How to make a shortcut hidden on Android: from standard settings to ADB commands

Annoyed by extra icons on the main screen of your smartphone? Do you want to remove system applications that cannot be deleted, or simply hide rarely used apps? Android has several ways to hide shortcuts - from simple launcher settings to advanced commands via ADB. But not all methods are equally safe: some can lead to system malfunctions if used incorrectly.

In this article we will look at 5 proven methods hide shortcuts on Android smartphones of different brands: Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, Oppo and others. From standard launcher functions to manual editing of configuration files - choose the option that suits your needs. And if you need to not just hide, but completely disable the application, we will tell you how to do this without rootrights.

1. Hiding shortcuts through the settings of the standard launcher

Most manufacturers build into their shells (One UI, MIUI, ColorOS) the function of hiding applications. This method is the simplest and does not require installation of additional software. However, it only works for user applications - system apps (for example, Google Play Services or Samsung Knox) cannot be hidden in this way.

How to do this:

• 📱 On Samsung: hold your finger on an empty space on the main screen → Screen settings → Hide applications. Select the desired apps from the list.
• 🔴 On Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco: swipe up to open the applications menu → click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Hide applications.
• 🔵 On Realme/Oppo: go to Settings → Home screen and wallpaper → Hide apps.
• 🤖 On clean Android (Pixel, Motorola): hold application icon → Remove from the main screen (this does not delete the app, but only removes the shortcut).

Important: applications hidden in this way remain in the menu of all apps continue to run in the background. To stop them completely, you need to use other methods (see section 4).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, EMUI from Huawei), hidden applications may reappear after a system update. Check the settings after each update.

2. Using third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, Microsoft Launcher)

If the standard settings do not allow you to hide the shortcuts you need, install an alternative launcher. The most popular options are Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher and Microsoft Launcher. They offer advanced customization features, including hiding applications.

Instructions for Nova Launcher (works similarly in other launchers):

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play and make it a launcher by by default.
2. Press your finger on an empty area of the screen → Nova Settings.
3. Go to the section Applications and widgets → Hide applications.
4. Select the apps you want to hide and confirm the action.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔧 Works on any smartphone, regardless of the brand and version of Android.
• 🔄 You can hide both user and some system applications (for example, Google Duo or Samsung Free).
• 🎨 Additional functions: changing icons, gestures, adaptive wallpaper.

Important: Hiding system applications through the launcher does not disable their background activity. To completely stop them, use the methods from section 4.

3. Creating a folder with limited access (for confidential applications)

If you need to hide not just unnecessary icons, but confidential applications (for example, banking or instant messengers), use the built-in security features of some firmware. For example, on Samsung this Secure Folder, on Xiaomi — Second Space, and on Huawei — PrivateSpace.

How is this works:

1. On Samsung: go to Settings → Biometrics and security → Secure Folder. Create a folder protected with a password or fingerprint and transfer the necessary applications there.
2. On Xiaomi: Settings → Accessibility → Second Space. Here you can create a separate profile with your own set of apps.
3. On Huawei: Settings → Security → PrivateSpace.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Complete isolation of applications: they will not be displayed in the main menu and cannot be launched without authorization.
• 📱 Works even after rebooting the smartphone.
• 🔄 You can duplicate applications (for example, have two accounts in one messenger).

⚠️ Attention: If you forget the password for Secure Folder or Second Space, it will be impossible to restore access to hidden data without resetting the phone to factory settings. Write down the password in. safe place!

Make a backup of important data from applications

Remember or write down the access password

Check compatibility of applications with Secure Folder

Disable notifications for hidden apps (optional)-->

4. Disabling applications through Android settings (without deleting)

If the shortcut is in the way, but the application cannot be deleted (for example, Google Play Music or Samsung Pay), you can disableThis will remove the icon from the screen and stop background processes, but will not delete it. app files completely. If necessary, the application can be turned on again.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications.
2. Find the desired application in the list (use the "All applications" filter).
3. Click on the app name → Disable (or Uninstall updates, if the "Disable" button is inactive).
4. Confirm the action in the window that appears.

What will happen after disconnecting:

• ✅ The shortcut will disappear from the main screen and application menu.
• ✅ The app will stop using battery power and traffic.
• ❌ Updates for a disabled application will not be installed.
• ❌ Some system apps (for example, Android System WebView) cannot be disabled - this will lead to errors in the operation of the smartphone.

On some firmware (for example, MIUI) disabled applications may appear again after updating the system. In this case, repeat the procedure or use the method with ADB (section 5).

5. Advanced method: hiding via ADB (without root)

If standard methods do not help, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a debugging tool that allows you to manage system settings without obtaining rootrights. This method is suitable for experienced users and requires connecting a smartphone to a computer.

What you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed drivers ADB (you can download from developer.android.com).
• 📱 Smartphone with enabled USB debugging (path: Settings → About phone → Build number — press 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For developers → USB debugging).
• 🔌 USB cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step guide:

1. Connect your smartphone to the computer and confirm permission for debugging on the screen phone.
2. Open the command line (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and enter:

   adb shell
   pm hide com.package.name

   Instead com.package.name substitute the name of the application package (you can find it via App Inspector in Google Play or command adb shell pm list packages | grep "name").

3. Reboot the smartphone.

To return the application, use command:

adb shell pm unhide com.package.name

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use ADB can lead to system failures. Do not hide system components if you are not sure of their purpose. For example, disabling com.android.systemui will make the interface inoperable!

6. Alternative methods: disabling notifications and widgets

If the goal is not so much to hide the shortcut, but to reduce its impact on working with your smartphone, you can go another way. by: disabling notifications and application widgets. This will not remove the icon from the screen, but will make the app less intrusive.

How to disable notifications:

1. Press your finger on the application icon → Information about application (or Application settings).
2. Go to section Notifications.
3. Disable the switch Show notifications.

How to remove widgets:

• 📱 On the home screen, hold your finger on the widget → drag it to the trash or tap Delete.
• 🔧 To prevent the application from creating widgets, go to Settings → Applications → app name → Advanced → Widgets and disable them.

This method is suitable for:

• 📧 Applications that often send notifications (for example, games or news services).
• 📊 Widgets that take up space on the screen (weather, calendar, fitness trackers).
• 🔕 apps that cannot be disabled or deleted (for example, Google Discover on Pixel).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about hiding shortcuts on Android

adb shell settings put global lockscreen_shortcuts_enabled 0