How to completely turn off the app menu on Xiaomi: from swipe to hide icons

Xiaomi app menu is one of the most controversial interface elements MIUI. For some users, this is a convenient way to quickly access all installed programs, for others - an extra element that takes up space on the screen and slows down navigation. 9A POCO C31), where every pixel counts.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can turn off the app menu, from standard MIUI 14/15 settings to hidden functions through ADB and third-party launchers, how to remove the swipe menu, hide the icons of individual applications, or even replace the system launcher with an alternative one, and what to do if important shortcuts disappear after manipulation or the smartphone begins to slow down.

Important: the procedure differs depending on the firmware version and device model. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 15, the path to settings will be different than on the Redmi Note 10 with MIUI 12.5. We took these nuances into account and gave current instructions for each situation.

1. Standardly disable the application menu through MIUI settings

The easiest way is to take advantage of the built-in system options, which are suitable for most modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with MIUI 11) and does not require superuser rights or additional programs.

Go to Settings → Desktop → Desktop Settings. Here you are interested in two parameters:

• 📱 Swipe up for the app menu – disables the gesture of opening the list of programs when swipeing from the bottom of the screen.
• 🔍 Show the app menu – completely removes the icon “all apps” from the desktop.

Once these options are deactivated, all installed programs will remain in place, but access to them will only be through desktop shortcuts or search. On some models (for example, the Poco X5 Pro), after disabling the swipe, the gesture to call Google Assistant may disappear - it will have to be manually reconfigured.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12.5 Enhanced and below, after disabling the application menu, the order of the icons on the desktop may be lost. Take a screenshot of the current arrangement in advance or use the backup function in Settings → The phone. → Backup.

2. Hiding individual apps from the menu (without completely disabling)

If you only need to remove unnecessary programs (such as Xiaomi system services that can not be removed), use the hide function. This will not turn off the menu itself, but will clean it from garbage.

Instructions:

1. Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Hide applications.
3. Select the programs you want to remove and click Ready.

The hidden apps will remain in the system and will be available through search (Settings → Search), but will not appear in the main list. To return them back, repeat the steps and uncheck the boxes.

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If you need to launch a hidden app urgently, use a voice assistant: say, "OK, Google, open [program name]." This will work even if the icon is not visible on the menu.

3. Disable the menu via ADB (for power users)

If the standard settings do not give the desired result, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader and USB debugging enabled.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB Debugging.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC, open the command line and type:

adb shell settings put secure launcher_hide_apps_list 1

To return the standard settings, use:

adb shell settings put secure launcher_hide_apps_list 0

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause a launcher to crash. Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset and save it to PC.

4. Replacement of system launcher with third-party

A Radical way to get rid of the app menu is to install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Microsoft Launcher) that gives you full control of the interface, but requires additional customization.

How to determine:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play (like Nova Launcher).
2. After installation, click the Home button and select the new launcher as the main one.
3. In the launcher settings (Long Press → Settings), turn off the option of the App Menu or App Drawer.

Advantages of the method:

• 🎨 Complete customization of the interface (themes, gestures, animations).
• 🔍 Improved search by apps and contacts.
• 📁 Possibility of grouping icons into folders with their own rules.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Some Xiaomi system features (such as Second Space or Dual Apps) may not work properly.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption (5-10% more than a standard launcher).

Create a backup copy of the desktop|Check the compatibility of the launcher with the Android version|Disable battery optimization for new launcher|Remember current navigation gestures-->

5.Resetting launcher settings to factory

If after experimenting with the application menu, the desktop starts to glittle (for example, icons disappear when scrolling or gestures stop working), return the launcher settings to the factory. This will not delete your data, but reset the shortcuts and widgets.

Resetting methods:

• 🔄 Through Settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher (or com.miui.home) → Warehouse → Clear the data.
• 📱 Through ADB: adb shell pm clear com.miui.home

After discharge:

1. The launcher will restart automatically (may take up to 1 minute).
2. You will be asked to select the main launcher (select the system MIUI Launcher).
3. Restore shortcuts from backup (if you created them) or arrange them manually.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ After the launcher is reset, access to Second Space (second desktop) may be lost. → Special facilities → Second Space and Re-Activate the Function.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you turn off the app menu, users often encounter unexpected bugs, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try updating your firmware to the latest version. In new MIUI 15 builds, many launcher bugs have already been fixed. You can check available updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

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Before any manipulation of the launcher, back up through Settings → Additional → Backup. This will allow you to quickly restore the desktop if something goes wrong.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions