How to hide applications Xiaomi Redmi 9C: the full guide

Xiaomi’s smartphones, including the budget and popular Redmi 9C, feature a powerful MIUI shell that offers a variety of features to customize the interface. One of the most sought-after features for users is hiding apps that shouldn’t be visible to outsiders. It can be banking software, personal messengers or just programs that clutter the desktop.

Unlike many other manufacturers, the Chinese giant has implemented this feature at the system level without requiring third-party launchers. However, finding this setting the first time can be difficult, since it is often hidden in specific menu sections or activated by gestures. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways to hide programs on your device.

We will look at standard methods through security settings, guest mode and working with third-party launchers if the built-in options seem insufficient. The security of your data depends on the correct privacy settings, so it is important to pay attention to this.

Built-in application hiding function in MIUI

The Android-based MIUI shell provides a native icon hiding tool, a method that is preferred because it doesn’t require any additional software and is stable, and is integrated into the system’s Security app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi devices.

To activate the mode, you need to open the standard Security app (green shield icon). Next, you need to scroll down the tool list and find the "Hide Apps" item. If you can't see it right away, you may need to click three dots in the corner of the screen or go to the "Hide Apps" section through the security application settings.

Once logged in, the system will suggest creating a hidden space unlock password if it hasn't already been installed, a critical step, because without a password, anyone who picks up the phone can easily turn off the feature. The password can be graphical or digital, and also be tied to a fingerprint.

• 🔒 Open the Security app on the home screen.
• 📂 Find the Hide Apps icon in the list of utilities.
• 🔑 Create a strong password or use biometrics.
• ✅ Select the applications that you need to hide by switching toggles.

The hidden application management interface allows you to configure access flexibly. You can add or remove a program from the hidden list at any time. It is important to understand that the hidden application does not disappear without a trace: it ceases to appear in the menu and on the desktop, but continues to work in the background and receive notifications unless additional restrictions are set.

Find hidden applications through the desktop

There is an alternative and faster way to access hidden apps that many Redmi 9C users find more convenient, using a special gesture on the desktop, which does not require you to log into the settings menu every time you want to run a hidden program.

To take advantage of this trick, you have to go to the main screen of your smartphone, and then you have to put two fingers on the screen and spread them out to the sides, as if you want to zoom in (plug out), and if the concealment function is activated, a special window with hidden icons will open.

This gesture is a kind of "secret key." Without doing this gesture or entering a password in the Security app, you can't see hidden icons in standard ways, and this provides an additional level of privacy, because there are no visual indicators of hidden content on the desktop.

💡

For even greater secrecy, you can change the name of the hidden app folder or use a pseudonym in the settings to confuse the curious.

However, one thing to consider is that if you use a third-party launcher instead of a standard POCO Launcher or MIUI Launcher, this gesture may not work, in which case you will only have to rely on the security login. Some versions of MIUI also require you to pre-activate the "Hide Apps" option in the desktop settings.

Configure passwords and access restrictions

Simply hiding the app icon on Xiaomi Redmi 9C is sometimes not enough. If someone knows about the existence of hidden mode or has access to an unlocked phone, they can try to run the program.

This feature is in the same Security menu, and it allows you to set a separate password for running specific applications, even if the application is not hidden, without code entry or fingerprint, it will not open. The combination of concealment and locking gives you a double layer of protection.

In the security settings, you can select the type of lock: pattern lock, PIN-A Mi Account link is also available to restore access in case of a forgotten password. Don't ignore this step, as it may be impossible to restore access without an account link.

⚠️ Warning: If you forget the password from hidden apps and do not link your Mi Account, the only way to get access back is to completely reset your phone settings, which will result in the loss of all data.

In addition, application protection settings can hide the content of notifications, which means that even if the application is running, the text of the message or the name of the interlocutor will not appear on the locked screen or in the notification curtain without authorization.

Use of guest mode and second space

For those who want to create a completely isolated environment, Xiaomi offers a “Second Space” feature.It’s not just hiding apps, but creating a second, independent system inside your Redmi 9C. You’ll have two desktops, two galleries, two sets of contacts and two sets of apps.

Switching between the main and second spaces is instantaneous through a special label in the notification curtain or through a given fingerprint, for example, if you put your right thumb on your personal phone, your left thumb opens, and your left thumb opens up a clean phone for guests or work.

This is ideal if you want to hide not just one or two icons, but a whole group of programs along with their data, and in the second space, you can set up a separate Google account, which completely isolates your search history and geolocation from your main profile.

It’s worth noting that activating the second space can consume more battery and RAM resources, especially on budget models. However, for the Redmi 9C with its optimization, this is usually not a critical issue when used in moderation.

Third-party solutions and launchers

If the built-in MIUI tools don’t suit you for some reason (for example, the interface seems inconvenient or features are limited in your firmware version), you can turn to third-party launchers. Popular options like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or specialized hidden launchers from Google Play offer their own methods of hiding.

These launchers allow you to hide apps from the menu, but often do not provide the same level of security as Xiaomi system tools. The application hidden through a third-party launcher can still be found through phone settings or global search.

When installing a third-party launcher, you need to give it broad permissions, which can affect system stability and battery consumption, and always check developer reviews and ratings before installing such software.

• 📲 Download the launcher from the official Play Market store.
• ⚙️ Set it as the default app in screen settings.
• 🎨 Customize the look and find the app hide section.
• 🔍 Check if the app has actually disappeared from the list.

Some users prefer to use Calculator Vaults, which masquerade as a calculator, but when you type in a special code, you open a hidden photo album or a list of apps, which is an effective way to "hide the closet in the closet."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

💡

Using MIUI built-in tools to hide applications is the safest and most energy-efficient method that does not require additional software installation.

To sum up, the Xiaomi Redmi 9C provides powerful privacy management tools.The clever combination of hiding apps, setting passwords, and using second space will make you feel confident handing your phone to other people or using it in public.

Remember that no method gives 100% guarantee if the device physically falls into the hands of a professional hacker, but to protect against everyday curiosity, these methods are enough.