How to remove the unnecessary app shortcut on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: all working methods

Xiaomi Redmi 9A has accumulated unnecessary shortcuts that interfere with and spoil the appearance of the desktop? Don’t rush to remove the programs themselves — in most cases, it is enough to simply hide their icons. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to hide shortcuts on Redmi 9A without root rights and complex manipulations. All methods work on the latest versions of MIUI 12-14 and do not require special knowledge.

It's important to understand the difference between deleting a shortcut and uninstalling an application. The first one simply removes the icon from the screen, and the second one completely erases the program from the phone's memory. We'll focus on the first option, which is safer and reversible. If you want to get rid of the built-in Xiaomi system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) that can't be removed by standard means, then hiding the shortcuts is the best solution.

Before you start, check the MIUI version on your device: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. This depends on the availability of certain features. Also note that after updating the firmware, the launcher settings may reset — you will have to repeat the procedure.

1. Hiding shortcuts through the standard MIUI launcher

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI shell capabilities. It does not require additional programs to be installed and works on all versions of the Redmi 9A (including models with 2/32 GB and 3/64 GB of memory).

Instructions:

• 📱 Click on unnecessary label on the desktop.
• 🔄 In the menu that appears, select "Remove" (not "Delete»!).
• 🗑️ The icon will disappear from the screen, but the application will remain in the menu of all programs.
• 🔍 To return the shortcut, find the app in the App Menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen) and drag it back to the desktop.

This method is suitable for all user applications (e.g. VKontakte, Tinkoff or AliExpress), but does not work with built-in system utilities (e.g. Mi Calculator or Mi File Manager).

Check the MIUI version in the settings

Make a backup copy of important data

Close all working applications

Make sure the battery is more than 20 times charged%-->

⚠️ Note: If the app stopped sending notifications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) after hiding the shortcut, check the notification settings in Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Title of the programme] → Notifications, sometimes. MIUI Automatically disables alerts for hidden programs.

2. Use of folders for the organization of the desktop

If you don't want to completely remove icons, but just want to organize them, create a hidden folder, which allows you to quickly "get out of sight" unnecessary shortcuts, keeping them quickly accessible.

How to do this:

1. Press and hold the empty space on your desktop, then select “Folders”.
2. Create a new folder with a neutral name (e.g., Archive or Reserve).
3. Drag all unnecessary labels into it.
4. To avoid catching the eye, move it to the last screen or to the corner of the display.

The advantage of this method is that you can access hidden applications instantly without having to search for them in the menu, and you can rename and sort folders, which is convenient for organizing the workspace.

I create folders by category

Hiding all unnecessary labels

I use widgets instead of icons.

I'll leave it as it is.

Another option-->

For additional masking, you can change the folder icon to a neutral one (for example, a gray square).

1. Open the folder and click on its name.
2. Select “Change the icon” (if this option is available in your version of MIUI).
3. Choose a minimalist icon from the ones offered or download yours.

3. Disabling Recommended Applications in MIUI

Redmi 9A often features recommended shortcuts from Xiaomi (such as Mi Browser, Mi Pay or GetApps) that cannot be removed or hidden in the standard way, but you can turn off the display.

Instructions:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Desktop.
• 📱 Find the Recommended Apps or App Vault section (name depends on version) MIUI).
• 🔄 Turn off the slider next to the item "Show recommended applications».
• 🗑️ After that, unnecessary shortcuts will disappear from the desktop.

If your MIUI version doesn’t have one, try an alternative way:

1. Click on the recommended label for a long time.
2. In the menu that appears, select “Hide Do not show”.
3. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: Disabling recommended apps may affect some Xiaomi services, such as Mi Account or Mi Cloud. If backup notifications stop coming after that, check your sync settings in Settings → Xiaomi account.

Installation of a third-party launcher (Nova Launcher, Apex)

If the built-in MIUI doesn't suit you, try a third-party launcher, popular options are Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which offer advanced icon hiding settings, including the ability to hide apps completely from the menu.

The following is a step-by-step instruction for Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Play Market.
2. Assign it to the default launcher (at the first start, the system will prompt you to do this).
3. Press long on the desktop → «Settings Nova».
4. Go to the “Applications Menu” section → “Hidden Apps”.
5. Check the boxes for the programs you want to hide.
6. Save the changes.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🎨 Flexible configuration of appearance (themes, icons, animations).
• 🔒 The ability to hide applications not only from the desktop, but also from the general menu.
• 📱 Support for gestures and additional features (such as double-touch to lock the screen).
• 🔄 Automatic backup of settings.

💡

If after installing a third-party launcher, MIUI navigation gestures stop working, return them to Settings → System → Gestures → System navigation and select “Full-screen gestures”.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Some features (such as hiding system applications) require a premium launcher version.
• ⚡ Increased battery consumption (5-10% more than a standard launcher).
• 🔄 Possible conflicts with corporate functions MIUI (For example, with App Vault).

5. disable system applications through settings (without root)

Some of Xiaomi’s built-in apps (such as Mi Video, Mi Music or Mi Pay) can’t be removed or hidden in standard ways, but they can be disabled, removing shortcuts and stopping background processes.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the app you want in the list (use search if there are many).
3. Press it. → «Shut down».
4. Confirm the action (the system will warn you that it may affect other functions).

List of apps that can be safely disabled on Redmi 9A:

• 🎵 Mi Music (unless you use the built-in player).
• 🎬 Mi Video (if you watch videos in other apps).
• 💳 Mi Pay (unless you use Xiaomi payment system).
• 🌐 Mi Browser (if you prefer Chrome or Firefox).
• 📦 GetApps (branded app store Xiaomi).

⚠️ Warning: Don’t disable system services called com.android., com.miui. or com.qualcomm. – this can lead to unstable phone operation or even cyclical restart. Also avoid turning off Google Play Services – without them many applications will stop working.

6.Reset launcher settings (if something went wrong)

If, after experimenting with shortcuts, the desktop starts to work incorrectly (for example, icons are lost, application menus are not opened, or artifacts appear), reset the launcher settings, which will return the standard view of the screen without losing data.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Louncher app (or MIUI Launcher) and open its settings.
3. Click on “Storage” → “Clear Data”.
4. Confirm action. After that, the launcher will restart with factory settings.

What happens after the reset:

• ✅ All labels will return to their places.
• ✅ User folders and widgets will disappear.
• ✅ The wallpaper and the theme of the desktop will be dropped.
• ❌ Applications and their data will remain intact (reset only affects display settings).

If the reset didn’t work, try restarting your phone or upgrading your MIUI to the latest version, and you can install another launcher as described in Section 4.

💡

Resetting the launcher is the safest way to return the desktop to its original state if you made a mistake when setting up shortcuts.It doesn't affect personal data, photos or installed apps.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding shortcuts on Redmi 9A