How to Remove Apps from the Desktop on Xiaomi: Hiding, Removing, and Optimizing MIUI

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based desktop often turns into a mess of unnecessary icons — pre-installed Mi Browser, Mi Video, partner games and duplicate shortcuts take up space, interfere with navigation and spoil the look. Unlike “pure” Android, where it’s enough to drag an icon into the cart, in MIUI the process is complicated due to the nature of the shell and Xiaomi’s policy on working with system applications.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to remove applications from the desktop — from temporary hiding to complete removal (including system). All methods tested on MIUI 12-15 and are relevant for smartphones Redmi, POCO, Xiaomi Mi and Black Shark. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances: why some applications are not deleted, how to return the icon back and what to do if after cleaning the screen appeared “empty” cells.

1. Hiding applications through the menu "Screen settings"

The fastest way to remove unnecessary icons is to hide them without deleting them, a method that is suitable for users who want to temporarily clear the desktop but are not sure if an application will be needed in the future. In MIUI, hidden apps remain on the system but cease to appear on the home screen and in the application menu.

To hide the app:

• 📱 Click on the empty area of the desktop for a long time. → Select Screen Settings (or Screen Settings in older versions).
• 🔍 Go to Hide Apps tab (in some firmwares, the item is called Application Management).
• ✅ Tick the apps you want to remove and click Ready.

Hidden applications can be returned back in the same way -- just uncheck this menu, and importantly, this method doesn't free up the device's memory, because the applications remain installed.

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If there is no Hide Apps item, update MIUI Launcher via Play Market or check for system updates in Settings → About Phone → Update MIUI.

2. Removal of user applications in the standard way

Apps you installed from Google Play or APK-files can be deleted without additional tools. MIUI There are two ways to do this:

1. Through the app menu: 📂 Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen). 🔍 Find the right application, long click on its icon → Select Delete or Drag to the Recycle Bin at the top of the screen. ⚠️ Confirm the action by pressing OK.

Through settings:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔎 Find the app in the list, click on it → Delete.
• Connect and delete: adb devices adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.package.name Replace com.xiaomi.package.name with the real name of the package (you can find it through the App Inspector app or the APKMirror website).

Install ADB on PC|Enable developer mode on phone |Activate debugging on USB| Download the list of MIUI |Create a backup of the data-->

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may cause malfunctions MIUI, For example, if you lose your weather widgets or break your updates, back up your Settings before you do it. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

4.Using third-party launchers to control the screen

If you don’t like the standard MIUI launcher, you can replace it with an alternative one, Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher.

• 🎨 Customize icons, fonts and animations.
• 🗑️ Remove icons without restrictions (including system ones).
• 📂 Grouping applications into folders automatically.
• 🔒 Hide applications from prying eyes (for example, banking).

To install a third-party launcher:

1. Download an app from Google Play (like Nova Launcher).
2. After installation, click the Home button → select the new launcher as the main one.
3. In the launcher settings (Long Press → Settings), turn off the display of unnecessary applications.

💡 The advantage of the method is that you don't interfere with system files, so the risk of failure is minimal. MIUI (For example, global search may not work properly.

5.Resetting launcher settings to factory

If you delete or hide applications on your desktop, empty cells appear, your layout is lost or your widgets are lost, resetting your launcher settings will help, which will return the standard icon layout, but will not delete user data.

How to drop the launcher:

1. 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
2. 🔎 Find Launcher. MIUI (or MIUI Home).
3. 🔄 Press Warehouse. → Clear the data and confirm the action.

After discharge:

• ✅ Empty cells will disappear.
• ✅ Restore the standard theme of design.
• ⚠️ You will have to reconfigure widgets and folders.

6. Desktop Optimization: Organizational Tips

Remove apps is half the battle. To keep your desktop clean, follow these guidelines:

• 📁 Folders: Combine similar applications (for example, all messengers in one folder.
• 🔍 Search: Use the swipe down gesture for quick search instead of scrolling through the menu.
• 🎨 Topics: Set a minimalist theme from the Topic → Online topics to reduce visual noise.
• 🔄 Auto sort: Enable in the launcher settings (screen settings) → Sorting applications) option Automatic.

📌 Useful Lifehack: If you use the same app often, fasten it to the dock panel (bottom of the screen.

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Regular desktop cleaning saves up to 20% of the time to find the right apps and reduces cognitive load (according to a study by Google UX for 2023).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you remove or hide applications, users often face typical problems, and here's how to prevent them:

⚠️ Note: Do not remove applications with the packet names com.miui. or com.android. – this can lead to bootloop (locking on the download) or camera / sound failure.

• 🚫 Error: Deleting Google Play Services → Solution: Never touch Google system services or Play Market, Gmail and push notifications will stop working.
• 🔄 Error: After deleting the application, it appears again after the update MIUI → Solution: Turn off automatic firmware updates or use Magisk to freeze packets.
• 📱 Mistake: All badges disappeared after launcher reset → Solution: Restart your phone or return the standard launcher via Settings → Default applications.

If you accidentally delete a critical application (such as Settings or Phone), you can only restore it through a full reset (Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Settings Reset).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions