How to remove the app icon from the screen Xiaomi: all working ways

Why Xiaomi has unnecessary icons on its screen and how to hide them

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a problem: App icons that you haven’t installed or haven’t used appear on the home screen in a long time, and this can be due to automatic shortcuts created after a MIUI update, system utilities installed, or even viruses. Unlike iOS, where removing an icon is equivalent to removing an app, on Android, these processes are separated — and this is a big plus.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to remove the icon from the Xiaomi screen without removing the program itself. The methods work on all current versions of the firmware from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14, including the Xiaomi 13/14 models, Redmi Note 12/13 and POCO F5/X5. If you tried to just drag the icon into the cart, but it came back, here you will find a solution.

Particular attention will be paid to hidden system applications that cannot be removed by standard methods (for example, Mi Video, Mi Music or GetApps). ADB-team.

Method 1: Removing the shortcut by drag and drop (for custom icons)

The simplest method is for apps you install yourself (like VK, Telegram, or games) and doesn’t remove the program from your phone, it just removes the icon from the home screen:

1. Press and hold your finger on the icon of the app you want to remove.
2. After 1-2 seconds, a menu with options will appear (or the icon will “rise” above the screen).
3. Drag it to the top of the screen, where the inscription “Delete” or the image of the basket will appear.
4. Release your finger – the shortcut will disappear, and the application will remain in the menu of all programs.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X3 Pro) the basket may be at the bottom of the screen. If the icon is not drag and drop, check if the main screen is locked in the launcher settings.

Check if the screen protection mode is enabled in Settings → Lock screen

Reboot your phone – sometimes helps with launcher glitches

Update your firmware to the latest version of MIUI

Try another way from this article.-->

Method 2: Hiding icons through launcher settings

If drag and drop didn’t work or you want to hide multiple applications at once, use the built-in MIUI launcher features.

1. Open the menu of all applications (swipe up from the bottom of the main screen).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the "Hide Apps" section (on some versions - "App Management").
4. Tick the program icons you want to remove and click "Done".

After that, the icons will disappear from the home screen, but will remain on the menu of all applications. To return them back, repeat the steps and uncheck the boxes.

Method 3: Disabling the application (for system programs)

Some pre-installed apps (such as Mi Browser, Mi Video or Cleaner) cannot be removed or hidden by standard methods, in which case disabling them through system settings will help, which will remove the icon from the screen and stop the background operation of the program:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the app you want in the list (use search if it’s not in the visible area).
3. Click on it and select "Disable" (on some models - "Delete Updates" → "Disable").
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system applications can lead to unstable phone operation. for example, disabling Mi Share will disrupt the fast file transfer function, and disabling Security will block access to antivirus and memory cleanup.

Mi Browser|Mi Video|Mi Music|GetApps|Cleaner|Mi Share|Another |I don't want to turn off-->

Method 4: Using ADB to remove system icons (for advanced ones)

If previous methods have not worked (for example, for applications such as Analytics or MSA), take advantage ADB-This requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge, and the advantage of this method is that you can completely remove unnecessary system programs, rather than simply hide their icons.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable “Debugging by USB”.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install it. ADB-Drivers and open the command line.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is displayed, enter the command to remove the application (for example, for Mi Browser): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser

List of popular removal packages:

• 🌐 Mi Browser: com.android.browser
• 🎵 Mi Music: com.miui.player
• 📺 Mi Video: com.miui.videoplayer
• 🛒 GetApps: com.xiaomi.mipicks
• 🧹 Cleaner: com.miui.cleanmaster

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Before removing system packages, back up your data and make sure you understand the consequences. Some applications (e.g. com.miui.securitycenter) are critical to the operation of your system. MIUI.

💡

Before you uninstall your system application through ADB, check its purpose on the AppBrain site or in the XDA Developers community. For example, the com.miui.analytics package is responsible for collecting statistics - its removal will not harm the phone, but may disrupt some MIUI functions.

Method 5: Use of third-party launchers (alternative approach)

If you don't like the standard MIUI launcher, you can install an alternative one (like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Microsoft Launcher) that not only hides the icons, but also completely customizes the home screen.

• 🎨 Flexible configuration of appearance (themes, animations, gestures).
• 🔍 Ability to hide applications from search.
• 📂 Grouping icons into folders and tabs.
• 🔄 Automatic backup of settings.

Instructions for setting:

1. Install the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. When you first start, select it as the default launcher.
3. Press your finger on the free seat of the main screen and select "Start-up Settings".
4. Find the Hidden Apps section (Nova Launcher uses Nova Settings → App & widget drawers → Hide apps).
5. Mark the programs you want to hide and save the changes.

✅ Key takeaway: Third-party launchers are the safest way to hide icons without risking system disruption, but they can slightly increase battery consumption. 2-5%) background work.

What to do if the icon returns after rebooting

Sometimes hidden or deleted icons reappear after a phone reboot or MIUI update, which is because some system applications automatically restore their shortcuts.

• 🔄 Update the firmware: In new versions MIUI 14 This problem is less common.
• 🛠️ Reset the launcher settings: Go to Launcher Settings → Additionally. → Reset the settings.
• 📱 Use it. ADB: For system applications (e.g. Mi Pay), run the command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 Application package This will disable the program at the system level.
• 🔒 Block Automatic Add-on: In some launchers (e.g, POCO Launcher) has the option "Block Adding Icons" in the settings.

If the problem persists, check your phone for viruses using Malwarebytes or Dr.Web. Some malware creates ad-app labels that are difficult to remove by standard methods.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing icons on Xiaomi