How to hide the app icon on Xiaomi Redmi 9: all ways from MIUI to ADB

On Xiaomi Redmi 9 with a shell MIUI hide unnecessary application icons in several ways - from standard system functions to the use of third-party launchers or even ADB commands. But not all methods are equally effective: some simply remove the icon from the home screen, others completely hide the application from the list of installed programs. In this article, we will analyze all the current options, including nuances for different versions of MIUI (from 12 to 14) and possible limitations.

It's important to understand that hiding an icon doesn't equal deleting an application. It stays on the system, can run in the background and even receive notifications. If the goal is to make space or stop background activity, it's better to consider disabling or deleting (where possible).

1. Hiding the icon through the standard MIUI launcher

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI shell features. It doesn’t require superuser rights or installing additional programs, but it doesn’t work with all applications (e.g., system utilities may not hide).

Instructions:

• 📱 Long press on the free area of the main screen → Select Screen Settings.
• 🔍 Go to Hide Apps (in some versions) MIUI The item is called Hidden Appendices).
• ✅ Tick the programs you want to hide and click Ready.

After that, the icons will disappear from the home screen and from the app menu, but will remain available through search (Search for apps in swipe down) or system settings (Settings → Applications → Application Management).

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If you need to run a hidden app urgently, use Google Assistant or XiaoAI: say Open [app name] and the system will find it even without the visible icon.

2. Transfer of the icon to the folder "Hidden"

An alternative method is to create a folder on the screen with an invisible name and put unnecessary icons in it, which does not hide the application completely, but makes it less visible.

How to do this:

1. Create a new folder on the home screen (drop one icon to another).
2. Call the folder a space or symbol that visually merges with the background (for example, • – to do this, hold the Alt key and dial 0149 on the digital keyboard).
3. Move all unnecessary icons to the folder.
4. Remove the name of the folder: click on the text → Delete the name.

The downside is that the folder will still take up space on the screen, and if you accidentally click on it, its contents will become visible, but this method works even for system applications that cannot be hidden through the MIUI settings.

3. Use of third-party launchers

If the built-in MIUI features are not satisfied, you can install an alternative launcher from Google Play.

• 🎨 Nova Launcher – supports hiding icons through settings (Long press) → Change. → Hide).
• 🔄 Apex Launcher – allows you to hide apps in the menu (Settings) → Box settings → Hidden applications).
• 🚀 Microsoft Launcher – there is a function “Hidden applications” in the desktop settings.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🔧 More flexibility in the appearance setting.
• 📱 Ability to hide even system applications (where Android is allowed).
• 🔄 Easy return to standard launcher MIUI anytime.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Some launchers may conflict with gestures MIUI (For example, swipe up to open the menu).
• 📶 Increased battery consumption (due to additional process in the background).

4. Hiding through application settings (disable)

If the goal is not just to remove the icon, but to completely disable an unnecessary application (for example, preinstalled Xiaomi services), you can use the shutdown function. This will not delete the program, but stop it from working and hide it from the menu.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the desired application in the list and select it.
3. Click Disable (if the button is active).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not all system applications can be disabled (e.g. Settings or Phone).
• ⚠️ Disabling critical services (such as Google Play Services) can lead to unstable smartphone performance.
• 🔄 After disabling the icon will disappear, but the application will remain in the list of Application Management marked "Disabled".

The application is not system-based (e.g. com.android.phone)

You have a backup of important data

You know how to turn the app back on (Settings → Apps → Show everything → Enable)

You do not disable security-related services (e.g. Google Play Protect)

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5. Hiding through ADB (for power users)

For advanced users who are ready to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), there is a way to hide applications at the system level, which will remove even those programs that are not hidden through standard settings. Importantly, the method requires a connection to a PC and can disrupt the stability of MIUI if used improperly.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Redmi 9: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI until the notification "You've become a developer" appears.

USB debugging

• Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• Turn on the debugging switch over USB.
• Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands: adb shell pm hide com.example.app (replace com.example.app with a real application package, for example, com.miui.calculator for a calculator).

To return the application, use the command:

adb shell pm unhide com.example.app

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A list of MIUI system application packages can be found through the adb shell pm list packages | grep miui command. Be careful: Hiding critical services (e.g. com.android.systemui) will lead to the collapse of the interface!

Warnings:

⚠️ Note: Not all applications can be hidden through ADB. Some system components (com.android.launcher3, com.miui.home blocked from changes.

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI esoteric ADB The apps may reappear on the menu.

6. Comparison of methods of hiding icons

To choose the best way, compare all options on key parameters:

Frequent Questions (FAQ)