Modern smartphones of the Xiaomi Redmi i Poco series contain a huge amount of personal information, which owners often want to protect from prying eyes. Visually removing a shortcut from the desktop is only the first step towards real privacy, but not all users know about the built-in tools of the system MIUI and the new shell HyperOS. You can hide an application using standard means that do not require superuser rights, or by creating isolated environments.
In this article we will look in detail at how to hide the icons of banking clients, instant messengers or galleries so that they are not displayed in the general list of apps. You will learn about the “Hidden Applications” feature, which is available in most current firmware versions, as well as a more advanced method - “Second Space”. Both approaches provide different levels of privacy and are suitable for different scenarios for using your device.
Native function of hiding applications in MIUI and HyperOS
Shell developers MIUI have provided a special mode that allows you to remove shortcuts of selected apps from the desktop and from the menu of all applications. This function does not completely remove the software, but only makes it invisible for normal viewing. To activate this mode, you need to go to the settings and find the corresponding section, which is sometimes hidden in the depths of the security menu.
The setup process begins by going to the application Security, which is preinstalled on each device Redmi. Inside this system tool, you need to scroll down the list to the item Hidden applications. If you are using a new version HyperOS, the path may be slightly different: Settings → Applications → Hidden applications. After turning on the switch, the system will prompt you to select specific apps that need to be masked.
It is important to understand that simply hiding the icon is not enough to completely protect your data. It is recommended to additionally set a password or pattern to enter this section. Without this measure, anyone aware of the existence of the function will be able to go into the settings and show hidden elements back. The password will be requested each time you try to access the list of hidden apps.
⚠️ Attention: After activating the hiding mode, the standard search for the application name in the All Applications menu may no longer find hidden apps. This is normal system behavior aimed at increasing privacy.
There is a special gesture or combination of actions to access hidden applications. Usually this is spreading two fingers apart on the desktop or entering a special code in the search field. The exact method depends on your firmware version, so it's worth checking the gesture settings in the privacy section.
☑️ Checking privacy settings
Using the Second Space for complete isolation
If you need not just to hide the icon, but to create a completely separate environment inside the smartphone, the function Second Space will be the ideal solution. This technology actually creates two independent user profiles on one device Redmi. Each space has its own desktop, its own settings, its own Google accounts and, most importantly, its own set of installed applications.
Applications installed in the Second Space are completely invisible in the Main Space. Even if someone unlocks your phone and gains access to your main profile, they will not see any trace of banking apps or personal chats installed in the hidden profile. Switching between spaces is done instantly through a special icon on the desktop or using a fingerprint.
Setting up a second profile takes a few minutes. You will need to set a separate password or associate a different fingerprint to log in. This allows you to implement a “dualistic access” scenario: one finger opens a regular phone with games and social networks, and the other finger instantly switches the device to the mode with confidential data.
| Characteristics | Hidden applications | Second space |
|---|---|---|
| Level isolation | Low (hide icon) | High (full environment) |
| Data access | Shared files visible | Files separated |
| Notifications | Can be displayed | Completely hidden |
| Speed of access | Via gesture or password | Via fingerprint |
It is worth noting that using the Second Space requires more RAM and processor resources, since the system is forced to maintain two active profiles. On budget models Redmi with a small amount of RAM, this can lead to more frequent unloading of background processes.
Is it possible to transfer data between spaces?
Yes, the system provides a built-in tool for transferring contacts, photos and even some settings from the Main space to the Second space. However, installed applications will have to be downloaded again within the second profile.
Setting up a password and biometrics to protect access
The effectiveness of hiding applications directly depends on the reliability of login protection. In the ecosystem Xiaomi there is a single password management center that allows you to protect not only the lock screen, but also individual functions, folders and applications. It is recommended to use a complex numeric code or a long pattern instead of a simple four-dot pattern.
For maximum security, biometric data should be linked. The fingerprint scanner in smartphones Redmi works quickly and allows you to open hidden sections in a split second. Facial recognition is also supported, but is considered a less reliable method of protecting critical data compared to fingerprinting.
Remember to update your privacy protection password regularly. If you suspect that someone might have snooped on your pattern, immediately change it in your security settings. The system allows you to reset a forgotten application protection password only through your account MI Account, so make sure you remember the login information for your account.
Use different fingerprints for the Primary and Secondary space. For example, the right thumb is for normal mode, and the left index finger is for hidden profile. This will ensure instant and discreet switching.
In the protection settings, you can also activate the “Hide notification contents” function. This will prevent the text of messages from hidden messengers from being displayed on the lock screen. Even if the phone is unlocked on the table, a stranger will not be able to read the message preview from the hidden chat.
Alternative methods: Launchers and guest modes
In addition to the built-in tools MIUI, there are third-party solutions for masking applications. Third-party launchers available in Google Playoften offer features for creating hidden folders or incognito modes. Installing such a launcher allows you to completely change the interface and hide the presence of certain icons from prying eyes.
However, using third-party software has its risks. Such launchers can consume more battery and do not always work correctly with navigation gestures Android. Additionally, they don't provide as much data isolation as the built-in Second Space from Xiaomi.
Another option is to use Guest mode, if available in your version of Android. This mode temporarily clears the desktop of personal widgets and applications, creating the appearance of a “clean” phone. This is convenient when you need to give the phone to a child to play or a friend to call without revealing your personal data.
⚠️ Attention: When you reset your smartphone to factory settings, all data in the Second Space will be permanently deleted. Be sure to back up your important files before hard resetting your device.
Manage notifications and background activity
Even if an app is hidden, it can continue to run in the background and send notifications. To completely protect yourself, you need to configure notification settings for disguised apps. Go to the settings of a specific application and disable the display of notifications on the lock screen and in the status bar.
For applications in the Second space, notifications are isolated by default and do not appear in the Primary space until you switch to a hidden profile. This is a critical feature that prevents accidental information leakage through pop-up windows.
It is also worth checking the permissions to access the clipboard and microphone. The hidden application should not have access to these resources without your knowledge. In modern versions Android i HyperOS there are indicators in the upper right corner of the screen that signal the operation of the microphone or camera.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Users sometimes encounter a situation where a hidden application spontaneously appears on the desktop after a system update. This may be due to a launcher malfunction. In this case, you need to go back to the settings for hidden applications and activate the switch again.
Another common problem is the inability to remove an application from the Second Space. To do this, you need to switch to the profile where the application is installed and delete it in the standard way by long pressing the icon. Removing from the Primary space will not affect apps in the Second.
If the hide applications option is not in the menu, your firmware region may not support this option or it may have been removed in a specific software version. In this case, it is recommended to check for system updates or change the region in the phone settings (with caution).
The combination of the “Hidden Applications” function for quick masking and the “Second Space” for critical data provides the maximum level of privacy on Redmi smartphones.
Is it possible to recover a deleted hidden application?
If If you remove an application from the hidden list, it will simply return to the general list of all apps. If you deleted the application itself through the settings, you can restore it from the trash (if such a function is in the launcher) or download it again from the application store.
Do hidden applications take up memory space?
Yes, hiding an application does not free up space in the phone's memory. The app continues to occupy the same amount of internal memory and RAM as before, since it is physically installed on the device.
Will an alarm clock work in a hidden application?
Yes, alarms and reminders in hidden applications (for example, hidden Clock) continue to work on a schedule, even if the application itself is not visible on the desktop. The sound will sound at the appointed time.
How to hide an application if the Hidden Applications menu is empty?
Try clearing the cache of the Security or Launcher application. Sometimes restarting the phone helps. If the problem persists, check whether the function is disabled in the advanced privacy settings.