.5 Multiplayer mode may not work smoothly. Before using, check the relevance of updates in Settings → Updating the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding apps on Xiaomi