How to hide apps on Xiaomi phone: all the ways from standard to hidden

Why users want to hide apps on Xiaomi and when they really need to

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones offer a lot of customization options, but not everyone knows that you can configure certain programs to become invisible on the menu, for reasons ranging from wanting to remove unnecessary system utilities to hiding personal information from prying eyes, such as banking apps, private messaging apps, or games you don’t want to show your colleagues.

It is important to understand that hiding the application ≠ It's still running in the background, it's taking up space in memory, it can send notifications, but visually it's disappearing from the list, which is already solving half the problems. MIUI 14/15 (Android 13/14) There are several ways to hide at once - from built-in functions to workarounds through ADB. We will look at all relevant methods, including those that work without root rights.

Before you start, check your shell version: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Some methods may not work on older firmware (below MIUI 12) or on modified software devices (for example, custom builds Xiaomi.eu).

Method 1: Built-in Hidden Applications in MIUI

The easiest and safest method is to use the MIUI tool, which does not require additional programs or technical skills, but has a limitation: it hides applications only from the main menu, leaving them visible in settings and search.

To take advantage of the function:

1. Open the phone settings.
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application management.
3. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Hidden Apps.
4. Turn on the slider in front of the desired programs.

After that, the app icons will disappear from the desktop and from the list of all programs. To return them back, repeat the steps and turn off the slider.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) this section may be called Hide applications and be in Settings → Desktop. If you don't have an option, update. MIUI last-minute.

• ✅ It works without root and ADB
• ✅ Doesn't require a reboot.
• ❌ Applications remain searched by system
• ❌ Don't hide the notices

Method 2: Use of the second space (Dual Apps)

The Second Space (or Dual Apps) function is originally designed to clone messengers (for example, to use two WhatsApp accounts at once), but it can be adapted to hide applications, the essence of the method is to transfer the program to a second space, and then disable the display of this space on the lock screen.

Instructions:

1. Activate the second space: Settings → Special Opportunities → Second space.
2. Create a password for the second space (required!).
3. In the main space, open Settings → Applications, find the desired application and tap Clone.
4. Go to the second space, remove the original app (leaving a clone).
5. Return to the main space – the original app will disappear.

To hide the second space itself from the lock screen, go to Settings → Lock screen → Display space and turn off the display.

⚠️ Warning: If you forget the password from the second space, it will be impossible to restore access to hidden applications without resetting your phone!

Method 3: Hiding through ADB (for advanced users)

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method hides applications at the system level, making them invisible even in settings. It's the most radical way, but it requires a PC connection and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to become a developer), then Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging over USB.
2. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB drivers (download from Google’s website).
3. Open the command line on the PC and type:

adb shell pm hide com.example.app

Replace com.example.app with a real application package (you can find out through the App Inspector program from Google Play).

To return the application, use the command:

adb shell pm unhide com.example.app

• 🔧 It works on all versions of Android
• 🔧 Hide applications completely (including settings)
• ⚠️ Requires a connection to the PC
• ⚠️ When a phone is dropped, the concealment is reset

Install ADB drivers on PC

Enable debugging over USB on your phone

Download App Inspector to determine packages

Connect your phone to the original cable

Make a backup copy of the data-->

Method 4: Third-party launchers with concealment function

If the built-in methods do not suit, you can install an alternative launcher (desktop shell) with advanced privacy settings.

• 📱 Nova Launcher (Nova Hide Apps plugin)
• 📱 Apex Launcher (Integrated Hiding Function)
• 📱 POCO Launcher (for devices) POCO)

For example, in Nova Launcher, the hiding is configured as follows:

1. Hold your finger in the free space of the desktop → Settings Nova.
2. Go to App Settings → Hide Apps.
3. Check the boxes for the programs you want to hide.

The advantage of this method is flexibility: it is possible to hide applications selectively without affecting system processes. However, launchers consume additional RAM (up to 150-200 MB in the background), which can be critical for budget models (Redmi 9A, POCO C31).

⚠️ Note: When you delete the launcher, hidden applications will become visible again. Some launchers (for example, Microsoft Launcher) synchronize settings with the account, which can lead to a leak of data about hidden programs.

Method 5: APK Archiving (for temporary concealment)

Little-known life hack: if you archive an application.apk file through the built-in MIUI file manager, the system will no longer recognize it as an installed program.

How to do this:

1. Open Files (standard MIUI manager)
2. Go to Device → Android → data → app (you need permissions to access system folders!).
3. Find a folder with the name of the application package (for example, com.whatsapp).
4. Select the base.apk file, tap More → Archive.
5. Reboot the phone.

Once archived, the application will disappear from the menu, but its data will remain in memory. To return the program, unpack the archive back and restart the device.

💡

If the data folder is not displayed, turn on the display of hidden files in the file manager settings and give him root rights (if the phone is rooted).

What to do if the application is not hidden?

Sometimes standard methods don't work because of firmware or conflicts with other settings, and here are the typical problems and solutions.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🛠️ Are there any restrictions from the manufacturer (on some models for China or India, the concealment functions are disabled).
• 🛠️ Have you installed third-party antiviruses (e.g. Avast or 360 Security) that block system changes.
• 🛠️ Is Child Mode or Parental Control activated in settings.

💡

On global firmware devices (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Global), all methods work stably. On the Chinese versions (China ROM), you may need to unlock the bootloader.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding apps on Xiaomi