How to remove the app shortcut on Xiaomi Redmi Note: hide icons forever

Are there too many unnecessary shortcuts on the Xiaomi Redmi Note screen? Standard removal methods don't work because MIUI behaves differently than other Android shells? You're not alone: users of this series of smartphones regularly face the problem of "unremovable" icons - especially when it comes to preinstalled Xiaomi services or system utilities.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to hide or completely remove application shortcuts on Redmi Note (relevant to Note 10/11/12/13 models and MIUI 14/15 firmware). You will learn how to bypass the limitations of a standard launcher, what to do with "unremovable" system programs, and what third-party tools will help restore the cleanliness of the desktop. Important: some methods require superuser rights (root), but we will specify alternatives for users without root access.

Before you start, check your shell version: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. This depends on the availability of certain features. Also note that hiding icons does not equal removing an application – it will still take up space in memory (how to fix this, read the section about uninstallation).

Why Xiaomi Redmi Note can’t just remove the shortcut

Unlike pure Android, the MIUI shell imposes strict restrictions on application management, and here are the key reasons why standard thumb-holding and Delete choices often don’t work:

• 🔹 Xiaomi Pre-installed Services: Apps like Mi Video, Mi Music or GetApps are protected from system-level removal.
• 🔹 System Utilities: Security, Themes or Calendar integrated into MIUI They do not have the option of uninstallation.
• 🔹 Launcher Limitations: Standard Starter MIUI It does not support icon hiding (unlike Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher).
• 🔹 Google Policy: Some apps (such as Google Play Music) cannot be removed without root rights due to licensing requirements.

Moreover, after updating MIUI, some previously deleted shortcuts can return to the desktop, which is due to the mechanism of restoring the standard shell configuration, which requires not only hiding the icon, but also blocking its reappearance (this is discussed in the ADB section).

⚠️ Attention: Disabling system applications through Settings → Applications can cause unstable smartphone operation, for example, deactivation of Miui Daemon will cause notification errors, and disabling SecurityCenter - problems with unlocking the screen.

Method 1: Hiding icons through the settings of the MIUI launcher

If you don't want to remove the app completely, just remove its label from the desktop, use the built-in shell features, which work without root rights and does not require third-party installation.

Step-by-step:

1. Press and hold your finger in the free desktop space until the menu appears.
2. Select Desktop Settings (or Launcher Settings depending on the MIUI version).
3. Go to Hide Apps (in some firmware it is called Icon Management).
4. Tick the app shortcuts you want to hide and click Ready.

After that, the icons will disappear from the desktop, but will remain on the menu of all applications. To return them back, repeat the steps and uncheck the boxes.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Does not work for system applications (such as Settings or Phone).
• 🚫 Hidden icons may return after update MIUI.
• 🚫 Does not affect notifications and application background processes.

💡

If there is no Hide Apps option, update the launcher via Google Play or install an alternative launcher (see Method 3).

Method 2: Disable applications through the settings menu

If the label belongs to an unnecessary service (for example, Mi Pay or Mi Community), it can be disabled - this will remove the icon from the desktop and stop background activity. APK-The file will remain in the device memory.

How to disable the application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the app you want in the list (use search if it’s not in the visible area).
3. Click on the title, then select Disable (or Remove Updates if the Disable button is inactive).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

⚠️ Note: Disabling Google Play Services or Services Framework applications will result in loss of Google account functionality, including contact synchronization and Play Market access.

To return the disabled application, re-locate it in the list and click Enable. The icon will return to the desktop.

Method 3: Use of a third-party launcher (Nova, Apex, Lawnchair)

The standard MIUI launcher does not allow you to flexibly configure the display of icons, but third-party shells solve this problem, for example, Nova Launcher or Lawnchair support the function of hiding applications without root rights.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Assign it to the default launcher (the corresponding request will appear at the first start).
3. Press and hold your finger on your desktop, select Settings Nova.
4. Go to the Apps menu → Hide the Apps.
5. Check the unneeded programs and save the changes.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🎨 Flexible adjustment of the appearance of icons (size, shape, animations).
• 🔍 Ability to hide system applications (e.g. Settings or Camera).
• 📁 Sorting applications by folders and tags.
• 🔄 Automatic backup of configuration.

If after installing Nova Launcher icons are still displayed, clear the launcher cache in the application settings or restart the smartphone.

Method 4: Remove system applications via ADB (without root)

For experienced users willing to work with the command line, there is a way to remove pre-installed Xiaomi applications without obtaining root rights – through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting a smartphone to a computer, but allows you to permanently get rid of unnecessary services.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press the assembly number → return to → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Redmi Note to your computer and allow debugging over USB.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Find out the exact names of the packages of unnecessary applications: adb shell pm list packages | grep 'miui' For example, com.miui.video is Mi Video.
5. Delete the app by command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name package Example for Mi Music: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.player

List of popular removal packages:

⚠️ Attention: Deleting com.miui.securitycenter or com.android.settings will lead to critical system errors, including the inability to boot your smartphone. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

💡

The adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 command removes the application only for the current user, without affecting the system files. This allows you to return it back with the adb shell cmd package install-existing name of the packet.

Method 5: Complete removal with root rights (for advanced)

If you are ready to get root access (for example, through Magisk), there will be opportunities for deep cleaning of the system, which allows you to remove any applications, including system ones, but requires caution.

What needs to be done:

1. Unlock the Redmi Note bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (account binding is mandatory!).
2. Install Custom Recovery (TWRP) and get root rights through Magisk.
3. Use a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer) or pm uninstall command in the terminal.

Example of removal through Root Explorer:

1. Open Root Explorer and go to /system/app or /system/priv-app.
2. Find a folder with the name of the unwanted app (e.g. MiuiVideo).
3. Delete the folder or rename it by adding.bak at the end.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

Risks of obtaining root rights:

• 🚨 Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• 🚨 Inability to update "over the air" (you will have to install firmware manually).
• 🚨 Risk of “bricking” with incorrect actions with system files.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to hide or remove shortcuts, Redmi Note users often face typical problems.

Problem 1: The icon returns after the reboot

Solution: This is because of the MIUI recovery mechanism, to seal the changes:

• Use ADB to uninstall (Method 4).
• Or disable the application through Settings → Applications (Method 2).
• Or install a third-party launcher and hide the icon through its settings (Method 3).

Problem 2: You can’t remove the system application

Solution: System utilities (Settings, Phone, Messages) cannot be removed without root.

• Hide the icon in a folder on your desktop.
• Disable notifications from the application in Settings → Notifications.
• Use Nova Launcher to hide your icon (Method 3).

Problem 3: After being deleted via ADB, the application returned

Solution: This is due to MIUI updates that restore standard packages to prevent:

• Turn off automatic firmware updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.
• Use a Magisk module called Disable Flag Secure (requires root).

Problem 4: USB debugging doesn’t work

Decision:

• Make sure that the USB debugging option is enabled in the developer settings.
• Check if Xiaomi drivers are installed on your computer (download from the official website).
• Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original).
• Restart your smartphone and computer.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions