How to remove icons on Xiaomi: hiding and removing programs

Xiaomi and Redmi users often face a desktop situation that is full of redundant items, such as pre-installed apps that cannot be removed in the standard way, or just icons that interfere with the aesthetic perception of the interface. Cleaning the workspace is not only a matter of convenience, but also a way to reduce visual noise that distracts from important tasks. Owners of devices based on MIUI and the new HyperOS have several tools to control the visibility of shortcuts.

There's a difference between completely removing a program from a device's memory and simply hiding its label from the screen. If the first one vacants storage and stops background processes, the second one keeps the app running, but doesn't horn your eyes. Android system components can't be removed without root rights, because it will cause unstable work or a smartphone to fail completely. So it's important to understand what kind of outcome you want: free up the memory or just clean up the desktop.

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the methods available, from standard shell settings to hidden developer features, and learn how to safely disable unnecessary software, hide sensitive applications in folders, and use special utilities to deep clean the system. Regardless of which model you have — Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 or older device, these methods will help you personalize the interface.

Hiding applications through security settings

The easiest and safest way to get the icon out of sight without removing the app itself is to use the built-in Hidden Apps feature, which is ideal for programs you rarely use or software that other people shouldn't see. It's built into the standard Security app, which is part of the MIUI and HyperOS shell.

To activate the mode, you need to open the Security app and scroll down to Hidden Apps. Once you have enabled this option, the system will prompt you to select programs whose shortcuts need to be removed from the desktop, accessed through a special gesture in the Gallery app or through a search, which provides an additional level of privacy.

• 🔒 Open the Security app on your device.
• 👁️ Find and select the Hidden Apps section in the lower menu.
• ✅ Switch the slider in front of the desired programs to hide their icons.
• 🔑 Create a password or use a fingerprint to protect access.

Importantly, hidden apps stop showing up on the list of all programs and on the desktop, but continue to take up space in memory. Notifications from such programs can also come if you don't turn them off separately in the notification settings, which is a great way to remove unnecessary icons while retaining functionality.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t hide system applications like Phone, Messages, or Settings if you’re not sure how to return them.In some firmware versions, restoring access to hidden system components may require resetting your settings.

Removal of user applications and shortcuts

If your goal is to completely dispose of a program you installed yourself (such as from Google Play or Mi GetApps), the uninstallation process is extremely simple.Standard user applications do not require special administrator rights to uninstall. This makes it easy to clean the device of games, social networks and utilities that are no longer needed.

To remove, just press the application icon on the desktop or in the menu of all programs. A pop-up menu will appear where you need to select Delete (basket icon) The system will request confirmation, and after clicking “OK”, the application will be completely removed from the device’s memory, freeing up space for your data.

However, if you try to remove a system application (such as Themes, Music or Mi Browser), the system will issue a warning that this action may affect the operation of other functions, in which case the delete button may be inactive or absent.

There is also the option to remove shortcuts without affecting the app itself, which is true if you have created multiple copies of the shortcut of one program on different screens, in which case, if you press the icon long enough, you select the option to Remove the shortcut, which does not affect the installed program.

Disabling MIUI and HyperOS system applications

Many users want to get rid of pre-installed software that can’t be removed in the usual way. In the shells of Xiaomi, there is a “Disable” function that actually freezes the application. It stops updating, disappears from the list of active processes and does not appear in the menu, but physically remains in the system partition.

To use this feature, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find an unnecessary program (such as “Mi Credit” or “Travel”). If the developer has authorized the shutdown, you will see an active Disable button. Once confirmed, the icon will disappear and the application will go to rest.

• 📱 Go to the menu Settings of your smartphone.
• 📂 Go to the Applications section and select All Apps.
• 🔍 Find the target app in the list or use the search.
• ❌ Click the Disable button and confirm the action.

Not all system components can be disabled through the standard interface. Some critical services, such as MIUI System or Android System WebView, will only have an Update or Stop button, but not a Disable button. Attempting to circumvent this restriction without root rights can lead to a cyclical reboot of the device.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling system components related to security or account sync (Mi Account) may result in blocking some smartphone features or inability to reset a password.

Using ADB for deep cleaning of the system

For advanced users who want to remove icons and apps that are not disabled by standard methods, there is an ADB tool (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to send commands from computer to smartphone, giving rights close to the system, without the need to obtain root rights. This is the most effective way to cut out advertising software and undeletable services.

You need to activate the developer mode before you start. → About the phone and seven times quickly click on the build number (MIUI Version or HyperOS Version. Then, in the advanced settings, turn on Debugging by USB And, crucially for Xiaomi, turn on the option. USB-Debugging (Safe settings).

After connecting your smartphone to your computer and authorizing debugging, you can use the command to delete the packet.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name packet

For example, to remove a standard browser, the command will look like an adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.browser. It is important to know the exact name of the application package. A spelling error can lead to the removal of the wrong component. You can use applications like App Inspector or Package Name Viewer to search for package names.

⚠️ Note: Removing system packages through ADB Makes them inaccessible even after resetting to factory settings until you execute a recovery command.

Set up the launcher and desktop

Sometimes the problem of unnecessary icons is solved not by removing, but by correctly organizing the space with the help of a launcher. The standard MIUI and HyperOS launcher have flexible settings that allow you to change the screen grid, the size of the icons and the behavior of folders, which helps visually dissolve the extra elements or group them.

You can create a folder, put in a rarely used system application and fold it. You can also resize the grid. Go to Settings → Desktop → System Launcher → Additional → Grid. Increase the number of cells (for example, up to 6x6) will make the icons smaller and more compact, allowing you to accommodate more elements without creating extra pages.

• 📐 Change the desktop grid to a denser one (for example, 5x6).
• 📁 Create thematic folders for grouping of the same type of icons.
• 🎨 Use large-sized widgets to cover areas with unnecessary shortcuts.
• 🔄 Install a third-party launcher (Nova Launcher, Lawnchair) for full control.

If a standard launcher doesn’t suit you, installing an alternative solution like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher gives you full control over each icon. Third-party launchers let you hide apps from the menu, change their icons to transparent (making them invisible) and customize gestures.

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Using a third-party launcher is the only way to completely ignore MIUI’s restrictions on managing desktop shortcuts without root rights.

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