Today’s POCO and Xiaomi smartphones store vast amounts of personal information that is not always desirable to be shared with others. Often, it is necessary to remove certain icons from view, whether they are banking programs, personal photo albums or just games that you do not want to show to colleagues. Owners of devices based on MIUI and HyperOS have extensive capabilities to manage the visibility of content, but these features are often scattered on different menus or have confusing names.
There are several proven ways to solve the problem of data hiding, each with its own characteristics and level of protection: you can use the built-in "Hidden mode" that simply hides icons, or use more serious tools like "Second space" to create a completely isolated environment, the choice of the specific method depends on how seriously you plan to protect your data from prying eyes.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the available algorithms so that you can choose the best option for your phone model, we will look at the nuances of the system shell, which may differ on different versions of Android, and give tips on maximum security.
Use of built-in Hidden Mode in MIUI and HyperOS
The easiest and fastest way to remove icons from the desktop is to use the standard feature that is built into the application manager. This method does not require additional software installation and works on most modern models, including POCO F3, F4, F5, as well as the M and X series. However, it is worth considering that in some global firmwares this feature can be deactivated by default or moved to other settings sections.
To activate, you need to open the standard Security app, which is preinstalled on each Xiaomi device. Inside you need to find the Hide Apps section (sometimes it is in the three-dot menu in the upper right corner). Once you turn on the feature, the system will prompt you to set a password or biometric key that will be used to access hidden content.
Once you have access, you'll be asked to select the programs that you want to disguise, and it's important to understand that when you use this method, the applications don't disappear without a trace, but move to a special partition that you can access through a specific unlock gesture or enter a password in your application search.
⚠️ Note: If you forget the Hidden Mode password, it may not be possible to restore data access without resetting your phone settings, so use reliable but memorable combinations.
The effectiveness of this method depends on the version of MIUI installed on your device. In new HyperOS updates, the logic of the work can be changed to simplify the interface, so menu items can be called differently or combined with locking functions.
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Hidden mode is a basic layer of protection that hides icons but does not encrypt application data, so it is better to use additional methods for maximum privacy.
Creating a Second Space for Total Isolation
A more radical and robust solution is the Second Space feature, which allows you to create virtually two independent desktops on a single smartphone with different sets of apps, wallpapers and even Google accounts, ideal for separating work and personal life or storing sensitive data that should not be accessed when you unlock your main profile.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Additional Features → Second Space. The system will suggest setting up a separate input: you can enter the second space by fingerprint (by registering your finger specifically for this) or by pattern lock. This provides a high level of privacy, since the stranger who took your phone will not even know that the second profile exists.
In the second space, you can install any apps you want to re-install, like you can have two WhatsApp apps or two banking apps with different accabas, and switching between spaces is instantaneous, and it looks like a normal screen unlock.
Can I transfer files between spaces?
It is worth noting that creating a second profile takes up additional space in the device’s memory, as the cache and application data are duplicated. If your POCO has a version with a small amount of built-in storage, keep an eye on the free space.
Blocking applications as an alternative to hiding
If your goal is not so much to hide the fact that an application exists as to deny access to its content, the best solution is to use the application lock feature, which allows you to set a separate password or fingerprint requirement to run specific programs. Unlike complete concealment, the icon remains in place, but you can not run the program without authorization.
You can configure this through the application "Security" → "App Locking." Here you select a list of programs that need protection. When you try to open such an application, the system will ask for biometric data or a pin code, which is very convenient for instant messengers, gallery and banking software.
- 🔒 A separate password protects even when your phone is unlocked.
- 👁️ Hiding the content of notifications prevents messages from being read from the lock screen.
- ⏱️ Possibility to set a lock timer (immediately or 1 minute after the release).
- 📸 Photography feature when password is entered incorrectly (available in some versions).
Using locks is often more convenient in everyday life than constantly manipulating hidden modes. You don’t have to enter special commands or switch spaces every time, just unlock the desired program.
Instructions for concealment through the dialer (secret codes)
Some versions of Xiaomi and POCO have had a method of hiding applications through a set of special code in the “caller.” Although recent security updates often close this loophole, it can still work on devices with older versions of MIUI. The essence of the method is to create a pseudo-contact or command that opens a hidden partition.
The process was usually as follows: the Security app turned on the hidden option, and the user was asked to come up with a secret code (for example, #1234#). When typing this code into the dialer, it opened up hidden space. Now this functionality is often replaced by searching in the application menu, but it is worth checking if this feature is available on your device.
To check, open the hidden mode settings and see if there is a field for entering "Access Password" or "Secret Code." If such a field is present, you can set a convenient combination of numbers that can be easily typed with one finger at any time.
☑️ Checking security settings
If standard system tools fail to hide the necessary elements due to regional firmware restrictions, you can always use third-party solutions, although they require more careful configuration of access rights.
Comparison of data protection methods on Xiaomi
The right method depends on what you want to protect against and against whom, and to quickly compare the capabilities of different tools, we have compiled a table that will help you determine the optimal security strategy for your use case.
| Method | Level of concealment | Level of protection | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden regime | Tall (no icons visible) | Medium (requires a password to access) | Minimum |
| Second space | Maximum (separate table) | High (complete isolation) | Medium (background processes) |
| Application lockdown | Low (icons visible) | High (entry protection) | Minimum |
| Third-party launchers | Medium (depending on the launcher) | Low (bypass possible) | Depends on the app. |
As you can see from the table, Second Space is the only method that provides real data isolation, while Hidden Mode is more of a comfort function than a serious security feature, and locking is a great addition to any of these methods.
On the budget models of the Redmi or POCO M series, starting a second space can slightly increase the load on RAM, which will lead to more frequent closure of background applications in the main profile.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Users often experience menu items change or features stop working properly after a system update, such as an update to Android 13 or 14, which may make it impossible to hide system apps or some pre-installed Xiaomi services, a normal behavior associated with increasing the security requirements of the operating system itself.
If you can’t find the hide feature, try clearing the Security app cache or updating it through the GetApps store. Sometimes resetting the launcher itself helps, but it’s recommended to back up the icons’ location before doing so.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers to hide applications, remember that they may request redundant permissions, which poses a risk of data leakage.
Also common is the conflict between Hidden Mode and Memory Extension. If virtual memory is unstable, hidden applications may or may not open, in which case it is recommended to temporarily disable the RAM extension and check the system.
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If you reflash your phone to the global Chinese version, the concealment features may disappear, which can help you install India or Indonesia in your phone settings without changing your firmware.