How to hide an app on Xiaomi Poco X3: from standard features to hidden tricks

Hiding apps on Xiaomi Poco X3 is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from wanting to remove unnecessary system utilities to having to hide personal information from prying eyes. Unlike iOS, where functionality is limited, MIUI firmware offers several built-in and hidden mechanisms for masking programs. However, not all of them are obvious, and some require technical knowledge.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 working ways, from basic (through Second Space and icon hiding) to advanced (using ADB and third-party launchers), and focus on the nuances of working on the Poco X3, taking into account the versions of MIUI 12/13/14 firmware and the limitations imposed by the manufacturer. If you’re looking for a way to hide an application so that it can’t be found even through search, here you’ll find a solution.

1. Hiding applications through Second Space (second desktop)

Second Space is the official MIUI tool that allows you to create a second independent user profile with your own applications, settings and data, and the advantage of the method is that hidden programs are not just masked, but physically transferred to another “space” that is not accessible without a password.

How it works on the Poco X3:

• 🔒 Data isolation: Second Space applications and files don’t show up in the main profile, even if you know their names.
• 🔄 Fast switching: Transitioning between spaces takes 2-3 Seconds (gesture double pressing the home button or through the notification curtain).
• 🛡️ Password Protection: You can set a separate PIN Or a graphical key to enter Second Space.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Special Options → Second Space
2. Click Create Second Space and follow the Settings wizard (set password!).
3. After you create, go to Second Space and install the apps you want through the Play Market.
4. Return to the main profile – hidden programs will not be available without switching.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14 on Poco X3 Second Space can be disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings. → About the phone and 7 times click on the version MIUI, Then go back to the Special Opportunities section.

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If you hide messengers (such as Telegram or WhatsApp), remember to turn off notifications in the main space, otherwise they will give the presence of a second profile.

2. Hiding application icons through launcher settings

The easiest, but least reliable way to do this is to remove the app icon from the home screen and menu, which doesn't remove the program or block access to it, but visually makes it less visible, and is suitable for temporarily hiding underutilized utilities.

How to hide the icon on Poco X3:

1. Press your finger on the icon of the app you want to hide.
2. In the menu that appears, select Remove (or drag the icon to the top of the screen to the Remove inscription).
3. Confirm the action. The icon will disappear from the home screen, but will remain in the app menu.

To hide the icon from the app menu:

• Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
• Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
• Choose Hide applications and tick the necessary ones.

⚠️ Note: Apps hidden through the launcher settings will still appear in search results by system (swipe search call down on the home screen). To avoid this, use Second Space or the methods in the following sections.

3. Hiding system applications through ADB (no root)

If you need to hide embedded system applications (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Music, GetApps) that cannot be removed or disabled by standard means, the ADB tool (Android Debug Bridge) will help.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 Works without root: does not violate the warranty and does not block OTA-update.
• 🗑️ Complete Hiding: The app disappears from menus, search and settings.
• 🔄 Reverse: You can return the application back at any time.

Step-by-step:

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC| Enable USB debugging on Poco X3| Download ADB platform from Google| Connect phone to PC via cable

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1. Activate Developer Mode on Poco X3: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) Then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on Debugging over USB.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in the device.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB and execute the command to hide the application: adb shell pm hide com.miui.browser (replace com.miui.browser with the package of the desired application).
4. To return the application, use: adb shell pm unhide com.miui.browser

List of packages of popular system applications Xiaomi:

• 🌐 Mi Browser: com.android.browser or com.miui.browser
• 🎵 Mi Music: com.miui.player
• 📦 GetApps: com.xiaomi.mipicks
• 📱 Security (Security): com.miui.securitycenter

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) are critical to work with MIUI. Hiding them can cause your phone to crash. Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → System system → Backup.

4.Use of third-party launchers with concealment function

If the built-in MIUI facilities don’t suit you, you can install an alternative launcher with advanced hideout features, popular options: Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher and POCO Launcher (optimized for Xiaomi devices).

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🎨 Flexible customization: You can hide apps by category, name, or even icon color.
• 🔍 Hiding from Search: Some launchers (like Nova) allow you to exclude programs from global search.
• 🔒 Additional protection: Apex Launcher has a password-blocking feature for hidden apps.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Play Market and make it the default launcher.
2. Press your finger in the free screen space → Nova settings.
3. Go to Hidden Applications and tick the desired programs.
4. To hide from search: Settings Nova → Search → Hide applications.

Important: Third-party launchers don’t remove apps from the phone — they only mask them in the interface. Apps will still take up space in memory and can be displayed in system settings (e.g. Settings → Apps).

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Third-party launchers are the best choice if you need to hide apps from prying eyes, but at the same time quickly access them through gestures or hidden folders.

5. Hiding applications in a hidden folder (without root)

Another way to visually hide applications is to put them in a hidden folder on the home screen, which requires no technical knowledge and works on any launcher, including the standard MIUI Launcher.

How to create a hidden folder:

1. Drag one app icon to another, and that's how the folder is created.
2. Call the folder a character that doesn’t catch your eye (like “•” or space). To do this, open the folder → click on its name → enter the character (hold the space key for an invisible name).

Add to the folder all the applications that you want to hide.

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Additional tricks:

• 🖼️ Invisible icon: Use an empty image (you can create in Photoshop or download from the Internet) as a folder cover.
• 🔐 Folder Lock: In some launchers (for example, Apex) you can set a password to open the folder.
• 📂 nested folders: Create multiple layers of nesting to make it harder to find.

⚠️ Note: The hidden applications will still be visible in the app menu and search system. For complete concealment, combine this method with Second Space or ADB.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding apps on Poco X3