Hidden applications on Android Xiaomi: how to hide programs from prying eyes

Xiaomi smartphones based on firmware MIUI They offer several built-in ways to hide apps from prying eyes – without having to remove them or use third-party utilities with questionable permissions. However, not all users know that in addition to the standard “hiding icons” in the application menu, there are more reliable methods: from creating password folders to creating a password-based folder. MIUI Before using alternative launchers with a function of "secret space", in this article we will analyze all the current methods, from simple to advanced, including the nuances for different versions. MIUI 12/13/14 model Redmi/POCO.

It’s important to understand that hiding apps is not about protecting them completely. Even hidden programs can show up in Settings → Apps, multitasking menus or system searches. For truly sensitive data (like banking apps), it’s better to combine hiding with hardware locking – for example, through Second Space (a second MIUI account) or App Lock (a built-in Xiaomi blocker).

1. Standard hiding of icons in MIUI (without password)

The fastest way to remove the app from the home screen is to use the built-in hide feature in the MIUI launcher.This method does not require superuser rights and works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models with a firmware version at least MIUI 10.

To hide the icon:

1. Long click on the free space on the home screen and select Screen Settings (or Launcher Settings in older versions).
2. Go to Hide Apps (in MIUI 14, the path may look like Settings → Home Screen → Hide Apps).
3. Tick the programs you want to hide and click Ready.

After that, the icons will disappear from the app menu, but will remain available through:

• 🔍 Search by system (swipe down on the main screen).
• 📱 Multitasking menu (if the application was launched).
• ⚙️ Settings → Annexes (full list of installed programs).

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14 on some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro) hidden apps may accidentally appear in the “Frequently Used” widget or in recommendations MIUI Smart Assistant. To avoid this, turn off personalization in Settings → Special facilities → Smart Assistant.

2. Password folders in MIUI (Second Space and App Lock)

If you need to block access to applications, use the built-in MIUI tools:

Method 1: Second Space (Second Account)

Second Space creates an isolated workspace with separate applications, data, and even wallpaper, ideal for hiding messengers, banking apps, or personal photos.

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Special Options → Second Space
2. Create a new profile by setting a password (different from the main one).
3. In the new space, install the apps you want – they won’t be visible in the main profile.
4. Switch between spaces can be swiped by lock button or through the notification panel.

Method 2: App Lock (App Lock)

If Second Space seems redundant, use App Lock:

• 🔒 Go to Settings. → Annexes → App Lock.
• 📱 Select the programs to block (for example, Telegram, Gallery).
• 🔑 Set a password or pattern lock.

After that, when you try to open a blocked application, the system will require you to enter a password, while the icon will remain on the screen, but the content will be protected.

Make sure that the phone has a screen lock (PIN/password) enabled.

Make a backup copy of important data

Check out the MIUI version (some features are not available in older firmware)

Remember the password from Second Space/App Lock (cannot be reset without resetting)-->

3. Hiding through alternative launchers (Nova, Apex, POCO Launcher)

The standard MIUI launcher is limited in hideout features, but third-party shells offer more features, such as Nova Launcher and POCO Launcher, which allow:

• 🗃️ Create hidden folders with a password.
• 👁️ Hide icons from search and app menus.
• 🔄 Use gestures to quickly access hidden programs.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install the launcher from Google Play and make it the main one.
2. Click on the app icon for a long time → Change → Hide.
3. For additional protection, install the Nova Launcher Prime plugin and enable the App Drawer Groups password feature.

The advantage of this method is flexibility, for example, in POCO Launcher you can hide applications from search on the system, which is not possible with a standard MIUI.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers, hidden applications may become visible after updating the firmware or resetting settings. Check their status regularly in the launcher settings menu → Hidden applications.

4. Hiding through system folders (no root)

Android has a hidden folder. /data/app, stored APK-If you rename the folder (for example, add a dot at the beginning of the name), the system will not "see" it. However, this method requires caution and only works if there is a debugging bridge. ADB.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command in ADB:

adb shell pm hide com.example.app

Where com.example.app is the batch name of the application (you can find it through the App Inspector or adb shell pm list packages).

To return the application, use:

adb shell pm unhide com.example.app

5. Hiding through APK Archive (for power users)

If you need to temporarily remove the application, but save its data, you can archive it. APK-This method does not delete the program completely, it only makes it inaccessible to run.

How it works:

1. Install App Cloner or APK Extractor from Google Play.
2. Create a backup copy APK-file.
3. Delete the original program.
4. Rename it. APK-file (e.g. in notes_backup.apk) and move it to a secure folder (e.g., Mi Drive or an encrypted archive).

To restore the application, simply install APK-The downside is the loss of cache and data (unless you use Titanium Backup with root).

Problems and Solutions: Why Are Hidden Apps Revisited?

Xiaomi users often find hidden programs suddenly reappear, and consider the typical causes and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: After the MIUI update, hidden apps are back

This is because of the launcher reset.

• Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
• Find a launcher (MIUI Launcher or POCO Launcher) and clear its cache.
• Repeat the cover-up procedure.

Problem 2: Apps are visible in Google Search

Google indexes installed programs independently of MIUI to exclude them from the results:

1. Open Google App → Settings → General → Search on the device.
2. Turn off the App option.

Problem 3: Second Space is not available on your model

On some devices (e.g. Redmi 9A or POCO M3), the Second Space function may be disabled by the manufacturer.

• 📱 Use Parallel Apps (Cloning of Applications with Separate Input).
• 🔐 Install Shelter from F-Droid – Open Source for Isolated Profiles.

adb shell pm hide com.example.app & pause

Now it is enough to double-click on the file to hide the program.-->

Alternative methods: from cloning to encryption

If the built-in MIUI features don’t suit you, consider these options:

1. Cloning of applications (Parallel Apps)

Parallel Apps (in MIUI) or Island (for root devices) allows you to create a copy of an application with separate data.

• 📱 Separation of personal and work accounts in WhatsApp or Telegram.
• 🔑 Hiding the second profile in games or social networks.

How to turn on:

Settings → Applications → Parallel Apps → Select a program for cloning.

2. Encrypted containers (for application files)

If you need to hide not only the icon, but also the application data (for example, Signal or Keepass databases), use:

• 📁 Cryptomator – creates encrypted folders that are mounted as virtual disks.
• 🔐 Solid Explorer – File Manager with Support ZIP-Password archives.

3. Specialized applications for concealment

Google Play has utilities like Hide App-Hide Application or Calculator Vault that disguise programs as a calculator or other innocuous tool.

• ⚠️ Many of these applications require dangerous permissions (e.g. AccessibilityService).
• ⚠️ Some antiviruses (including MIUI Security) Blocking them as potentially harmful.

💡

The most reliable way to hide the app on Xiaomi is a Second Space combination (for isolation) + App Lock: This method doesn’t require root, works on all models and protects data even when your phone is stolen.

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding apps on Xiaomi