How to hide the app shortcut on Xiaomi: all the ways for MIUI 14 and 15

Xiaomi’s desktop is quickly filled with shortcuts — especially if you’re actively installing apps from Google Play or Mi App Store. But not all icons you want to see daily: some programs are rarely used, others duplicate functions (for example, two browsers), and others have appeared after updating MIUI without your knowledge. Delete such applications radically is not always the solution: system utilities may be needed for the phone, and some programs contain important data.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 proven ways to hide the app shortcut on Xiaomi, including:

• 📱 standardization MIUI 14/15 (rootless);
• 🔍 Hiding through the Others folder and archiving;
• 🛠️ Work with system applications (including com.miui.*);
• 📦 Use of launchers from third-party developers;
• 🔧 Advanced methods for experienced users (C) ADB).

All instructions are valid for Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi models based on MIUI 14/15 (including global and Chinese firmware).If your smartphone runs on HyperOS, some methods may differ, we will warn you about this separately.

1. Hiding the shortcut through the Application Management menu

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI feature to hide icons, which works for most user applications, but does not affect system utilities (such as Settings or Security).

Instructions:

1. Press the label of the app you want to hide.
2. In the menu that appears, select “Delete” (don’t be afraid – this will not delete the program, but only the icon).
3. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

⚠️ Attention: This method does not remove the application from the system:

• 🔍 via device search (swipe down on the desktop);
• 📂 in the menu of all applications (button "All applications" in the dock panel);
• ⚙️ in the settings Settings → Annexes → Application management.

If the shortcut has disappeared, but the application still appears in the menu of all programs, go to the next method.

Double check that you are hiding the right app

Make sure you have a backup of your data (for important programs)

Close the app before hiding (via the multitasking menu)

Remember: System applications may not be hidden by this method-->

2. Application Archivation (Hidden + Background Stop)

The MIUI archiving feature not only hides the label, but also stops the program’s background processes, saving battery life, which is useful for rarely used applications (such as banking clients or games).

How to archive:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the desired application in the list and tap it.
3. Select "Archive" (on some firmware - "Disable").
4. Confirm the action. The label will disappear from the desktop and from the menu of all applications.

To return the app:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Archived.
2. Slip on the app and select "Restore".

⚠️ Note: Archived apps don’t receive updates from Google Play until they are restored, which can create security vulnerabilities if the program contains sensitive data (such as instant messengers or payment services).

3. Move to the “Other” folder (for system applications)

Xiaomi system applications (such as Mi Video, Mi Music, Themes) can often not be archived or deleted, but they can be hidden in the Others folder, which is hidden from view by default.

Instructions:

1. Open the menu of all applications (swipe up on the desktop or the button “All applications” in the dock panel).
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select "Edit".
3. Find the app you want, pinch it and drag it to the Others folder (it’s usually located at the end of the list).
4. Click on “Ready” to save the changes.

The app will no longer appear in the main list, but will remain available:

• 🔍 via device search;
• 📂 in the “Others” folder (if you go back to editing mode).

⚠️ Attention: In some firmware MIUI 15 folder "Others" can be called "Hidden" or "Unused." If it is not, update the firmware or use alternative methods from this article.

4.Use of third-party launchers

If the built-in MIUI features don't suit, you can install an alternative launcher with advanced icon hiding settings.

• 📱 Nova Launcher (paid version supports app hiding);
• 🎨 Apex Launcher (Hidden Applications feature»);
• ⚡ Lawnchair (free, open source).

Example of settings in Nova Launcher:

1. Install the launcher from Google Play and make it the main one.
2. Press the free space on the desktop → “Settings” → “Hidden applications”.
3. Check the boxes of the programs you want to hide.
4. Save the changes. The icons will disappear from the menu and search.

✅ Pros of the method:

• Works for all applications, including system applications;
• You can hide the icons selectively (for example, only on the desktop, but leave them on the menu);
• Additional customization functions (gestures, themes, icon size).

❌ Cons:

• Launchers consume additional RAM;
• Some functions (such as concealment) may be paid for.
• When you return to the standard MIUI launcher, the hidden icons will be visible again.

💡

Before installing the launcher, back up your current desktop. In MIUI, you can do this through Settings → Desktop → Backup layout.

5. Advanced methods: ADB and packet disabling

For power users willing to work with ADB, there is a way to completely disable system applications, including those that are not hidden by standard methods (e.g. com.miui.analytics or com.xiaomi.midrop).

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause an unstable system or a "brick" of the device:

• Make a full backup of data;
• Make sure the bootloader is unlocked on the phone (for some commands).
• Turn on USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times on build number, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).

List of commands to disable applications:

adb shell pm hide com.xiaomi.midrop # Disable Mi Drop


adb shell pm hide com.miui.analytics # Disables Xiaomi Analytics




adb shell pm hide com.android.browser # Disables the standard browser




adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.package.name # Alternative syntax

To return the app:

adb shell pm unhide com.package.name

🔍 How to find out the name of the package?

1. Install the App Inspector app from Google Play.
2. Open it and find the desired application in the list.
3. Copy the value from the Package Name field (e.g. com.miui.videoplayer).

💡

Disabling system applications via ADB may disrupt Xiaomi services (such as Mi Account sync or air updates).

Frequent problems and solutions

When you hide shortcuts on Xiaomi, users are faced with common mistakes.

Problem 1: The shortcut has disappeared, but the app is still visible in the All Apps menu.

Solution: Use the archiving method (Section 2) or move the application to the Others folder (Section 3).

Problem 2: I can’t hide a system application (e.g. Mi Video or Themes).

Solution: For system utilities suitable:

• 📂 Moving to the “Others” folder»;
• 🛠️ shutdown ADB (section);
• 📱 installation of a third-party launcher (section 4).

Problem 3: After the MIUI update, the hidden icons reappeared.

Solution: This is due to a launcher reset, repeat the concealment action or:

• Reverse to the previous firmware version (if the update brought bugs);
• Use ADB to permanently disable packets.
• Set up automatic concealment in a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher).

Problem 4: The gestures or widgets don’t work after the launcher change.

Solution: In MIUI, some gestures are tied to the system launcher, to bring back functionality:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Special features → Gestures.
2. Reconfigure your gestures for the new launcher.
3. For widgets, restart the device.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions