How to Hide Xiaomi Apps: All Ways to Hide MIUI 14/15 (2026)

Hiding apps on Xiaomi smartphones is a pressing task for most MIUI users. Someone wants to remove unnecessary system utilities, someone wants to hide personal data from prying eyes, and some parents thus limit children’s access to certain programs. Unlike “pure” Android, Xiaomi’s shell offers several built-in mechanisms for masking applications – from basic hiding icons to creating secure folders with a password.

It’s important to understand that the methods differ depending on the firmware version (MIUI 14 vs MIUI 15), the device model (Redmi Note 12, Poco X5, Xiaomi 13T), and even the regional build (global vs Chinese). In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to hide applications on Xiaomi in 2026, including little-known features like “Second Space” and circumvention of restrictions on some models, and learn how to return hidden programs back and what to do if standard methods do not work.

1. Hiding applications through "Security settings"

The easiest and most versatile way is to use the built-in Hidden Apps feature in the security menu, which works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and later, including the latest versions of MIUI 15.

To hide the app:

1. Open the Settings. → Password and security.
2. Select Hidden Apps (can be called Privacy → Hide Apps on some models).
3. Enter a password or pattern lock (if not configured, the system will prompt you 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 app menu, and they will only be accessed through the Hidden Apps section of the security settings. Note: this method does not remove the programs, but only masks their display.

💡

If the Hidden Apps item is not on the menu, upgrade to the latest version of MIUI or use alternative methods from this article.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Poco) F5, Redmi K60) After hiding the application through this method, it can continue to appear in search results on the system. To completely remove it from view, further disable the search impression in the launcher settings.

2.Use of the "Second Space" function

Dual Apps is originally designed to clone messengers, but it can be adapted to hide applications, creating an isolated environment with a separate desktop where secret programs can be placed.

How to set up:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Second space.
• 🔑 Create a password for the login (be sure to remember it!).
• 📥 Install the apps you want directly in the second space or move them there via the Application Management menu.
• 🔄 Switch between swipe spaces on the lock screen (setting is enabled in the parameters of the second space).

The advantage of this method is that hidden applications are physically located in a different sandbox and do not appear in the main space even when searching, but there are also disadvantages: some system utilities (for example, Settings) can not be moved, and additional disk space will be required to duplicate data.

3. Hiding through the Secure Folder folder

Starting with MIUI 13, Xiaomi introduced the Secure folder feature, which is the equivalent of the "Safe" from other manufacturers, which allows you not only to hide applications, but also to block access to them without a password or fingerprint.

Instructions for setting:

1. Open Files → Secure folder (or Settings → Privacy → Secure folder).
2. Create a password (you can use biometrics).
3. Click Add Apps and select the ones you need from the list.
4. Confirm the addition – the icons will disappear from the screen.

Hidden programs will only be accessible through the Secure folder section of the Files app or through a special shortcut on the desktop (if you create one), which is more reliable than standard hiding, since it requires authentication every time you access it.

4. Disable the display in the launcher (without deletion)

If you just need to remove the app icon from the home screen, but leave it on the system, you can use the launcher settings, which requires no passwords and works even on older versions of MIUI.

How to hide it:

• 📌 Press the app icon with your finger on your desktop.
• 🔧 In the menu that appears, select Application Information (or App Settings).
• 👁️‍🗨️ Scroll down and click Disable (on some models - Hide).
• 🔄 Confirm the action – the icon will disappear, but the program will remain in the system.

To return the application back, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, find what you want in the list and click Enable. This method is suitable for system utilities that can not be removed (for example, Mi Video, Mi Music), but which are not in use.

Make sure the application is not system-based (otherwise errors may occur)

Backup important data from the application

Remember the name of the app you are hiding (to search later)

Check if it is used in the background (for example, messengers)

-->

5. Hiding through ADB (for advanced users)

For those who are willing to work with ADB, there is a way to hide applications at the system level, the only way to remove the program completely from all menus, including search and settings, but it requires a computer connection and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm hide com.package.name (replace com.package.name with a real application package, such as com.miui.videoplayer).
3. To return the application, use: adb shell pm unhide com.package.name

To find out the exact application package, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "appendix name"

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Don't hide system components with packages like com.android. or com.miui. - this can cause unstable phone operation.

Hidden applications in security settings|Second space|Secure folder.|Shutdown at launcher|ADB-team|Don't hide the app.-->

6. Hiding from children through parental control

If your goal is to restrict your child's access to certain applications, you might want to use built-in parental controls, which not only hides programs, but also blocks them from running without input. PIN-code.

How to set up:

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Parental control.
• 🔢 Create. PIN-code (do not use date of birth or simple combinations!).
• 📵 Select Application Restriction and mark the ones you want to block.
• 🕒 Set a time limit for use (optional).

Unlike conventional concealment, parental control completely blocks the launch of marked applications. PIN-This method is ideal for controlling games, social networks or instant messengers.

💡

Parental control in MIUI allows not only to block applications, but also to limit the time of their use, as well as to view statistics of the child’s activity.

7.What to do if the hidden application does not appear in the settings?

Sometimes, when you hide an application through standard methods, it disappears not only from the desktop, but also from the settings menu, which can be due to a MIUI malfunction or a conflict with a memory optimizer. Here's how to return access:

Recovery methods:

• 🔍 Use a system search (swipe down on the home screen) – sometimes the app appears there.
• 📱 Reboot the phone - it will reset the launcher cache.
• 🔧 Restore the launcher settings: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher and press Reset.
• 💻 Connect to the PC and check for the app through ADB AB: adb shell pm list packages

If the app was hidden through ADB but now doesn’t even appear in the package list, try the command:

adb shell cmd package list packages -u

It will show all the disabled packets that can be returned by pm unhide.

8.Alternative methods: third-party launchers and applications

If Xiaomi’s built-in features don’t suit you, you can use third-party solutions that offer more flexibility, but require additional software.

Popular options:

• 📱 Nova Launcher – allows you to hide icons through the launcher settings (Long press) → Settings Nova → Hide applications).
• 🔒 App Hider – creates “wrappers” for applications under the guise of a calculator or other harmless programs.
• 🗃️ Secure Folder (from Samsung, but it works on Xiaomi) – the analogue of the “Secure folder” with advanced features.
• 🛡️ Parallel Space – allows you to run applications in an isolated environment with a separate password.

When using third-party launchers, be aware that they may conflict with MIUI optimization. For example, Nova Launcher sometimes resets settings after a system update. Also be careful with hideout apps - some of them may contain ads or collect data.

💡

Third-party launchers like Nova Launcher allow you not only to hide applications, but also to completely customize the appearance of the desktop, including gestures, icons and animations.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding apps on Xiaomi