How to hide the application on Xiaomi: all the ways from standard to advanced

Hiding apps on Xiaomi smartphones 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 offers several built-in mechanisms to mask programs. However, not all of them are obvious, and some require caution - wrong actions can lead to system failures.

In this article, we will discuss 7 working methods, including standard MIUI tools, using ADB, creating stealth folders and even methods for devices with an unlocked bootloader. We will focus on the nuances for different versions of firmware (MIUI 12/13/14) and models (Redmi Note 12, Poco X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.).

1. Standard Hiding through the "Dual Apps"

The most secure and official way is to use the “Second Space” (formerly Dual Apps) feature, which allows you to create an isolated user profile where you can install and hide applications from the main desktop, the method works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 10 and later, including the latest Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and Xiaomi 14 models.

How it works:

• 🔄 Applications installed in the second space do not appear in the main menu and desktop.
• 🔒 Access to them is protected by a separate password or fingerprint.
• 📱 The function supports cloning of messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and social networks.
• ⚠️ Some system utilities (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) cannot be hidden in this way.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Second Space
2. Click on “Create a Second Space” and follow the prompts (you will need to set a password).
3. After creation, switch to the second space via the notification panel (user icon).
4. Install the apps you need through Google Play or MIUI App Store – they will only be available here.

⚠️ Note: If you delete the second space through settings, all data and applications installed in it will be permanently deleted. → The phone. → Backup.

2. Hiding through "Hidden Apps" in MIUI Launcher

MIUI 12 and later has a built-in Hidden Applications feature that allows you to remove program icons from the desktop and menu without removing them, a technique that is suitable for temporarily hiding rarely used utilities or games.

How to turn on:

• 📌 Long pressing on the free space of the desktop → «Settings” (cog icon).
• 🔍 Go to the section "Hidden applications».
• ✅ Tick the programs you want to hide and click “Done».

Features of the method:

• 🔎 Hidden applications remain in the system and can be displayed in Settings → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔄 To get them back, repeat the steps and uncheck the boxes.
• 🚫 Does not work for system applications with administrator rights (e.g. com.android.settings).

💡

If the Hidden Apps feature is not in your launcher, try updating MIUI Launcher through Google Play or installing an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) that supports similar functionality.

3. Use of invisible folders (without root)

One of the little-known ways is to create a folder without an icon to put unnecessary applications into, which doesn't remove programs from the system, but makes them less visible, works on all versions of MIUI and doesn't require superuser rights.

Instructions:

1. Create a new folder on your desktop (long press → “Folder”).
2. Drag all the apps you want to hide into it.
3. Click on the folder name and rename it to.nomedia (with a dot at the beginning).
4. Set a transparent icon for the folder (long press). → «Change the icon» → pick out the empty PNG-file).

What's important to know:

• 📁 The folder will remain on the desktop, but will be almost invisible (it can be found if you know where to look).
• 🔍 Applications inside the folder will still be displayed in Settings → Annexes.
• 🔄 To return the icons, simply rename the folder back (remove the dot).

Disable system applications via ADB (for advanced)

If you need to completely disable system applications (for example, Mi Browser, Mi Music, GetApps) that cannot be removed by standard methods, you can use the ADB command.

Pre-launch warnings:

• ⚠️ Do not disable critical system processes (e.g. com.android.phone or com.miui.home) – this will cause the phone to fail!
• 🔧 After disabling the application will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the device memory (freed up). ~50-70% weight).
• 🔄 To return the application, you will need to reconnect to ADB and execute the switching command.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then go back to Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging on USB.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the trusted device.
3. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
4. Open the command line in the ADB folder and type: Adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
5. Get a list of all packages: adb shell pm list packages Find the name of the package of the desired application (for example, com.miui.browser for Mi Browser).
6. Disable the app: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.browser Replace com.miui.browser with the desired package.

⚠️ Warning: If after disabling the system application, the phone started to restart in the loop or does not turn on, try resetting through Recovery Mode (press Power). + Volume Up with the phone turned off. In extreme cases, you will need to flash flash the flashing.

5. Hiding through third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, Lawnchair)

If you don't like the built-in MIUI, you can install an alternative launcher that supports application hiding.

• 🌟 Nova Launcher (paid version allows you to hide apps from the menu).
• 📱 Apex Launcher (similar functionality).
• 🚀 Lawnchair (free open source launcher).

How to hide apps in Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Long tap on the desktop → “Nova Settings” → “Apps and icons”.
3. Select “Hide Apps” and select the ones you need.
4. Save the changes.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require root rights or ADB.
• ✅ You can hide any applications, including system ones (but they will remain in your phone settings).
• ✅ Flexible configuration of the appearance of the desktop.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Hidden applications will still be visible in Settings → Annexes.
• ❌ Some functions (such as gestures) may conflict with MIUI.

💡

The launcher side is the safest way to hide applications without risk to the system, but they don't remove the programs completely, they only mask them in the interface.

6. Hiding through Archiving (for power users)

This method is suitable for completely removing system applications without root, but requires caution. APK-It's an application file, which makes it inactive. It only works on devices with an unlocked bootloader and custom recovery (TWRP).

What you need:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (instructions for Xiaomi are on the official website).
• 📦 Established TWRP Recovery.
• 💾 Backup copy of data (required!).

Instructions:

1. Download your phone to TWRP (press Power + Volume Up).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Find the /system/priv-app or /system/app folder (depending on firmware).
4. Find a folder with the name of the application (for example, MiBrowser) and rename its extension from.apk to.apk.bak.
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Archiving system applications may lead to functional failure MIUI, For example, dark theme, gestures or push notifications, check before experimenting to see if the application is critical (e.g., com.miui.securitycenter is responsible for security).

7. Hiding by root rights (Magisk + App Systemizer)

For users with root rights (via Magisk), there are more applications management options available, and one of the most flexible tools is the App Systemizer module, which allows you to convert user applications to system applications and vice versa, as well as completely remove them.

How to hide the application from root:

1. Install Magisk Manager and get root rights.
2. Download the App Systemizer module from the Magisk repository.
3. Launch the module and select the application you want to hide.
4. Click on “Uninstall” or “Disable”.
5. Reboot the phone.

Advantages:

• ✅ Full control over all applications, including system.
• ✅ Ability to return remote programs through backup.

Risks:

• ❌ Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• ❌ Possible problems with updates MIUI OTA.
• ❌ The risk of “bricking” the phone with incorrect actions.

Frequently asked questions