How to hide applications Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: all working ways

Why users want to hide apps from Xiaomi

Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro often face the need to hide individual applications — whether it is system utilities that can not be removed, or personal programs that you do not want to show to others. The reasons can vary from the desire to organize the desktop to protect confidential data, such as personal messaging messengers, banking applications or games that you do not want to show colleagues or relatives.

It's worth noting that MIUI (Miami firmware) offers several built-in ways to hide apps, but not all of them are equally effective. Some methods just remove icons from the home screen, others completely block access to programs without a password. It's important to understand the difference to choose the best option for your tasks. For example, if you want to hide an application from children, you just need to hide it in a folder, and to protect it from prying eyes will require a more serious approach.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods, including standard MIUI functions, third-party launchers and specialized utilities, and pay special attention to the nuances of working on the Redmi Note 8 Pro with the firmware versions (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14), and you will learn which methods will not work on your device and why.

Method 1: Hiding through the built-in Hidden Applications feature in MIUI

The easiest and safest method is to use the standard Hidden Applications option available in the MIUI settings, which does not remove programs, but only removes them from the menu and search, leaving the possibility of running through a special menu, which is suitable for temporarily hiding unnecessary utilities or system applications that cannot be uninstalled.

To activate the function:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Hidden Apps.
3. Enter the password from your Mi Account (if not tied, you will need to create).
4. Tick the apps you want to hide and click Ready.

After that, the icons will disappear from the home screen and from the list of all applications. To bring them back, repeat the steps and uncheck the boxes. Importantly, this method does not work for system applications like Security or Themes — they can not be hidden through standard settings.

Is Mi Account linked to the device | Is there a backup of the password | Is the screen unlocking application hidden | Is the function checked on the test application-->

⚠️ Note: If you forget your Mi Account password, it will be impossible to restore access to hidden applications without resetting your phone to factory settings).

Method 2: Using folders on the desktop

If you just want to remove the icons from view, but not block access, you can use the standard folder function in MIUI. This method requires no additional settings and works on all versions of the firmware. Suitable for hiding games, rarely used utilities or duplicate applications (for example, two messengers).

Instructions:

• 📱 Press the icon of the app you want to hide and drag it to another icon.
• 📁 Automatically create a folder. Call it neutral (e.g., Tools or Reserves»).
• 🔒 To make access difficult, move the folder to the second screen or to the corner of the display.
• 🎨 To disguise, change the color of the folder: pinch it. → Edit → pick out a low-key hue.

The advantage of this method is speed and no risk. The disadvantage is that you can still accidentally open the folder. For more privacy, combine this method with disabling notifications for hidden applications (in the settings of each).

In folders by category|All on the home screen.|Using an alternative launcher|Hiding the unnecessary|Another option-->

Method 3: Disable applications through settings (for system)

Some MIUI system applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, Browser) cannot be removed or hidden by standard methods, but they can be disabled, which will remove their icons from the screen and stop background processes, but will not delete files completely.

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Mi Pay).
3. Click Disable (the button will appear if the application can be deactivated).
4. Confirm the action.

Once disabled, the app will disappear from the menu, but its data will remain in the device's memory. To return it, repeat the steps and click On. Attention: disabling system utilities (for example, Security) can cause malfunctions in the phone. We recommend using this method only for secure applications from the list:

If the Disable button is inactive, the application is critical to the system, in which case, try the following method.

Method 4: Alternative launchers with concealment function

If standard MIUI methods don't suit you, you can install a third-party launcher with advanced application hiding capabilities, popular options: Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or POCO Launcher (optimized for Xiaomi), which allows you not only to hide icons, but also to customize gestures, change the appearance of the interface and block access to applications with a password.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

• 📥 Install the launcher from Google Play and make it the main one (when you first start the system will prompt you to do this).
• 🔧 Hold the free space on the desktop → Settings Nova → Hiding applications.
• 🔍 Select the programs you want to hide and save the changes.
• 🔒 For additional protection, install the Nova Launcher Prime plugin (paid version) and activate folder lock with a password.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🎨 Flexible interface configuration (themes, icons, animations).
• 🔐 Ability to block hidden applications with PIN code.
• 📱 Compatible with most Android versions (including: MIUI 14).

⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers, battery consumption may increase (on the 5-10%) If you notice a lot of heat or a lot of discharge, go back to the standard launcher. MIUI.

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Before installing the launcher, back up the current location of the icons. Use the Backup function in the MIUI settings (Section Additional).

Method 5: Safe applications for complete confidentiality

If you need to not just hide icons, but protect data in applications (for example, in messengers or banking services), use specialized safe utilities. They encrypt access to programs and require a password or fingerprint to log in. Popular solutions: App Hider, Hide App-Hide Application or Calculator Vault (masked as a calculator).

How App Hider works:

1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
2. Run it and create a PIN or pattern lock.
3. Add the programs you want to hide to your protected list.
4. Icons will disappear from the screen, and access to them will be possible only through App Hider.

Features of the method:

• 🔐 Completely locking access without password (even through Android settings).
• 📱 It works on all versions. MIUI, including the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
• 🚨 Risk of losing access when resetting your phone (it is recommended to export a backup of passwords).

For maximum security, combine this method with two-factor authentication in the applications themselves (for example, in Telegram or banking services). Also check whether the selected safe supports hiding notifications - this will prevent information from leaking through the alert panel.

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Safeware applications are the only method that protects not only from accidental opening, but also from targeted search through a file manager or ADB.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When hiding apps on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

1.The function “Hidden applications” does not work

If the option is not in the settings, check:

• 🔄 Version MIUI: on old firmware (below) MIUI 12) this function may not be available. Update the system in Settings → The phone. → Update of the PO.
• 📱 Firmware Region: on Global Versions (MIUI Global option available, and in Chinese (MIUI China) may be absent.
• 🔐 Mi Account binding: without Xiaomi account, the feature is not available.

2.Hidden apps reappear after rebooting

This is typical of methods that use folders or disable.

• For folders: Use a launcher with icon location fixing (e.g., Nova Launcher).
• For disabled applications: check if your settings have reset after the MIUI update.

3. You can't hide system applications

As mentioned earlier, some utilities (e.g. Security or Settings) cannot be hidden or disabled.

• 🛠️ Use it. ADB Deactivation (requires PC and command knowledge).
• 🔧 Install custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) where there are no such restrictions.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions